# What You Need:
→ Cake
01 - 1 box (15 oz) vanilla or chocolate cake mix
02 - Eggs, oil, and water as specified on cake mix packaging
03 - OR 1 homemade 9-inch cake, fully cooled
→ Frosting
04 - 1/2 cup cream cheese frosting or buttercream frosting
→ Coating & Decoration
05 - 12 oz candy melts in selected school colors or white chocolate with food coloring
06 - 2 tbsp vegetable shortening, optional for thinning chocolate
07 - Sprinkles, edible glitter, or colored sugar
08 - 24 lollipop sticks
09 - 1/4 cup mini chocolate chips for tassels or decorative accents
10 - Fondant in school colors, optional, for graduation cap decorations
# How to Make It:
01 - Prepare the cake according to the instructions on the cake mix package or from a homemade recipe. Allow the cake to cool completely.
02 - Crumble the cooled cake into fine crumbs using a large mixing bowl.
03 - Add cream cheese frosting or buttercream frosting to the crumbs. Combine with a spatula or clean hands until the mixture is cohesive; adjust frosting amount as needed.
04 - Scoop out tablespoon-sized portions and roll each into uniform balls to yield 24 pieces.
05 - Arrange the cake balls on a parchment-lined baking sheet, cover, and refrigerate for at least 1 hour or freeze for 20 minutes.
06 - Melt candy melts or chocolate in a microwave-safe bowl in 30-second intervals, stirring until smooth. Add vegetable shortening if needed to achieve desired consistency.
07 - Dip the tip of each lollipop stick into the melted coating, then insert halfway into each chilled cake ball.
08 - Submerge each cake pop into the melted coating, allowing excess to drip off gently.
09 - While the coating is still wet, adorn each cake pop with sprinkles, colored sugar, and edible glitter. Apply fondant squares and mini chocolate chips for graduation cap details if desired.
10 - Place each pop upright in a styrofoam block or cake pop stand. Allow the coating to harden completely before serving.
