Iguana Cake Pops

My co-worker's daughter was celebrating her birthday at school today (Happy Birthday Maya!) and my co-worker needed something to take to school. Well, what kid doesn't like cake pops??? I decided to do the honors for the birthday girl but when she decided she wanted cake pops in the shape of iguanas I'll admit I was a bit apprehensive... This is what I came up with.

After several requests, I've decided to share the secret cake pop recipe... DON'T laugh at how easy it is. I've realized that making cake pops are not difficult, the process is just really time consuming and takes a little creativity.

Here's what you need...
1 box of cake mix (flavor of choice)
1 can of frosting (flavor of choice... my two favorites are cream cheese and chocolate)
A couple baking sheets or trays that will fit in the fridge and parchment paper.
Some candy sticks that you can get from Michael's or any cake decorating store.
Your choice of candy coating, again, something that can be found at Michael's.
A really creative way to get the cake pops to stand straight up in the refrigerator ( I use styrofoam wrapped in plastic).

Steps...

1. Bake the cake according to the instructions on the box. I use a 13 X 9 pan and make one cake because there's less clean up with one pan. Let the cake cool for 30-45 minutes or until it is completely cooled.

2. Crumple up the cake and place it into a large bowl.

3. Take half a standard can of frosting and mix it into the cake. You will need to use your hand and mush the mixture together until the frosting is evenly incorporated.

4. Take a standard tablespoon or small ice-cream scooper and scoop out some cake and roll it around into the shape of a ball. I would recommend no bigger than an overflowing tablespoon because the pops become harder to dip the bigger they get. I've had many cake pops go into the dipping coating and never come out :(

5. Once you've rolled up the perfect ball, place it onto parchment paper. Continue until you've rolled up the entire mixture. One boxed cake should make about 30-35 pops.

6. Place the balls into the refrigerator for about an hour.

7. Melt some chocolate or candy coating in the microwave and have your dipping sticks and balls ready. Take the stick, dip it about a quarter inch into the coating and push it into the cake ball making sure you don't go too far into the ball. You want to get about halfway into the ball. Repeat this process and stick them straight into the styrofoam. Pop them back in the refrigerator for another 30 minutes or until the coating has dried.

8. Melt your desired coating in the microwave about 30 seconds at a time until nice and smooth. Dip the pops into the coating making sure all the excess is off and stand them back up on the stand. Once dipped, place them back in the refrigerator to dry the coating.

9. Design as desired and ENJOY :)