Buying guide for Best cake pop makers
Do you have a sweet tooth? Want a delicious dessert that won’t push your calorie intake over the limit? Cake pops are glorious, rich, decadent confections that you can make in under an hour. All you need is the right ingredients and a cake pop maker.
Making cake pops can be fun and rewarding, but you need a quality cake pop maker for the best results. A poor-quality cake pop maker could actually burn your cake pops or cause them to stick so much that they crumble when you take them out of the machine.
Capacity and size
Most cake pop makers can hold four to 12 cake pops at a time. It usually takes less than five minutes to cook a batch, so a smaller machine should be plenty for occasional use. However, if you plan on making a large quantity of cake pops for an event or to sell them commercially, you may wish to consider a larger machine.
Before you invest in a cake pop maker, decide how much space you can devote to its storage. Many are compact enough to stash in a cabinet when not in use. Of course, the smaller the capacity, the easier it will be to find space for your cake pop maker. But large-capacity cake pop makers don’t tend to take up a lot of room, either.
Cooking quality
A good cake pop maker heats quickly and evenly. Even cooking is important because you don’t want your cake batter to burn. Notably, some cake pop makers tend to get hotter on the bottom plate than they do on the top. Others get hotter in the center than the edges. Both scenarios produce an unevenly cooked product. Look for a product that’s hailed for its ability to evenly cook the cake batter.
Some cake pop makers come with a preheating indicator light to let you know when the machine has come to temperature. This feature is desirable because you don’t have to worry about putting your pops in too soon and undercooking them.
Expert Tip
Use all the tools at your disposal to decorate your cake pops. Try making a Death Star by dipping them in light gray chocolate and using a sharp knife to score a grid on the exterior.
BestReviews Cooking and Baking Expert
Safety features
As with any appliance, it’s important to make sure your cake pop maker is safe to use and won’t cause any injuries. This is especially true if there are children in your household. Here are a few safety features you may wish to invest in.
Non-slip feet
Most cake pop makers come with non-slip feet on the bottom. The feet help stabilize the machine and keep it from sliding around on the counter while you’re cooking.
Security latch
This is a small latch on the front of the machine that you close while the cake pops are baking to prevent the lid from opening and the hot contents from spilling out.
Cool-touch handles
It’s important to choose a machine with handles that stay cool when the machine is hot. Stay-cool handles help prevent you – and any enthusiastic young helpers you might pick up along the way – from getting burned fingers.
Ease of cleaning
You may be less inclined to use your cake pop maker if it’s difficult to clean. Most come with removable baking plates that you can slip out and wash. Some of the best cake pop makers have nonstick plates that are easily wiped clean. (Hard-to-reach crevices in which food can collect are not desirable here.) The plates may have a small lip around the edge to prevent batter spillage.
Expert Tip
Chill your cake pops for one to three hours to make them more sturdy for insertion of the sticks.
BestReviews Cooking and Baking Tips
Cake pop maker accessories
Though not essential to the preparation of basic cake pops, here are a few optional accessories that can help spice up your kitchen.
Interchangeable plates
Your cake pop maker will come with a standard plate that has top and bottom molds for cake pops. It may also come with additional molds for making other baked goods, including mini cupcakes or donut holes. The plates pop in and out of the machine so you can swap them out as often as you like.
Expert Tip
To package them for delivery, buy clear plastic bags to put over top, then secure them with a ribbon around the bag and stick.
BestReviews Cooking and Baking Expert
Recipe book
Some cake pop makers come with a recipe book. This can be useful, especially if you’re new to baking, but it shouldn’t be a make-or-break feature. After all, you can find plenty of cake pop recipes online for free.
Sticks and stands
Some cake pop makers come with a supply of paper sticks you can place in the pops once they’ve cooled. The machine may also include a small stand you can use to display your finished cake pops. While this is a nice touch, not everyone will need these extra supplies.
Cake pop maker prices
Most cake pop makers range from $13 to $20. However, some models may sell for as much as $35. The difference in price is not so much about the capacity of the machine as it is the features that are included.
What makes a cake pop machine cost more? If it has several interchangeable plates, the cost could be higher. An included recipe book could also raise the price slightly. If you don’t want extras like these, you could probably get by with an entry-level cake pop maker on the lower end of the price range. However, be sure you select one that receives good reviews for its quality, durability, and even cooking.
Tips
Allow the cake pop maker to fully heat up before adding your batter. Otherwise, your cake pops may not cook all the way through.
Use caution when removing cake pops from their trays. A fork or spoon can be used to gently pry them out. You may want to wait for the machine to cool a bit so you don’t risk splitting the cake pops accidentally.
You can use any traditional cake or cupcake recipe in your cake pop maker. The sky’s the limit!
It’s a good idea to let your cake pops cool completely before you begin to decorate them.
Put a little bit of melted chocolate or another type of candy glaze on the end of the stick before inserting it into the cake pop. This helps the cake pop adhere to the stick.
FAQ
Q. How long does it take to make a single batch of cake pops?
A. Most cake pop makers can produce a single batch in about four minutes, not including preheating time. For the exact information for your model, consult your owner’s manual.
Q. How long do cake pops remain fresh?
A. This depends on how they are stored. In most cases, cake pops are good for at least a couple of days. If you want to extend their shelf life, store them in the refrigerator until you’re ready to eat them.
Q. Why are my cake pops cracking?
A. This is usually because the cake pops have cooled and the icing is very warm. The difference in temperature causes the cake to expand and crack the coating. You can fix this by making sure the icing is not too hot and that you coat the cake pops before they become too cool.
