Save to Pinterest Fun whimsical cake pops with a luscious salted caramel center coated in chocolate and decorated to resemble playful monsters. Perfect for parties or Halloween treats!
I first made these for my niece's spooky birthday party and the kids absolutely loved making their own monster faces. It was a playful baking session that created fun memories.
Ingredients
- Cake: 1 box (400 g) chocolate cake mix (plus required eggs, oil, water per package instructions)
- Salted Caramel Filling: 200 g soft caramel candies 60 ml (1/4 cup) heavy cream 1/2 tsp sea salt
- Cake Pop Mixture: 100 g (about 1/2 cup) cream cheese, softened 50 g (1/4 cup) unsalted butter, softened
- Coating & Decoration: 400 g candy melts (assorted colors: green, purple, orange, blue) 50 g white chocolate, for details Candy eyes (store-bought or homemade) Sprinkles and colored sugars (optional)
- Assembly: 24 lollipop sticks
Instructions
- Bake the Cake:
- Bake the chocolate cake according to package instructions. Let cool completely.
- Prepare the Salted Caramel:
- In a microwave-safe bowl, melt the caramel candies with heavy cream in 30 second intervals stirring until smooth. Stir in sea salt. Allow to cool to room temperature.
- Make the Cake Pop Mixture:
- Crumble the cooled cake into a large mixing bowl. Add softened cream cheese and butter. Mix until a smooth moldable dough forms.
- Fill the Cake Pops:
- Scoop out about 1 tablespoon of cake mixture flatten in your palm place 1/2 teaspoon of salted caramel in the center and wrap the cake around it to form a ball. Repeat for all cake pops. Freeze balls for 15 minutes.
- Insert Sticks:
- Melt candy melts according to package instructions. Dip the tip of each lollipop stick into melted candy then insert into each cake ball. Chill for another 10 minutes to secure.
- Coat the Cake Pops:
- Dip each cake pop fully into the melted candy coating letting excess drip off. Place upright in a styrofoam block or cake pop stand.
- Decorate:
- Before the coating sets decorate with candy eyes sprinkles and use white chocolate to pipe monster mouths and details.
- Set Cake Pops:
- Allow cake pops to set completely at room temperature.
Save to Pinterest My family loves making these together for parties. Everybody enjoys designing their own 'monster' and there is always laughter at the decorating table.
Required Tools
Mixing bowls Electric mixer or hand mixer Baking sheet Microwave-safe bowl Lollipop sticks Styrofoam block or cake pop stand Piping bag (for chocolate details)
Allergen Information
Contains wheat (cake mix) dairy (cream cheese butter caramel candy melts) and eggs (cake mix). May contain soy (candy melts) and traces of nuts depending on brands. Always check ingredient labels for allergen safety.
Nutritional Information
Calories: 210 Total Fat: 10 g Carbohydrates: 29 g Protein: 2 g (per serving)
Save to Pinterest Bring some whimsy to your next gathering with these monster cake pops—kids and adults will love customizing their own treats!
Common Recipe Questions
- → How do I prevent cake pops from falling off the sticks?
Dip the stick tip in melted candy before inserting into cake balls and chill briefly. This helps secure the sticks.
- → Can I use homemade caramel instead of candy caramels?
Yes, homemade caramel can be used. Ensure it's thickened for easier filling in the cake pop centers.
- → Are there alternatives to cream cheese for the mixture?
Mascarpone or a little frosting may be substituted, but cream cheese offers the best texture for forming pops.
- → How do I create vibrant monster colors?
Use gel food coloring to tint white candy melts. Mix until evenly colored before dipping the cake pops.
- → Can I prepare cake pops in advance?
Yes, shape and chill cake balls ahead. Decorate closer to serving for the best appearance and texture.
- → What’s the best way to store them?
Keep finished pops in an airtight container at room temperature for up to three days to preserve freshness and texture.