Monday, October 17, 2011

Eye Popping!

I’ve been wanting to make eyeball cake pops every Halloween since I made these cake pops back in 2008.

Spooky Sweets

But, when I made these, I was completely focused on making more character-style cake pops instead of objects and challenging myself to do something different. These were really the first ones I made that involved carrying out a theme and making varying shapes without the use of a cutter. I can remember when I made them and how excited I was that they turned out so cute. I couldn’t wait to show them to you. Once I went beyond the basic ball, there was no turning back. I couldn’t stop making them… and still haven’t.

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So this year, I decided to finally make eyeballs. They are an obvious choice for the medium wouldn’t you say.

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Crumbled cake. I know. I know. Red velvet would have been so much more effective here. But, with dark cakes and light colored candy coating, sometimes the shade of the cake can show through the coating slightly.

And I wanted to make sure I could see the whites of my eyes.

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Chilled cake balls.

By the way, here’s the Basic Cake Pop How-to if you don’t know what I mean. It’s not as thorough as the directions in my book, but it will get the job done.

And below is a quick illustration of how I dip.

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First dip the end of your lollipop stick in some of the melted candy coating and insert into a chilled ball. Then insert cake pop into a bowl of melted coating so that the coating is about 3-4 inches deep.

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You want the coating to be deep enough to dip and remove in one motion and without stirring.

If the coating does not completely cover the ball, don’t stir. Just gently rock the stick left and right until the coating completely covers the ball.

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And remove.

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The more fluid your coating, the easier this will be. This is perfect.

You can tap off any excess if necessary.

If your coating is too thick to do this, simply add a little vegetable oil to help thin it out.

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Before the coating sets, place a green candy coating wafer right on the front. It’s the perfect size.

This is my work around since I try to avoid piping whenever possible.

Shaky hands.

Actually, I’m just not that good at it. I definitely could use more practice.

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So deciding to use the wafers really helped make these eyes look spot on.

To decorate these is really easy. You just need a few things.

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Green candy coating *
Red and black edible ink pens (I use Americolor Pens)*
Miniature confetti sprinkles (the white ones, of course)*


And if those are hard to get your hands on, you could always go the piping route.

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Such a cute pair.

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Does anyone feel like they’re being watched?

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See, this would have been much more effective with red cake. If I were making these for a party and not for pictures, red velvet would be the way to go.

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So when I made these eyeball cake pops, I decided to do a little more playing around.

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And I made little spiders crawling all over the cake pops. Well, they look kinda like spiders. Or m&m’s with eyelashes. But given on Halloween, people would get it.

I used black m&m’s for the bodies and attached to the pop while the coating was still wet.

And after the coating set, I used black jimmies for the…

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Creepy!

You can just use your black edible ink pen to draw the legs on the stick and melted white candy coating to attach the m&m’s.

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Creepy. Crawly. Cute.

Then I made another version – going for spiders that are a little more spooky than sweet.

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Hmmm. Still kinda cute.

They need to be spookified.

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That’s better. A toothpick and a little melted red candy coating did the trick for these treats.

Look at those beady little eyes.

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These are pretty easy, too. The spider bodies are black licorice buttons.

I get licorice mix* like this at the Fresh Market, but they are available at most places that sell candy by the scoop.

For the spider heads, I used black coated sunflower seeds. (keep your eyes open in stores… you’ll stumble on seasonal sunflower seeds like these)

And jimmies for the legs.

Attach the bodies while the coating is still wet and the legs after it sets.

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Hope you have fun making these.

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See ya later.

I know … dorky, but I couldn’t resist.

* Please note that these are Amazon Associate links.

101
Jo and Sue said...

It must take so much patience to place all those tiny chocolate jimmies on the spiders! These are really cute (and creepy). Love them :)

October 18, 2011 09:02 AM
102
Festive Party Girl - Angie said...

You are such an inspiration. I made cake pops for the first time last weekend for a Halloween party. They turned out so cute and my 8 year old and I had so much fun making them.

October 18, 2011 09:14 AM
103
Sara Evans said...

Help Bakerella! I never can make the Americolor pens write on the candy coating ! They are water based and the candy is oil based! Are you sure you aren’t just using permanent marker for the photos? I’ve bought two different sets of pens, but really oil and water don’t mix! Help!
I made the pumpkin pops but ended up having to melt black candy coating and brushed on the faces with a paint brush. Not easy.

Thanks for all your adorible designs. They make every holliday so much fun!

October 18, 2011 11:29 AM
104
Michele in IL. said...

oh, how awesome! I love the eyeballs! You are very talented.

October 18, 2011 11:53 AM
105
Knit-2-Together said...

How adorable these are and perfect for my upcoming girls night! Love Halloween!

October 18, 2011 04:00 PM
106
Siobhan said...

Those spider ones are what I am going to make this year for sure! You are such an inspiration, Bakerella! I love showing people your website!

October 18, 2011 04:51 PM
107
Michelle C. said...

The spiders kind of look like ticks, but it’s still adorable! I’m torn between the eyeballs and spiders! I’d love to have the time to make both…

October 18, 2011 05:04 PM
108
Grace said...

I love love love the spiders crawling on the pops. I’ve been looking for an idea for cake pops for Halloween, and I will definitely try these!

October 18, 2011 05:15 PM
109
Lisa said...

Ah Ha! I should have made the eyes instead of the cats!

October 18, 2011 08:08 PM
110
Michelle Philippi said...

You must have amazing patience along with all that creativity and skill, Miss Angie. Incredibly inspiring work as always. You inspire me to create and bake more. Certainly not at your level, but still fun and always a treat for the family.

October 18, 2011 10:32 PM
111
galas said...

All of these look so great!

October 19, 2011 03:54 AM
112
galas said...

So cute I absolutely love these!

October 19, 2011 04:10 AM
113
Heidi said...

Bakerella, you are the reason i love baking, you are sooo amazing! I LOVE your work! Thanks for sharing all this hard work with us.

October 19, 2011 04:30 AM
114
Julia said...

I love them! :)) I would eat a bunch of them just for the fun of eating eyes, spiders, monsters, mummies and so on :D Even though I am on a diet :))

gifts

October 19, 2011 10:04 AM
115
Joni @ Truffle Pops and More said...

The eyes are great! I have to try them with the red velvet. Maybe I’ll just double dip them. Great job as always!

October 19, 2011 03:59 PM
116
Kogie said...

I love your site and your super inspirational baking ideas! Just today I was in our exclusive retail store here in S Africa (Woolworths) and guess what’s new instore? CakePops!!

October 19, 2011 04:57 PM
117
Kitsy said...

These are awesome…having a Halloween party and these will fit in nicely…Thanks again for ur wonderful ideas..Stay well.

October 19, 2011 08:13 PM
118
Annmarie said...

Amazing – as usual!! Can someone out there help me? I’ve been having A LOT of trouble getting the Wilton Candy Melts to thin out. No matter how much oil or shortening I add they remain thick. I thought I had overheated it, but when I tried again I got the same results. HELP PLEASE!!!

October 19, 2011 10:15 PM
119
Jenna said...

Loveee the little spiders – absolutely creepy..perfect!

Glad you’re feeling well enough to travel – we missed you!

October 19, 2011 11:34 PM
120
Chris said...

Eye luv them!

October 19, 2011 11:47 PM
121
Tiffany said...

I recently tired making cake pops for the first time, and had SEVERAL problems. First the wilton candy melts were too thick, so I tried thinning it out with a little veggie oil, that helped a bit. But the pops seperated from their sticks when I swirled. A little finess fixed that, but after they were dipped, I noticed that they began to “sweat” some kind of yellowish oil. What and why is this, and any suggestions on how I can fix this?

October 19, 2011 11:48 PM
122
Sally said...

The spider cake pops are just superb!

October 20, 2011 08:23 AM
123
Evelyn said...

So clever and imaginative. Btw, you look great. So glad you’re feeling good. :0)

October 20, 2011 12:08 PM
124
Chelsea said...

I am making cake balls to give away at my wedding as a “thank you!”

October 20, 2011 04:58 PM
125
Monique said...

Thank you for inspiring me to do cake pops for my kids..I am definitely going to have fun with the ideas you have given..I just bought your book today at Target, and I absolutely adore it!!

Do you have any ideas for Hello Kitty cake pops???

October 21, 2011 12:52 AM
126
Anna D said...

It acually looks more creepy with the white filling. I almost dont want to look at it :-S haha

October 21, 2011 08:42 AM
127
Loren said...

These are awesome! What candy melts did you use for the eyeballs? I’ve only found some that is a little more cream than white?

October 21, 2011 09:01 AM
128
Grace Vaught said...

Amazing Bakerella, They look delicious! You make the candy coating SO smooth!

October 21, 2011 10:12 AM
129
MaryT said...

I am trying to figure out how to lower my cholesterol, and this is undoubtedly not the way to go!! The thought of eating a little eye is so tempting though…

http://www.thecholesterolscoop.com/how-to-lower-cholesterol-levels.php

October 22, 2011 03:50 PM
130
Jamie said...

These look great! I want to make them this week! How do the confetti pieces attach? Do they stick to the edible pen ink?

October 23, 2011 06:39 PM
131
LaKisha Smith said...

You are sooo talented! I love seeing your new creations and the fact that you are willing to share your ideas…Awesome!!

October 24, 2011 07:10 AM
132
Grace said...

Bakerella, You AMAZE me! I love this site!! Though I am only 9. I still love to bake!! I am SO EXCITED for Halloween! I am gonna be a purple and black witch! I have a really cute witch hat to go with it!! Bakerella, one more thing, You made my day!

October 24, 2011 08:31 PM
133
Kellie Long said...

These are so cute! Thank you for sharing!

October 24, 2011 11:20 PM
134
Anonymous said...

Not sure if someone already asked, I tried checking but how do the spider legs made of “jimmies” stick? Thanks.

October 25, 2011 05:13 PM
135
Miranda said...

I LOVE THESE!!! I SO SO Wish I knew how to make my Chocolate that white!

October 25, 2011 10:47 PM
136
Sarah B.V. said...

I love the bug pop. Disgustingly Divine!

October 25, 2011 11:11 PM
137
Sassy Sites! said...

Your halloween treat was featured over at Sassy Sites! Come by and check it out and don’t forget to grab a featured button!! XOXO!

http://sassysites.blogspot.com/2011/10/halloween-treats-for-kids-link-up.html

October 26, 2011 01:21 AM
138
Beth said...

So cute! For the eyeball pops do you push the pointy end of the green wafer into the cake pop? How did you get it flush with the rest of the pop?

October 26, 2011 02:32 PM
139
doro K. said...

i definitly have to make them!

I linked to your recipe on my blog – thanks for sharing!

doro K.

October 27, 2011 05:34 AM
140
Sam said...

I need some help. I have a lot of trouble with my candy writers i did the eyeballs last night and i have trouble with the pens…they just barely make a mark. And the other question i use either Clasen or Merken melting wafers (that’s whats at the store near me) how much veggie oil do you need to add?! cause i had to add a decent amount!

And Btw the pops come out super super awesome!!! the eye balls are AMAZING!! I also did the Spider ones, but instead of sprinkles for the legs i used the black candy writer :)

Thanks Bakerella!!!!!!!

October 27, 2011 09:12 AM
141
Sam said...

@Sharon I actually rolled my balls over the week end and put them in the freezer until yesterday. The only think i did was put them in the fridge about an hr before i was ready to start to defrost them. They came out fine…my friends were willing to test them!

October 27, 2011 09:15 AM
142
Sharon said...

@thanks Sam.
I was so scared of making up a bunch of cake pops, freezing them, and then having them crack or “weep” on me as they thawed. So instead of starting early, I’ve just been at it for a couple of days. I’m going to do as Bakerella said and store them sealed in a cool, dry area.

October 27, 2011 07:47 PM
143
Nabs said...

Amazing ideas however.. the link you put up for cake art doesnt seem to go anywhere :/ please fix it!!
Thanks! <3

October 30, 2011 08:29 PM
144
Marina said...

I made these!!! They don’t look near as perfect as yours, but I am proud of them nonetheless. They were my first cake pop attempt. I think next time they will look a bit better. I am excited as I think of new creative ideas with cake pops.

I had a swear-fest with the edible ink markers not wanting to write on the eyeballs, so I shook the pen trying to get the ink flowing which resulted in ink spraying all over my kitchen and myself. What a mess! :) I decided to purposefully shake the ink out and use a fine tipped paintbrush which was faster and easier for me.

Thanks for the inspiration and creative ideas! I have always wondered how you take such great pictures and the background always looks neat and tidy. That is not how my kitchen looks mid-creation. Ha ha ha!

October 31, 2011 01:42 PM
145
LIz said...

I made these cake pops for the first time (and making a cake pop in general for the first time) and my office loved them!

Sure my chocolate coating wasnt as smooth and some of my eyeballs were lopsided but it all came out surprisingly well!

I use green candy melts for the pupil and a candy dot (sans paper) for the highlight…not bad at all!

November 1, 2011 07:25 PM
146
I Love To Bake said...

Made the eyeballs and mummies for my daughters birthday. They were amazing, and easy. Just remember not to skip any steps. The only thing I didn’t like was the markers. They didn’t work that well. Wound up putting red frosting in a zip lock bag and piping in on. Can’t wait to make something for thanksgiving and Christmas.

November 5, 2011 08:33 PM
147
Georgann Van Gemert said...

These are great! I made some eyeballs, too. My Halloween pops turned out great. Check out my gallery on my website georgiecakepops.com

You were the inspiration for starting my own cake pop biz…

November 10, 2011 12:52 PM
148
Lauren said...

These are amazing! My twin brother is currently in Optometry school. I HAVE to make these for him when he graduates! Thanks for the idea!

December 14, 2011 09:35 PM
149
lint said...

so creepy but so yummie. these eyeballs are funny and tasty at the same time.

April 19, 2012 02:57 PM
150
Kirsten said...

Wow those look so cool

May 1, 2012 10:28 PM
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