Ooh, La, La Cake

For Eliza's party, I made a simple layered cake. It was pink, of course. Butterflies and a monogramed "E" helped to make it extra fancy.

 I also thought I would try making a few cake pops. My sisters have been raving about how good cake bites taste, and how pretty they turn out. If you are wondering what cake bites, or cake pops are, do a google search. They are everywhere! A cake pop is simply a cake bite on a sucker stick. I wish my sister, Allison, could have been here to whip up a few for the party. She would have done a much better job than I did. But it was fun to experiment anyway. I'll have to try them again, when I am not so rushed.

  

Making basic cake bites are pretty simple. Of course there are all kinds of gourmet, fancy recipes you can find on the internet, too. 

To make the basic version, 

*you simply bake a cake (from a box) just as  directed. 

*After it cools, destroy it! (break it up into small pieces) (this part is fun, the kids can help!)

* Then using your mixer, beat it into little crumbs. 

*When the cake has been reduced to rubble, mix in a can of ready made frosting. I used a whole can but I think a little less would have been better. 

*When it is all mixed up, put it in the freezer to chill for a bit. Then, roll into small balls and refreeze for at least 2 hours. 

*After the balls are frozen, dip into melted chocolate (the candy wafers made by Wilton) If you are making pops, insert the sticks before you dip.

*decorate as desired with chocolate or candies or whatever.

*put back in the refrigerator or freezer, until ready to serve.

A couple of tips:

*Birthday cake decorating tip: bake the cake the night before, then refrigerate, or better yet, freeze. It will be much easier to frost when it is cold.

*Cake Bite tip: mix a little oil in to the chocolate after it is melted to make a thinner, smother consistency.

In taste tests, thinner chocolate coated bites tasted better.