Earlier this month when the handsome Gnome treated me and my girlfriend to a hot date to NYC, he brought us to David Burke’s Fishtail restaurant for dinner [by the way, during NYC restaurant week at select restaurants, you can get lunch for $24.07 and dinner for $35 per person – a massive deal for these otherwise very expensive restaurants!]
My good buddy, Mark Tafoya was able to join us for dessert and boy am I glad he did. At the center of the table was this tower of balls.
Okay, the restaurant was dark, I couldn’t see what they were at first, but after we all oooh’d and aaaah’d over the tower of balls, we finally looked closer and discovered they were CHEESECAKE POPS. Some were covered in chocolate, some in strawberry candy melts and all rolled in graham cracker crumbs.
I can’t stop thinking about them.
All I have been talking about for the past 2 weeks are cheesecake pops. But after the gorge-fest from NYC, I’ve been on a no-sugar thing. But I want those cheesecake pops. I want them BAD. Can’t have. Want. Can’t have. Want.
I asked Julie from The Little Kitchen for help. Please help me stop this insane obsession. I need an intervention!
And so she made me these: Red Velvet Cheesecake Pops.
Ah geeze….there goes my no-sugar thing. There’s always next week, right?!
***
Meet Julie, a software engineer by day and food blogger by night. Though, I email her often about food stuff during work hours and she seems to respond relatively quickly. Which means. She’s a food blogger ALL THE TIME.
I think she’s just as obsessed with food as I am. She’s exceptional at baking cakes – her Hello Kitty Cake will make girls meow.
~Jaden
p.s. If you love cake pops – see me and the boys in action in this quick video on how to make cake pops, step by step.
***
I was thrilled when Jaden asked me to do a guest post about cheesecake pops. I just made my first ever cake pops last month and I fell in love. They are cute little treats that are totally worth the work because they taste so good. Of course, my favorite are chocolate cake pops. I did some research and found Bakerella’s cheesecake pops. I’m a huge fan of Angie’s and like Jaden, she is so nice in person! Her cheesecake pops are so beautiful.
I was wracking my brain on how I could put a twist her cheesecake pops. Then, I thought, why not combine cheesecake pops and cake pops? You’ve seen those red velvet cheesecakes, right? What a winning combination, a moist chocolate cake that’s red with creamy cheesecake. Why not have that all in a cake pop – with a candy coating on the outside?
It takes a little bit of work but it’s completely worth it. This combination is to die for…the addition of cheesecake to the already fluffy red velvety chocolate cake and the candy coating on the outside…a winning combination!
I hope you’ll give it a try and enjoy them as much as I did!
-Julie
Red Velvet Cheesecake Pops
Note: the recipe is also below in printable form (scroll to bottom of post) with no photos.
Ingredients
1 box red velvet cake mix
1/2 cup store-bought buttercream or cream cheese frosting (I used Betty Crocker Whipped Buttercream)
7” plain cheesecake
1-2 cups graham crackers, crumbled into small crumbs
1 bag of 10-12 oz. candy melts, your favorite color (I used Wilton Color Burst Pastels, can find at Michael’s crafts)
¼ – ½ cup of vegetable oil
Supplies
24-30 candy/cookie sticks (found at craft store)
Microwave safe bowl, at least 3-inches deep
1/2 tablespoon measuring spoon
Cookie sheet, covered in foil
Rectangular foam block or another cookie sheet covered in foil and topped with parchment paper
1. Bake the red velvet cake in according to directions on the box or your recipe. Alternatively, you can make the cake in the microwave. You will only use half the cake, so you might want to divide the batter into 2 pans (and enjoy cake for dessert!) Cool the cake. Once the cake is completely cool, crumble the cake with 2 forks or better yet, a food processor. Stir in the frosting to create a smooth cake mixture.
2. Using the measuring spoon, scoop & level out 1/2 tablespoon of cake.
3. Roll into ball and place on cookie sheet. Roll up about 24-30 cake balls. Place them in the refrigerator for 20-30 minutes.
3. And now for the messy part, when the cake balls are ready, scoop about 1/2 tablespoon of cheesecake. Flatten a little in one hand, add the red velvet cake ball on top. Mold the cheesecake around the cake ball a little. Using other hand, measure out another 1/2 to 3/4 tablespoon of cheesecake and mold around the rest of the cake ball. And if necessary, roll into a ball in the palm of your hands. (Note: this can get very messy. After every two cheesecake balls, I had to wash my hands and dry them thoroughly before going on to the next ones.)
4. Place cheesecake balls into refrigerator for 20-30 minutes.
4. Remove cheesecake balls and roll in graham cracker crumbs until entirely covered. Put cookie sheet back into the refrigerator while you prepare the candy melts.
3. While the cake balls are in the refrigerator, melt the candy melts in a microwave safe bowl according to directions on the bag. Add in 1/4 cup of the oil and whisk. Add in more oil until you get the right consistency, providing a thin, even coating for the cheesecake pops.
4. One at a time, dip a candy stick into the candy coating about a ½ inch. Then push stick into the “bottom” of your cheesecake ball. Now it’s officially a cheesecake pop. Be careful not to push the stick too far that it goes straight through the cake ball. Refrigerate cheesecake pops for 30 minutes to an hour (or overnight even).
5. Now it’s time to coat the cheesecake pop. Remelt the candy melts in the microwave. Take one pop and completely dip into the candy melt and remove quickly. I use Angie’s from her book Cake Pops method of spinning the lollpop stick and tapping your wrist to remove the excess candy melt. Once this is done, put onto second cookie sheet covered in parchment paper on its top or place into rectangular foam block.
6. Refrigerate for at least 15 to 20 minutes. Always keep your cheesecake pops refrigerated until you’re ready to eat them.
Each bite has a layer of sweet candy melt, graham cracker, cheesecake and red velvet cake!
Other Tips:
● Use a bowl so that when the candy melts are melted, will allow for at least 3 inches of depth so you have enough room to dip your cheesecake pop.
● I used Wilton Color Burst Pastels candy melts http://amzn.to/gyOEPN
● I did end up with more than enough cake “dough” so I rolled out 1 Tbsp cake balls to make red velvet cake pops with them.
● Some of your graham cracker crumbs will make it into your candy melts but I didn’t notice that this was a problem. It might become a problem if you’re using chocolate or a darker color candy melt.
● If you have any leftover candy melts, put them into a plastic zip bag for later use. You can easily cut open the bag and put the candy melts (now a block) into your electric chocolate melter or a microwave safe bowl to melt again.
● If you don’t have a whole day to devote to this project, you can always bake the cake one day and after it cools completely, wrap it in plastic wrap. Also, you can roll the cheesecake balls on one day and dip them in candy melts the next.
Red Velvet Cheesecake Pops Recipe
Ingredients
INGREDIENTS:
- 1 box red velvet cake mix
- 1/2 cup store-bought buttercream or cream cheese frosting (I used Betty Crocker Whipped Buttercream)
- 7" plain cheesecake
- 1-2 cups graham crackers, crumbled into small crumbs
- 1 bag of 10-12 oz. candy melts, your favorite color (I used Wilton Color Burst Pastels, can find at Michael's crafts)
- 1/4 to 1/2 cup of vegetable oil
SUPPLIES:
- 24-30 candy/cookie sticks (found at craft store)
- Microwave safe bowl, at least 3-inches deep
- 1/2 tablespoon measuring spoon
- Cookie sheet, covered in foil
- Rectangular foam block or another cookie sheet covered in foil and topped with parchment paper
Instructions
- Bake the red velvet cake in according to directions on the box or your recipe. You will only use half the cake, so you might want to divide the batter into 2 pans (and enjoy cake for dessert!) Cool the cake. Once the cake is completely cool, crumble the cake with 2 forks or better yet, a food processor. Stir in the frosting to create a smooth cake mixture.
- Using the measuring spoon, scoop & level out 1/2 tablespoon of cake. Roll into ball and place on cookie sheet. Roll up about 24-30 cake balls. Place them in the refrigerator for 20-30 minutes.
- And now for the messy part, when the cake balls are ready, scoop about 1/2 tablespoon of cheesecake. Flatten a little in one hand, add the red velvet cake ball on top. Mold the cheesecake around the cake ball a little. Using other hand, measure out another 1/2 to 3/4 tablespoon of cheesecake and mold around the rest of the cake ball. And if necessary, roll into a ball in the palm of your hands. (Note: this can get very messy. After every two cheesecake balls, I had to wash my hands and dry them thoroughly before going on to the next ones.) Place cheesecake balls into refrigerator for 20-30 minutes.
- Remove cheesecake balls and roll in graham cracker crumbs until entirely covered. Put cookie sheet back into the refrigerator while you prepare the candy melts.
- While the cake balls are in the refrigerator, melt the candy melts in a microwave safe bowl according to directions on the bag. Add in 1/4 cup of the oil and whisk. Add in more oil until you get the right consistency, providing a thin, even coating for the cheesecake pops.
- One at a time, dip a candy stick into the candy coating about a ½ inch. Then push stick into the “bottom” of your cheesecake ball. Now it’s officially a cheesecake pop. Be careful not to push the stick too far that it goes straight through the cake ball. Refrigerate cheesecake pops for 30 minutes to an hour (or overnight even).
- Now it's time to coat the cheesecake pop. Remelt the candy melts in the microwave. Take one pop and completely dip into the candy melt and remove quickly. I use Angie's from her book Cake Pops method of spinning the lollpop stick and tapping your wrist to remove the excess candy melt. Once this is done, put onto second cookie sheet covered in parchment paper on its top or place into rectangular foam block.
- Refrigerate for at least 15 to 20 minutes. Always keep your cheesecake pops refrigerated until you’re ready to eat them.
Did you try this recipe? Please leave a star rating in the recipe card below and leave a review in the comment section! I always appreciate your feedback and I know other readers do, too!
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Just bought a cake pop maker,and want to try making cheesecake pops in it. Has anybody on here done this,and has it worked ok?
Would these be okay to make a few days ahead of time and keep your in the freezer until ready?
I love any red velvet, from cupcakes to cake. Never had cake pops though. This recipe sounds easy. Will give it a try.. Thanks for sharing! Can’t wait to make this.
My wife and I started making the cheesecake pops last night. We had the hardest time getting the cheesecake to do what we wanted it to. How long do wended to leave it out to make it moldable and not stick to everything?
These look absolutely delicious! Just wondering though…do you think the graham cracker crumbs really add anything to the cheesecake pop? I’m contemplating making these for valentine’s day but am thinking I might skip that step. What do you think?
For Jaden & her sugar reducing:
Have you ever tried WheyLow (WheyLow.com – not an affiliate, just love the product)? 1/4 the calories and Carb grams of sugar with NOTHING artificial, just a blend of 3 natural sugars. I use it for almost all of my baking, ’cause I can’t resist red velvet anything either ;o)
No I haven’t – I’ll have to check it out. Thanks for tip!
Hey Jaden, love this recipe, I will being trying them out tomorrow. I have been looking for a red velvet cake pop recipe, although it has cream cheese…..that makes it even better. Personal, red velvet w/out cream cheese is just a red cake. Thanks again-Lena
These look so tasty it’s unbelievable. I’d like to think that they’d be good for the waistline (being so small), but who am I kidding – there’s no way I could stop at just one!
These cute bundles of sweetness will be great for my little sister’s birthday! The cheesecake adds a heavenly touch to this treat.
This is amazing..i will do that for my niece Sara im sure she will love it ….
GENIUS, JUST GENIUS
these are so pretty!
hello.where’s your cheesecake recipe?pls:(
it was a store-bought cheesecake
hi, where do you get the plain cheesecake from? i have been looking for it for long time. i used to have it when i was back in Australia. now i move to LA, CA. i didnt know where to get it since i am new to US.
thank you
I made these yesterday and they turned out not as pretty as yours but super yummy! I fudged around with the recipe a bit (not tons but just a bit). The changes are on my site… which I think you can click on my name to see. Nothing too special, basically I just home-made all the cakes and frosting and such the night before.
I am officially drooling on my keyboard! I LOVE red velvet. I must try these!!! Thanks!!!
i think u rock jaden! u have some cool recipes
Good lawd.
I’ve gotten pretty proficient at cake pops – but wow!!!!! Must try this soon…
Just when I thought cake pops couldn’t get any better – wow! These look amazing, can’t wait to try them.
YUM!! These look fantastic.
That looks really nice!
First time I’ve seen anything like this and I’m very impressed. Guessing they have to be tried to fully appreciated though!
Scott- you have to try them! Cuteness overload. check them out at bakerella.com
I love them already, I’ll make them with my little cousin later next week. Thank you Jaden, your blog is awesome. Sabrina.
You’re welcome Sabrina! Have fun with your cousin. Would love to see photos of your pops when you are done with them!
Wow, these look absolutely wonderful. What a great new spin on a red velvet cake!
Oh wow! That’s smart! First time I see that! So amazed right now. I will try this. Looks simple and easy to make! Thanks! ^^
These look soo good! I bet they taste out of this world. You’re a genius=)
I could go for one of these right now, they look so good!
OMG!! Cheesecake, and a pop! Two of my lovelies. Well, hubby thrown in as well 😉
Oh my gosh, I think I have just died and gone to heaven. Thanks for the link to the microwave cake, my university accommodation doesn’t have ovens so this is very useful!
Julie these look and sound amazing! I love the combination 🙂
Now I’m worried these are gonna stick in my head! Eeerrr!
This looks amazing – it looks very difficult and time consuming – how much time should I block out for this activity?
Really looking forward to the end product! 🙂
Thanks for sharing
I love lollipops.
I Looove cheesecake.
I LOOOOOOVE red velvet.
I think I’m going to triple LOVE these red velvet cheesecake pops!!!!
I’m not sure if I have the patience to make these pretty pop cakes but I’m sure going to try!!
Thanks for a great recipe Julie and thanks for sharing Jaden!! 🙂
What an ingenious idea! While it looks time consuming, I’m sure these will be a big hit. I can’t wait to try these.
This looks absolutely amazing.
OMG! These look fantastic. I guess they wouldn’t work for serving at our bank for the customers though if they have to stay cold. Yikes, I’ve got to try these…
was able to find out thanks
how can i print out this one recipe thanks
jaden, Julie, I was just visiting to see what is new and boy how did I miss this fun, fun post?! Gorgeous, although I have never attempted at making these, I always adore them when I see them. Beautiful!!
These really look amazing!
oh my goodness, this is an awesome idea. Definitely a lot of work, but I already want to try it! Great job Julie 🙂
I love these! The cheesecake addition is such a great idea.
These look beautiful – also not too hard to make, a few steps but I think it would be worth it!
Fabulous! Congratulations Julie! LOVE the Red Velvet cake idea. I bet it would taste FABULOUS dipped in Chocolate too! 🙂
Thanks, Christine!
They will be flat on top if you lay them on the cookie tray/sheet. If you want them rounded, I would mount them into a foam block. You can find rectangular pieces in the floral section at Michael’s or craft stores like that. Hope this helps!
Yum! I love cake pops but I’ve never really made them successfully before… How did you get them to set with such a smooth edge on the top? When I made it before, the outside coating was flat from setting on the cookie tray.. but yours look perfect and smooth! 🙂
These look divine. I am far too lazy to make them, but I can oogle these 🙂
oh jeeze.
this looks like layers of yum upon layers of yum
I just found your blog the other day, and I’m so happy I did. I will be trying these! They look and sound absolutely delicious! Thank you! I really enjoy looking at the recipes you’ve posted.
Nice meeting you Terri! Thanks for stopping by – jaden
Oh my…these cake pops look soooo delicious.
oh, yum! Julie, you ROCK! What a great twist on already awesome cake pops.
Thanks for asking me to guest post, Jaden. You’re so awesome to give me the opportunity. You rock! I can’t wait for April 9th! 🙂