How To Make Red Velvet Cake Pops

Looking for a simple sweet treat to wow your guests? Red Velvet Cake pops is just the thing. Using a cake box mix cutting cooking time in half, these pops is sure to be a hit! 

Check out some of my favorite flavors of cake pops; Strawberry Cake Pops with Crunch Topping or Valentine’s Day Pops.

WHAT ARE CAKE POPS?

What is a cake pop you ask? It is simply baked cake rolled into balls and placed on a stick to resemble a lollipop and can be made with cake of any flavor.

Store bought cake mix is perfect for this recipe because denser cake is stiffer, which makes it easier to shape the cake into balls and attach the sticks. Using box cake allows for a variation of flavors to choose from when creating your cake pops!  

ARE CAKE POPS HARD TO PREPARE?

Cake pops are typically easy to prepare because the recipe requires a small number of ingredients and very few instructions.

This treat is not only easy to make, but inexpensive as well! Depending on the size of your pops, you can get anywhere from 16 to 48 cake pops using one box of cake mix! 

RED VELVET CAKE POP INGREDIENTS

If you’ve chosen to try your hand at this delectable goodie, here is what you will need to get started: 

1. Red Velvet Cake Box Cake Mix 

2. Chopped Pecan Pieces (optional) 

3. Eggs 

4. Water 

5. Oil (for box cake) 

6. Coconut Oil (for melting chocolate) 

7. Cooking Spray 

8. Cream Cheese Frosting 

9. White Melting Chocolate 

10. Lollipop Sticks  

THE BEST CHOCOLATE COATING FOR RED VELVET CAKE POPS

Identifying a good chocolate for coating is key when making cake pops. It also makes the dipping process go smoother. Using baking or eating chocolate will work for coating however, it requires a little more prepping.

To improve the workability of “normal” chocolate, try adding cocoa butter to the melted chocolate. Couverture chocolate is high quality and has a higher percentage of cocoa butter than the usual chocolate choice.

Listed below, are a few chocolates selections that will work. 

• Candy Melts 
• Chocolate Chips 
• Chocolate Bark (I used this option) 

HOW TO MAKE RED VELVET CAKE POPS

First, prepare the red velvet box cake per the recipe instructions. Please note, less oil is required than what is listed on the box cake instructions. To clarify, only use one tablespoon of oil when preparing the box cake for the best results.

Then, put the cake into the oven and bake according to the box directions. 

Next, after the cake has baked, allow the cake time to cool. Once cooled, crumble the cake up by using clean hands or a stand mixer. 

PREPARE THE RED VELVET CAKE

After you have crumbled and broken down the cake, at this instant, add in the cream cheese. It is important to note, add up to two tablespoons at a time. 

Mix until the texture of the cake is doughy and spongy like playdough.

CREATE THE CAKE POP BALLS

Now, it is time to prepare the cake balls. It is helpful to use a cookie scoop or tablespoon and a half to keep the balls relatively the same size. Use your clean hands to roll, shape, and form the cake balls to the desired roundness.

After forming the cake balls, place on a flat surface lined with wax paper. Freeze for 10-15 minutes. While the cake balls freeze, melt your chocolate. 

TIPS FOR MELTING CHOCOLATE FOR CAKE POPS

Begin by placing the chocolate in a microwave safe bowl and add up to two teaspoons of oil at a time. If you are using chocolate bark, be sure to cut the bark into smaller pieces before melting. 

Microwave the chocolate in intervals of thirty seconds and stir thoroughly after each interval. Repeat this series of steps until the chocolate is smooth and slightly runny. 

HOW TO DIP CAKE POPS IN CHOCOLATE

Begin by taking the lollipop stick and slightly dipping the stick into the melted chocolate.  Dipping the lollipop stick into the chocolate will help with adhering the cake pop to the lollipop stick.

After dipping the lollipop stick, slowly insert the stick into the cake pop, about halfway through. 

Now, using the lollipop stick as a handle, slowly dip the cake pop into the chocolate and use a spoon or spatula to cover the cake ball until thoroughly coated. Hold the red velvet cake pop downward with the stick up, to allow any excess chocolate to flow from the cake pop. 

ADDING THE PECAN TOPPING TO THE RED VELVET CAKE POPS

After the chocolate on the cake pop no longer drips, add the pecan topping to the top of the cake pop.

There are two options to add the toppings: Dip the top of the cake pop with melted chocolate into a bowl of chopped pecan topping. Or, using clean hands to sprinkle the top of the cake pop with the pecan topping as if you are “seasoning” it. 

Lastly, place the cake pop on the stand and allow the cake pops to dry. This step will take 15-20 minutes.

RECIPE VIDEO: HOW TO MAKE RED VELVET CAKE POPS

 

THE BEST TOOLS FOR PREPARING CAKE POPS

Lollipop sticks are a must to make this recipe hold its name true! Without a lollipop stick, your cake pop is merely a cake ball! Using paper straws are also an option to add a little pizazz to the overall look of your treats.  

When making the Strawberry Cake Pops with Crunch Topping, I used a simple and sleek cake pop stand that I found on Amazon.

Cake pop kits are also an option.  The cake pop kits typically include all the tools you need before starting your cake pop baking experience, with a variety of stand styles and lollipop sticks. 

To make a cheat-styled cake pop stand, plainly use a small cardboard box. First, fill the box with plastic shopping bags or crumpled newspaper. Stuffing the box with plastic or newspaper prevents the cake pops from moving around or sliding once set into place.

Next, poke small holes into the bottom of the box to secure the lollipop sticks.

Lastly, insert the cake pop sticks into the holes punctured into the box.  

HOW TO STORE CAKE POPS

The best way to keep your cake pops fresh is by vacuum sealing them before placing them in the freezer. This method helps the pops retain their moist texture and prevents them from becoming mushy or soggy.

Don't have a vacuum sealer? No worries, you can individually wrap each cake pop in plastic wrap or in aluminum foil.  

Properly wrapped cake pops can last in your refrigerator for up to one week and up to one month in the freezer. Using a vacuum sealer, your cake pops will stay fresh for several months in the freezer. 

TIPS AND TRICKS FOR BEST RESULTS

In order to assure that you have a trouble-free experience when making these Red Velvet Cake Pops, I have included a few tips and tricks to consider when following the instructions to this recipe: 

1. If you prefer a spongier cake over a more dough-like cake, omitting oil from the cake mixture makes for a more compressible texture. 

2. Tilting the bowl of melted chocolate when dipping the cake pops helps to fully coat each cake pop. Before coating, be sure that the chocolate is not too hot, and your cake pop has not been in the freezer longer than 15 minutes. That will cause cracking in the coating.  

3. When dipping the pops, take them out of the coating almost immediately after dipping to avoid the cake ball falling off of the stick. Your cake ball falling off of the stick while dipping them is a result of leaving the cake pop in the melted chocolate too long or your cake pops have been made too large. 

4. To avoid a flat top look when letting the chocolate coating dry, use a Styrofoam cup to place the cake pops in to dry, keeping the round shape. Do not put too many pops into one cup to keep them from sticking to each other.  

Check out some of my favorite flavors of cake pops:

Strawberry Cake Pops with Crunch Topping

Valentine’s Day Pops