Holiday Cake Pops!

Simple Cake Ball Recipe

1 box cake mix (cook as directed on box for 13 X 9 cake)
1 can frosting (16 oz.)

Chocolate melts
Wax paperLollipop sticks

1.             After cake is cooked and cooled completely, crumble into large bowl.

2.             Mix thoroughly with 1 can frosting. (I use the back of a large spoon, but it may be easier to use fingers to mix together. But, be warned, it will get messy. Also, you may not need the entire can of frosting, so start out by using almost the entire can and add more if you need to.)

3.             Roll mixture into quarter size balls and place on wax paper covered cookie sheet. (Should make 45-50)

4.             Melt chocolate in the microwave per directions on package. (30 sec intervals, stirring in between.)

5.             Dip the tip of your lollipop stick in a little of the melted candy coating and insert into the cake balls. (Insert a little less than halfway.)

6.             Place them in the freezer for a little while to firm up.

7.             Once firm, carefully insert the cake ball into the candy coating by holding the lollipop stick and rotating until covered. Once covered remove and softly tap and rotate until the excess chocolate falls off. Don’t tap too hard or the cake ball will fall off, too.

8.             Place in a styrofoam block to dry.

Santa Hats
Hats: Red Candy Melts and White Candy Melts
Fur: white sugar crystal sprinkles
Balls: white coated expresso beans, gumballs, yogurt covered peanuts will workPaper Lollipop Sticks

Make the Hats: Make a cone shape instead of a ball. Put in the freezer until firm. Then, holding the top part of the hat, dip the bottoms in white candy melts, insert the lollipop stick and set in a styrofoam block to dry. Once dry, dip the tops in red candy melts so that it meets where the white ends. Gently place the balls to the top of the hat while still wet. Let them dry. Then, use a toothpick to generously dab more white candy melts all around the bottom of the hat. While still wet, sprinkle the sugar crystals on.

Photography by Danielle Lamoureaux

Five Ways to Keep Moving on Thanksgiving!

Here are afew ways to keep you family moving this Thanksgiving:

1.       Help out

Getting a Thanksgiving meal together and then cleaning up after is a lot of work!  Helping out will not only keep you on your feet but also keep you away from the appetizer table.  Make sure each person has at least one chore to do before and after the meal. 

 

Family Cleaning



2.       Put on some music and dance before or after the meal

Dancing is a fun way to keep moving and everyone can go at their own pace.   Just make sure you have CD’s instead of trying to find something on the radio and make sure you have a variety of music everyone will enjoy.

Dancing the night away!

3.       Plan a family game: soccer, softball, kickball, tag

This will get everyone in the family outside burning some calories plus the kids will have a blast! 

 

Family Kickball!

4.       Create a tradition of a family walk after the meal

Walking on some trails after a meal can be a beautiful and relaxing way to keep moving and stay off the couch after a turkey dinner.  Play some games with the kids to keep them occupied.

 

A walking trail perfect for some family exercise!

5.       Plan a work out the day after Thanksgiving

  You can either make plans with a friend or schedule a session with a personal trainer.  This will help you get back on track after having a few too many calories at your holiday meal.

Gym time gets you back on track!

Do you have any Thanksgiving traditions that help get your family moving?  Leave a comment below!