Sesame Street Cake Pops Recipe (Homemade)

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We’re making none other than Sesame Street Cake Pops, those adorable confections that capture the essence of our favorite characters from the iconic television show. Whether planning a birthday bash for a little one or simply wanting to whip up some fun in the kitchen, these cake pops will surely bring smiles and a bit of childhood joy to everyone.

What are Sesame Street Cake Pops?

Sesame Street Cake Pops are cake pops designed to look like characters from the beloved children’s television show Sesame Street. They are typically made by mixing crumbled cake with frosting, shaping the mixture into small balls or other forms, and then dipping them in chocolate or candy coating.

Ingredients

For the Cake Pops:

• 1 box of cake mix (any flavor you prefer) plus ingredients required to make the cake (usually water, oil, and eggs)
• 1/2 to 3/4 cup of frosting (store-bought or homemade, vanilla or chocolate works well)
• Lollipop sticks

For the Decoration:

• Candy melts in various colors (red for Elmo, blue for Cookie Monster, yellow for Big Bird, etc.)
• Coconut flakes (tinted blue for Cookie Monster or yellow for Big Bird)
• Edible eyes (or make your own with white and black candy melts)
• Mini chocolate chips (for Cookie Monster’s mouth)
• Orange candy (for Elmo’s nose, can be shaped from orange candy melts)
• Black edible marker (for details like mouth and eyebrows)

Instructions

Step 1: Bake the Cake

1. Prepare the cake according to the package instructions. Allow it to cool completely after baking.

Step 2: Crumble and Mix

1. Once cool, crumble the cake into fine crumbs in a large bowl. Mix in the frosting a little at a time until the mixture is moist and can hold a ball shape.

Step 3: Shape and Chill

1. Roll the mixture into balls approx. 1 inch in diameter. Place on a baking sheet lined with parchment paper. Insert lollipop sticks into each ball. Freeze for about 20-30 minutes, or refrigerate for a couple of hours until firm.

Step 4: Prepare for Decoration

1. While the cake balls are chilling, prepare your decorations. Tint coconut flakes with food coloring if necessary, shape any candy pieces for the characters’ features, and melt the candy melts according to package instructions.

Step 5: Dip and Decorate

1. Dip each cake pop into the corresponding colored candy melt, ensuring it’s fully coated. Tap off the excess gently.
2. Before the candy shell hardens, add the edible eyes, mouth (using mini chocolate chips for Cookie Monster, for example), and other character features. If using coconut for fur, sprinkle it or roll the pop in the coconut while the coating is still wet.
3. Place the pops upright in a stand (such as styrofoam) to harden completely.

Tips for Success

• Consistency is Key: The cake and frosting mixture should be just moist enough to hold together. If it’s too wet, the balls will fall off the sticks when dipping.
• Chill to Perfection: Ensure the cake balls are firm enough before dipping. This prevents them from falling apart during the decoration process.
• Work in Batches: Keep most of the cake balls in the refrigerator while working with a few at a time. This keeps them firm and easier to work with.
• Decorating Details: Craft details like eyes and mouths on parchment paper using candy melts and a toothpick. Once set, you can attach these elements using a dab of melted candy as an adhesive.

What to serve with

When it comes to hosting a Sesame Street-themed party or simply serving these delightful cake pops at any gathering, pairing them with complementary treats and beverages can enhance the overall experience.

Sweet Companions

1. Colorful Fruit Skewers: Create fruit skewers using a rainbow selection of fruits such as strawberries (Elmo red), cantaloupe (Ernie’s orange), pineapple (Big Bird yellow), green grapes (Oscar green), and blueberries (Grover blue). These look vibrant and offer a healthier snacking option for guests.

2. Cookie Monster Cookies: No Sesame Street gathering would be complete without a nod to the cookie-loving monster himself. Serve a tray of assorted cookies—chocolate chip, oatmeal raisin, and sugar cookies. For an added touch, some cookies could have a bite taken out of them, just as Cookie Monster would leave them.

3. Elmo’s Goldfish Crackers: A simple and thematic snack would be serving Goldfish crackers or any fish-shaped treats, paying homage to Elmo’s little goldfish, Dorothy. Place them in a clear fishbowl for an interactive and fun touch.

4. Count von Count’s Number Cookies: Prepare or purchase number-shaped cookies to represent Count von Count. This adds an educational twist to your treat table, perfect for young guests learning their numbers.

Thirst Quenchers

1. Bert and Ernie’s Lemonade Stand: Set up a lemonade stand, offering classic lemonade and pink (strawberry) lemonade. Provide slices of lemon, strawberries, and colorful straws so guests can customize their drinks.

2. Oscar’s Slime Punch: To mirror Oscar the Grouch’s aesthetic, create a “slimy” punch using lime sherbet and ginger ale or a green-colored sports drink. Serve in a large punch bowl with a spoon for easy serving.

3. Big Bird’s Iced Tea: For a more adult-friendly option, serve iced tea, sweetened or unsweetened, with options for lemon slices and mint leaves. This can act as a refreshing palate cleanser between the sweet treats.

Ingredients Substitutes

Sesame Street Cake Pops are a whimsical and delightful treat for any occasion, especially themed parties or gatherings for children. Making them can be a fun baking project, but sometimes, you might need ingredient substitutes due to allergies, dietary restrictions, or simple pantry shortages.

Cake Mix

Substitute: If you’re looking to substitute a boxed cake mix (often used for convenience in cake pop recipes), you can make a simple homemade cake batter using all-purpose flour, sugar, baking powder, eggs, milk, and butter or oil. Use a 1:1 gluten-free flour blend instead of all-purpose flour for a gluten-free alternative.

Eggs

Substitute: For egg allergies or vegan preferences, use applesauce, mashed bananas, or a commercially available egg replacer. The general rule is ¼ cup of applesauce or mashed banana for each egg to be replaced. This substitution works well for the cake component, keeping it moist and bound together.

Oil

Substitute: If the cake mix calls for oil and you’re out or prefer a different option, unsweetened applesauce or melted butter can be a direct substitute. Consider using coconut or neutral vegetable oil like canola for a dairy-free alternative.

Frosting

Substitute: In cake pops, frosting acts as a binder for the cake crumbs. Suppose you need a substitute for store-bought frosting (due to allergies or taste preference). In that case, you can make a simple buttercream with butter (or a dairy-free alternative) and powdered sugar, adjusting the consistency with plant-based milk. For a healthier twist, try mashed avocado mixed with cocoa powder and sweetened with agave syrup for a unique, creamy binder.

Food Coloring

Substitute: Many Sesame Street Cake Pops require colorful decorations to match the characters. Natural food colorings made from turmeric (yellow), beet juice (red), spirulina (blue), and spinach powder (green) can substitute synthetic dyes, especially important for those sensitive to artificial colors.

Chocolate or Candy Melts

Substitute: Chocolate or candy melts are used to coat the cake pops. For a dairy-free or vegan alternative, use dairy-free chocolate chips or bars, which melt just as well and offer a rich flavor.

Decorations (such as sprinkles or edible eyes)

Substitute: For natural alternatives to conventional sprinkles or edible decorations, look for brands that offer dye-free or naturally colored versions. For homemade edible eyes, use a small dab of frosting to adhere a mini chocolate chip onto a white candy melt.

Lollipop Sticks

Substitute: If you don’t have lollipop sticks, you can use clean coffee stirrers, paper straws, or even pretzel sticks for an utterly edible option. Each of these alternatives can hold the weight of a cake pop and add a unique twist to the presentation.

Final Thoughts

Creating these Sesame Street Cake Pops can be as enjoyable as eating them. Whether for a special occasion or a fun weekend project, these treats are bound to fill your kitchen with laughter and your heart with childhood memories.

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• Chocolate Covered Strawberry Twinkies Recipe
• Copycat Nature Valley Granola Bars Recipe
• Yuca Frita Salvadoreña (Salvadoran Fried Yuca) Recipe
• Copycat Nature Valley’s Biscuits With Almond Butter Recipe
• Copycat Wendy’s Triple Berry Frosty Recipe