the non-domestic.

Skirt: designed by me.  Sweater: Gap.  Earrings: Gift.  Bag/Shoes: Ross


Last night the littles and I made cake pops.

They didn’t turn out very well.

I’d like to pretend that’s because I let the littles help with a good part of the process, but honestly I doubt the little suckers would have turned out any better had I been flying solo.  I tell you what, I have a new appreciation for whoever it is that makes all those cake pops for Starbucks.  And also Bakerella.  Hello holy  food artist.



  I like to attempt new feats of culinary extravagance every once and a while just to remind myself that I’m not the domestic goddess I hope to be.



We wouldn’t want to get too cocky.



On the other hand, I did make my skirt, so there.



Can you do that Bakerella?  I didn’t think so.



But seriously, if you guys know the secret to cake pops, please oh, please would you share?

Like for instance, how the H do you get them to not crumble all over the place when you dip them in the candy melt?



Any and all advice is welcome and much appreciated.

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58 Comments

  1. Your hair looks so pretty when it’s up! I don’t have any cake pop secrets since I haven’t attempted to make them. Isn’t it just easier to bake a cake? Doesn’t look as cute but tastes the same :)

    -Sharon
    The Tiny Heart

    Posted 2.22.12 Reply
    • Cori wrote:

      haha, good point. Although, given the way mine turned out, I’m thinking a cake would be a whole lot prettier.

      Posted 2.22.12 Reply
  2. Just Jaime wrote:

    Freeze them before you dip them in chocolate. They hold their shape so much better!

    Posted 2.22.12 Reply
  3. Rae wrote:

    Yep, freeze them. Also, cake balls (though… cake truffles sound really much less gross) are more successful for me, because you don’t have to worry about them staying on the stick. I say start there.

    Posted 2.22.12 Reply
  4. Posted 2.22.12 Reply
  5. jess1979 wrote:

    Definitely freeze them first. But don’t let them stay in the freezer too long…otherwise the candy coating will crack as it dries, I guess because of the cake being so cold and the icing being warm. Are you using enough icing to bind the cake? I use canned icing because I’m lazy like that and I think I use about 2/3 of the can, maybe a little more.

    Cake truffles are so much easier though, I think! They all get eaten in a bite or two, so the lollipop stick seems kind of wasted to me.

    Posted 2.22.12 Reply
  6. Bri Rios wrote:

    You look gorgeous!!! Love the skirt, your hair, shoes, everything! :)

    Posted 2.22.12 Reply
  7. Melissa wrote:

    Like Jess said use about 2/3 of a can of frosting per cake. I mix the frosting in and them refrigerate them for an hour or two. That makes it much easier to roll into balls. Then I put cookie sheets of the cake balls into the freezer for about an hour. Then you can dip them and they will stay together just fine. They’re easy, but it’s definitely a process.

    Posted 2.22.12 Reply
    • Andie wrote:

      this is what I was going to suggest! Freeze them for a bit! that helps!

      Posted 2.22.12 Reply
  8. Annie wrote:

    Hi Cori, I’ve never heard of cake pops. :( So I went online. I found this on Youtube. Maybe you’ve already seen this but I wanted to share it anyway. http://youtu.be/JpIifr0VOxY
    It looks so easy, but I think it’s very difficult to stir the cake pop in the candy. Sorry that it’s the Bakerella lady showing it. ;)
    Annie

    Love, love, love your hair and skirt and shoes.

    Posted 2.22.12 Reply
    • Cori wrote:

      Um, thank you so much for that link! (I don’t really have anything against Bakerella, although I am jealous.) I think I figure out everything I was doing wrong!
      Yay!

      Posted 2.22.12 Reply
  9. Esther wrote:

    Hi Cori, I just made my second ever batch for my niece’s 1st birthday party a month ago. Here are some details I found that def help!

    -Don’t use the entire thing of frosting when making the cake balls! You probably only need half per cake mix.
    -Freeze the balls after you create them so they get stiff
    -Use candy melts for the chocolate(as opposed to chocolate chips or another chocolate) as they harden the fastest
    -Melt the chocolate melts in the microwave in 30 sec increments and then take the balls out of the freezer and dip right away
    -use a colander to dry the balls in once you have the sticks in them, works great!

    Hope that helps!

    Posted 2.22.12 Reply
  10. Martine wrote:

    Simplify and use donut holes. Guaranteed success with less clean up.

    dinnerwithjulie.com/2010/11/19/cake-pops-cheaters/

    Posted 2.22.12 Reply
  11. Bre wrote:

    I don’t know how you make perfect cake pops. I just go to Starbucks for fix, but I do love your skirt!

    Posted 2.22.12 Reply
  12. Anonymous wrote:

    I’ve made cake pops. They are a challenge. I froze them after each step. That kept them from falling over & kept them hard. Hope that helps. (It looks like I’m not the only one to say that though) -Melissa

    Posted 2.22.12 Reply
  13. Tairalyn wrote:

    Gorgeous Skirt. Wow – I was going to ask where you got it… but look at you, not just fashionable but a designer! Good on you mama!

    Come by today and see what you think of “what I wore” Sailor Blue.
    http://www.littlemissmama.com/2012/02/what-i-wore-sailor-blue.html

    PS: Don’t forget to come by tomorrow and tune in on the EXCITEMENT. Tomorrow I will be interviewing Style Agent, Stylist, Janette Ewen. So Fabulous… It will be my first vlog and up on Little Miss Mama next week.

    XO
    Tairalyn

    http://www.littlemissmama.com

    Posted 2.22.12 Reply
  14. Anonymous wrote:

    if they crumble that just means you need to add more frosting!

    Posted 2.22.12 Reply
  15. Ashley J wrote:

    You hair looks fabulous like this!

    Posted 2.22.12 Reply
  16. Anonymous wrote:

    Esther is perfectly correct but I have one more thing to add!

    After you roll the balls and before putting them into the freezer, put a drop of the chocolate (almond bark or whatever your using to dip) on the cake ball and push the stick through it. This will seal the stick to the cake ball. That way when you freeze it not only will it be easier to dip, the stick won’t fall out when you dip!!!

    Good luck next time!!!

    Posted 2.22.12 Reply
  17. Michelle P wrote:

    So cute!

    Posted 2.22.12 Reply
  18. Jacqui W. wrote:

    I have made them several times now and before I put the lollipop stick into the cake ball, I first dip it about 1/2 inch in the melted candy coating, then immediately push it ino the cake ball. Then let that firm up in the fridge for maybe 5-10 mins, then dip the whole ball into the candy melts.

    That little bit on the stick first really binds to the cake ball and keeps everything secure!

    Posted 2.22.12 Reply
  19. Andrea wrote:

    Freeze them before you dip them!

    Posted 2.22.12 Reply
  20. Andi T. wrote:

    Freeze them for at least an hour after you shape them into balls, though I did them overnight once and that was even better. Also, do them in batches so they don’t thaw too much while you’re dipping them in the chocolate.

    Posted 2.22.12 Reply
  21. Maran wrote:

    Cori, I love it when you say “What the H” or “How the H” on your blog. It makes me laugh and think of high school and college with you and Stacy. :)

    Posted 2.22.12 Reply
  22. jolene wrote:

    freeze them! pop them in the freezer for a bit… they won’t crumble when dipped. this works for layer cakes too.

    Posted 2.22.12 Reply
  23. Rebecca wrote:

    Your hair looks so pretty! I’ve always wanted to make cake pops, but never tried. I love the birthday cake ones at Starbucks!

    Posted 2.22.12 Reply
  24. Have yet to try cake pops, I’m scared :). Love your hair in these pictures.

    Posted 2.22.12 Reply
  25. Jen Ward wrote:

    Cori, very cute outfit, and I love your hair up! Here is a blog how-to that I found very helpful, good luck on try #2!

    http://suburbsmama.blogspot.com/search?q=cake+pops

    Posted 2.22.12 Reply
  26. i absolutely adore your outfit! the skirt is just so gorgeous!

    i have no advice on cakepops… i’m mainly in it to eat them. ;)

    Posted 2.22.12 Reply
  27. Daisy wrote:

    Your hair these days is sooooo lovely! Where do you get your hair inspiration from? I’m in a rut with mine, it’s always down.
    Love love love your skirt. Once I shed all these extra pounds I will have to make my way to your shop and get one of those…and all the others!
    Have a lovely evening.

    Posted 2.22.12 Reply
  28. Love love love love. Love. You need to do your hair this way every day my dear! And send me a skirt. ;) Gorgeousssssssssssss! LOVE!

    Posted 2.22.12 Reply
  29. Jill wrote:

    You know I am loving those shoes!

    Posted 2.22.12 Reply
  30. Vivianne wrote:

    A perfect cake pop does not a domestic goddess make. Where would that have left the housewives of the 1950s? Have you ever flipped through a vintage cookbook? Take a look at the pictures, and you’ll see what I mean.
    Now jello molds…that’s a sign of true domestic prowess! I just don’t know who you’re going to get to eat it…
    For a peep into retro (and lit-inspired) homemaking, visit my blog: littlepinkbookmarks.blogspot.com.

    Posted 2.22.12 Reply
  31. Looks like you’ve gotten some good tips on dipping them, but what I want to know is how to make the chocolate smooth once it’s dipped. Mine always look like my kids did it. But I will say that ugly or not, they always taste amazing. And I love your hair today. I have long hair too. I may have to attempt it!

    Posted 2.22.12 Reply
  32. Alyssa wrote:

    Love your hair in this one!

    http://sweatersandsweets.com/

    Posted 2.22.12 Reply
  33. I love the skirt, and the hairstyle is beautiful. http://www.hotcelebration.com

    Posted 2.22.12 Reply
  34. Love the shoes :) I really want a pair of nude color shoes this season. I also love wedges, so you have both of my wants.
    mommysguiltypleasures.blogspot.com

    Posted 2.22.12 Reply
  35. Meg wrote:

    My secret is the glorious cake pops maker: http://www.kohls.com/kohlsStore/kitchen/top_brands/babycakes/PRD~786364/Babycakes+Cake+Pops+Maker.jsp. That, and cooling them in the fridge before dipping them in the baking chocolate (like the other ladies said).

    Posted 2.22.12 Reply
  36. newpetite wrote:

    You look lovely and that hairdo looks good on you!

    Posted 2.22.12 Reply
  37. Anonymous wrote:

    I made them after watching on youtube michelle1218, she explains it very well and mine came out great.
    Love your outfit and hair, you look fab.

    Posted 2.22.12 Reply
  38. Love the skirt you designed… perfect for work or play!

    xo, tasha
    twenty-something blog
    follow me

    Posted 2.22.12 Reply
  39. Katie wrote:

    you are so beautiful! of course I love your skirt too! and your hair looks gorgeous!

    Posted 2.22.12 Reply
  40. Beth wrote:

    Your hair is so pretty! Perhaps maybe a tutorial on how to achieve this look?

    alatteinspiration.blogspot.com

    Posted 2.23.12 Reply
  41. Anonymous wrote:

    Your hair looks fantastic, and I love the outfit and new bag.

    My unnecessary comment on cake balls is that I’d rather buy one of those George Forman type cake ball makers from Macy’s and have a ball of solid cake than have cake crumbs all mashed with too much sugary gross frosting. But, I’ve never had either type, so I can’t really judge. :)

    Posted 2.23.12 Reply
    • Cori wrote:

      hahaha, true. But they actually taste more like a truffle candy than cake, not nearly as gooey as you’d think, but yes very sugary. Very very sugary.

      Posted 2.23.12 Reply
  42. Anya Z wrote:

    No one will care that the cake balls didn’t turn out when you look like THIS! You look so glamorous and sophisticated here, love your new hairstyle too!

    Posted 2.23.12 Reply
  43. Love this awning pencil skirt – I am amazed at your talents. Cake pops, cake schmops – you are a fashion goddess!!!

    Posted 2.23.12 Reply
  44. The skirt is awesome! I’ve got a very easy cake pop tutorial on my blog. I promise, even with the ‘help’, they’ll turn out.

    Posted 2.23.12 Reply
  45. Só sedas wrote:

    I love your hair like that! It’s so romantic! Lovely!

    Posted 2.23.12 Reply
  46. I love that skirt and your hair looks great!!

    Posted 2.23.12 Reply
  47. I feel ya on the cake pops… for Wontons 1 year birthday I stayed up until 4am trying to make them! After a few hours of shut eye I woke up to a huge mess in the freezer!

    Posted 2.24.12 Reply
  48. Darla wrote:

    Cor, who takes your pictures? I’ve been meaning to ask? And did you just wear this fancy outfit out for the day? Or was it Sunday? Cute!

    Posted 2.24.12 Reply
  49. Bonny wrote:

    Cori, enjoyed your blog! I do make cake pops but think you have a lot of tips already! I got on here because I have your skirt or one that led me to this link. I do love your skirt and your style!
    Did you have a pattern or gifted without a pattern? :). I am interested in the skirt. If you have a pattern or any tips would appreciate it.

    Great blog and I will be back,
    Bonny Smelser

    Posted 2.25.12 Reply
  50. Bonny wrote:

    I have a circle skirt pinned that led me to your blog.

    Posted 2.25.12 Reply
  51. I love this outfit. You did a great job on the skirt!

    Posted 2.25.12 Reply
  52. Lori Anne wrote:

    I’d love to know where you got your striped fabric! My daughter has pinned another of your striped skirts and wants one like it, but I can’t find the fabric! Thanks. :)

    Posted 2.26.12 Reply
  53. Jill wrote:

    That skirt is gorgeous!

    Posted 2.26.12 Reply
  54. Becky wrote:

    I loooooooovvveeeee this skirt!! I love the fabric and the length!! Where do you find all your cute fabric?? I can never find cute fabric like this!

    Posted 3.19.12 Reply