Cake pops. Cupcake bites. Cupcakes in jars — there seems to be an endless combination of cake, frosting, and adorable presentations to go along with them. Cake push-pops are no exception, and I’ve gladly jumped on board (I bought my containers here). I was looking to ship some treats to Georgia, and I wanted something that would still look pretty and taste delicious by the time they reached their destination. These plastic push-pops were the perfect way to ship bite-sized cake layers and frosting in the mail – they’re lightweight, self-contained, no-mess, and really, really cute. Plus when they’re filled with chocolate cake and Kahlua frosting, they’re absolutely irresistible.
These push pops were for a very special occasion – my good friend Amanda’s bachelorette party (remember the engagement ring cookies I made for her last February??). She’s one of my first friend to get married and I had the honor of being a bridesmaid, so this was very new and exciting for us all. Unfortunately I was too busy studying and taking my boards that I couldn’t make it down to Atlanta for the bachelorette party, but I wanted to ship her a fun party basket to send my love. The basket was filled with cake push pops, vodka nips, a feather boa, and a personalized hanger with her new last name – all in her coordinating wedding colors. I’m not exactly sure how pretty it was when it arrived down South, but I heard everything was delicious and they had a great time.
Since I was still studying when I made these, I opted for a doctored devil’s food boxed cake recipe to save myself some time. I baked the cake in a 9×13 pan, cut it into 2 layers, and used a cookie cutter that was the same diameter as the push pops to make mini cake rounds. The frosting is a basic sweet buttercream recipe with Kahlua substituted for the milk (similar to the frosting from my Bailey’s buttercream, just with a different liqueur). I loaded the frosting into a piping bag fit with a medium-sized star tip and layered alternating cake and frosting. The endless combinations of flavors, frosting colors, and even adding sprinkles make these little push pops a great party gift for any occasion.
Although I didn’t make it to the bachelorette party, Ryan and I made the trek down to Georgia last weekend for her big day and we all had an absolute blast. JR and Amanda make such a beautiful couple (and smart too– they’re both in med school!) and it was so fun to share intimately in their day as a bridesmaid. I wish them all the happiness in the world, and lots and lots of cake! Here are some snapshots from the wedding in Augusta:
Chocolate Kahlua Cake Push Pops
Ingredients:
1 box devil’s food cake mix
1 (5.9 oz) package instant chocolate pudding mix
1 cup sour cream
1 cup vegetable oil
4 eggs, lightly beaten
2 tsp vanilla extract
1 tbsp instant espresso dissolved in 1/2 cup warm water
For the Kahlua buttercream:
1 cup butter, at room temperature
4 cups powdered sugar
3 tbsp Kahlua liqueur
1 tsp vanilla
Directions:
Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Grease a 9×13″ pan and set aside.
In the bowl of an electric mixer, beat together the cake and pudding mixes, sour cream, oil, eggs, vanilla, and espresso/water mixture for about 2 minutes on medium speed.
Pour batter into prepared pan and bake according to the package’s instructions.
Allow cake to cool completely, then use a large serrated knife to cut the cake into 2 even layers.
Using a round cookie cutter that is similar in size to the push pops, cut out mini cake rounds.**
For the frosting beat butter in the bowl of an electric mixer for 2-3 minutes or until light and fluffy. Gradually add in powdered sugar and beat well. Add Kahlua and vanilla and beat until combined.
Transfer frosting to a piping bag fit with a medium-sized star tip and layer cake with a swirl of frosting in each plastic container.
**You can also just bake the cake in mini muffin tins and stick in 2 mini-cupcakes in each container, but I wanted more layers so I opted for the cut-out method
FYI – I bought the personalized wire hanger from this Etsy vendor and loved it:
such a cute idea! your blue dresses are stunning!
God I love the Pushpop Idea… I remember loving the pushpop candy when I was a kid.
Mikey F.
http://mikeyfblog-eng.blogspot.com
oh my god i have fallen in love with this blog!!
Brilliant idea! @Mikey F: me too I love the pushpop thing, my eyes were caught by that word when I saw this article. This is exactly what I’m looking for. Foods that will last and reach their destination, thanks this is helpful to me!
Great desserts! Love the idea of placing them in tiny little jars! Thank you for the recipe!
Even though they are in the uk TheCakeDecoratingCompany.co.uk should still be cheaper for cake push pop containers as they are the distributer.
Now I know what will I suggest to my sister’s wedding! Thanks for this idea. It is really unique and cute.
Wow! What a great idea! This is absolutely perfect for debut parties, birthday parties and wedding parties too. I am really amazed with your brilliant idea.
This a so beautiful to look at, wonderful dessert-idea!!!!
Push-Up containers case of 100 at CulinaryDirect.com
I just wanted to throw out there that I’ve used your doctored cake mix recipe about a million times- I’m always mentioning it on my blog. Thanks so much for the recipe!
The wedding cake last night was truly the best cake I have ever put in my mouth. If you are wiillng to share the recipe I would love it.We had a wonderful time at the wedding. Your family is so gracious and Ruthie is so happy. Thank you for the memorable weekend.Joan BullockPensacola, Fl
On measuring peanut butter .yes, there is an easy way. A miraculous, wondrous easy way. Maybe someone else mentioned this and I missed it, but does anyone else have a plunger cup? Like the ones Alton Brown used on Good Eats? Best. Thing. Ever. Peanut butter, yogurt, corn syrup, honey all easy peasy. I paid more than I should have for mine at Williams Sonoma I think, but I m pretty sure I ve seen them go for around $10. You just adjust the cup to the level you want it (mine has a bunch of different units of measure all the way around it to choose from), pack the contents in up to the fill line, just like you would with a regular measuring cup, then push in the plunger and scrape the bottom of the cup(which is now even with the top, so a flat surface). The plunger-action scrapes the sides for you. Then the two pieces come apart and you can pop it in the dishwasher. I m a kitchen gadget fiend, but this measuring cup has got to be my favorite.