Make Heart Cupcake Pops in 5 Easy Steps

Pretty shades of pink and cute little heart shapes make Valentine’s Day such a fun time to decorate sweets. And cake pops top the list as one of my favorite sweets to make. They can be a bit intimidating, I know. But, with a little practice and step-by-step directions to help, cake pops become nothing more than a fun afternoon in the kitchen.

Supplies for Making Heart Cupcake Pops

To make heart cupcake pops you will need:

• Chocolate cake balls
• A small heart cookie cutter
• Lollipop sticks
• Yellow card stock paper
• Brown, pink and/or white candy melts
• Pink heart sprinkles and/or small white sugar pearls
• Styrofoam block or cake pop stand

 

Step 1: Make Your Cake Balls

Start by making your chocolate cake balls using box cake mix and frosting. Put the cake balls in the fridge or freezer until chilled.

If you would like more details on how to make cake balls, Karyn of Pint Sized Baker has video tutorials on everything from baking to dipping to decorating. She is a real pro when it comes to making cake pops. If you’re a bit of a cake pop fanatic like me, then you would really enjoying browsing Karyn’s many creative cake pop creations.

 

Step 2: Shape Your Heart Cupcake Pops 

To shape your cupcake pops you’ll want to use a heart cookie cutter with an opening that is slightly smaller than your cake ball.

Press a cake ball into the heart cookie cutter until half of the cake ball is in the cutter. This will shape the bottom of your cake ball into a heart. Use your hands to round off the top of the cake ball and form it into a rough upside down triangle shape. Then, use a butter knife to press the top of the cake ball into a heart shape. If you’re a perfectionist, this step can consume your whole afternoon. Keep in mind that these heart cupcake pops will be covered in chocolate and sprinkles. Your sanity is important so remember that imperfections will easily be hidden later!

Repeat this step for each cake ball then set them back in the fridge until chilled.

 

Step 3: Create the Candles for Your Heart Cupcake Pops

 

For the flames on the candles of your heart cupcake pops, cut your yellow card stock paper into tiny flame shapes. No, this part of your cupcake pop is not edible but this won’t be an issue unless someone tries to eat the stick!

Start by microwaving your brown candy melts in a bowl on low power for 30-seconds at a time. Stop and stir after each 30-second interval then repeat until the coating is completely melted.

Do not overheat your candy melts or your coating will become lumpy. If the coating is too thick, you can add a small amount of vegetable oil or shortening to thin it out.

Dip a lollipop stick into the candy coating until half the stick is coated. Pull the stick straight out, tapping it on the side of the bowl to remove any excess coating. While the candy coating is wet, set one of your card stock flames in the coating. Set the coated lollipop stick in a styrofoam block or cake pop stand to dry. Repeat this step for each heart cupcake pop.

 

Step 4: Decorate the Tops of Your Heart Cupcake Pops

Once the candy coating on your candles has hardened you can begin dipping your chilled cake balls. Start by microwaving your pink or white (depending on what color cupcake pop you are making) candy melts  in a bowl on low power for 30-seconds at a time. Stop and stir after each 30-second interval then repeat until the coating is completely melted.

Use your hands to dip the top of a heart-shaped cake ball in the coating. Only cover the top half of the cake ball. Tap off any excess coating and set your cake ball upright on a flat surface. Continue working quickly so you can work with the coating before it hardens.

Dip the end of a coated lollipop stick in the candy coating and press it into the top of your coated cake ball, inserting it about half way through. While the coating is still wet add sprinkles to the top of your cake ball.

Repeat this step for all of your heart cupcake pops. Then, set them aside until the coating has hardened before moving to the next step.

 

Step 5: Coat the Bottoms of Your Heart Cupcake Pops

If your brown coating has thickened or hardened, reheat it in the microwave in 30-second intervals until it is completely melted. Dip the bottom half of each heart cupcake pop into the coating. Gently tap off any excess coating and place the cake pop into a styrofoam block or cake pop stand until the coating has hardened. Repeat this step for each cake pop.

Once the coating has completely hardened your heart cupcake pops are ready to be packaged and enjoyed!