Exploding Firecracker Cakes

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What’s Up, Hungry People

Exploding firecracker cakes make for a literal party in your mouth! Filled with popping candies, these desserts bring a unique burst of sweetness. As the Fourth of July approaches, I’m gearing up to commemorate our nation’s independence with an enticing selection of red, white, and blue treats.

Stumbling upon this intriguing recipe on Pinterest sparked my curiosity. Feedback from others highlighted that the original cake often emerged overly moist. In pursuit of a more structured texture, I’ve substituted all eggs and oil with Greek yogurt, inadvertently crafting a healthier alternative.

Maintaining the cake’s coolness is crucial throughout the preparation process. A chilled cake simplifies cutting and molding tasks, significantly reducing mess. Although crafting these cakes demands time, the final product justifies the effort.

Happy Fourth of July!

Here’s What You Need

  • White cake mix: Provides the base for the cakes, ensuring a light, fluffy texture.
  • Pop Rocks: Add a fun, popping sensation to the cakes for a surprising texture.
  • Plain Greek yogurt: Replaces eggs and oil, reducing fat and adding moisture and tanginess.
  • Water: Thins the batter to the right consistency for baking.
  • Black licorice: Used as “fuses” for the firecracker theme, adding a hint of licorice flavor.
  • Food coloring (red & blue): Creates vibrant red and blue layers for a patriotic look.
  • White icing: Acts as glue to hold the cake layers together and seal in the Pop Rocks.

Let’s Cook

First things first, crank that oven up to 350°F. Grab a large bowl and whisk together the Greek yogurt and water. Yes, it sounds a bit off, but trust me on this one. Once you’ve got that smooth, go ahead and stir in your cake mix until you’re looking at a nice, thick batter. Here’s where the magic happens: divide that batter into thirds and get creative with the red and blue food coloring to make our patriotic palette.

Baking Your Base

Line three cake pans with foil and give them a quick grease. Spread your colored batters evenly across the pans. We’re aiming for a trio of red, white, and blue layers, so layer them in the pans accordingly. Slide them into the oven and bake for about 12-15 minutes. You’ll know they’re ready when they’re just starting to brown on top but are cooked through.

Cooling and Cutting

Let those cakes cool off completely before you do anything else. Patience is key. Once they’re cool, pop them into the freezer for a quick chill – think 1-2 hours. This makes the next step a breeze. Whip out a 1.5-inch round circle cutter and start cutting out circles from each cake color. You’ll want about 12 circles per color. Save a third of these circles whole—they’ll be the base of our firecrackers. For the rest, take a 1/2-inch cutter and remove the center, but keep those little ‘plugs.’ Don’t forget to chill these again if they start to get too soft.

Stacking and Sealing

Take your icing bag and pipe a thin line around the edge of a base cake piece. Stack a different colored circle on top and gently press them together. Keep the party going by adding another layer, piping icing around the opening, and then topping it with another color. Alternate colors as you like. Once you’ve got your mini firecracker cakes assembled, stick them back in the fridge until you’re ready to add the final touches.

The Grand Finale

This part’s crucial: don’t add the Pop Rocks until you’re just about to serve. This keeps them from losing their pop. Carefully pour the Pop Rocks into the hollow center of each cake, leaving a little room at the top. Pop the little cake ‘plug’ back on, stick a piece of licorice in for the fuse, and there you have it – a firecracker cake ready to dazzle.

Firecracker Cake Tips & Troubleshooting

  • Even Layer Coloring: To achieve distinct red, white, and blue layers, divide the batter evenly before adding the food coloring. Mix thoroughly to ensure the colors are bright and uniform.
  • Chilling is Key: Keeping the cakes chilled makes them easier to cut and assemble. If the cakes begin to warm up during assembly, don’t hesitate to pop them back in the freezer for a bit.
  • Preventing Soggy Cakes: To keep the Pop Rocks from popping prematurely, add them to the cakes just before serving. Moisture activates Pop Rocks, so sealing them in with the icing and adding them last keeps them dry.
  • Using Greek Yogurt: When substituting Greek yogurt for eggs and oil, the texture of the cake will be slightly denser but still moist. This substitution makes for a healthier cake without compromising too much on the traditional cake texture.
  • Cutting Perfect Circles: For smooth and even circles, use sharp, clean cutters. If the cake sticks to the cutter, gently push it out with a smaller object or chill the cakes further to firm them up.
  • Licorice Fuses: If the licorice strips are too stiff to insert into the cakes, briefly soak them in warm water to soften. This makes them more pliable and easier to work with without breaking.

Putting the final touches on your firecracker cakes means you’re ready to light up your Fourth of July with a bang, or rather, a pop. Serving these treats right away ensures that every bite comes with the fun surprise of popping candy, making your celebration a memorable one. Remember, timing with the Pop Rocks is everything to keep the fireworks going in your mouth. These cakes might take a bit of effort, but seeing the surprise and joy on your guests’ faces makes it all worth it. Plus, the healthier twist with Greek yogurt means you can enjoy a bit more guilt-free. So, go ahead, set these cakes on your festive table, and watch them disappear before the fireworks even start. Here’s to a celebration filled with fun, flavor, and a little bit of food magic. Happy Fourth, Hungry People!

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Exploding Firecracker Cakes

The Starving Chef
Enjoy these patriotic firecracker cakes filled with popping candy, perfect for your Fourth of July celebration.
Prep Time 2 hours
Cook Time 15 minutes
Cooling Time 4 hours
Total Time 6 hours 15 minutes
Course Summer
Cuisine Fourth of July
Servings 24 pops

Ingredients
  

  • 1 box white cake mix
  • 4 packets Pop Rocks
  • 1 cup plain Greek yogurt
  • 1 cup water
  • 1 strip black licorice cut into "fuses"
  • 1-2 tablespoons food coloring red & blue
  • 1 cup white icing in piping bag

Instructions
 

  • Preheat the oven to 350°F. In a large bowl, whisk together the Greek yogurt and water (trust me – I know it sounds weird!), then stir in the cake mix until a thick batter forms. Add the food coloring to separate portions of the batter to create red, white, and blue layers. Spread the batter evenly into three cake pans lined with foil and greased with oil. Bake for 12-15 minutes, until cooked through and just barely browning on top.
  • Let the cakes cool completely. Transfer to the freezer and chill for at least 1-2 hours. Use a 1.5-inch round circle cutter to cut out approximately 12 circles from each colored cake. Use a 1/2-inch circle cutter to cut out the center of all but a third of the cakes (to be used as the bases). Keep the center cut-out 'plugs.' Chill for at least 1-2 hours.
  • Use the bag of icing to pipe a thin line around a piece of cake to be used as the base of a firecracker. Place a different color on top and press down gently to secure the cake pieces together. Pipe another line of icing around the open center of the cake and place another color on top to secure. Repeat with the remaining red, white, and blue pieces, stacking in alternating colors as desired. Chill until ready to serve.
  • Wait to add the Pop Rocks until very last to ensure they keep their popping power. Use a funnel to help pour the Pop Rocks into the empty cake 'shells' until full – leave enough room to add the plugs. Press the plug into the top of the cake and add a short strip of black licorice as the 'fuse.' Serve immediately and enjoy. Have a happy Fourth of July!

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Keyword cake, cake pops, July 4th
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