Good Ole Family Fun...

This weekend I got together with my wonderful cousins and we mixed, rolled, froze, dipped and drizzled till our hearts were content:) We tried some old and some new recipes for making cake pops/balls and I wanted to share them...
Here is the links to my other Cake Pop adventures--

Basic Cake Pops
Cheesecake Balls
Bakerella's Blog for further instructions and ideas - gotta give credit where credit is deserved:)

Over the past few months I have worked out a lot of my kinks and perfected my dipping methods. So here is a few tricks I have had up my sleeve that will make this process a little easier:
-Really pay attention to the type of chocolate you use. I have found that Kroger is the best and Western Family brand would be my second choice. DO NOT use gourmet chocolates...tastes the best but doesn't set up.
-Double check the boxed brownies you purchase...the more oil it calls for the greasier they will be and harder to keep shape. I actually prefer the WF brand as well. Plus start out with 1/4-1/2 of the 8oz. of cream cheese.
-Now my dipping technique...I will explain and than post pics next time I do this (sorry I keep forgetting to take them). If you are not putting them on sticks like in my basic instructions than put the balls in freezer till firm, almost frozen. My freezer will set them up in about 30 minutes. Than insert a toothpick into the flat part of the ball and dip in chocolate a little more than 3/4 of the ball up to the toothpick (do not cover whole ball). Tap excess off and twirl and tap to smooth. Place in foam block to set up. The faster you dip the less chance they will thaw out. If they start to fall off toothpicks place back in freezer to set up.
After they have hardened on foam block remove from toothpick and dip bottom of the ball into more chocolate and place on wax paper to set up. Then drizzle with more chocolate. Of course you can indulge yourself with a taste or wrap in bags, tie a pretty bow and share. Enjoy!!
I apologize if it's confusing I will get some photos up!!:)
-Another trick I learned was BUY some bottles at your local craft store that have a tip on them for drizzling. I usually would just use a baggie with the end cut off till I discovered using these this weekend. They were $2 for 2 of them (found in the baking section at my Micheal's) and I use one for chocolate and one for vanilla. They are a great investment.
If you have any questions please don't hesitate to ask:)
Here is a new recipe we tried and some I plan on doing...

Cookie Dough Truffles --
3/4 c. Brown Sugar
1 Stick Butter
2 c. Flour
1 tsp. Vanilla
1 can Sweetened Condensed Milk
1/2 c. Mini Chocolate Chips
Cream together the sugar and butter. Then add flour, vanilla, milk, and choco chips. Place in fridge for 1/2 hour. Roll into balls, place on wax paper and firm up for another 1/2 hour. Than dip into melted chocolate. Enjoy:) The kids all LOVED these!!

These two I plan to try...

Blonde Brownies --
2/3 c. Melted Butter
2 c. Brown Sugar
2 lg Eggs
1 1/2 Tb Water
2 tsp. Baking Powder
1 tsp. Vanilla
1 tsp. Salt
2 3/4 Flour
2 c. Chocolate Chips
Mix first 7 ingredients, then add flour. Blend together. Add chocolate chips and stir. Spread in 9x13 pan. Bake 340* for 2-24 minutes. Or until edges start to brown. Cool completely.

Chocolate Chip Peanut Butter Blondies --
1 cup margarine
2 cups white sugar
2 eggs
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
1 cup chunky peanut butter
2 cups all-purpose flour
1 teaspoon baking powder
2 cups semisweet chocolate chips
Preheat oven to 350 degrees F (175 degrees C). Line a 10x15 inch jellyroll pan with parchment paper.
In a medium bowl, cream together the margarine and sugar. Beat in the eggs, one at a time. Stir in the vanilla and peanut butter until smooth. Combine the flour and baking powder, then stir into the peanut butter mixture. Finally, fold in the chocolate chips. Spread the dough out flat on the prepared pan.
Bake for 12 to 15 minutes in the preheated oven, until the tops of the bars look dry. Cool completely in pan.

To make the balls I would mix with chocolate frosting. And roll as instructed. I will play with these recipes and let you know how they turn out:)