📖 Instructions

1. Bake the Cake: Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Prepare your favorite cake mix or recipe (chocolate or vanilla works great!). Bake in a greased and floured 9x13 inch pan according to the recipe instructions. Once baked, let the cake cool completely. This is crucial; warm cake will just turn to mush.
2. Crumble the Cake: Once the cake is completely cool, crumble it into a large mixing bowl. Get your hands in there! Make sure there are no large chunks remaining. The finer the crumbs, the better the cake pops will hold their shape. I like to make sure to get rid of the hard edges, cause who really likes those?
3. Add Frosting: Add your favorite frosting (about 1/2 to 3/4 of a container) to the crumbled cake. Mix well with your hands or a sturdy spoon until the mixture is moist and holds together when squeezed. You're aiming for a playdough-like consistency. It shouldnt be too wet!
4. Shape the Cake Pops: Using a heart-shaped cookie cutter, press the cake mixture firmly into the cutter to create heart shapes. Gently remove the shaped cake from the cutter and place it on a baking sheet lined with parchment paper. Repeat until all the cake mixture is used. If you don't have a cookie cutter, you can just roll them into balls and flatten them slightly to resemble hearts. It'll be ok!
5. Chill the Cake Pops: Place the baking sheet with the heart-shaped cake pops in the refrigerator for at least 30 minutes. This chilling step is important as it helps the cake pops to firm up and prevents them from falling apart when you dip them in chocolate. Dont skip it!
6. Melt the Chocolate: While the cake pops are chilling, melt your white chocolate in a double boiler or microwave-safe bowl. If using a microwave, heat in 30-second intervals, stirring in between, until completely melted and smooth. Be careful not to overheat the chocolate, or it will seize up. If it does, dont panic! Add a tiny bit of vegetable oil and stir. See? I got you.
7. Insert Sticks: Remove the chilled cake pops from the refrigerator. Dip the tip of a cake pop stick into the melted chocolate and then insert it halfway into the bottom of a heart. This helps the stick adhere to the cake pop. Repeat with all the cake pops.
8. Dip in Chocolate: Hold the cake pop by the stick and dip it completely into the melted chocolate. Gently tap off any excess chocolate. You can use a toothpick to smooth out any imperfections. Dont worry about perfection; handmade charm is part of the fun!
9. Decorate: While the chocolate is still wet, decorate the cake pops with sprinkles, edible glitter, or melted colored chocolate. Get creative! This is where you can really personalize them. I love adding little edible hearts and sparkly sprinkles.
10. Set the Chocolate: Place the decorated cake pops back on the parchment-lined baking sheet. Allow the chocolate to set completely. You can speed up this process by placing them in the refrigerator for a few minutes. If you live in a very warm climate you can freeze them for a few minutes!
11. Serve and Enjoy: Once the chocolate is set, your Heart-Shaped Valentine's Day Romance Cake Pops are ready to serve! Arrange them on a platter or wrap them individually in cellophane bags for a sweet and romantic gift.