Ingredients
Equipment
Method
- Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Grease and flour a 9x13 inch baking pan. In a large bowl, combine the yellow cake mix, eggs, vegetable oil, water, and vanilla extract. Beat with an electric mixer on medium speed for 2 minutes, or until smooth and well combined. If using, gently stir in the sprinkles. Pour the batter evenly into the prepared baking pan. Bake for 30-35 minutes, or until a wooden skewer inserted into the center comes out clean. Let the cake cool in the pan for 10 minutes before inverting it onto a wire rack to cool completely.1 box (15.25 oz) yellow cake mix, 3 large eggs, 1/2 cup vegetable oil, 1 1/3 cups water, 1 teaspoon vanilla extract, 1/4 cup sprinkles
- Once the cake is completely cool to the touch, crumble it into a large bowl. Add the buttercream frosting to the crumbled cake. Using your hands or a sturdy spoon, mix the cake crumbs and frosting together until a thick, cohesive dough forms. It should be moist enough to hold its shape when pressed but not sticky.1/2 cup buttercream frosting
- Line a baking sheet with parchment paper. Take about 2-3 tablespoons of the cake and frosting mixture at a time and roll it into a rough oval shape, resembling a football. You can gently taper the ends to give them a more authentic football appearance. Place the shaped cakesicles onto the prepared baking sheet and freeze for at least 30 minutes (or refrigerate for 1 hour) until firm. This step is crucial for easier dipping.
- While the cakesicles are chilling, prepare your chocolate coating. In a microwave-safe bowl, combine the white candy melts and vegetable shortening. Microwave in 30-second intervals, stirring well after each, until fully melted and smooth. For the brown coloring, divide about half of the melted white candy melts into a separate microwave-safe bowl. Add brown food coloring gradually, stirring until you achieve a desired football brown color. For the black details, set aside a small amount of melted white candy melts in a separate bowl and stir in black food coloring until you reach a deep black.12 oz white candy melts, 2 tablespoons vegetable shortening, brown food coloring, black food coloring
- Once the cakesicles are firm, carefully remove them from the freezer. Using a fork or a dipping tool, dip each cakesicle into the melted brown candy melts, ensuring it's fully coated. Let any excess chocolate drip back into the bowl. Carefully place the dipped cakesicle back onto the parchment-lined baking sheet. Repeat with all the cakesicles. Let them set slightly at room temperature, or pop them back into the freezer for 5-10 minutes to speed up the hardening process.
- Once the brown coating is firm, prepare to decorate. Transfer the melted black candy melt mixture (or thinned black icing) into a piping bag fitted with a small round tip. Pipe the iconic football stitching onto each cakesicle, creating two parallel lines down the center and a curved "laces" pattern in between. If you're using edible markers or paint, you can add the laces this way as well. Allow the decorations to harden completely before serving.black icing or food coloring mixture, red and white edible food marker or edible paint
Notes
Store in an airtight container in a single layer in the refrigerator for up to 4 days. Thaw at room temperature for 15-20 minutes before serving if too firm. Freezing is an option for up to 1 month; thaw in the refrigerator overnight.
