Guardar A playful, vibrant twist on cake pops inspired by the bold flavors and bite-sized fun of Spanish pintxos, all made vegan. Perfect for parties and adventurous palates!
I first made these chaos cake pops for a tapas-themed birthday, and guests loved the surprising mix-ins. Even the most skeptical palate was won over by the chocolate coating and hidden treasures inside!
Ingredients
- All-purpose flour: 1 ½ cups (180 g)
- Granulated sugar: ¾ cup (150 g)
- Baking powder: 1 tsp
- Baking soda: ½ tsp
- Salt: ¼ tsp
- Unsweetened almond milk: ½ cup (120 ml)
- Light olive oil or neutral vegetable oil: ⅓ cup (80 ml)
- Unsweetened applesauce: ¼ cup (60 g)
- Apple cider vinegar: 1 tbsp
- Vanilla extract: 2 tsp
- Vegan butter (softened): ½ cup (115 g)
- Powdered sugar (sifted): 2 cups (240 g)
- Unsweetened almond milk: 2 tbsp
- Vanilla extract (for buttercream): 1 tsp
- Pinch of salt: for buttercream
- Chopped dried figs or apricots: 2 tbsp
- Roasted salted almonds, roughly chopped: 2 tbsp
- Chopped roasted red peppers (drained): 1 tbsp
- Vegan dark chocolate, finely chopped: 2 tbsp
- Green olives, pitted and minced (optional): 1 tbsp
- Rainbow sprinkles (vegan): 2 tbsp
- Vegan chocolate, melted (for coating): 10 oz (280 g)
- Bamboo skewers or lollipop sticks: 16 small
Instructions
- Prepare the cake:
- Preheat oven to 350°F (175°C). Grease and line an 8-inch (20 cm) square baking pan.
- Mix the dry ingredients:
- Whisk together flour, sugar, baking powder, baking soda, and salt in a large bowl.
- Combine the wet ingredients:
- In a separate bowl, mix almond milk, oil, applesauce, vinegar, and vanilla.
- Combine and bake:
- Pour wet mixture into dry ingredients, stir until just combined. Pour batter into prepared pan and bake for 30½35 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted comes out clean. Cool completely.
- Make the vegan buttercream:
- Beat vegan butter till creamy. Gradually add powdered sugar, almond milk, vanilla, and salt. Beat until fluffy.
- Form the cake balls:
- Crumble cooled cake into a bowl. Add ¾ of the buttercream and mix until dough-like.
- Add chaos pintxos:
- Fold in chopped dried fruit, almonds, roasted peppers, vegan chocolate, olives (if using), and half the sprinkles.
- Shape and chill:
- Roll into 16 balls. Place on a lined tray and chill 20 minutes.
- Insert sticks:
- Dip one end of each skewer into melted chocolate, insert half-way into each ball. Freeze for 10 minutes.
- Coat and decorate:
- Dip pops in melted chocolate to coat. Decorate immediately with reserved sprinkles and extra garnish.
- Set and serve:
- Stand pops upright in block of Styrofoam or a cake pop stand. Let set at room temperature or in the fridge.
Guardar Kids absolutely love assembling and decorating these together, and my family always requests a batch for birthday celebrations. The colors and flavors spark so much joy at our table!
Required Tools
8-inch (20 cm) baking pan, mixing bowls, electric mixer or whisk, baking parchment, small skewers or lollipop sticks, microwave or double boiler for melting chocolate, cake pop stand or block of Styrofoam
Allergen Information
Contains wheat (gluten), almonds (tree nuts), and possible soy in vegan butter or chocolate. Always check ingredient labels for hidden allergens.
Nutritional Information
Per serving: 210 calories, total fat 10 g, carbohydrates 31 g, protein 2 g
Guardar Bring out these cake pops for instant party energy. Their unique flavor combos and charming pintxos garnishes guarantee smiles!
Preguntas frecuentes sobre recetas
- → How do you achieve a moist texture?
Using applesauce, almond milk, and vegetable oil helps create a soft, springy cake base ideal for crumble and shaping.
- → What makes these cake pops Spanish-inspired?
Ingredients like smoked almonds, roasted peppers, figs, and olives evoke bold, savory-sweet flavors found in pintxos culture.
- → Can I substitute ingredients for allergies?
Yes. Use gluten-free flour or seeds instead of almonds to suit specific dietary needs. Always check product labels.
- → What is the best coating method for chocolate?
Melt vegan chocolate in a microwave or double boiler, then dip chilled pops for smooth, even coverage. Decorate quickly for best adhesion.
- → How should chaos cake pops be served?
Stand pops upright in foam or a pop holder. They pair well with vegan Rioja or sherry, echoing pintxos tradition.
- → Can flavor intensity be adjusted?
Omit olives and peppers for a milder bite, or add smoked paprika for greater Spanish flair. Customize to guests' tastes.