One of my girlfriends asked me to make her Coffee Flavored Cake Pops, sounds pretty simple right ? Um NO ! I googled around to find some recipes for coffee flavored anything, cupcakes, cake, whatever I could find. Every recipe said basically the same thing, and I was bored with it. So I had this cleaver idea of coming up with my own recipe! Initially, I was excited, but that fizzled fast, and frustration took over. I’m not sure what made me think I was an expert in baking and creating recipes, after all I have never taken any kind of baking or cooking class.
This is what i came up with… I started with Devils Food Cake (chocolate) then I proceeded to follow all directions on the box, but instead of using a cup of water, I used a cup of freshly brewed coffee. I was sure this would be so yummy! 
I baked the cake, took it out of the oven, let it cool and then tried a piece to see where I was as far as flavor. YUGH! There was not enough coffee flavor , the chocolate took over! I needed a second opinion. So I asked my fiancee to try a piece, and for him to guess what flavor it was. He said super chocolate!!! REALLY?! NO!
I looked around my kitchen in a slight panic for something coffee flavored to add to the mix. I quickly, but hesitantly, decided to put a few tablespoons of coffee grinds in the cake mix. I was nervous it would be to much, or that it would make the cake pops taste chalky, however I tried it anyways. Then, I added vanilla frosting ( this helps for the cake batter to become moist so it can shape into cake balls), and mixed it well. I proceeded with the normal cake ball process, making ball after ball. Then came the dipping and decorating part. I decided I would dip them in chocolate melts. Why I came up with this, not so smart idea, is beyond me! For some reason I thought it was a good idea at the time, but WHY would I think that, they are already too chocolately!! Foolishly, I dipped them in (more) chocolate and sprinkled some of them with cinnamon sugar, and some with white sprinkles. They were done. I decided on the name…Chocolate Cinnamon Latte flavored cake pops. Then it was time for a taste test on the final product…
They came out yummy, just not perfect. You could taste the coffee, kinda. I am a slight perfectionist, and even though these cake pops did taste good, they aren’t exactly where I want them just yet. It all about Trial and Error, making mistakes and learning from them. I am well aware of the fact that I am no Rachel Ray, however, I am still determined to eventually be able to offer recipes that taste good, yet differ from what everyone else offers. I already know what I am going to do differently next time. It’s funny how I thought of even better stuff ATFER I finished the Cake Pops. I plan on trying this revised recipe again soon! I will keep making it over and over again until I feel its perfect
