Valentine's Day Cakesicles

• Making cakesicle filling consists of mashing cake together with a few tablespoons of frosting to make a firm but pliable mixture - and there are a few ways you can do this! If you’d rather not bother making cake or frosting, you can buy pre-made cupcakes at most grocery stores – scrape off any sprinkles or colored decorations and you’re good to go!
• The second easiest option is to 'doctor up' and mash a vanilla boxed cake mix. I've included those instructions here, but here’s a link to my Vanilla Cake Layer recipe if you’d rather make your cake from scratch!
• Preheat oven to 350°F. Line two 8-inch cake pans with parchment rounds, and /or grease with non-stick or baker’s floured cooking spray.
• Combine cooled butter, buttermilk, and egg whites in a large mixing bowl. Beat with a whisk until combined. Stir in boxed cake mix until combined, and then stir in gel color and beat with a hand mixer or whisk for 2 minutes. Pour into prepared pans and bake until a toothpick inserted in the center comes out clean, about 25-30 minutes.
• Allow cake layers to cool for 10-15 minutes on a wire cooling rack before removing from pans; set in the fridge or freezer to accelerate the cooling process if desired. Unless you plan on buying it, this is a great time to make your frosting!

Frosting

• Frosting is easy to purchase, but it *does* taste better if you make your own! Beat together softened cream cheese and butter; slowly add in powdered sugar alternating with milk until frosting reaches a spreadable consistency. Add vanilla and beat until well combined.

Assembly & Decorating

• Melt about half the package of candy melts – this can be done in a double boiler, or in 30-second intervals on half power in a microwave.
• With a spoon and offset spatula, line the insides of the cakesicle molds with candy melts. Make sure the coating is at least a few millimeters thick so it doesn’t crack when you de-mold your cakesicles! Insert your cakesicle sticks part-way into the mold before the candy melts harden (you might notice I forgot in the video! Had to crack and re-coat that part. Don’t forget like I did!). Place in the fridge to chill until the candy melts have set.
• Once your cake has cooled, transfer it to a bowl and mash it into crumbs with a large spoon or a couple of forks. Add a quarter cup of frosting and continue mashing. The mixture should begin to stick together in large clumps. Continue mixing until no longer crumbly, adding more frosting a tablespoon at a time if needed.
• Now you’re ready to fill the molds with cakesicle mix! Fill each mold with cakesicle mix, making sure the top is a few millimeters below the top of the mold so you can add more candy melts to cover it. Re-melt your candy melts if needed, and spread over the top of the cakesicle mix, leveling with a small offset spatula. Chill for at least 10 minutes, until the candy melt coating is set.
• Gently peel back the silicone mold from the top of the cakesicles, and slide them out of the molds.
• Now the fun part – you’re ready to decorate! Melt another 1-2 ounces of candy melts and transfer them to a piping bag.
• Drizzle a few lines across each one, and place or ‘toss’ your sprinkles onto the cakesicles. Gently place onto a plate or tray, and refrigerate until set! Enjoy!