Valentine Cake Pops: a cute, tasty dessert for Valentine’s Day
If you want to surprise your partner by showing off your culinary skills this Valentine's Day, try making these delicious Valentine cake pops. They're made from a decadent mixture of chocolate cake mixed with a chocolate buttercream shaped into a ball or heart and dipped in a festive pink candy melt coating.
Valentine cake pops are fun, sweet, and a simple yet thoughtful way to show you care. Bring them on a romantic picnic or serve them up for dessert after an intimate homemade meal for two.
Easy Valentine Cake Pop Ingredients
Before starting make sure your ingredients are at room temperature. One of the reasons cake pops are so easy to make is that the recipe calls for a boxed cake mix. You can use any flavor of cake mix you like. You'll also need various additional ingredients listed in the instructions to make the cake.
To make the buttercream, you'll need butter, powdered sugar, heavy cream, vanilla, and cocoa powder. Use salted butter to help balance out the sweetness of the buttercream.
For the coating, you'll need candy melts, aka melting chocolate. Any color works here, but pink and red are wonderful festive options for Valentine's Day.
How to Make Valentine Cake Pops
Your first step to making the perfect Valentine cake pops is to prepare and bake the boxed cake mix according to the directions outlined on the box. Once baked, take it out of the oven and leave it to cool completely.
While the cake is cooling, make the buttercream. Use a handheld electric mixer to cream the butter until fluffy. Beat in 1 cup of powdered sugar. Beat in cocoa powder, vanilla, and an additional cup of powdered sugar. Mix in the heavy cream.
Once the cake is cool, break it up into a bowl. The crumbs should be relatively fine – no big chunks of cake! Mix in two tablespoons of buttercream. Keep adding the buttercream one tablespoon at a time until the mixture holds together. Grab a cookie scoop or tablespoon and roll up a scoopful of the cake mixture. Shape it into a ball and put it on a plate. Shape the rest of the cake mixture into balls. Next, melt the candy melts in 30-second intervals until completely melted.
Take one cake pop stick and dip it in the candy melts, then put the stick into a cake pop. Assemble the rest of the candy pops, then put them in the freezer for 20 to 30 minutes. Put the candy melts back in the microwave to remelt the chocolate. Dip each cake pop into the chocolate to completely coat the cake. Decorate as desired, and enjoy!
Tips for Making Easy Valentine Cake Pops
You'll need about 20 to 25 cake pop sticks for this recipe.
You can use different colors of candy melts to decorate your cake pops.
Use any type of boxed cake mix you like. Vanilla, chocolate, red velvet, German chocolate, and lemon are all wonderful options.
Decorate your cake pops with sprinkles, edible glitter, or a drizzle of chocolate or caramel.
To make vegan Valentine cake pops, use plant-based butter and plant milk to make the buttercream.
How to Store Valentine Cake Pops
To keep your cake pops at their freshest, line an airtight container with a paper towel or parchment paper, then put the cake pops on top. Keep them at room temperature for up to one week or in the fridge for up to 3 weeks.
Can You Freeze Valentine Cake Pops?
Yes! Frozen cake pops will last up to 6 months. Thaw them overnight in the fridge before you plan on serving them.
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Instructions
Make the cake batter according to the instructions on the box.
Make the cake batter according to the instructions on the box.
Transfer the batter into a cake pan, then bake it according to the instructions.
Transfer the batter into a cake pan, then bake it according to the instructions.
Remove it from the oven and let it cool completely.
Remove it from the oven and let it cool completely.
While cake it cooling, cream butter with a handheld electric mixer until fluffy. Beat in 1 cup of powdered sugar. Beat in cocoa powder, vanilla, and an additional cup of powdered sugar. Mix in the heavy cream.
While cake it cooling, cream butter with a handheld electric mixer until fluffy. Beat in 1 cup of powdered sugar. Beat in cocoa powder, vanilla, and an additional cup of powdered sugar. Mix in the heavy cream.
In a large bowl, crumble the cake into fine crumbs.
In a large bowl, crumble the cake into fine crumbs.
Mix in 2 tablespoons of buttercream. Continue to add buttercream one tablespoon at a time until the mixture holds together.
Mix in 2 tablespoons of buttercream. Continue to add buttercream one tablespoon at a time until the mixture holds together.
Scoop out one cookie scoop full of the cake mixture. Shape it into a ball or heart, then set it on a plate or baking dish lined with parchment paper.
Scoop out one cookie scoop full of the cake mixture. Shape it into a ball or heart, then set it on a plate or baking dish lined with parchment paper.
Repeat with the remaining cake mixture. Place the candy melts in a microwave-safe bowl. Melt in 30-second intervals, stirring between each interval.
Repeat with the remaining cake mixture. Place the candy melts in a microwave-safe bowl. Melt in 30-second intervals, stirring between each interval.
Take one cake pop stick and dip it in the candy melts. Insert the stick into a cake pop. Repeat with the remaining cake pops, then put the cake pops in the freezer for 20 minutes.
Take one cake pop stick and dip it in the candy melts. Insert the stick into a cake pop. Repeat with the remaining cake pops, then put the cake pops in the freezer for 20 minutes.
Remelt the candy melts, then pour it into a deep bowl. Dip the cake pops in the melted candy so they're completely coated.
Remelt the candy melts, then pour it into a deep bowl. Dip the cake pops in the melted candy so they're completely coated.
If desired, add sprinkles, chopped nuts, or other decorations before the candy coating hardens. Serve and enjoy!
If desired, add sprinkles, chopped nuts, or other decorations before the candy coating hardens. Serve and enjoy!
Notes
Use a 9×13-inch pan to bake the cake.
