Ingredients:

  • 1.5 cups all-purpose flour
  • 1 cup granulated sugar
  • 1.5 tsp baking powder
  • 0.5 tsp salt
  • 0.5 cup unsalted butter, softened
  • 1 large egg
  • 0.5 cup whole milk
  • 2 tsp vanilla extract
  • 4 oz cream cheese, softened
  • 0.25 cup unsalted butter, softened
  • 2 cups powdered sugar
  • 1 tsp vanilla extract
  • 12 oz vanilla candy melts
  • 2 tbsp vegetable shortening

Instructions:

  1. Preheat oven to 350°F (175°C). Cream the butter and sugar until pale, then incorporate the egg and vanilla extract.
  2. Alternately add the flour, baking powder, and salt with the milk until the batter is smooth.
  3. Pour batter into an 8-inch round pan and bake for 25-30 minutes until a toothpick comes out clean. Cool completely.
  4. Crumble the cooled cake into a food processor and pulse until fine, uniform crumbs are formed.
  5. Add cream cheese, softened butter, powdered sugar, and vanilla extract to the crumbs; mix until a cohesive, moldable dough forms.
  6. Scoop 1 tablespoon of dough and roll into a smooth 1-inch sphere. Place on a parchment-lined tray and chill in the freezer for 15 minutes.
  7. Melt vanilla candy melts with vegetable shortening in a microwave-safe bowl or double boiler until smooth.
  8. Dip the tip of a cake pop stick into the melted candy coating, then insert it into the center of a chilled cake ball to anchor it.
  9. Submerge the entire cake ball into the candy coating, lift, and let excess drip off before placing on a stand to set.