Chocolate Cake Pops (Vegan)
Happy Valentine’s Day! The best way to show your love for someone else is by making them a homemade dessert. And if you’re looking for something to make, don’t worry! I have you covered! Celebrate Valentine’s day with these decadent, sweet chocolate cake pops.
Some tips for success…
Let’s be honest, cake pops are not always that easy to make! But with a few simple tips and tricks, you won’t have to worry about it anymore!
Make them in advance. Cake pops need a lot of freezing/fridge time so that they don’t fall apart when sticking the cake pop stick into them. When you are covering the cake pops in chocolate, make sure you leave them in the fridge until you are ready to cover them in chocolate. It is totally okay to freeze the cake pops for a few days before eating them, they will last about a week or two!
After covering the cake pops in chocolate, use styrofoam or a cake pop holder to hold them up. Here's the link to a cute heart-shaped stand for Valentine's Day!
Dip the tip of the cake pop stick into the chocolate before sticking it into the cake pop.
Don’t melt all of the chocolate at once, by the time you get to the last few cake pops, the chocolate won’t have the right consistency. Instead, melt just enough that you can dip the cake pops in. (Also, use a cup that is small and narrow to dip the cake pops into. For example a mug, or glass measuring cup)
Use a spoon to smooth out the chocolate and take off excess chocolate that drips down.
Even though it can sometimes take practice to get cake pops right, don’t let that intimidate you! They have very few ingredients and are actually very fun to make once you get into it.
Valentine’s Day Chocolate Cake Pops
Time: 1 hr + freezing time
Serves: 15
Ingredients:
2 1/2 cup flour
1 1/2 cup sugar
1 tbsp baking powder
1/2 tsp baking soda
3/4 cup cocoa powder
1 1/2 cup plant-based milk
2/3 cup coconut oil
1 tbsp apple cider vinegar
1 tsp vanilla extract
Frosting:
200g vegan butter (I use Earth Balance Baking Block Butter)
2 cups icing sugar
4 tbsp cocoa powder
Toppings:
3 cups dark chocolate chips
Red Valentine’s day sprinkles
How to Make:
Preheat oven to 360F and line a cake pan with parchment paper (any medium to large cake pan will work)
In a large mixing bowl, whisk together the flour, sugar, baking powder, baking soda and cocoa powder.
In a separate bowl mix the milk, coconut oil, apple cider vinegar, and vanilla.
Add the wet ingredients to the dry ingredients and mix with a spatula until smooth. Pour into prepared cake pan and bake for 30 minutes or until an inserted toothpick comes out clean.
While the cake is baking, prepare the frosting by mixing the butter, icing sugar, and cocoa powder in a stand mixer.
Let the cake cool for 20 minutes before using clean hands to crumble the cake into rough crumbs. Then fold in the frosting. When the mixture is fully combined and smooth, roll it into tablespoon sized balls and place on a baking sheet (with parchment paper). Cool in the freezer for at least 20 minutes.
Prepare the chocolate by pouring it into a mug or glass measuring cup and heat the chocolate in the microwave in 30 second increments, stirring in between until it is smooth (this step is very important, take your time with the chocolate otherwise it won’t be the right consistency!)
First, dip the cake pop stick into the chocolate, then stick into the cake pop. Repeat with each cake pop and allow to harden in freezer again for 10 minutes. Once the cake pops are frozen again, you can dip into the chocolate, using a spoon to even it out. Immediately after dipping one cake pop in, sprinkle with the red Valentine’s day sprinkles, the chocolate will harden very quickly! Place the cake pops in a piece of styrofoam or a cake pop holder to harden.
When the cake pops are completely hardened, they are finished! Enjoy and Happy Valentine’s day!
