# What You'll Need:
→ Cake
01 - 1 box vanilla or chocolate cake mix (approximately 15 oz), plus required eggs, oil, and water
02 - Alternatively, 1 homemade 9-inch cooled cake
→ Frosting
03 - 1/2 cup cream cheese frosting or buttercream frosting
→ Coating and Decoration
04 - 12 oz candy melts in school colors, or white chocolate with colored food coloring
05 - 2 tablespoons vegetable shortening (optional, for thinning chocolate)
06 - Sprinkles, edible glitter, or colored sugar
07 - 24 lollipop sticks
08 - 1/4 cup mini chocolate chips
09 - Fondant in school colors (optional, for cap decoration)
# How to Make It:
01 - Bake cake according to package or recipe directions. Let cool thoroughly before handling.
02 - Crumble the cooled cake into a mixing bowl until finely textured.
03 - Integrate frosting into the crumbs using a spatula or clean hands, adding gradually until mixture holds together.
04 - Portion and roll mixture into 24 uniform balls, using approximately 1 tablespoon for each.
05 - Arrange balls on a lined baking sheet, cover, and refrigerate for at least 1 hour or freeze for 20 minutes.
06 - Using a microwave-safe bowl, melt candy melts or chocolate in 30-second intervals, stirring until silky. If thick, incorporate vegetable shortening for optimal consistency.
07 - Dip one end of each stick in the melted coating, then embed halfway into each chilled cake ball.
08 - Submerge each pop in the melted coating, ensuring full coverage. Allow excess to drip and gently tap off.
09 - While coating is wet, embellish with sprinkles or colored sugar. For graduation cap designs, place a fondant square atop each pop and adhere a mini chocolate chip as a tassel using a spot of melted chocolate.
10 - Stand cake pops upright in a styrofoam block or holder to dry. Ensure coating is firm before presenting.