Lady Bug Pops Recipes

LADYBUG CAKE POPS

Steps:

• Make and bake cake mix as directed on box for 13x9-inch pan, using water, oil and eggs. Cool. Line cookie sheet with waxed paper. Crumble cake into large bowl. Add frosting; mix well. Shape into 1 1/4-inch balls; place on cookie sheet. Freeze until firm; keep refrigerated.
• In microwavable bowl, microwave red candy melts and shortening uncovered on Medium (50%) 1 minute, then in 15-second intervals, until melted; stir until smooth. Dip each lollipop stick about 1/2 inch into melted candy and insert into cake ball no more than halfway. Return to cookie sheet. Refrigerate 5 minutes. Remove from refrigerator a few at a time. Dip each cake ball into melted red candy; tap off excess. Poke opposite end of stick into foam block. Immediately attach mint for ladybug face. Let stand until set. Use melted black candy to attach candy eyes and licorice for antennae. Pipe melted black candy on cake pops for wings and dots. Let stand until set.

LADYBUG APPETIZERS

Steps:

• In a small bowl, beat cream cheese and sour cream until smooth. Remove 2 tablespoons to a small bowl and tint black. Place tinted cream cheese mixture in a small plastic bag; set aside. , Add the chives, garlic salt and parsley to the remaining cream cheese mixture. Spread over crackers. Arrange two tomato quarters on each for the ladybug wings. , For heads, halve the olives widthwise; place one half on each cracker. Insert two chives into olives for antennae. Use tinted cream cheese mixture to pipe spots onto wings.

BLACK CAT POPS

Steps:

• Line a small baking sheet with parchment paper or a silicone mat. Set aside.
• In a food processor, combine the figs, almond butter and water. Blend until smooth, scraping down the side of the bowl as needed with a rubber spatula. Using a small ice-cream scoop, scoop 1 tablespoon of the fig mixture at a time and roll into 1 1/2-inch balls. Insert a lollipop stick into each fig ball.
• Place the chocolate chips and 1 teaspoon of the oil in a medium bowl. Place the bowl over a small saucepan of barely simmering water and stir until the chocolate is melted and smooth, about 2 to 3 minutes.
• Drop the fig balls into the melted chocolate and, using a fork, roll to coat evenly. Remove the fig balls, allowing any excess chocolate to drip back into the bowl, and place on the baking sheet. Refrigerate for 1 hour, or until the chocolate has set.
• Using a small pair of scissors, cut the fruit leather into small squares to make noses for the cats and triangles for the ears. Dip the ends of the ears in the leftover dark chocolate and stick them on the cats. Repeat with the squares for the noses.
• Place the white chocolate and remaining 1/2 teaspoon of the oil in a medium bowl. Place the bowl over a small saucepan of barely simmering water and stir until the chocolate is melted and smooth, about 2 to 3 minutes. Cool slightly. Transfer the chocolate to a piping bag fitted with a small plain tip. Pipe eyes and whiskers on the cats. Refrigerate until set, about 30 minutes.

APPLE LADYBUG TREATS

Steps:

• Slice apples in half from top to bottom and scoop out the cores using a knife or melon baller. If you have an apple corer, core them first, then slice. Place each apple half flat side down on a small plate.
• Dab peanut butter on to the back of the 'lady bug', then stick raisins onto the dabs for spots. Use this method to make eyes too. Stick one end of each pretzel stick into a raisin, then press the other end into the apples to make antennae.