Being a middle child comes with its own set of quirks. I know that from experience—sandwiched between my older sister and brother, and my younger brother, I’ve always felt like I occupy this weird space in the family. My older brother is technically also a middle child, but since he’s the first-born son, he gets a pass. Meanwhile, I’m the "true" middle child. Not the eldest, not the youngest—just somewhere in between.
Growing up, I had to figure out my own way to stand out. My older sister was the responsible one, the one who always seemed to have it together, and my younger brother had that youngest-child charm that everyone adored. My older brother got the "first son" treatment, which left me, well... figuring things out on my own.
But the thing is, being the middle child has its perks too. I learned how to adapt and find my voice in the middle of all the chaos. I discovered that I didn’t need to be the loudest or the first to get attention—I could do things my way, quietly carving out my own space. And over time, I started to appreciate the freedom that came with that.
That’s probably why I love making cake pops. They’re small, unassuming, and often overshadowed by their more traditional dessert counterparts like cakes or cupcakes. But once you bite into one, you realize they’re full of flavor and charm, just waiting to surprise you. They’re fun, creative, and even though they might be small, they pack a big punch. Just like being a middle child—you might not always be the one in the spotlight, but you can still shine in your own way.
Ingredients:
- 1 box of cake mix (any flavor you like)
- 1/2 cup frosting (store-bought or homemade)
- Candy melts or chocolate for coating
- Sprinkles or toppings for decoration
- Lollipop sticks
Instructions:
1. Bake the Cake:
Prepare the cake mix according to the package instructions and let it cool completely.
2. Crumble the Cake:
Once the cake has cooled, crumble it into fine crumbs in a large mixing bowl. Add the frosting and mix until the cake crumbs are moist and can hold their shape when pressed together.
3. Form the Cake Pops:
Roll the mixture into small, evenly-sized balls (about 1 tablespoon each) and place them on a lined baking sheet. Insert a lollipop stick into each ball. Freeze the cake balls for about 30 minutes, or until firm.
4. Coat the Cake Pops:
Melt the candy melts or chocolate according to the package instructions. Dip each cake pop into the melted coating, gently tapping off any excess. Decorate with sprinkles or other toppings while the coating is still wet.
5. Let Them Set:
Place the coated cake pops upright in a foam block or a cup so they can set without touching anything. Let them cool completely until the coating hardens.
Tips:
- If the cake pops are falling off the sticks, dip the ends of the lollipop sticks in a bit of melted chocolate before inserting them into the cake balls. This helps the cake pop stay in place.
- Get creative with your decorations! Use colored candy melts, sprinkles, or even drizzle different colors of chocolate for a fun effect.
- Make sure the cake pops are chilled before dipping them in the melted chocolate or candy melts—this helps them hold their shape and prevents cracking.
Enjoy,
Lauren