Cake Bites In-the-Box
A friend and colleague recently departed our workplace to move on to greener pastures at Jack-in-the-Box. No, she’s not a fry cook. She got an amazing job in corporate communications. So naturally, my department sent her off with (what else?) a Jack-in-the-Box themed party.
My contribution was cake bites — essentially cake pops in a Jack style. Cake pops are not difficult to make. However, they require a bit of planning. And since I started the baking process at 10 p.m. the night before the party, I had to modify things a bit (which I’ll explain later).
To make the inside of cake pops, you need a box of cake mix (any flavor) and a jar of frosting. Bake the cake in the 9″ x 13″ pan as directed on the box. When the cake is done – but still slightly warm – crumble the cake into a very large bowl and add nearly the entire can of frosting, and mix together. I chose white cake mix and vanilla frosting.
Next, use your hands to form small balls of cake dough. This is where – if you were making pops – you’d place the stick into the cake ball. Place on a cookie sheet lined with parchment paper and freeze for about 25 minutes.
Here’s where I modified it a bit. If you were making traditional cake pops or cake bites, you would then remove from the freezer, dip them in melted chocolate or white chocolate candy coating (which you can get at craft supply stores), and freeze again until the shell is hardened. I did not have the chocolate candy to coat the cake balls (this is where the planning ahead comes in). So instead I refrigerated them overnight, put them each in mini cupcake liners, and called it a cake bite. They looked like this.
Here’s where the fun came in. I bought tubes of Wilton’s red, blue and black pre-made icing and the matching cake decorating tips. They sell these in grocery stores, craft stores, and even Target. Armed with a photo of Jack himself, I started replicating his face on the little cake bites. I finished by adding one Buggle chip for his hat. Here’s Jack — isn’t he cute?
My colleague really liked her Jack-in-the-Box themed party, as well as the cake bites. She’s now ready to face the world of fast food and corporate communication.
These are adorable!! What a fun idea for the theme party! (plus although I’ve read about these before, I’ve never had a cake pop OR bite, so I should try them sometime!)
Try a cake pop from Starbucks. They’re delicious!
My girls are going to love this one! Thanks, Leah. 🙂
Thanks! I bet you and your girls can come up with some great cake bite ideas.
So cute and they sound delicious. You are amazingly creative.
Thanks, Shary! Luckily Jack was an easy subject.
Fun! What a thoughtful way to send someone off into a new adventure.
Thanks! But I think we were the lucky ones that she got a job with so much creative party potential. We are thinking whomever leaves next has to get a job somewhere equally as fun.
I would never have thought of the Bugle for the hat — awesome! And salty and sweet 🙂
Thanks, Caryn. I have to admit — I ate more buggles than cake bites.
I love this idea. I’ve had my eye on making cake pops, but haven’t been brave enough to try them. I really like your modifications and may give these a try sometime soon too. Thanks so much. What a fun way to wish your friend well in her new job. 🙂
Thanks so much! Really, they were easy to do, especially if you use my modifications. Let me know if you end up making them. Glad I could inspire you.
Leah, you are so creative! What a thoughtful friend.
Thanks, Susan!
You are SO darn creative. I LOVE the Jack bites. In fact, I wouldn’t mind nibbling on some of those right now! I really want to try cake pops; have been thinking about it for holidays for YEARS. I think you might have inspired me.
Thanks, Melissa. You should try it sometime. They were pretty easy too.
These were SO good, Leah! And sorry I didn’t get the photo of Golda to you sooner…
Thanks, Lorena! And Lizette sent me this photo, so it worked out just fine!
He’s cute! 🙂
Thanks, Cynthia!
Aww, these are very cute 😀
Thanks. Jack was a fun subject to replicate.
How cute! I’ll get my daughter to bake them, since she’s the baker in our fam!
Thanks. And yes, tell your daughter to make them and show me how they turn out!
THANK YOU LEAH! I always wanted to know how to make cake pops but never knew. Thank you for showing me how in a simple format I can understand. I’m going going to be cake popping it all over the place this Christmas and when the Chicken Soup for the Soul O Canada comes out on Nov. 1st and I’m promoting it, I will be cake popping it SHAMELESSLY with Maple Leaf flags on top! Leah, you rock now and for ever! Elizabeth.
Yay, I’m so glad I could help you! That is a GREAT idea about the maple leaf flags on top! Please show me what you end up making. And yes, they will make the best holiday gifts! Now you’ve got me excited.
These are beautiful little dessert treats, Leah! They look like they should be in a magazine! : )
Thanks, Jolina! Maybe I should whip up a batch for you for a virtual baby shower!
LOVE IT Leah!!!
Thanks so much!
Very cute!
Thanks, Michelle! And fun to make.
Those are SO cute! I’ve not been to Jack-in-the-Box in a while…not since I left San Diego. They had the BEST commercials! What a great idea!
Thanks, Ann. They do have the best commercials. Not the best food in my opinion. But love their creativity and marketing.
Those are so cute! I’m going to share with one of my friends who used to work at JIB corporate.
Thanks, Amber. Yes, please do and tell me what she thinks!
How CUTE are those??!! I love the idea; it’s a sweet gesture for your friend, and it looks like she really appreciated it!
Thanks, Rivki! I’m thinking of trying a version for Chanukah, with little driedels on top. How cute would that be?
Oh my goodness, you are such a good friend! And what a cute photo of you holding the cake pops. I’d never heard of those, but will have to try them. My waistline will be mad, but my kids will be glad. 🙂
Actually that’s my friend holding the cake pops. But thanks for the great compliments! Yes, you need to try them. Your kids will be happy!
Leah, I took one look at these and thought, I must eat one! Oh my goodness, they look cute and delicious! I love your creativity!
Thanks, Bella. If I could send one to you virtually, you know I would!
Those are way too cute! Stop by my blog – I’ve given you an award! http://www.thewritingreader.com/blog/2011/09/29/its-a-double-play/
! Jack-in-the-Box themed party….hilarious. Would’ve loved to see the costumes! These cakes are great though – such a clever idea – thanks for the post
I’ve always wondered how those cake pops were made … and now I know 🙂 Thank you! MJ (cute Jack in the Box by the way )