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Need baking help! re: cake pops

ZAngelZAngel member
Seventh Anniversary Combo Breaker
in Houston Nesties

I tried to make cake pops last night but I couldn't get the candy melts to actually melt.  They came out way too thick to dip.  I used the microwavable Make 'N Mold's candy wafer melts from Hobby Lobby.  I put a good portion of the melts into one of the paper trays and started with the 30 seconds on 50%.  Nothing happened so I did another 30 seconds.  After another 30 seconds they started to get soft so I tried a minute... then another minute.  I feel like it took 5+ minutes before the melts turned into a spreadable texture (like cream cheese).  They never turned into a liquid.

Can one of you lovely bakers help me out?  What am I doing wrong?  Should I try a different brand of melts.  If so, where do I find them?  Thanks for any help you can give! 

BFP #1 (DS, 10/98), BFP #2 (DD, 10/09)
BFP #3 -mm/c @ 7wks, discovered at 9wks, D&C 9/28
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Re: Need baking help! re: cake pops

  • kreeper611kreeper611

    It has been a long time since I've used those, but what if you tried a double boiler?

    Or - I would actually use white chocolate and add in food coloring.  The white almond bark (comes in the big package) isn't expensive and melts really well in the microwave or on a double boiler. 

    If I tried the candy melts in the microwave, I'd probably use a glass container - like a Pyrex measuring cup - and maybe add in a little water?  I'm not much help...

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  • odearodear
    imagekreeper611:

    It has been a long time since I've used those, but what if you tried a double boiler?

    Or - I would actually use white chocolate and add in food coloring.  The white almond bark (comes in the big package) isn't expensive and melts really well in the microwave or on a double boiler. 

    If I tried the candy melts in the microwave, I'd probably use a glass container - like a Pyrex measuring cup - and maybe add in a little water?  I'm not much help...

    Whatever you do, do not add water!  It will seize up and be a mess.

    You can add crisco to the melts to thin them out. 

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  • vinrougevinrouge
    I have made them before and used a chocolate candy coating that I found in the baking section at Kroger (it is a Kroger brand). That worked very well. It stayed melted until I could use it all up and harden quickly on the pops.
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  • kreeper611kreeper611
    imageodear:
    imagekreeper611:

    It has been a long time since I've used those, but what if you tried a double boiler?

    Or - I would actually use white chocolate and add in food coloring.  The white almond bark (comes in the big package) isn't expensive and melts really well in the microwave or on a double boiler. 

    If I tried the candy melts in the microwave, I'd probably use a glass container - like a Pyrex measuring cup - and maybe add in a little water?  I'm not much help...

    Whatever you do, do not add water!  It will seize up and be a mess.

    You can add crisco to the melts to thin them out. 

    See...I said I wasn't much help!  I've had 2 cups of coffee and still not quite with it this morning.  :-)   

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  • ZAngelZAngel member
    Seventh Anniversary Combo Breaker
    Ok, I will try the crisco and a glass dish.  If that doesn't work, I will head to Krogers and see what I can find.  I really don't want to buy a double boiler because I'm not planning to make these often.  I just wanted to try the little Elmo pops for my daughter's birthday.
    BFP #1 (DS, 10/98), BFP #2 (DD, 10/09)
    BFP #3 -mm/c @ 7wks, discovered at 9wks, D&C 9/28
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    Current Status: TTA
    ~~PGAL/PAL Always Welcome!~~
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  • missjakemissjake member
    Are you using M-n-M for the color? If it doesn't matter, then I'd use almond or chocolate bark.

    My experience with M-n-M; once the wafers are melted, if you keep stirring for a few minutes or even let it sit a few minutes, it will thin out a little. Good luck!
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  • MrsFazMrsFaz

    I really like the candy melts from Michaels ( I believe they are wilton or milton?  IDK) anyway, I felt like these were REALLY easy to work with and melted really well using the micro after about 1min30 secs (on for 30, stir, on for 30 stir, on for 30 stir and use.)

    Good luck!

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  • sad5781sad5781

    imageZAngel:
    Ok, I will try the crisco and a glass dish.  If that doesn't work, I will head to Krogers and see what I can find.  I really don't want to buy a double boiler because I'm not planning to make these often.  I just wanted to try the little Elmo pops for my daughter's birthday.

    you dont have to buy a double boiler.  you can sort of make your own.

    I take whatever size glass bowl I want to use and put it in a pot filled with enough water to touch the bowl.   Works like a charm.  Google Homemade Double Boiler or Homemade Bain Marie for pictures. 

    I normally buy the wilton melts and have never had any trouble in the microwave or the stove, but I do think chocolate works and tastes better!

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  • CareBear01CareBear01
    I have done the microwave, and like you said, it does take awhile to get a good consistancy, but you really do have to do small intervals (30 seconds) b/c otherwise the microwave will dry it out pretty fast.  I usually add a little (tsp, tblsp?) of vegetable oil.  I use regular chocolate chips, though (if you read on the package, it says to add some oil), I don't know if the bakers chocolate is different ?  Make sure to check the package to see if there are any special instructions for melting them.  It does take a lot of time, so just keep melting and stirring in small intervals.  Also - ditto on the double boiler - you can just find a glass bowl to fit in a pot and do it that way.  (I usually melt them all in a big bowl - keep stirring it after each heating, then I dip them in the bowl - not sure of the paper tray you are talking about).
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  • ZAngelZAngel member
    Seventh Anniversary Combo Breaker
    Awesome!  These tips are very helpful.  Thank you so much.
    BFP #1 (DS, 10/98), BFP #2 (DD, 10/09)
    BFP #3 -mm/c @ 7wks, discovered at 9wks, D&C 9/28
    Picture
    Current Status: TTA
    ~~PGAL/PAL Always Welcome!~~
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  • jen5-03jen5-03
    Another easy diy double boiler is a stainless mixing bowl on top of a saucepan.
    - Jena
    image
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  • kayleighekayleighe
    You have to mix in veg. oil - don't add water though!!! :)
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  • Nanner22Nanner22
    I've had much better luck using almond bark. I also went ahead and purchased this mini crockpot that is made for chocolate dipping. It worked out so much better than trying to micro & I could keep the chocolate/bark at a consistent temperature (this was especially helpful the first couple times I made the cake balls/pops - b/c there is def a learning curve to get super pretty)
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