Ingredients:

  • 1 cup All-Purpose Flour
  • 3/4 cup Granulated Sugar
  • 1 tablespoon Unsweetened Cocoa Powder
  • 1/2 teaspoon Baking Soda
  • 1/4 teaspoon Salt
  • 1/2 cup Buttermilk, room temperature
  • 1/4 cup Vegetable Oil
  • 1 Large Egg
  • 1 tablespoon Red Food Coloring (Gel Preferred)
  • 1/2 teaspoon White Vinegar
  • 4 ounces Cream Cheese, softened
  • 2 tablespoons Unsalted Butter, softened
  • 1 cup Powdered Sugar (Icing Sugar)
  • 1/2 teaspoon Vanilla Extract
  • 16 ounces White Confectionery Melts (Candy Melts)
  • 1 teaspoon Vegetable Shortening or Coconut Oil (for thinning)
  • 35 Cake Pop Sticks (6-inch)
  • Sprinkles or Red Decorating Sugar (Optional)

Instructions:

  1. Bake the red velvet cake according to standard instructions and allow it to cool completely. Once cool, break the cake into pieces and pulse in a food processor until fine, uniform crumbs are achieved (avoid large chunks).
  2. Beat the softened cream cheese, butter, vanilla, and powdered sugar until smooth and light to create the binder.
  3. Gradually add the cream cheese binder to the cake crumbs, mixing by hand until the mixture is cohesive, holds its shape, and has a Play-Doh-like consistency. Stop when no dry crumbs remain.
  4. Scoop the mixture into uniform balls (approximately 1.5 US tablespoons or 30g each). Place the balls on a parchment-lined sheet pan and chill in the refrigerator for at least 30 minutes.
  5. Melt 1/4 cup (60g) of the candy melts. Dip the tip of each cake pop stick about 1/2 inch into the melted coating.
  6. Immediately insert the prepared stick into the center of a chilled cake ball, pressing about halfway through. Return all assembled pops to the refrigerator for a minimum of 1 hour to ensure the sticks are firmly set.
  7. Melt the remaining confectionery melts according to package directions, adding the shortening or coconut oil to thin the viscosity. Maintain a temperature between 90°F–95°F (32°C–35°C).
  8. Working quickly, immerse a chilled ball completely into the coating. Twist and gently tap the wrist against the side of the bowl to encourage excess coating to drip back into the bowl.
  9. Add sprinkles or desired decorations immediately while the coating is wet. Place the finished pop upright in a Styrofoam block or drying stand to set completely.