Little bites.

So, today i'm sharing two of my favorite party desserts. Sometimes rather than baking one large dessert, it's fun to make a couple small bite-size treats to give more of a variety. Two of my favorite little treats are cake pops and mini poptarts. These two-bite treats are great for kids and parties, and the best part they are really easy to make and to alter to create many flavors!

 Here are directions for making cake pops:

Usually I never use boxed cake mix or frosting, because I like made from scratch cakes better, but for cake pops its much faster and easier to use the boxed kind. Cake pops are fairly simple, however require a few steps, so using boxed cake mix and pre-made frosting saves you a lot of time. I made cake pops for Easter so I used the spring cake mix and frosting:)

You will also need cookie or lollipop sticks, sprinkles to decorate and Candy Melts or Candiquick.
1. First, bake a cake according to the directions on the box and let cool fully. (When I make these I like to make the cake the night before so it can fully cool.)
2. Next, crumb the baked cake. You can do this with a fork or a food processor.

3. In a large bowl, mix the crumbs and 1/2 to 3/4 of the tub of frosting. You want it to be cookie dough like in texture.
4. Now roll the batter into 1 in. balls and place them on a cookie sheet. Try to keep the size consistent because the cake balls are too big, you will have a hard time getting them to stay on the stick.

5. After you've rolled all the batter into to 1 in. balls, place them in the refrigerator for at least 1 hour. If you can leave them in longer it will be easier for them to stay on the sticks. My batter gave me about 30 balls.
6. After they have chilled in the fridge your ready to decorate your pops! Melt the Candiquik in the microwave or in a double boiler. I did mine in the microwave.
7. Dip the tip of the stick into the Candiquick and stick it in the ball. Press the ball to make sure its on good then dip in the Candiquik.
8. Sprinkle as desired then place on parchment paper or tin foil to allow candy to harden!

Cake pops are fairly simple, but do require practice. The first time I made them, they were kind of a train wreck lol! So, if your planning on making them for a party, I would do a test batch first!

Here are directions for the mini poptarts:
These little guys are so easy you'll think "Why didn't I think of this?"
You'll need,1 package of pre- rolled pie crust, 1/2 tsp of almond extract, 2 tbsp of water, 2 tbsp of cornstartch, 3 tbsp of sugar, and 1 cup of strawberries(or cherries or raspberries) cut into small pieces. For the glaze you'll need 1 cup of powdered sugar, 1-2 tbsp of milk. 1/2 tsp of vanilla and sprinkles.
1. First, combine the strawberries, water, sugar, cornstarch and almond extract in a saucepan over medium heat, stirring frequently. Once the mixture thickens, remove from heat and let cool.

2. Next, roll out the pie crust and cut into, 1.5 in by 2 in rectangles.

3. Place a small amount of strawberry filling on the pie crust, about a teaspoon, and place another cut pie crust on top. Sealing the poptart with a fork.

4. Bake at 400 degrees for 10-12 minutes.
5. While in the oven, you can make the glaze for the poptarts. Combine sugar, milk and vanilla until a frosting is formed.
6. Once out of the oven, let cool for 5 min and frost the poptarts and sprinkle as desired.

 As I said earlier you can play around with different flavor combinations for each of these recipes. I hope you enjoy trying these fun treats! Have a great rest of your weekend!

Of course I had to post a pic of my little man:)
XOXO,
<3kay