Red velvet cake pops combine the classic charm of red velvet cake with the fun and convenience of a bite-sized treat. These adorable, vibrant cake pops are perfect for any celebration, whether it’s a birthday party, wedding, or simply a cozy afternoon treat. With their rich chocolate flavor and creamy cream cheese coating, they offer a delightful taste experience. Let’s dive into why you’ll love making these treats and how easy they are to prepare.
Why Make This Red Velvet Cake Pops
Red velvet cake pops are not only visually stunning but also great for sharing. Their eye-catching red color makes them a showstopper at gatherings, and the tiny pops make serving simple. Since they have a delightful combination of flavors—rich cocoa, tangy cream cheese, and a hint of sweetness—they appeal to a wide range of taste buds. Plus, they’re fun to make and can be a great project to do with kids or friends!
How to Make Red Velvet Cake Pops
Making red velvet cake pops is a straightforward process. You start with baking a red velvet cake, allowing it to cool, and then crumble it down into a fine crumb. Mix in some frosting to bind the crumbs, roll them into balls, and then dip them in chocolate coating. It sounds fun, right? Just follow the steps below, and you’ll soon have your delicious red velvet cake pops ready for enjoyment.
Ingredients:
For the Cake:
- 1 ½ cups all-purpose flour
- 1 cup granulated sugar
- 1 teaspoon baking soda
- 1 teaspoon salt
- 1 cup vegetable oil
- 1 cup buttermilk, room temperature
- 2 large eggs, room temperature
- 2 tablespoons unsweetened cocoa powder
- 1 tablespoon red food coloring
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 1 teaspoon white vinegar
For the Frosting:
- 8 oz cream cheese, softened
- ½ cup unsalted butter, softened
- 4 cups powdered sugar
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
For Coating:
- 2 cups chocolate candy melts or melting chocolate
- Sprinkles (optional, for decoration)
- Lollipop sticks
Directions:
Bake the Cake: Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Grease and flour a 9-inch round cake pan. In a bowl, whisk together the flour, sugar, baking soda, and salt. In another bowl, mix the oil, buttermilk, eggs, cocoa powder, red food coloring, vanilla, and vinegar. Combine the wet and dry ingredients, then pour the batter into the prepared pan. Bake for about 25-30 minutes or until a toothpick comes out clean. Let it cool completely.
Prepare the Frosting: In a mixing bowl, beat the cream cheese and butter together until smooth. Gradually add the powdered sugar and vanilla, mixing until creamy.
Crumble the Cake: Once the cake is completely cool, crumble it into a large bowl, making sure there are no large chunks. Mix in the cream cheese frosting until the mixture holds together when you squeeze it.
Roll into Balls: Use your hands to shape small amounts of the mixture into 1-inch balls and place them on a baking sheet lined with parchment paper. Once all the mixture is rolled, chill them in the refrigerator for about 30 minutes to firm up.
Coat the Cake Pops: Melt the chocolate candy melts in a microwave or double boiler until smooth. Dip the end of each lollipop stick in the melted chocolate, then insert it into the center of each cake ball. After the chocolate sets, dip each cake pop into the melting chocolate, allowing any excess chocolate to drip off. You can add sprinkles on top if desired. Place them back on the parchment paper until they are set.
Nutritional Information
Each red velvet cake pop (approximately 1 oz) contains:
- Calories: 120
- Total Fat: 6g
- Saturated Fat: 3.5g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Cholesterol: 20mg
- Sodium: 75mg
- Total Carbohydrate: 15g
- Dietary Fiber: 0g
- Sugars: 10g
- Protein: 1g
How to Serve Red Velvet Cake Pops
Serve your red velvet cake pops on a decorative platter or in a mason jar for a rustic touch. They make perfect treats for birthday parties, weddings, or any festive gathering. You can also serve them alongside a cup of coffee or hot cocoa for a delightful afternoon snack.
How to Store Red Velvet Cake Pops
Store your cake pops in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to one week. Make sure they do not touch each other to prevent sticking. If you’re planning to keep them longer, they can be frozen for up to three months. Just pop them in the fridge the night before serving to let them thaw.
Expert Tips for Perfect Red Velvet Cake Pops
- Cake Consistency: Make sure your cake is fully cooled before crumbling. If it’s too warm, the mixture may become too mushy.
- Proper Chilling: Don’t skip chilling the cake balls—they need to be firm to hold their shape when coating.
- Coating Technique: For a smooth finish, tap the lollipop stick gently after dipping to remove excess chocolate.
- Chocolate Melting: If the chocolate gets too thick, you can reheat it briefly to maintain a smooth consistency.
Delicious Variations
- Cream Cheese Swirl: Add a swirl of cream cheese into the mixture for a more intense cream cheese flavor.
- Chocolate Dipped: Use dark or white chocolate for a different flavor profile.
- Flavor Infusions: Add a splash of almond extract to the frosting for a nutty twist.
- Mini Cake Pops: Make smaller versions for bite-sized treats perfect for snacking.
Frequently Asked Questions
1. Can I use cake mix instead of homemade cake?
Yes! You can use a boxed red velvet cake mix to save time. Just follow the instructions on the box and continue from there.
2. What can I substitute for cream cheese?
If you don’t have cream cheese, you can use mascarpone cheese or even a buttercream frosting as a substitute.
3. How can I make them gluten-free?
To make gluten-free cake pops, simply swap out the all-purpose flour for a 1:1 gluten-free baking mix.
Conclusion
Making red velvet cake pops is a fun and rewarding project that results in a delicious treat everyone will love. Their beautiful appearance and delightful taste make them perfect for any occasion. Don’t hesitate to try this recipe, and add your personal touches along the way. Happy baking! Have fun creating your delicious red velvet cake pops, and share your results with friends and family. We’d love to hear about your cake pop adventures!
Red Velvet Cake Pops
Ingredients
Method
- Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Grease and flour a 9-inch round cake pan.
- In a bowl, whisk together the flour, sugar, baking soda, and salt.
- In another bowl, mix the oil, buttermilk, eggs, cocoa powder, red food coloring, vanilla, and vinegar.
- Combine the wet and dry ingredients, then pour the batter into the prepared pan.
- Bake for about 25-30 minutes or until a toothpick comes out clean. Let it cool completely.
- In a mixing bowl, beat the cream cheese and butter together until smooth.
- Gradually add the powdered sugar and vanilla, mixing until creamy.
- Once the cake is completely cool, crumble it into a large bowl, making sure there are no large chunks.
- Mix in the cream cheese frosting until the mixture holds together when you squeeze it.
- Use your hands to shape small amounts of the mixture into 1-inch balls and place them on a baking sheet lined with parchment paper.
- Once all the mixture is rolled, chill them in the refrigerator for about 30 minutes to firm up.
- Melt the chocolate candy melts in a microwave or double boiler until smooth.
- Dip the end of each lollipop stick in the melted chocolate, then insert it into the center of each cake ball.
- After the chocolate sets, dip each cake pop into the melting chocolate, allowing any excess chocolate to drip off.
- You can add sprinkles on top if desired. Place them back on the parchment paper until they are set.