Jack-O-Lantern Cake Pops

Directions

1. If you're baking a cake from scratch or a mix, bake it according to the package directions and let it cool completely.
2. In a medium bowl, beat the softened butter until fluffy. Mix in the melted 1/4 cup chocolate chips and cocoa powder until well combined.
3. Gradually add the powdered sugar, mixing well, then add milk one tablespoon at a time until the frosting is smooth and spreadable.
4. Crumble the cooled cake into a large bowl.
5. Add 1/2 cup of the prepared frosting and stir with a wooden spoon until the mixture becomes less crumbly and holds together. If it's still dry, add 1-2 more tablespoons of frosting until a small amount squeezed in your hand stays together.
6. Shape the mixture into 24 balls, each just over an inch in diameter. Roll them between your palms to round them; don't worry about perfection—you can smooth them later. Place the balls on a tray and freeze for 15 minutes.
7. Remove the cake balls from the freezer and gently roll any that need smoothing. Return the tray to the freezer while you melt the orange candy melts.
8. Put the orange candy melts in a microwave-safe bowl and microwave in 20-second bursts, stirring between each, until smooth. If you don't have a microwave, use a double boiler on low heat, being careful to keep water out of the chocolate. If the melted chocolate seems thick, stir in 1-2 teaspoons of vegetable shortening or coconut oil.
9. Take the cake balls out of the freezer. One at a time, dip the tip of a cake pop stick into the melted candy melts, then gently push the stick into a cake ball without going all the way through. Repeat for all sticks, then freeze the pops for 2-5 minutes until the chocolate on the sticks sets.
10. If needed, reheat the candy melts to a smooth consistency before coating the pops.
11. To coat each pop, dip and twirl it in the melted candy melts until fully covered. Gently tap the stick on the bowl's edge to let excess drip off. Place the coated pops on a parchment- or silicone-lined baking sheet, or stand them upright in holes poked in a cardboard box.
12. Melt the 2 tablespoons of chocolate chips in a microwave-safe bowl using the same method as before.
13. Dip the tip of a toothpick into the melted chocolate and use it to draw jack-o'-lantern faces on each cake pop.
14. Pipe a green stem on top of each pop using the green gel icing.