Step 1

Bake the Cake: Begin by baking your chosen cake mix according to the package instructions. You might consider flavors like red velvet or chocolate for a Valentine’s Day theme. Once baked, allow the cake to cool completely.

Step 2

Crumble and Mix: After the cake has cooled, crumble it into fine crumbs using your hands or a food processor. In a large bowl, mix the cake crumbs with vanilla frosting. Start with a small amount of frosting and gradually add more until the mixture is moist enough to hold its shape when formed.

Step 3

Form the Cake Pops: Scoop out small portions of the cake mixture and roll them into balls. If you're feeling creative, you can shape them into hearts for a more festive look. Place the formed cake balls on a baking sheet lined with parchment paper and refrigerate for about 1-2 hours, until they are firm.

Step 4

Prepare the Candy Melts: While the cake balls are chilling, melt the white and pink candy melts in separate bowls. You can do this using a microwave in 30-second intervals, stirring between each interval, or using a double boiler.

Step 5

Dip the Sticks: Take a lollipop stick and dip one end into the melted candy about half an inch. Then insert the dipped end into a cake ball. This helps the cake ball stay secure on the stick when dipped in the coating.

Step 6

Coat the Cake Pops: Once the sticks are inserted, dip each cake pop into the melted candy. Gently tap off any excess coating. If the candy coating is too thick, you can thin it with a bit of coconut oil or vegetable shortening.

Step 7

Decorate: Before the coating sets, decorate your cake pops with sprinkles, edible glitter, or any other Valentine’s-themed decorations. This step should be done quickly as the candy coating can harden fast.

Step 8

Set the Cake Pops: Stick the cake pops upright in a styrofoam block or a cake pop stand to let them set completely. This usually takes about an hour.

Step 9

Serve or Gift: Once set, your Valentine’s Day cake pops are ready to be served or packaged as gifts. For a charming presentation, you can wrap them individually in cellophane and tie them with a ribbon.