How to make a cake pop tree

This has been my favorite cake pop project to date. While it does take quite a bit of time, it was probably the easiest in the sense that you don't really have to be concerned with any pops falling off their sticks. It's happened before....

So, first things first. Here is a list of what you will need:

One white styrofoam cone. They are available in several sizes at Michaels. I found them to be a little pricey, (mine was close to $5.00) but with their coupons it's quite economical.

A plate or platter. I used a salad plate covered with foil and stuck the cone onto it with a little melted chocolate.

At least 2 bags of candy melts or almond bark.

Sugars or sprinkles

Toothpicks

Styrofoam block for holding pops until they dry.

Mix up a batch of pops. Baked cake of your choice, cooled and crumbled, mixed with 1 can of frosting. Form into small balls, (I used 1 TBSP for the bigger ones on the lower levels) then stick in the freezer for at least an hour. At this point stick toothpicks into some melted chocolate, place in pop, return to freezer for 5 minutes. This adheres the pop and makes it much easier to coat the remainder.

Dip the pop and then sprinkle your sugars IMMEDIATELY!

Once pops are completely firm (allow about 30 minutes for this, DO NOT stick back in the freezer as this will cause them to "weep", and thereby causing you to weep but without the quotations!) start sticking the end of the toothpick into the cone.

Don't worry if your toothpicks start to poke through the other end of your cake pop. (I think this happened because it didn't set long enough.) If you find this happening, gently slide the pop off the stick, insert stick to where it needs to be and slide the pop back on. Because there is always a lower layer of support, it will stay on.

Keep layering all the way up. You may have to adjust every once in awhile to make room around the circle. After the first 3 rows were done, I made the rest of the pops from 1/2 TBSP of cake and then finished off the tree with that size.

Here is the completed tree.....

And then here is the tree the next day when I re-added to the top to fill in the ones we had eaten!

Up close and personal.....