Maple Bacon Cake Pops: A Delicious Sweet and Savory Treat

Cake pops have become an increasingly popular treat over the last decade. These bite-sized cakes on a stick are fun, cute, and delicious. While cake pops are often made in traditional sweet flavors, savory cake pops are rising in popularity. One of the most crave-worthy savory cake pop varieties combines two iconic breakfast foods - maple syrup and bacon. The sweet maple flavor pairs perfectly with the salty, smoky bacon in these maple bacon cake pops. Keep reading to learn how to make these clever cake pops at home.

Maple Bacon Cake Pop Ingredients

Making maple bacon cake pops requires just a handful of ingredients. You likely already have most, if not all, of these ingredients in your pantry and fridge.

• Boxed cake mix (or prepared cake crumbs)
• Frosting
• Bacon
• Maple syrup
• Lollipop sticks
• White chocolate, candy melts, or bark coating

How to Make Maple Bacon Cake Pops

Ready to make these sweet and salty cake pops? Follow this simple step-by-step process:

Step 1: Make or Buy Cake

You can either bake a cake from scratch or use cake mix according to package instructions. Allow cake to cool completely before crumbling. For convenience, you can also use store-bought cake crumbs.

Step 2: Cook Bacon

Cook bacon until crispy either on the stovetop or in the oven. Allow bacon to cool before chopping into small pieces.

Step 3: Make Cake Balls

Crumble cooled cake into a large bowl. Add frosting and chopped bacon pieces. Mix until thoroughly combined. Roll mixture into small balls and place on a parchment-lined baking sheet. Refrigerate for 30 minutes.

Step 4: Insert Lollipop Sticks

Insert a lollipop stick into each chilled cake ball, pushing it halfway through. Return to refrigerator for 30 more minutes.

Step 5: Dip in Coating

Melt white chocolate, candy melts, or bark coating in a double boiler. Dip tops of cake pops in melted coating and tap off any excess. Place back on lined baking sheet to set coating.

Step 6: Drizzle with Maple Syrup

For an extra punch of maple flavor, drizzle cooled cake pops with maple syrup. Let maple drizzle set before serving.

Maple Bacon Cake Pop Recipe Variations

Once you master the classic maple bacon cake pop, get creative by trying these tasty variations:

• Use different cake flavors - Red velvet, chocolate, or pumpkin cake all pair well with maple bacon.
• Coat in sprinkles - After coating in white chocolate, roll the tops in rainbow or chocolate sprinkles.
• Add nuts - Mix chopped walnuts or pecans into the cake ball coating for crunch.
• Flavored frostings - Substitute vanilla frosting with cream cheese or peanut butter frosting.
• Swap syrups - Substitute maple syrup for dark chocolate, caramel, or strawberry syrup drizzles.

Storing and Serving Maple Bacon Cake Pops

Maple bacon cake pops are best enjoyed fresh. Store uneaten cake pops in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 5 days. Allow to come to room temperature for 15 minutes before serving for optimal flavor and texture.

These sweet and savory cake pops make for perfect party treats, office snacks, or fun food gifts. Wrap them up in clear cellophane and tie with a ribbon for easy gift-giving. Delight friends and family with this creative cake pop flavor combination.

Conclusion

Maple bacon cake pops put a sweet and salty spin on a classic cake pop recipe. With just a few simple ingredients and steps, you can make these clever cake pops at home. Crispy bacon, rich cake, sweet maple, and a chocolatey coating combine for a truly blissful bite. So next time you're looking for a new and memorable treat, give these maple bacon cake pops a try.

FAQs

What kind of cake works best for maple bacon cake pops?

Red velvet, chocolate, yellow, and pumpkin cakes all work well. Choose your favorite cake or look for pre-crumbled cake in the bakery section.

How long do maple bacon cake pops last?

Maple bacon cake pops will stay fresh for 5-7 days when stored in an airtight container in the refrigerator.

Can I make maple bacon cake pops without lollipop sticks?

Yes, you can simply form the cake balls and coat them without sticks for bite-sized cake pop treats.

What dipping coating can I use besides white chocolate?

You can use candy melts, chocolate bark coating, milk chocolate, or dark chocolate as dipping coatings.

Should I glaze maple bacon cake pops?

Drizzling with maple syrup provides plenty of flavor, but you can also glaze them with maple glaze or chocolate glaze for extra sweetness.