Cake Pops-how to

1 batch Dark Chocolate Cake
8 ounces cream cheese, softened
2 cups confectioner's sugar
4 tablespoons butter
1 tablespoon milk (or more, as necessary)

Bake the cake and let it cool completely on a rack. This is a very moist cake, which is ideal for this recipe. It's best to let it cool overnight at least. When it is completely cool, break the cake into a large bowl. Crumble it with forks or your fingers until it is in fine crumbs.

In a separate bowl, whip the cream cheese, butter, powdered sugar, and milk together until smooth. Pour into the cake crumbs and mix with a spoon. Then continue mixing with your fingers, kneading and mixing until fully incorporated into the cake. Check to see if it will roll into a ball. It should: this makes a very malleable, easy-to-handle cake mixture. But if it needs a little extra moisture, add milk a spoonful at a time.

When the mix is completely done, cover with plastic wrap and refrigerate until firm. You can leave the mix refrigerated for several days at this point. I left mine in the fridge for about three days before making the balls. You could probably also freeze this.

Making Cake Pops

What you need
Lollipop sticks (found at Michael's, JoAnn's, or other craft stores)
12 ounces chocolate chips or almond bark
12 ounces white chocolate bark
Colored sugars, candies, and other decorative sprinkles

How to make the balls
Prepare two large baking sheets by covering with wax paper or parchment. Take a bit of the cake mixture and roll it into a smooth ball. If you want to use the lollipop sticks, stick one into the end of each ball, pointing upward, as you put the ball back down on the sheet. [Note: I cut the long lollipop sticks in half; they seemed a little long for the size of the balls.] Repeat until you've used up all the mixture. As each sheet fills up, put it in the freezer so that the balls harden.

How to decorate the cake pops
Melt chocolate or white chocolate in a double boiler on the stove. If you want to make the coating a little more resistant to melting, add a small square of wax to the pot and let it melt too. Stir well. Dip each ball into the chocolate until covered.

Dip in sugar, coconut, sprinkles, or anything else you'd like to decorate with. Put it back on the sheet to harden.

Don't refrigerate these; it will cause the coating to weep or melt. They can be frozen, however.

With thanks to:
• Cake Pops at Bakerella

Brownie Candy Cups

Brownie Candy Cups

1 package Duncan Hines Chocolate Lovers Double Fudge Brownie Mix
2 eggs
1/3 cup water
1/4 cup vegetable oil
30 mini Reeses cups unwrapped
1 Box Reynolds 2-inch aluminum foil mini cups for muffins

1. Preheat oven to 350
2. Place 30 foil liners on baking sheet
3. Combine brownie mix, contents from fudge packet in mix, eggs, water and oil.
4. Stir with spoon until well blended. (about 50 strokes)
5. Fill each liner with 2 tablespoons of batter
6. Bake at 350 for 10 minutes and remove from oven
7. Push 1 Reeses in center of each “brownie cupcake” until even with surface of the batter.
8. Bake 5-7 minutes longer.
9. Cool 5-10 minutes in pan and then move to cooling rack to cool completely.

Red Velvet Cake Balls

Red Velvet Cake Balls
1 box red velvet cake mix (cook as directed on box for 13 X 9 cake)
1 can cream cheese frosting (16 oz.)
1 package chocolate bark (regular or white chocolate)
wax paper

1. After cake is cooked and cooled completely, crumble into large bowl.
2. Mix thoroughly with 1 can cream cheese frosting. (It may be easier to use fingers to mix together, but be warned it will get messy.)
3. Roll mixture into quarter size balls and lay on cookie sheet. (Should make 45-50. You can get even more if you use a mini ice cream scooper, but I like to hand roll them.)
4. Chill for several hours. (You can speed this up by putting in the freezer.)
5. Melt chocolate in microwave per directions on package.
6. Roll balls in chocolate and lay on wax paper until firm. (Use a spoon to dip and roll in chocolate and then tap off extra.)

I also only melt a few pieces of chocolate bark at a time because it starts to cool and thicken. It’s easier to work with when it’s hot.

Peanut Butter Cupcakes

1 box Betty yellow cake mix
1 1/4 cups water
1/4 cup vegetable oil
3 eggs
3/4 cup creamy peanut butter
1 container chocolate frosting
1/4 cup creamy peanut butter
1/3 cup chopped peanuts


Heat oven to 350°F (325°F for dark or nonstick pans). Place paper baking cup in each of 24 regular-size muffin cups.
In large bowl, beat cake mix, water, oil, eggs and 3/4 cup peanut butter with electric mixer on low speed 30 seconds. Beat on medium speed 2 minutes, scraping bowl occasionally. Divide batter evenly among muffin cups (about 2/3 full).
Bake 20 to 25 minutes or until toothpick inserted in center comes out clean. Remove from pan to cooling rack. Cool completely, about 30 minutes.
In medium bowl, stir together frosting and 1/4 cup peanut butter. Frost cupcakes with frosting mixture. Sprinkle with peanuts; press lightly into frosting.

Banana Bundt Cake

2 bananas mashed
1 white cake mix
1 small box vanilla instant pudding
3 eggs
1 cup sour cream
1/3 cup water
2 TB oil
1/4 tsp baking powder
1 can (16 ounces) white frosting

Preheat over to 350 degrees
Combine bananas, cake mix, pudding, eggs, sour cream, water, oil and baking powder. Mix just until moistened. Pour batter into greased and floured bundt pan.

Bake 45-50 minutes, Invert cake onto a platter and let cool. Place frosting in microwave 10-15 seconds to soften. Drizzle over the cake.

Lemon Sheet Cake

Ingredients
1 package (18-1/4 ounces) lemon cake mix
4 eggs
1 can (15-3/4 ounces) lemon pie filling
1 package (3 ounces) cream cheese, softened
1/2 cup butter, softened
2 cups confectioners' sugar
1-1/2 teaspoons vanilla extract
Directions
In a large bowl, beat the cake mix and eggs until well blended. Fold in pie filling.
Spread into a greased 15-in. x 10-in. x 1-in. baking pan. Bake at 350° for 18-20 minutes or until a toothpick inserted near the center comes out clean. Cool on a wire rack.
In a small bowl, beat the cream cheese, butter and confectioners' sugar until smooth. Stir in vanilla. Spread over cake. Store in the refrigerator. Yield: 30-35 servings.

Mint Chocolate Cake

Ingredients
1 package (18-1/4 ounces) chocolate cake mix

FROSTING:
1/2 cup butter, softened
2 cups confectioners' sugar
1 tablespoon water
1/2 teaspoon peppermint extract
3 drops green food coloring

TOPPING:
1-1/2 cups milk chocolate chips
6 tablespoons butter, softened
1/4 teaspoon peppermint extract
Directions
Prepare cake batter according to package directions, using a greased 15-in. x 10-in. x 1-in. baking pan.
Bake at 350° for 25-30 minutes or until a toothpick inserted near the center comes out clean. Cool on a wire rack.
In a large bowl, combine the frosting ingredients until smooth. Spread over cooled cake.
For topping, in a microwave, melt chocolate chips and butter; stir until smooth. Stir in extract. Spread over frosting. Refrigerate until set. Yield: 20-24 servings.

Coconut Chocolate Cake

Ingredients
1 package (18-1/4 ounces) chocolate cake mix
1 package (3.9 ounces) instant chocolate pudding mix
4 eggs
3/4 cup vegetable oil
3/4 cup water
1 teaspoon vanilla extract

FILLING:
2 cups flaked coconut
1/3 cup sweetened condensed milk
1/4 teaspoon almond extract
1 can (16 ounces) chocolate frosting
Directions
In a large bowl, combine the cake mix, pudding mix, eggs, oil, water and vanilla. Beat on low speed for 30 seconds. Beat on medium for 2 minutes.
Pour 3 cups into a greased and floured 10-in. fluted tube pan. In a small bowl, combine the coconut, milk and extract. Drop by spoonfuls onto batter. Cover with remaining batter.
Bake at 350° for 50-60 minutes or until a toothpick inserted near the center comes out clean. Cool for 10 minutes before removing from pan to a wire rack to cool completely. Frost with chocolate frosting. Yield: 12 servings.

Peanut Butter Chocolate Cake

Ingredients
1 package (18-1/4 ounces) devil's food cake mix
4 ounces cream cheese, softened
1/4 cup creamy peanut butter
2 tablespoons confectioners' sugar
1 cup whipped topping
1 cup heavy whipping cream
1 cup (6 ounces) semisweet chocolate chips
Directions
Prepare and bake cake mix according to package directions. Pour into a greased and floured 10-in. fluted tube pan. Cool for 10 minutes before removing from pan to a wire rack.
In a small bowl, beat cream cheese until fluffy. Beat in peanut butter and confectioners' sugar until smooth. Fold in whipped topping.
Split cake in half horizontally; place bottom layer on a serving plate. Spread with the peanut butter mixture. Top with remaining cake. Refrigerate until chilled.
In a small heavy saucepan, bring cream to a boil. Reduce heat to low. Stir in chocolate chips; cook and stir until chocolate is melted. Refrigerate until spreadable. Frost top and sides of cake. Refrigerate until serving. Yield: 12 servings.
Note: Reduced-fat or generic brands of peanut butter are not recommended for this recipe.

Ice Cream Tunnel Cake

Ingredients
1 package (18-1/4 ounces) chocolate cake mix
1 quart vanilla ice cream, softened
1/2 cup mint chocolate chips
1/2 cup light corn syrup
1 tablespoon heavy whipping cream
1/2 teaspoon vanilla extract
Directions
Prepare cake mix according to package directions. Pour batter into a greased and floured 10-in. fluted tube pan. Bake at 350° for 35-40 minutes or until a toothpick inserted near the center comes out clean. Cool for 10 minutes before removing from pan to a wire rack. Cool completely.
Cut a 1-in. slice off the top of the cake; set aside. To make a tunnel, carefully hollow out bottom, leaving a 1-in. shell (save removed cake for another use). Cover and place cake shell in freezer for 1 hour.
Fill tunnel with ice cream; replace cake top. Cover and freeze for at least 6 hours.
Just before serving, in a microwave, melt chips and corn syrup; stir until smooth. Stir in cream and vanilla until smooth. Drizzle over cake. Yield: 12 servings.

Note: If mint chocolate chips are not available, place 1/2 cup semisweet chocolate chips and a few drops of peppermint extract in a plastic bag; seal and toss to coat. Let stand for 24-48 hours before using.

Strawberry Shortcut Cake

Ingredients
1 (18.25-ounce) box strawberry cake mix
3 cups fresh strawberries, sliced
1 tablespoon each apple juice and rice vineger mixed
1/4 cup sugar
1 cup heavy cream
1/4 cup confectioners' sugar
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
1 (3-ounce) package strawberry flavored gelatin (recommended: Jell-O)
Fresh strawberries, for garnish
Directions
Preheat oven to 350 degrees F.

Follow cake directions as written on cake mix box.

Remove from oven and cool cake completely. Meanwhile, in a medium bowl, combine strawberries, juice mixture and sugar. Let macerate 20 minutes. Invert and release cake onto a decorative platter.

Whip cream with confectioners' sugar and vanilla at medium-high speed until it reaches stiff peaks. Do not over whip.

Mix gelatin as directed on box. Refrigerate gelatin mix but do not let it harden, it should cool to a liquid consistency.

Using a straw, poke holes all over the cake. Pour gelatin into holes and spread over the top of the cake.

Spread layer of macerated strawberries on top of cake. Spread layer of whipped cream on top of the strawberries, making pretty swirls and ripples. Garnish with fresh strawberries. Refrigerate for at least 4 hours.

Nothing Bundt Cake hee hee

1 prepared brownie mix packet of choice
Eggs (slightly beaten)
Butter (in place of oil)
Water
1 cup full fat sour cream
6 ounces white chocolate morsels

Directions:
1. Preheat oven to 325 degrees; prepare bundt pan with oil, butter or cooking spray (your choice).

2. Dump dry brownie mix into a large bowl. Add the eggs (in my case the mix called for 1 egg so I used 2 eggs), melted butter (in my case the mix called for 1/3 cup oil so I used 1/3 cup unsalted butter) and water (in my case the mix called for 1/3 cup of water so I doubled it to 2/3 cup). Stir just until combined.

3. Add the sour cream and white chocolate morsels, stirring to combine.

4. Pour into the prepared bundt pan and place in center of oven. Cook for 45 minutes to an hour or until edges start to pull away from sides of pan and pick inserted in thickest part comes out clean.

5. Invert cake onto rack to cool. Place on plate of choice.

*** NOTE: You may frost this cake or drizzle with glaze, if desired. ***

Coffee Cake

Ingredients:
Cake:
4 eggs
3/4 cup oil
3/4 cup water
1 tsp vanilla
1 tablespoon butter flavoring
1 envelope Dream Whip
1 pkg yellow cake mix
1 (small) package instant vanilla or butterscotch pudding

Topping:
1/2 cup sugar
2 teaspoons cinnamon
1/2 cup finely chopped walnuts (optional)

Glaze:
3/4 cup powdered sugar
1 teaspoon vanilla
1 1/2 tablespoons milk
1 teaspoon butter flavoring

Directions:
Preheat oven to 350 degrees F.

Grease and flour and oblong angel food cake pan. (or use a regular tube/bundt pan and adjust baking time)

In a large mixing bowl, combine all of the cake ingredients. Beat a low speed for 30 seconds to combine, then beat at med/high speed for 6 minutes.

Pour 1/2 the batter into the prepared pan. Sprinkle with 1/2 of the topping mixture. Pour in remaining batter and sprinkle with remaining topping. Cut through the batter with a knife to swirl in the topping. Bake 50-60 minutes or until a tester comes out clean. Cool for at least 10 minutes in the pan before removing. Drizzle with glaze, if desired.