Hello, Cake Pop!

DiamondDiploma Contributor: Pearl

Growing up, my favorite part of Valentines Day was the shoebox that I got to decorate for school. I got to measure my craftiness against the other students (because when it comes to the best crafts, it’s always a competition) and people put cards and heart shape lollipops inside. And to think this giant love fest happened in place of math! Everyone received a card from everybody else in the class; after all, it would be “unfair” to not include another student.

In high school, students bought carnations for their best friends and the flowers were delivered sporadically throughout the day. Because it was no longer a requirement to buy for everyone, the number of carnations one received could be directly correlated with ones popularity, at least in my school. I maxed at 7 my senior year.

Then college happened. No parties with heart shaped jello and little cards were facilitated, and no organization sold carnations. Unless you were in a relationship or dating, you got a card from your parents and grandparents. I was never in a relationship, so this was my reality. All of the fun that I thought was included in Valentines Day was no longer there, but rather the day was a day to sulk and watch Nicholas Sparks movies with my dearest single friends.

Now, I’ve been a member of the working class for 3 years; as Valentines Day approaches, it is my mission to bring the elation back. Relationship or not, it’s a day about love, and we all have someone we love, right? While I am madly in love with the man I am dating, I’m not going to talk about him right now. I’m talking about phileo, platonic love. Let others know how much they mean to you, or just that you are thinking about them. It might mean the world to them! I’m not sure that it’s socially acceptable in my workplace to bring in Disney Princess Valentines for everyone, but I do know that people will never turn down baked goods.

Nothing says “I love you” like a cake pop. If you haven’t caught onto the trend yet, it’s these. Three bites (or four, if you prefer to savor it longer, like me) and you get the same satisfaction as a large, messy cupcake. Perfect for everyone!

You will need:

A chocolate milk cake (I used my own homemade recipe, but a box cake
works just as well!).

1 3/4 cups of shredded coconut

1 ½ tablespoons of almond extract

1 can of milk chocolate frosting

1 package of milk chocolate chips

6 inch candy sticks

Styrofoam blocks

Directions:

1.) Follow the directions of the box cake, or make the homemade
chocolate cake, but add in 1 tablespoon of almond extract and ¾ cup of
coconut

2.) Bake cake, let it cool completely.

3.) Once the cake is cool, in a large bowl crumble the cake and mix
it with the entire can of frosting and 1 cup of shredded coconut.
Mix well with your hands (it gets messy)

4.) Roll all of the cake/coconut/frosting mixture into 1 ½ inch balls
and place on baking sheet.

5.) Place the baking sheet in the freezer for at least 1 ½ hours.

6.) After the balls have cooled, melt the chocolate in the microwave.
Add ½ a tablespoon of almond extract to the melted chocolate and stir
until smooth.

7.) Dip the tip of the sticks in the chocolate, place the stick in
the balls, and dip the balls into the chocolate. Put the sticks in
the styrofoam to cool and garnish with coconut flakes. Let them cool
in the fridge.

8.) Enjoy!

I can’t wait to put these cute little things on everyone’s desks, just like elementary school. All too often, we do not tell those outside of our close circle of friends and family how much we appreciate them. If you are like my old college self and the day means nothing else to you but an exaggerated Hallmark holiday for lovers, let’s change the trend and spread the love to everyone! You never know, that little cake pop could be exactly what the person needed.

– Pearl
(Diamond Diploma Contributor)