Self-Taught Vegan Chef :: Food Network Champion :: TV Host
Growing up I wasn’t a very big fan of Valentine’s Day. I don’t really like red roses and I hate hearts (maybe I’m traumatized by all the heart shaped jewelry that Staten Island girls wore). But, nonetheless I do like to indulge in chocolate and desserts whether or not I have a valentine. There’s no rule that says ‘you can only eat chocolate & strawberries if you have a valentine.’ If you want to make a special dessert for yourself or a loved one then this recipe is perfect for you!
I’ve been seeing ‘Cake Pops’ pop up everywhere! It’s the new fad in the dessert world. If you’re not aware of their existence let me fill you in. It’s moist cake mixed with frosting and enrobed in chocolate. And what’s better than rich Red Velvet cake enrobed in intensely dark chocolate? Well, infusing it with rose and topping with real silver leaf are just a few tweeks and additions that I thought would make it go from great to awesome. The process isn’t hard, it’s just a bit time consuming. But, if you’re looking to indulge and treat yourself or a loved one, then the time and effort are definitely worth it!
Red Velvet Cake:
- 2 1/2 cups + 5 tbsp All Purpose Flour
- 1 1/2 cup granulated sugar
- 1 tsp baking soda
- 1 1/2 tbsp unsweetened cocoa powder (I used Ghiradelli Bran)
- 1 tsp salt
- 1 cup buttermilk (I used Homemade)
- 1 1/2 cup vegetable oil
- 2 large eggs, room temperature
- 1 1/2 tbsp red food coloring
- 1 tsp white distilled vinegar
- 1 tsp rose water
- PAM Baking Flavor
Cream Cheese Frosting:
- 3 cups confectioner’s sugar
- 6 oz reduced fat cream cheese, softened (I used Philadelphia Brand)
- 2 1/2 tbsp unsalted butter, softened
- 1/2 tsp rose water/essence
Chocolate Coating:
- 4-5 bars dark chocolate, melted (I used Ghiradelli 70% Cacao)
- silver leaf (optional)- available at Indian Grocery Stores
Process:
1. Preheat the oven to 350 degrees. Spray a rectangular pan (~9×13) with PAM and line with parchment paper. Spray with PAM and set aside.
2. In a medium bowl sift together the flour, cocoa, baking soda and salt. Mix and set aside. In a large bowl add the eggs, buttermilk, vinegar, oil, food color and rose water. Using a hand mixer beat on low for 1-2 minutes until blended well. With the mixer on low, add about 1/2 cup of the dry ingredients and blend. Do this continuously until the dry ingredients are blended well with the wet ingredients and is smooth. Do not over beat. Pour into greased pan and bake for 35 minutes. Turn halfway through.
3. Remove from the oven and cool in the pan for about 15 minutes. Using the sides of the parchment sheet, lift the cake out and cool for another 15-20 minutes or until completely cool. Using a serrated knife, trim off the hard edges.
4. In a large bowl add cream cheese, butter and rose water. Beat on low speed for 1-2 until creamy and blended. While beating add in 1/2 cup at a time of confectioner’s sugar. Beat until everything is blended and creamy (resembles frosting).
5. In a large bowl crumble the whole cake into small pieces. Mix in the frosting using a spatula until its incorporated well and resembles a thick crumbly dough. Roll into 1-2 inch thick balls. Press together with fingers to make sure that the cake sticks together as a ball, and smooth using the palms of your hands. Place on a cookie sheet and freeze for about 1 hours- till its chilled & hard, not frozen solid.
6. Melt the chocolate in a large bowl. Take about 4 balls out of the freezer at a time and thoroughly coat each ball, dunking them into the bowl of chocolate. Place on a parchment lined cookie sheet to dry. Decorate tops with drizzled chocolate (optional). Once the balls are all dry (few hours or over night) carefully decorate with the silver leaf.
Like Chocolate AND Dessert AND Yumminess?
Mini Apple Tartlets with Chocolate
LOVE rose scented/infused/flavored things! You should start shipping these to people…aka moi 😀
haha i’m trying to start selling my baked goods- i just need time to organize everything!
I’ve never been big on this holiday either, but these are just beautiful… This recipe provides both the Valentine’s chocolates and flowers (rose-scented) all in one go!
thank u so much! Yes, I was trying to be cheesy with the Rose flavor and classic with the dark chocolate hehe 🙂
Hi Chef Priyanka, we would love to feature your cake pops recipe and images and link back to your site on our CakePopsRecipe.com site. Please let us know pops@cakepopsrecipe.com
these look amazing. do you ever make oreo pops?
Thank you!! No, i have not- not a huge fan of oreos. But some of my friends have made them and said they’re very good/simple to make!
[…] Rose Infused Red Velvet Cake Pops […]
Ok I’m in LOVE!! These look absolutely delicious!! Making these soon! 🙂
These look so delicious, I wish you could send some here! I need to set aside some time with some patience and make these. Great post.
These are so pretty! 🙂 I’ve never seen them served truffle style, very cute.