"P" is for Pops

Bake: cake pops (again)

Girl #2 requested cake pops again this year for her school party.

I wasn't promoting the idea as they are time consuming but you can't argue with the birthday girl so I obliged.

I built the cupcake tower last year, click here to see the how to.

Here's how I made the cake pops:

1. Bake cake, crumble with fork.

Mix half container of ready made frosting with cake crumbs.

2. Roll cake mixture into balls, chill.

3. Melt a few chocolate chips, dip end of lollipop stick into chocolate then press firmly into cake ball:

Refrigerate again.

4. Dip pop into white candy melts then refrigerate again.

This is your 'crumb coat' and provides a base for the pink.

5. Dip into pink candy melts and add sprinkles.

Refrigerate.

Place pops into predrilled holes in cupcake stand:

Here's last year's version:

 

and last year's football pops:

Practice makes perfect, but I'm taking a break from cake pops for awhile.

I'm linking up to:

Whatcha Got Weekend @ Lolly Jane

SAS @ Funky Junk

Weekend Wrap Up @ Tatertots & Jello

Sundae Scoop @ I Heart Naptime

Sister Sunday @ Sisters of the Wild West

Sunday Showcase Party @ Under the Table & Dreaming

Just Something I Whipped Up @ The Girl Creative

DIY Project Parade @ The DIY Showoff

Made by You Mondays @ Skip to My Lou

Making the World Cuter @ Making the World Cuter

Nifty Thrifty @ Coastal Charm

Tuesday Treasures @ My Uncommon Slice of Suburbia

Tutorials & Tips Tuesday @ Home Stories A to Z

Good Life @ A Beach Cottage

Delightfully Inspiring @ Delightful Order

Transformation Thursday @ The Shabby Creek Cottage

Strut Your Stuff @ Somewhat Simple

Share Awesomeness Thur @ The 36th Avenue

Flaunt it Friday @ Chic on a Shoestring

Tickled Pink @ 504 Main

Frugal Friday @ The Shabby Nest

SAS @ Just a Girl

Feathered Nest @ French Country Cottage

Remodelaholics Anonymous @ Remodelaholic

inspiration board @ Carolyns Homework

"B" is for Brownie

Pumpkin brownie pops.

Brownies on a stick covered with orange candy melts and a chocolate chip stem.

A two bite dessert treat fun for kids and adults.

For the how-to on the cake pop stand I made awhile back click here.

Perfect for our Halloween themed double birthday party for girl #1 and buddy boy.

Here's how I made the brownie pops:

1. Bake brownies as directed, be sure to use the 'fudgy style' brownies.

Let cool.

2. Scoop small spoonful of brownie, avoiding crusty edges, and roll into a ball.

3. Melt about 10 candy melts.

Dip tip of stick into melted candy and stick into brownie ball.

4. Refrigerate about 1 hour, until slightly cool and shape is firm.

5. Melt about 20 candy melts, a narrow container is best.

(Small batches of candy melts works better.)

Dip brownie into melted candy, spinning to coat all sides.

Immediately place stick into styrofoam holder and add chocolate chip stem on top.

6. Refrigerate again until candy coating is hard.

7. Place sticks into cake pop tower for display.

Too cute who can eat just one?

And makes for a great centerpiece before they all get eaten!

I'm linking up to:

Whatcha Got Weekend @ Lolly Jane

SAS @ Funky Junk

Weekend Wrap Up @ Tatertots & Jello

Sundae Scoop @ I Heart Naptime

Sister Sunday @ Sisters of the Wild West

Sunday Showcase Party @ Under the Table & Dreaming

Just Something I Whipped Up @ The Girl Creative

DIY Fall Festival @ The DIY Showoff

Made by You Mondays @ Skip to My Lou

Making the World Cuter @ Making the World Cuter

Nifty Thrifty @ Coastal Charm

Tuesday Treasures @ My Uncommon Slice of Suburbia

Tutorials & Tips Tuesday @ Home Stories A to Z

Good Life @ A Beach Cottage

Delightfully Inspiring @ Delightful Order

Transformation Thursday @ The Shabby Creek Cottage

Strut Your Stuff @ Somewhat Simple

Share Awesomeness Thur @ The 36th Avenue

Flaunt it Friday @ Chic on a Shoestring

Tickled Pink @ 504 Main

Frugal Friday @ The Shabby Nest

SAS @ Just a Girl

Feathered Nest @ French Country Cottage

Remodelaholics Anonymous @ Remodelaholic

inspiration board @ Carolyns Homework
Wow us Wednesdays @ Savvy Southern Style
Handmade Holiday Gift Guide @ Grosgrain Fabulous

"T" is for Tower

I built a treat tower.

Cupcakes, cake pops, candies whatever you fancy!

Girl #2 wanted to bring cake pops to school for her birthday treat.  I got to thinking about the best way to transport, display and serve cake pops.

Then I caught Martha the other day and she one of her handymen made this cupcake tower:

image from Martha Stewart

Great, but Martha it's one sided!

So I altered the plans, making it a full circle, adding depth to the shelf to overhang the support and adding height to the bottom level to create a fourth shelf just up off the table.

Here's my drawings:

Basically I recreated my own version, possibly better? Definitely.

And not only is it good for cupcakes, I drilled holes for cake pops or lollipops (basically anything with a stick).

Here's how I made the treat tower:

1. Draw shape onto 1/4" plywood or mdf.  Cut out with jigsaw:

(Notice the 2 yellow lines in the cross supports - those are 1/4" slits to fit the two pieces into each other.)

2. Check for fit, especially the two cross supports, you want it snug.





3. Sand, prime and paint.

4. Drill holes for lollipop sticks now (if you want holes).  I used a 5/32" bit and spaced my holes every 2".

4. Assemble and tack with 5/8" brads, it's very sturdy without the nails but for safety let's secure it.

5. Touch up with paint.

6. Add ribbon, paper edging, anything goes.
Here I cut white craft paper to 'hide' the holes and circle placemats for the candies.

6. Insert cake pops.

I know what all you school moms are saying - she's totally crazy.

Yes but now I have a cupcake tower for any event!

Too easy not to make and dress up for any occassion.

I'm linking up to: