Thursday, January 5, 2012

Pumpkin Chocolate Chip Cake Pops

Pumpkin chocolate chip cake pops

Deliciously sweet and soft with the tangy-ness of cream cheese.  Taste buds rejoice.

Stress relief tip of the day:
Humor. Laughter is one of the most effective therapies for stress relief and bringing down levels of anxiety. A laugh can decrease levels of stress hormones like cosrtisol and adrenal, causes endorphin levels to rise and strengthens our immune system. It increases the intake of oxygen, stimulates organs like heart and lungs, stimulates blood circulation and exercises stomach muscles.


Recipe for Pumpkin Chocolate Chip Cake Pops

Ingredients
Cake:
2 cups all-purpose flour
1 1/2 teaspoons baking powder
1 teaspoon soda
1/2 teaspoon salt
1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
1/4 teaspoon freshly grated nutmeg
1/4 teaspoon ground cloves
2 eggs
1 cup sugar
1/2 cup canola or corn oil
1 can of pumpkin puree
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
1 cup mini chocolate chips

Frosting:
8 ounces cream cheese
8 tablespoons butter
1 cup powdered sugar
1 tsp vanilla extract


Coating:
2 cups chocolate chips or melting chocolate

Directions
Position a rack in the middle of the oven . Preheat the oven to 325 degrees F. Line two baking sheets with parchment paper and butter the paper.

Stir the flour, baking powder, baking soda, salt and spices together in a medium bowl and set aside. In a large bowl, using an electric mixer on medium speed, beat the eggs and sugar until smooth and lightened in color, about 1 minute. Stop the mixer and scrape the sides of the bowl as needed during mixing. On low speed, mix the oil, pumpkin, and vanilla until blended. Mix in the flour mixture to incorporate it. Mix in the chips.  


Spread dough in a 13x9 inch dish that has been pre-greased. Bake the cake until the top feels firm and a toothpick inserted in the center comes out dry, about 15-20 minutes.  Allow to cool completely. 

Meanwhile make the cream cheese frosting.  Beat the cream cheese in an electric mixer then add butter and beat until smooth.  Sift powdered sugar, beat until it has disappeared then add vanilla.

After cake has cooled, crumble the cake into a large bowl.  Mix it thoroughly with cream cheese frosting.  Roll the mixture into little golf balls and lay on a cookie sheet. Insert a popsicle stick and lay on a piece of wax paper overnight.

Melt chocolate in the microwave stirring every thirty seconds until smooth.  Coat balls in chocolate and allow to dry.

Top with sprinkles or drizzle with melted chocolate.


1 comment :

  1. Stress Relief Tip - haha thats good to know! I made cake pops today - it was so much fun :)

    ReplyDelete

picasa thingy