Cake Pops (19 page)

So now you know how to make cake pops. But you may be wondering, “How am I going to present them?” Here are several approaches to try. From do-it-yourself displays to custom-built stands, there are many ways to help your cake pop creations shine like pop stars.

You can also use these tag designs to help your tiny treats make a big impression.

Visit
www.bakerella.com/tags
for downloadable designs.

Styrofoam blocks:
Used as a place to allow your cake pops to dry, they can also be covered in scrapbook paper for a pretty, easy, and inexpensive display. Measure your Styrofoam and cut a piece of paper to match the length and width of the block. Use plain paper for this, not decorative paper; it will serve as a template. Placing them 2 inches apart, make marks on the paper where the holes will be, using a pencil. Place the paper over the Styrofoam and poke through the paper at the marks with the tip of a pencil. Then mark each spot on the Styrofoam with a marker. Remove the paper and use a paper lollipop stick to poke holes into the Styrofoam. Try to insert the stick as straight into the Styrofoam as possible, without poking all the way through it. Wrap the Styrofoam block in decorative paper. Place the paper template on top of the wrapped Styrofoam and mark the hole locations with a pencil. This time, make a few tiny holes with the end of a needle, so you’ll be able to insert the lollipop stick through without ripping the decorative paper. Be careful when removing cake pops from a Styrofoam block. If all the cake pops are removed from one side, the weight of the pops on the other side can cause the Styrofoam to tip over.

Glassware:
Glass dishes filled with sugar make an eye-pleasing display for cake pops. The sugar should be deep enough to keep the sticks standing upright. You can also fill deep glass dishes with gumballs, M&M’s, or even marbles for a decorative approach. Glass candy dishes with lids are also a pretty way to display and store cake balls.

Bouquets:
You can use a flowerpot or basket to display cake pops. Place a Styrofoam ball or block inside the basket so that it’s secure. Then arrange the cake pops in the Styrofoam. You can disguise the Styrofoam ball by filling in around the sticks with paper confetti, ribbon, streamers, or some other fun decoration.

Painted wood displays:
You’ll need a drill and a ruler for this one. Mark holes 2 inches apart on a piece of wood that is about 2 inches thick. Make a mark on the drill bit about 1¾ inches from the tip, so that you don’t drill all the way through the wood. Drill a hole slightly smaller than the diameter of the lollipop sticks you have chosen for a secure fit. Lighter wood with less grain will look the best. Use a drill bit slightly larger than the thickness of your lollipop stick.

Lollipop stands:
Super-cute premade displays are a great way to go if you’re in a hurry. They’re also called lollipop trees or sucker displays. Wilton.com carries a convenient lollipop and treat stand, and if you’re feeling crafty you can make one (go to www.martha stewartweddings.com/article/lollipop-stand-how-to).

Gift tags, treat bags, and ribbon:
Individual cake pops make a great impression when given as gifts. Simply wrap each cake pop in a small plastic treat bag, and tie with decorative ribbon. You can make them even more special by including a sweet note. Use a 2- to 3-inch-wide paper punch, available in craft stores, and punch shapes out of heavyweight card stock. Then use a regular hole punch to make two holes on either side of the shape. Add a handwritten note, and slide the tag onto the lollipop stick. Or use a computer to typeset the message you want on card stock and use a large paper punch to punch around it. Or skip all of that and visit
www.bakerella.com/tags
for a few downloadable designs.

Cake pops made with a cake mix and ready-made frosting can be stored in an airtight container on the counter. If you wrap them individually in treat bags tied with ribbon, they can stand in the Styrofoam block until ready to serve.

Cake pops made with homemade ingredients that are perishable, such as cream cheese frosting, should be stored in the refrigerator, either in an airtight container or wrapped in treat bags.

Cake pops will last for several days and can be made a few days before an event. The finished pops can also be stored in the freezer if you need to make them further in advance.

Note:
Manufacturers do not recommend storing candy coating in the refrigerator or freezer. But I have had success with storing the finished pops by wrapping in individual treat bags tied with a ribbon and placing them in an airtight container.

Cake pops, bites, and balls are surprisingly easy to ship. Look for pastry boxes to place them in.

Cover cake pops with treat bags tied with ribbon, and then lay them in alternating directions in a small pastry or cake box. Use tissue paper to fill in any gaps and to keep the pops from sliding around in the box.

You can place cake balls and cupcake bites in paper or foil candy cups or use candy wrappers before mailing them in pastry boxes.

Tape the box shut and place it in a larger box surrounded by packing material. Ship them overnight to ensure freshness.

Candy coatings, candy molds, lollipop sticks, treat bags, and more can be found at the following online sources.

• Cake Art: www.cakeart.com
  

• Candyland Crafts: www.candylandcrafts.com
  

• CK Products: www.ckproducts.com
  

• Confectionery House: www.confectioneryhouse.com
  

• Kitchenkrafts.com: www.kitchenkrafts.com
  

Grocery stores, drugstores, and even gas stations carry a wide assortment of candies to get your creative juices flowing. Here are a few online options as well.

• Candy Direct: www.candydirect.com
  

• Candy Warehouse: www.candywarehouse.com
  

• Dylan’s Candy Bar: www.dylanscandybar.com
  

• M&M’s: www.mms.com (purchase the color you want)
  

Chocolate, vanilla, and colored candy coatings are available from Merckens, Make ‘n Mold, and Wilton. Chocolate and vanilla varieties are also available from the Kroger grocery store chain. Other brands available: Plymouth Pantry Almond Bark, Ambrosia Bark Coating, and Clasen Confectionery Coatings.

• Kroger: www.kroger.com
  

• Make ‘n Mold: www.makenmold.com
  

• Merckens: available from cake and candy suppliers
  

• Wilton: www.wilton.com
  

• Chefmaster candy color: available from cake and candy suppliers
  

• Make ‘n Mold: www.makenmold.com
  

• Wilton: www.wilton.com
  

• CK Products: www.ckproducts.com (medium candy cup mold, product number: 90-5607; dome truffle mold, product number: 90-5651; disc mold, product number: 90-5022)
  

• Life of the Party: www.lifeofthepartymolds.com (medium candy cup mold, product number: AO032 ; Square mold, product number: AO107)
  

• LorAnn Oils: www.lorannoils.com
  

• Americolor: www.americolorcorp.com
  

• Williams-Sonoma (available in a mini-cutter set in retail stores)
  

• Wilton (available in mini sets)
  

• Ateco (available in mini-cutter set number 4848)
  

• Mr.Sprinkles: www.mr-sprinkles.com
  

  Note:
  Now only available in all natural colors.
  

Retail craft stores also carry most of the basics you’ll need for many of the projects.

• Jo-Ann Fabric and Craft Stores: www.joann.com
  

• Michaels: www.michaels.com
  

• Hobby Lobby: www.hobbylobby.com
  

• A.C. Moore: www.acmoore.com