Squishy birthday sweets
kids. And because it’s a recipe that encourages kids to play with their food, it provides that walking-on-the-wild side feeling that most tots can’t resist. With just a little planning ahead on your part, you can turn the next birthday party at your house into one they’ll be talking about for weeks to come—or at least as long as it takes to lick all the chocolate from between their fingers.
By Julie Kendrick
First step
You’ve seen cake pops before, of course, sitting primly on the countertops of local bakeries and coffeehouses. Hyper-decorated and covered in cellophane, they usually fetch upwards of two dollars for what is, essentially, a couple of bites of frosting-covered cake on a stick. While the fancy-schmanzy cake pop certainly has its place as a special treat, here’s a little secret about them that even the guy behind the coffeeshop counter probably doesn’t know—they are super easy, and super fun, to make at home with
40 July 2012
Here’s what you need to do: Bake one cake mix (any old kind will do, but you can’t go wrong with chocolate) according to package directions in a 13" x 9" pan and let cool in pan for at least a couple hours or as long as a day or so (a little bit drier is actually better). When the kids are ready to party, give one big mixing bowl to each “chef.” Open up a can of frosting and dole out about three quarters (about 1-1/3 cup), divided equally into each bowl. Then slice off slabs of cake and drop some into each bowl. “Kids,” you may now
intone, “Starting squishing!” The kids’ job is to thoroughly smoosh the cake and frosting together, and to enjoy the squishy fun of mashing something so delicious into a beautifully combined treat. Let them do this for as long as they’d like—they really can’t hurt this stuff, we promise. The amount of frosting you add doesn’t have to be super-precise, but you want the mixture to be moist enough to roll, but not overly full of frosting when you bite into it. You’re aiming for more cake than frosting, but cake that holds its shape nicely. So yes, now you have permission to taste it. When everyone begins to tire, and the frosting seems completely mixed into the cake, it’s time to roll the mixture into balls. You can make them any size you want—as big as bakery cake pops (about 1-1/2" in diameter) or smaller, more bite sized versions (about 3/4"). If you have an antsy bunch, you’re done. Eat them all up and call it a party well done. If your crowd has the attention span for a little bit more
The fun part of cake ball making. Photo by Julie Kendrick
Open 10 AM to 6 PM Memorial Day Weekend thru Labor Day
kitchen fun, you can move to the next step and set the rolled balls on a cookie sheet, popping it into the freezer for half an hour or so, until firm. (Have the kids wash up the mixing bowls while you wait.) Meanwhile, melt some candy wafers in a double boiler or microwave, according to directions. If you want to make pops, you can insert one lollipop stick, available at craft stores, into each chilled ball. (A cheaper method is to buy bamboo skewers and cut them in half.) For a pop-less version, no stick is needed. Move the cookie sheet from freezer to refrigerator and keep the extra balls there while you dip a few at a time. Dip the cake balls into the melted candy. Set them on waxed paper, or place the sticks upright into a block of styrofoam that’s been set into a cake pan. If you’re feeling fancy, dig out the sprinkles, or drizzle with melted wafers in a contrasting color. Cool in the refrigerator for half an hour to set the coating. If you have any leftovers from your smoosh-athon, place finished balls on small cupcake liners, or invert cellophane bags over each pop and tie with ribbon.
See & hear our 26’ tall animated Paul Bunyan greet your youngsters by name Over 40 rides and attractions and our 30 building Pioneer Village 6 miles East of Brainerd on State Hwy 18
www.PaulBunyanLand.com 218-764-2524 1-877-412-4162
Low gate price includes all rides and attractions
www.wheelfunrentals.com
Water Rentals
Lake Harriet: 612-922-9226 Lake Calhoun: 612-923-5765 Wheel Fun Rentals MNP 0712 H6.indd 1
Bike Rentals
Minnehaha Falls: 612-729-2660 Lake Nokomis: 612-729-1127 Duluth – Canal Park: 218-722-1180 5/21/12 4:57 PM
Basic Ingredients One box cake mix, any flavor, baked according to directions About 3/4 of one can frosting (1-1/3 cups), any flavor 1 to 2 packages candy melts or almond bark, melted according to directions
Options Lollipop sticks, or bamboo skewers cut in half Cake ball forms, available from mylittlecupcakepop.com and others Sprinkles Styrofoam block set in cake pan, for drying and display
July 2012 41