Ingredients
→ Cake and Coloring
1 box white cake mix, plus ingredients required for the mix
Red food coloring
Blue food coloring
→ Frosting
Vanilla frosting
→ Decorations
Red candy melts
Blue candy melts
White candy melts
Sprinkles
30 decorative straws or drink stirrers
Steps
Prepare vanilla cake mix according to the package instructions. Divide batter evenly into three bowls. Color one red, one blue, and leave the third white. Bake in 8-inch round pans as directed. Allow to cool completely.
Mix 1 tablespoon of vanilla frosting into each cooled cake. Add 1 teaspoon more frosting only if the dough won’t form a ball when pressed. Using a 2-tablespoon cookie scoop, form 10 cake balls from each color, totaling 30 balls.
Cut each cake ball into three slices. Combine a red, white, and blue slice and gently roll into a ball to create a tricolor effect. Make sure not to swirl the dough. Cover with wax paper and refrigerate.
Pour each color of candy melts into separate mugs. Microwave each mug for 1 minute, stir, then microwave again at 70% power for 45 seconds. Stir until smooth. Remove chilled cake balls, dip one end of a decorative straw or stick into the candy melt, then insert it into a cake ball. Repeat for all 30 balls.
Dip each cake ball into corresponding melted candy (10 red, 10 blue, and 10 white). Tap off excess and add sprinkles to decorate. For a swirled effect, dip the ball in white candy melt, drizzle with red and blue melts, then shake off excess.
Stand cake pops upright to dry, either in a cake pop stand or an upright position like candy apples. Serve at your 4th of July party.
Tips
- Ensure the candy melts are not overheated to prevent clumping.
- Refrigerating cake balls makes them easier to work with when coating.
Required Tools
- Three 8-inch round cake pans
- Mixing bowls
- Microwave-safe mugs
- 2-tablespoon cookie scoop
- Wax paper
- Cake pop stand or an upright drying tool