In keeping with the miniature theme lately, this week a few weeks ago I made miniature beer mugs. We are attending attended an Augtoberfest party and thought these would be a good contribution. Plus, I’ve never made cake pops before and wanted to try it out. I got this book for Christmas, and this was my first time making them. I recommend the book, or visiting her blog, if you want detailed instructions.
This activity took me a few nights. The first night was solely devoted to baking the cake. The second night I rolled the cake balls. This involved crumbling the cake, mixing with icing (store-bought of course), then forming into the shape of balls.
Enter day three. After refrigerating these suckers, it came time for the candy coating. I quickly learned that you can’t just put a stick in these and go immediately into the candy dunking. If you do, balls of cake get lost in the candy goo. I had much greater success dipping the lollipop stick into the melted candy, sticking it into the cake pop, then allowing to cool. THEN proceeding into the candy dunking.
Awaiting a candy dunk |
In the meantime I rolled and made a few mug handles fashioned from gum paste (once again, store-bought).
Turns out there was no need for that rolling pin you see here. |
After heating up some candy in the microwave each cake got a dunk. I immediately gave them each a handle before the candy coating cooled. Sadly the beer color ended up a bit darker than I had anticipated, and so rather than some pale ales, they ended looking more like Guinness beer mugs.
Almost done |
And lastly, I added a frothy finish…
So they ended up being a hit at the party. Would I make them again? Eh…. I would probably stick with some simple round cake balls in the future.
leciathegunner says
cute for a first try!
Caroline says
thanks!
Kiki says
How did you do the frothy finish?
Caroline says
I melted white candy and drizzled it on top. Kind of starting from the top, middle of the mug, then let it overflow down the sides… if that makes sense.
Kiki says
Makes perfect sense! I have never used gum paste before. Is it easy?
Caroline says
Actually this was the first time I've ever used it. It may have just been the brand I bought, but it seemed dry to me. I might just go with the pre-made fondant in the future. It seems much more pliable!