Saturday 3 November 2012

Pop Rocks Fizzing Firework Cupcakes



Pop Rocks and Wizz Fizz sherbet fun in a knock-out cupcake for fireworks night or any other celebration for that matter. I took some to market today and asked my panel of testers for the pop rocks popping candy count and we had a 99% success  rate for the pops staying in the chocolate so I'll definitely make these again. In fact, we wanted some girlie pink ones for a baby shower and a little girl's birthday so we were fizzing all week thanks to Cybercandy sweetie shop samples.  These are really easy to make and the challenge is to keep your hands dry when handling Pop Rocks and not to eat too many while baking! Here's how:


Bake or take some cupcakes . I used buttercream* on the Strawberry Pink ones and Black fondant and buttercream on the Dark Chocolate version. For the Firework Decoration; cocktail sticks or lollipop sticks, edible colouring, cooking chocolate and/or candy melts, glitter, fondant stars and Pop Rocks



*We went an extra fizzy mile and added sherbet Wizz Fizz to the buttercream. This is the strawberry one which coloured and flavoured the buttercream a nice pink too.


I painted the cocktail sticks and for our youngest customers ; some less sharp lollipop sticks with edible colouring. Just choose the colour to match your main chocolate explosion! 


Next melt your cooking chocolate or candy melts and make swirly blobs on some baking/parchment paper. I didn't oil the paper first and it still peeled off fine but it was good  grease proof paper. Then place you stick in the centre of each. Leave this to set or put in fridge to speed things up.


Now dry your hands thoroughly or wear protective catering gloves if you want to give you Pop Rocks longer 'life'. As soon as they get in touch with water they will pop. Put the Pop Rocks on top of the chocolate and then cover them with more melted chocolate.

I made strawberry and dark chocolate versions. Why do Pop Rocks make you laugh so much? And why do we insist on getting people to listen to them exploding in our mouths? There are no age limits to this either!



Now the other fun bit to decorate with stars and glitter for your fireworks explosions. You can buy gold stars  and you can make lots of mini fondant ones really cheaply. 


However, I love glitter and it depends on how you feel about digesting small amounts of the stuff. Technically catering glitter is a decorative product rather than a edible product but it's not poisonous either. Look out for the edible sugar based 'glitters' if you are really worried but you only need a tiny bit for a fun effect.


Add some of the decoration to the top of you cupcake for 'falling' fireworks.


Strawberry 'pink' was voted the favourite of the day using Strawberry Pop Rocks but I've already had requests to do Cola versions. If you haven't heard of Cybercandy yet, they have got real sweet shops but if you are like me and live out in the sticks then go online. You can check out my previous purchases  here for Cactus Coconut Cake and my very favourite Harry Potter inspired recipe ;The Big Butterbeer Cake and Butter Beer Fizz - Cracking the Recipe. And what am I going to buy next ? I really fancy a Baby Ruth Bar.....and..Pretzel M&M's...and..

12 comments:

  1. These are so much fun. I love how you've added the Fizz Whiz in the buttercream. I'm a huge sherbet fan! And pop rocks in the chocolate too. Hell yes. Have you seen the popping candy chocolate spread in sainsbury's? I bought some a while back with intentions of making a pop rock nutella buttercream too.

    - Lisa.
    Sweet 2 Eat Baking

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    1. Thanks Lisa, I also sprinkle sherbet Kali on to frosting too but now have the urge to go to Sainsbury's to get this popping candy spread :-)

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  2. What a great idea for bonfire night...these are so original too...I bet kids (and big kids) would absolutely love them! Popping candy is great too and will certainly help these go with a bang! :-)

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    1. Thanks Laura, the funniest scene yesterday was a little boy eating one and his Dad begging to taste some. Did he get any? Nope - Dads obviously can't be trusted with your treats!

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  3. Love the toppers- they so capture the movement of fireworks. I have never grown out of loving popping candy.

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    1. Thank you! Glad to hear to hear more popping :-)

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  4. Pauline, these are gorgeous ! I am going to have to order popping candy immediately (it was called space dust when I was at school) and you are so right - this sweet definitely brings out the inner child.

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    1. Cheers Hester! I'd forgotten it was called Space Dust, they should bring that name back :-)

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  5. Pauline, this is brilliant! Mrs. W. and I so enjoy stopping by here to see what's going on in your kitchen...a smile always entails. I must say I've not had Pop Rocks since the early 70s, but what a fond memory. Cheers!

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    1. Thanks Brooks well it caused quite a lot of laughs for some small packets of Pop Rocks then again we are out in the country :-D

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  6. What a work of art my friend these are brilliant :)

    Cheers
    Choc Chip Uru

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