(Family Features) - Sweets on a stick are the perfect treat. There's a pop for all seasons, all reasons. For parties, desserts, everyday and special occasions, pops are tops!

They can be as simple as classic cake ball pops - crumbled cake mixed with icing, then shaped into balls and dipped into melted candy. Or, create hundreds of other pop shapes and flavors from cake, brownies, cookies and crispy cereal treats.

These recipes are only the beginning. "Pops! Sweets on a StickTM," a new book from Wilton, features 112 pages packed with pops. Visit www.wilton.com to order the book, pops supplies, find recipes and much more. Pop to it!

Tri-Dipping

Create a rainbow effect with 3 layers of color! Works with any trio of Candy Melt colors, or try light, medium and dark shades of the same color. Lighten Candy Melt colors by adding melted White Candy Melts.

1. Start with a pop that has already been completely candy dipped and chilled as your base color. Dip pop 2/3 deep in second color of melted Candy Melts. Tap and chill until set.

2. Dip pop 1/3 deep in third Candy Melt color. Tap to remove excess.

3. Place pop on parchment-covered cake board and chill until firm.

Basic Cake Ball Pops Recipe

Ingredients

• 1 box (about 18 ounces) cake mix
• 1 box (about 3.4 ounces) instant pudding mix
• 4 eggs
• 1 cup water
• 1/3 cup vegetable oil
• 1/2 cup Creamy White Decorator Icing
• 1 bag (14 ounces) Candy Melts
• Lollipop Sticks

Preparation

1. Preheat oven to 350°F. Spray two 8-inch or 9-inch round pans or one 13 x 9 x 2-inch sheet pan with vegetable pan spray.
2. In large bowl, combine cake mix, pudding mix, eggs, water and oil; beat at medium speed with electric mixer 2 minutes. Pour into prepared pans.
3. Bake 30 to 35 minutes for round pans; 35 to 40 minutes for sheet pan, or until toothpick inserted in center comes out clean. Cool in pans 10 minutes; remove from pans to cooling grid and cool completely. Divide cake in half; freeze one half for future use.
4. In large bowl, use hands to crumble cake until no large chunks remain. Add icing; mix with fingers until well combined. Form mixture into balls. Chill in refrigerator at least 2 hours.
5. Melt Candy Melts according to package directions. Dip sticks into melted Candy Melts and insert into cake balls; let set. Wait until candy is completely firm before dipping the pops completely in melted Candy Melts.

Serves
Yields 48 tablespoons

Notes, Tips & Suggestions
Makes 48 - 1-tablespoon sized cake ball pops (each about 1 1/4-inch diameter)