TOP SECRET - mom don't peek

Today is a milestone birthday for my Mom.  Hint...she's turned the NEW 40!  Nana is throwing her a pool party on Sunday, but Axel and I got a jump start on the cake!  We've decided to go ultra-trendy (as per a suggestion by my friend Amanda) and make cake-pops.

Amanda, seriously, these things are a PAIN!  Thanks for putting this adorable idea in my head.

I apologize for the blurry pictures, they were taken with my hands full of frosting and an inability to turn on any lights.

Mix up a regular store cake and bake it following the directions on the box.

Crumble the entire cake and mix with 3/4 can of store frosting.  It will have the consistency of very fresh, home-made playdoh.

Let them chill in the fridge for a bit and then mold them into your desired "pop" shape.  I made mine into cupcakes.

While your shapes are chilling (2-3 hours in the fridge), prepare a piece of foam with holes for lollipop sticks.

Melt your desired color of candy coating into a bowl and take a few "pops" out of the fridge.  First dip the stick, then shove it into the pop.  Next, dip the whole pop trying not to drop it off the stick and into the bowl.  Next dip the top in sprinkles (notice what Axel is dipping into the sprinkles).  HURRY and put the pop in the fridge to harden the candy shell.

We used Teddy Grahams and Gummy Life Savers to make little "tubers" in our swimming pool pops.  You may have far more creative ways of decorating.

We arranged them all together on the foam with some curly ribbons underneath.  Now, if only they can make it the 2 days and 100 miles to the party we'll be in great shape!