Baby's Big Reveal

Have you ever found yourself in one of those moments when you have the opportunity to really help someone out but at the small cost of your own sanity? You absolutely know you should keep your mouth shut, but you can't. And you don't. And you most always end up biting off more than you can chew.

Well on Monday afternoon I sent a good luck text to my friend Sondra who was having an ultrasound done the next day that would reveal her baby's gender. I asked if her husband Erwin had been granted time off to go with her to hear the big news. Naturally, the Army does not care about such matters, and as any superwoman military wife would do, Sondra seemed to have accepted that that was just the way it had to be. After I decided that simply would not do, I found myself once again in one of those 'can't keep my mouth shut' moments. Gender reveal party planning in 24 hours? No sweat!

Brad said it well post-party last night as I collapsed into the couch, cursing my sore back, depleted bank account, and tired eyes: "It wouldn't have been true Kayla if you hadn't put your whole heart into it." Half the battle was finding everything I wanted to make my vision come together at our only local store, Walmart. Ugh.

But it did come together! Quite fabulously if I do say so myself. And even though we will be finding pink and blue glitter confetti hidden away in obscure places all over our home for the next few months, it was so worth it. What a privilege it was to be the first to lay eyes on that one simple word that means so much to a growing family and will define the next years of their life.

The actual reveal was done with cake pops, and they turned out so cute! I made them with just the inside core colored pink or blue, so the mom and dad-to-be found out if it would be a little princess or prince after biting into them. I've had many people ask how I made them, so I thought I'd share the idea here:

Colored-Core/Gender Reveal Cake Pops

 

Inner colored-core:

1 box funfetti cake mix
1 jar funfetti frosting
Food coloring of your choice

1. Mix cake batter according to box directions, adding food coloring of the desired core color
2. Bake as directed and allow to cool completely
3. Add food coloring of the desired core color to frosting 
4. Break cake into crumbles and mix in entire jar of colored frosting
5. Roll sticky mixture into balls the desired size of core, keeping in mind that the outer later will make them much bigger (mine were about .75 inches) 
6. Place in the refrigerator for a few hours

Outer layer:

1 box funfetti cake mix
1 jar funfetti frosting
Lollipop sticks

1. Mix cake batter according to box directions (NO food coloring)
2. Bake as directed and allow to cool completely
3. Break cake into crumbles and mix in entire jar of frosting
4. Cup small amount of sticky mixture in the palm of your hand and create an indentation in the center with your thumb
5. Place colored cake ball that has been refrigerated into the center and continue to add to it until an enclosure has been made and you cannot see the color anymore
6. Roll until smooth and place on a cookie sheet
7. Press lollipop sticks into the middle of each ball
8. Allow at least a few hours or overnight to chill in the refrigerator

Cake pops:

1 bag white candy melts
Sprinkles
Cake pop stand (optional but helpful)

1. Melt candy melts according to bag directions
2. Dip refrigerated cake pops into the melts, holding onto the lollipop sticks
3. Place upwards in cake pop stand and immediately add sprinkles
4. Allow candy coating to melt and refrigerate until served

Enjoy!

Congratulations Sondra and Erwin on your sweet baby BOY! We are so happy for you and honored to have been a part of your celebration.