Delightful, decadent, and undeniably fun, **Cakesicles** are the ultimate bite-sized dessert, perfect for any occasion. Imagine a moist, rich cake, lovingly crumbled and mixed with luscious cream cheese frosting, then encased in a vibrant, crisp shell of melted chocolate. Each exquisite treat is shaped like a charming popsicle, making it not only a joy to eat but also a feast for the eyes. Whether you’re hosting a grand celebration or simply craving a sweet escape, cakesicles offer a unique blend of elegance and playfulness that traditional cake pops can’t quite match. This comprehensive guide will walk you through everything you need to know to create these enchanting cake popsicles, from selecting your ingredients to mastering the art of decoration, ensuring your homemade cakesicles are a show-stopping success every time.
❤️ Why You’ll Adore Making Cakesicles
Cakesicles have rapidly become a beloved treat, and for good reason! Their charm lies in their versatility, ease of personalization, and irresistible appeal to both children and adults. Here’s why these delightful cake popsicles will quickly become your new favorite dessert to make:
- **The Perfect Party Favor:** Cakesicles are an absolute hit for any special event. Their individual portion size makes them ideal for baby showers, birthday parties, engagement celebrations, or even elegant weddings. They’re easy to pick up, mess-free, and always leave a lasting impression on your guests.
- **Endless Customization for Any Theme:** Unleash your creativity! Cakesicles can be decorated in seasonal colors for holidays like Christmas, Halloween, or Easter, instantly transforming into themed treats. For game day gatherings, use your team’s colors with various colored candy melts and sprinkles for a spirited snack that’s sure to score big with fans.
- **Kid-Friendly Fun (and Adult-Approved!):** These treats are fantastic for potlucks, family gatherings, or school events. Kids adore them for their fun shape and sweet flavor, while adults appreciate their sophisticated appearance and delightful taste. They’re a guaranteed crowd-pleaser for all ages.
- **Thoughtful and Hygienic Party Giveaways:** Cakesicles can be individually wrapped in cellophane bags and tied with ribbons, making them excellent party favors or treats for classroom parties. This not only adds a touch of charm but also keeps them fresh and hygienic for guests to take home.
- **Smart Way to Use Leftovers:** Have leftover cake or cupcakes from a previous baking project? Cakesicles are the best way to give them a delicious second life! This recipe minimizes waste and transforms excess cake into something truly spectacular.
Beyond being a fantastic dessert, making cakesicles is a wonderfully engaging project for kids and adults alike. We particularly enjoy preparing a few batches of the cake mixture, then hosting a lively decorating party. Lay out an assortment of colorful sprinkles, various candy melts, and edible glitters, and watch as everyone creates their own unique, edible masterpieces. It’s a fantastic way to bond, create, and enjoy delicious results together.
📝 Essential Ingredients for Your Cakesicles
Crafting perfect cakesicles begins with choosing the right ingredients. While the full measurements and detailed instructions are in the recipe card at the bottom of the page, here’s a helpful overview to ensure you have everything you need for success:
**Cake Base:** You’ll start with a chocolate cake mix, along with the necessary ingredients to prepare it. Feel free to use your favorite flavor – vanilla, red velvet, or even a lemon cake can make equally delicious cakesicles. The key is to ensure the baked cake is completely cooled before crumbling.
**Cream Cheese Frosting:** This is the magic ingredient that binds your cake crumbs and adds a delightful tang and moisture. Whether you opt for a store-bought variety for convenience or whip up a homemade batch of simple cream cheese frosting, ensure it’s at room temperature for easy mixing. The frosting acts as the binder, transforming crumbled cake into a pliable, dough-like consistency that’s perfect for shaping.
**Candy Melts:** These are crucial for creating the vibrant, hard shell of your cakesicles. While white candy melts are often used as a base, you can explore a rainbow of colors to match your theme. Candy melts are specifically designed to melt smoothly and set quickly, providing that satisfying snap when you bite into your cakesicle.
**Assorted Sprinkles (Optional but Recommended):** Sprinkles add a pop of color, texture, and festive flair. From classic nonpareils to delicate sanding sugar or themed confetti, the possibilities are endless. Have a variety on hand to customize your cakesicles for any event.
🥄 Step-by-Step Instructions for Perfect Cakesicles
Creating beautiful cakesicles is a rewarding process. Below is an overview of the instructions, with detailed steps provided in the printable recipe card at the bottom of the page. Follow these steps to ensure your cake popsicles come out perfectly shaped and delicious!
- **Prepare the Cake Filling:** Begin by baking your chosen cake according to the package directions and allow it to cool completely. Once cooled, use your hands to crumble the cake into a large bowl. Ensure any hard edges or burnt pieces are discarded for a smooth consistency.
- **Mix with Frosting:** Add about ¼ cup of cream cheese frosting to the crumbled cake. Using your hands, mix thoroughly until the cake crumbs come together to form a pliable, clay-like dough. If the mixture is still too dry and crumbly, gradually add more frosting, a tablespoon at a time, until it reaches the desired consistency. It should be firm enough to hold its shape but still moist.
- **Melt the Chocolate Coating:** Place your candy melts in a small, microwave-safe bowl. Microwave for 30 seconds, then stir well. Continue microwaving in 20-second intervals, stirring vigorously between each interval, until the candy melts are smooth and fully melted. Alternatively, you can use the double boiler method for a more controlled melting process.
- **First Layer of Chocolate Coating:** Spoon about 1 tablespoon of the melted candy coating into one cavity of your silicone cakesicle mold. Use a small cookie decorating brush or a pastry brush to spread it evenly across the bottom and up the sides of the mold, creating a thin, consistent layer. Immediately insert a popsicle stick into the designated hole and then remove it to clear any candy coating from the opening. This ensures the stick can be reinserted easily later.
- **Chill and Second Coat:** Place the mold in the freezer for 3-5 minutes, or until the chocolate layer is firm. Remove the mold, then apply a second tablespoon of melted candy melts, ensuring the entire surface, especially the edges, is generously covered for a strong shell. Reinsert the popsicle stick to keep the hole clear. Freeze for another 3-5 minutes until the second layer is completely set. This double coating prevents the cake from showing through and adds structural integrity.
- **Fill with Cake Mixture:** Take approximately 1 tablespoon of the prepared cake mixture and press it firmly into each mold cavity. Make sure it’s snug but leave a small space (about ⅛ inch) at the top, just below the mold’s edges. This space is for the final chocolate seal.
- **Insert Sticks and Seal:** Gently insert a popsicle stick into each cake-filled cavity, being careful to support the cake mixture with one hand to prevent it from displacing the chocolate shell. Drizzle about 1 teaspoon of the melted candy coating over the cake mixture, spreading it thinly with an offset spatula to remove any excess chocolate and seal the cakesicle. Repeat this process for all cavities.
- **Final Chill and Demold:** Refrigerate the mold for at least 3 minutes, or until the chocolate is completely hard. Once set, carefully remove the cakesicles from the mold by gently pushing from the back and slowly peeling the silicone away. Decorate your beautiful cakesicles as desired with drizzles, sprinkles, or edible glitter.
👍 Expert Tips for Cakesicle Perfection
Achieving bakery-quality cakesicles at home is easier than you think with these helpful tips:
- **Cake Temperature is Key:** Always use a cake mix that has come to room temperature. This ensures it crumbles easily and mixes smoothly with the frosting, preventing a dense or sticky cake dough.
- **Frosting Flexibility:** Any frosting will do! Whether you prefer the convenience of store-bought or the rich flavor of homemade, such as a simple cream cheese frosting, make sure it’s soft enough to blend evenly with the cake crumbs.
- **Vibrant Color Play:** Don’t limit yourself to one color! Experiment with different bags of candy melts in various hues to create stunning multi-colored cakesicles or intricate designs.
- **Tools for Coating:** While specialty brushes are great, don’t fret if you don’t have one. The back of a small spoon, an offset spatula, or any food-safe brush you have in your kitchen can be used to evenly coat the molds.
- **Complete Coverage is Crucial:** For a sturdy and flawless chocolate shell, ensure you completely cover both the bottom and sides of the mold with the candy coating. Any gaps can lead to cracking or cake peeking through.
- **Decorating with Flair:** Once your cakesicles are unmolded, get creative! Melt different colors of candy melts to create elegant ribbons and drizzles. Add sprinkles immediately after applying the melted candy, before it hardens, to ensure they stick beautifully. Consider edible glitter or small fondant cutouts for extra sparkle.
🧺 Storage Solutions for Your Cakesicles
Proper storage ensures your cakesicles remain fresh and delicious for days, or even months:
- **Refrigeration:** For short-term storage, wrap each individual cakesicle tightly in plastic wrap, then wrap again in aluminum foil. Store them in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 10 days. This method preserves their moisture and prevents them from absorbing any odors from the fridge.
- **Freezing for Longer Enjoyment:** Cakesicles are freezer-friendly! Follow the same wrapping steps – plastic wrap followed by foil – then place them in a freezer-safe, airtight container. They can be stored in the freezer for up to 3 months. Thaw them in the refrigerator overnight before serving.
⌛ Make Ahead for Effortless Entertaining
Cakesicles are an excellent make-ahead dessert, allowing you to spread out the preparation and enjoy a stress-free party day:
- **Bake Cake in Advance:** If you’re baking your cake from scratch, do it a day or two ahead. Once cooled, crumble the cake into a bowl, cover it tightly, and store it at room temperature or in the refrigerator until you’re ready to mix with the frosting.
- **Prepare Frosting Early:** Homemade cream cheese frosting can also be made in advance. Simply prepare it, wrap it well, and store it in your fridge. Let it come to room temperature and give it a quick whip before mixing with the cake crumbs.
- **Assemble and Decorate Later:** You can assemble the cakesicles completely (up to the point of demolding) ahead of time. Store them wrapped in the refrigerator or freezer. On the day of your event, bring them out and have a fun decorating party with your family or friends, adding fresh sprinkles and drizzles.
👩🍳 Creative Cakesicle Variations
The beauty of cakesicles lies in their adaptability. Here are some exciting ways to customize your treats:
- **Utilize Leftover Cake:** This recipe is a brilliant way to use up any leftover cake, cupcakes, or even cake scraps of any flavor. If your cake already has frosting, gently scrape it off and set it aside. Crumble the cake first, then gradually reintroduce the frosting until you achieve the perfect moist, shapeable consistency.
- **Chocolate vs. Candy Melts:** While candy melts are convenient for their quick setting and vibrant colors, you can certainly use high-quality tempered chocolate for a more intense flavor. Keep in mind that real chocolate doesn’t set as quickly as candy melts, but many find its taste superior.
- **Marbled or Layered Creations:** Get adventurous by combining different cake flavors for marbled or layered cakesicles. Imagine the delicious contrast of vanilla and strawberry, or the autumnal blend of pumpkin and chocolate. Simply prepare two different cake mixtures and layer or swirl them in the mold for a stunning effect.
💬 Frequently Asked Questions About Cakesicles
When it’s time to demold your completed cakesicles, use two fingers on the back of the silicone mold to gently push the cake popsicle out. Simultaneously, slowly peel the mold back and down while applying gentle upward pressure on the popsicle stick to release it cleanly from the mold. Patience is key here to avoid breakage.
If you find your cakesicles are prone to falling off the stick even after demolding, try this trick: before inserting the popsicle stick into the cake mixture, dip the tip of the stick into a little bit of melted chocolate candy melt. This acts like a strong adhesive, ensuring the stick remains securely in place once the chocolate hardens.
It is generally not recommended to use water or gel-based food coloring with chocolate candy melts, as they can cause the chocolate to seize or ball up, making it unusable. For coloring chocolate melts, always use oil-based food coloring. Alternatively, simplify the process by purchasing pre-colored chocolate melts available in a wide array of shades.
Cracking can occur if the chocolate coating is too thin or if the cakesicles are subjected to extreme temperature changes too quickly. Ensure you apply two generous layers of candy melts for a strong shell. Also, avoid moving cakesicles directly from a very cold freezer to a warm room; allow them to temper slightly in the refrigerator first.
🍽️ Perfect Pairings for Your Cakesicles
Cakesicles are a sweet finale, but they also complement a range of savory snacks at any gathering. Here are some fantastic ideas to serve alongside your beautiful cake popsicles:
- Buffalo Chicken Sliders are a crowd-pleasing make-ahead party food that always disappear quickly. Their spicy, savory kick provides a wonderful contrast to the sweetness of cakesicles.
- These delightfully crunchy Potato Croquettes are a family favorite, often requested at every gathering. Their crispy exterior and soft, flavorful interior make them an addictive appetizer.
- You can never go wrong with some Homemade Doritos and creamy Smoked Queso Dip for parties and game days! This duo offers a satisfyingly cheesy and crunchy element that pairs wonderfully with sweet treats.
🥣 Essential Equipment for Cakesicle Making
Having the right tools can make your cakesicle-making experience much smoother and more enjoyable. Here are a few key pieces of equipment you’ll need:
- **Popsicle Molds:** Silicone cakesicle molds are essential for creating the signature popsicle shape. Look for flexible, food-grade silicone molds that are easy to clean and demold. They come in various sizes and designs, so choose one that fits your aesthetic.
- **Offset Spatula:** A small offset spatula is incredibly useful for spreading the melted chocolate evenly in the molds and for creating a smooth, flat back on your cakesicles after adding the cake mixture. Its angled design helps prevent accidental smears.
- **Small Decorating Brush:** A food-safe brush, like a small cookie decorating brush or a clean pastry brush, is perfect for meticulously painting the chocolate coating onto the mold cavities, ensuring an even and complete layer.
Don’t forget to check out my Amazon storefront for some of my favorite products and other recommended baking essentials!
📣 More Sweet Delights to Explore
If you’ve enjoyed making these cakesicles, you’ll love these other fun and delicious dessert recipes:
- **Tanghulu Recipe:** Also known as bingtanghulu, this traditional Chinese snack originated in northern China. It features fresh fruits dipped in a thick, crystal-clear sugar syrup and quickly cooled for a delightful sweet and crunchy treat.
- **Turkish Delight:** A sweet, chewy, and often nutty dessert that is an absolute joy to savor with a cup of coffee or tea. Its unique texture and delicate flavors make it a truly special indulgence.
- **Chocolate and White Chocolate Covered Strawberries:** These are elegant, delicious treats perfect for any occasion. They offer a perfect balance of sweet and tart, with the rich, decadent flavor of chocolate complementing the fresh fruit beautifully.
More Easy Bite-Sized Desserts
For more convenient and irresistible bite-sized sweets, try these recipes:
- **Strawberry Cake Pops:** Cake pops are a fun and easy treat for any occasion. These strawberry cake pops are made with your favorite strawberry cake mixed with cream cheese frosting, then coated with melted candy and decorated with various sprinkles for a unique treat every time.
- **Oreo Balls (No-Bake):** Here is a winning, no-bake recipe for holidays, parties, or an easy way to satisfy your sweet tooth. Oreo Balls are a classic three-ingredient bite-sized treat made from crushed sandwich cookies, cream cheese, and a luscious chocolate coating.
If you love this recipe, please leave a ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ rating! Thank you for your support.
Cakesicles (Cake Popsicles)
Print
Pin
Rate
Save
Saved!
Ingredients
- 1 chocolate cake mix + ingredients to make the cake
- ½ cup cream cheese frosting store bought or homemade
- 32 oz candy melts
- assorted sprinkles optional
Instructions
- Bake the cake according to package directions and let it cool completely.
- Using your hands, crumble the cake and place into a bowl.
- Discard any hard or burnt pieces of the cake like the corners.
- Add ¼ cup of the frosting and mix well with the cake crumbs.
- If the crumbs did not come together and form a ball like clay dough. Add more frosting and mix well with your hands.
Melt the coating
- Place candy melts in a small microwave safe glass bowl and microwave for 30 seconds.
- Stir well then microwave for 20 seconds intervals stirring in between to make sure they melt equally.
Make the popsicles
- Place 1 tablespoon in one mold cavity and spread evenly into a thin layer along the bottom and sides of the mold.
- Immediately insert the popsicle stick into the mold hole and take it out to make the hole clear of any candy coating.
- Repeat with the other molds until done.
- Freeze for 3-5 minutes or until the coating hardens.
- Take the mold out of the freezer and and place another tablespoon of the melted candy melts and paint on a second layer of the candy. Make sure to cover the edges generously.
- Insert the popsicle stick again to remove extra candy from the opening.
- Freeze for another 3-5 minutes.
- Press about 1 tablespoon of the cake mixture into the mold cavity leaving a little space at the top (about ⅛th inch) below the edges of the mold.
- Insert a stick in each cavity being sure to hold the cake in place with one hand.
- Place about 1 teaspoon of the candy melt on top and spread in a thin layer using an offset spatula to remove excess chocolate.
- Repeat until you are done with all the cavities.
- Refrigerate mold for 3 minutes or until chocolate is hard.
- Carefully remove cakesicles from mold and decorate as desired.
Notes
- Use any cake mix of your choice for varied flavors.
- Any frosting, homemade or store-bought, can be used.
- Experiment with different colored candy melts for vibrant designs.
- For coating the molds, use a small spoon, offset spatula, or a food-safe brush.
- Ensure the mold’s bottom and sides are fully coated with candy melts for a perfect shell.
- **To decorate:** Melt chocolate chips or different colored candy melts. Create decorative ribbons with a small spoon, and add sprinkles while the candy melt is still wet to ensure they adhere.
- For more detailed tips and notes, please refer to the main article above.
- Please check the nutrition disclaimer policy.