Today almost snuck up on me — I realized it just in time to celebrate and reminisce with you.
This is a longer post than usual, but I had a hard time making it shorter because there’s so much to say.
Four years ago today, on February 1, I published something that changed my life and, perhaps, touched some of yours.
That day I shared these cupcake pops. I posted them the day after I shared the pink cake pops, and I had no idea what an impact they would have. If you go back and read those old posts, they’re pretty amusing.
While the pink cake pops were cute and novel because they were cake on a stick, it was the cupcake pops that really took off — largely because of your enthusiasm. If it hadn’t been for you, I might not have kept experimenting and creating other playful designs like the Muppets cake pops. It could have ended with cupcake pops, and honestly, that would have been fine. They’re still a favorite of mine and my mom’s; I’m a little sentimental about them.
A bit of background: when I first made the pink cake pops, I was so excited by how they turned out that I wanted to share them. I followed the blog Cupcakes Take the Cake at the time and thought that if I could make them look like cupcakes, they might be featured. After shaping the cake balls with a cutter and dipping them twice to create a cupcake look, I added my photos to the CTTC Flickr group and crossed my fingers. They featured them, and I was thrilled.
That was all I hoped for at the time — to keep baking, making cute treats, and hopefully making people smile.
But then something unexpected happened. About a month after I posted the photos, I was invited to show Martha Stewart how to make them on her show. I had only been blogging for about four months and hadn’t baked for very long, so I was completely shocked and more than a little terrified. I went anyway. You can watch the video on her site if you haven’t seen it — it still makes me laugh thinking about what she called them. At the time, I was mortified, but I managed to keep my composure. Funny memories: I remember suggesting we not use chocolate cake on TV. Good times.
Since then, lots of other fun things have happened:
- I started experimenting with many themed cake pop designs.
- I visited the Pioneer Woman and did a cake pop demo at her lodge — one of my favorite visits.
- I created cake pops for special proposals and celebrations.
- Betty Crocker invited me to make cake pops for the cover of one of their magazines.
- I wrote a small book about cake pops.
- I made cupcake pops with Blake Lively — that still feels surreal.
- You all became Pop Stars and shared your creations.
- I contributed cake pops to Disney’s website recipes.
- I created a small kit and some cards related to cake pops.
- My cake pops were featured in magazines like People, Entertainment Weekly, Taste of Home, Family Circle, O, and others.
- I appeared on the Today Show — a memorable moment when candy coating ended up on Kathie Lee’s eyelashes.
- The book has been printed in multiple languages worldwide.
- And there are a couple more surprises in the works that I can’t announce yet.
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Those highlights are exciting, but what amazes me even more are the ways cake pops have spread because you embraced them. Your enthusiasm is the main reason cake pops became so popular. A few examples:
- Cake pops are now sold in major coffee shops.
- Bakeries and cupcake shops include them in their offerings.
- Companies package sprinkles and accessories to cater to cake pop makers.
- Commercial products and kits have appeared, some inspired by popular designs.
- Machines for making cake pops are now on the market — though they don’t allow the same customization as hand-shaped pops.
- Other books on the subject have been published, reflecting the trend’s popularity.
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Beyond commercial trends, what touches me most are the personal ways people have connected with cake pops:
- Many of you have started home businesses selling cake pops.
- Some have created websites devoted to cake pops and tutorials.
- Around the world, people have developed tools, rollers, stands, and accessories to help make and display cake pops.
- Countless people make cake pops just for fun, sharing them with family and friends.
- Your emails and stories brighten my day — messages from all over the globe, sometimes bringing me to tears, sometimes laughter, but always making me feel honored to have played a small role in creating smiles.
- Big hugs and congratulations to everyone who has joined in this little cake pop movement.
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I truly believe cake pops have made their mark in the baking world and added a little sweetness to people’s lives.
In fact, I think we need a National Cake Pop Day — or an International Cake Pop Day. Today seems like a perfect choice, so I’m proclaiming February 1 as the Official Unofficial Cake Pop Day. Who’s with me?
I’d love to hear how cake pops have mattered to you. Share your stories or links:
- Do you sell them? What’s your site?
- Have you posted them on your blog? I’d love to see your posts.
- Do you have a photo on Facebook? Share a link.
- Do you follow my Facebook page for cake pop inspiration?
- Do you own the book? Do you have a favorite design?
- Are you a Pop Star, or do you want to be?
- Have you started a business helping others make cake pops?
- Have you enjoyed them at a bakery, wedding, or party?
- Maybe someone gave them to you as a gift.
- Or maybe you’ve never heard of cake pops — that’s okay too.
Leave a comment or a link and let’s celebrate together.