Cake Pops

A few months ago, I was lucky enough to win a cake pop maker and cookbook over at Moogie and Pap, one of my favorite blogs (Moogie is a baker extraordinaire as well as a wonderful cook). Since DSO is a diabetic, I do try to keep my baking to a minimum, but with the holidays approaching, this was the perfect time to try out my new toy. The cake pop maker came with simple, but thorough directions and several recipes for batter that would work well for the pops. I chose to make the vanilla cake recipe. It was very simple to put together and yielded 28 cake pops (I actually used sticks for just a few since DSO was taking these to work and I didn't think the guys would "get" the lollipop sticks). I dipped them in melted semisweet chips and colored sprinkles.

I thought the first batch would probably stick, but each and every cake came out perfectly. Each batch took exactly 7 minutes to bake.

Since I'm certain the batter could be used for cupcakes, I'll include the recipe.  I'd bake at 350 degrees for 15-25 minutes. I'm guessing the batter will yield 12 regular sized cupcakes.

1 stick unsalted butter
1/4 cup shortening
1 1/2 cups sugar
3 eggs
1 1/2 cups all purpose flour
1/4 tsp salt
1/4 tsp baking powder
1/2 cup milk
1/2 tsp vanilla

Cream butter and shortening together. Add sugar, a little at a time. Stir dry ingredients together in a bowl and add to mixture alternately with milk, starting and ending with the dry ingredients. Mix in vanilla.

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TASTE NOTES
I loved, loved, loved these little cake balls! The cake is dense--a cross between a pound cake and a donut--and just incredibly delicious. These little gems could be quite addictive and I can't wait to try another recipe--probably the one for donut holes. Did I mention the little injector that came with the set so you can inject jelly or another filling into the cakes?  This is a great little appliance for moms who are called upon to bake for school birthdays or scouts or bake sales!