1 ½ teaspoons McCormick® Pure Almond Extract, divided
½ cup vanilla buttercream frosting (55 g), plus more as needed
For Decorating
16 oz yellow candy melts (450 g)
yellow and orange circular sprinkle
yellow candy
black cookie icing
Special Equipment
20 cake pop sticks
glas
dried white rice
Nutrition Info
Calories 281
Fat 14g
Carbs 35g
Fiber 0g
Sugar 27g
Protein 1g
How to Make It
1. Step
Preheat the oven to 350°F (180°C). Grease a 9x13-inch baking pan with nonstick spray. Line a baking sheet with parchment paper.
2. Step
In a large bowl, whisk together the cake mix, eggs, water, vegetable oil, and 1 teaspoon McCormick® Pure Almond Extract until smooth. Pour the batter into the prepared pan.
3. Step
Bake the cake for 25 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted into the center comes out clean. Remove from the oven and let cool completely, about 20 minutes.
4. Step
Break apart the cake into a large bowl until finely crumbled. Add the buttercream and remaining ½ teaspoon McCormick® Pure Almond Extract, and mix until the crumbs hold together when pressed between your hands. Divide the mixture into approximately 20 2-inch balls and place on the prepared baking sheet.
5. Step
Dip the cake pop sticks in the buttercream, then stick in the center of each ball. Freeze the cake pops for at least 2 hours, or overnight.
6. Step
Decorate the cake pops: Fill a glass to the top with dried rice.
7. Step
Add the yellow candy melts to a medium bowl and melt according to the package instructions.
8. Step
Working in batches, dip the frozen cake pops in the melted candy, coating completely all the way to where the cake and stick meet. Place the sticks in the glass of dried rice and let the chocolate harden completely, 3–5 minutes.
9. Step
Once the candy melts have hardened, dip a toothpick in the melted candy and stick the orange and yellow sprinkles and yellow candies onto the pops to look like beaks, feathers, and feet. Dip another toothpick into the black icing and dollop small eyes onto the cake pops. Let harden for another 3–5 minutes.
