# What You Need:
→ Cake
01 - 1 box vanilla cake mix
02 - Eggs as required by cake mix
03 - Oil as required by cake mix
04 - Water as required by cake mix
→ Frosting
05 - 1/2 cup unsalted butter, softened
06 - 1 1/2 cups powdered sugar
07 - 2 tablespoons milk
08 - 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
→ Coating
09 - 12 ounces white candy melts or white chocolate
10 - Blue gel food coloring, oil-based
11 - 2 tablespoons coconut oil or vegetable shortening, optional
→ Decoration
12 - 1 tablespoon cocoa powder
13 - 1 to 2 teaspoons vodka or clear extract
14 - Edible gold or silver luster dust, optional
→ Assembly
15 - 24 lollipop sticks
16 - Styrofoam block or cake pop stand
# Step-by-Step Guide:
01 - Preheat oven and bake vanilla cake according to package instructions. Allow cake to cool completely before proceeding.
02 - In a medium bowl, cream the softened butter until light and fluffy. Gradually beat in powdered sugar, milk, and vanilla extract until the frosting is smooth and spreadable.
03 - Crumble the cooled cake into fine crumbs in a large bowl. Add frosting gradually, mixing with your hands until the mixture holds together without being overly sticky. You may not need all the frosting.
04 - Roll the mixture into 24 evenly-sized balls, approximately 1 tablespoon each. Arrange on a parchment-lined baking sheet and freeze for 15 minutes to firm.
05 - Melt white candy melts or white chocolate using a double boiler or microwave in 20-second intervals, stirring until smooth. Tint with blue gel food coloring to achieve robin's egg blue. Add coconut oil or shortening to thin if necessary.
06 - Dip the tip of each lollipop stick into the melted coating, then insert halfway into each cake ball. Repeat for all 24 balls, then refrigerate for 10 minutes to secure the sticks.
07 - Fully immerse each cake pop into the blue coating, allowing excess to drip off. Stand upright in a Styrofoam block or cake pop stand to set completely.
08 - Mix cocoa powder with vodka or extract to create a thin paste. Dip a clean brush into the mixture and gently flick across each cake pop to create speckles. Optionally add luster dust for enhanced shine.
09 - Allow all cake pops to set completely at room temperature before serving or packaging.