In case you missed it last week, I shared these fun graduation push-up pops over at the SNAP! blog, so now it’s time to share with you!
I can’t believe it’s the end of May already and that means graduation for a lot of people. Graduation from college, high school, elementary school, kindergarten and even pre-school all call for a celebration! Last year I helped a friend of mine come up with some ideas for a graduation dessert table for her son. She did a FABULOUS job with everything!!
So today I thought I’d share one of the most asked about items on the table…the Oreo Cheesecake Push-up Pops.
If you’re not familiar with push-up pops, Courtney Dial of Pizzazzerie (who was a speaker at SNAP! last month) has a book all about them if you want more info or ideas, but they are a pretty popular (and fun!) item on dessert tables right now. The inspiration for these push-up pops came from Frog Prince Paperie’s graduation table she styled last year.
To make the graduation caps for the push-up pops you’ll need the following supplies:
Black cardstock
Tape
Glue
Scissors (or paper cutter)
Karo syrup
Red Hots
Pull ‘N Peel licorice
Step 1: Cut your black paper into 2 5/8″ squares for the top of the hat. Cut 7 1/2″ x 3/4″ strips for the band.
Step 2: Wrap the band around the push-up pop container and tape.
Step 3: Place a small amount of glue around the top edge of the band.
Step 4: Center the band on the square to glue in place.
Peel apart licorice pieces and cut to 2 1/2″ lengths. Attach both the red hot and licorice pieces to the top of the hat with karo syrup.
You can fill the push-up pops with any fun treat like M&M’s, jelly beans, mini cupcakes, brownies, etc. Below is the recipe for the Oreo Cheesecake pops if you’re interested:
Oreo Cheesecake Recipe
1 package Oreo cookies (16.6 oz) divided
1/4 cup butter, melted
4 packages (8 oz each) Cream Cheese, softened
3/4 Cup Sugar
1 tsp vanilla
1 8 oz. tub Cool Whip, thawed
Chop 15 cookies coarsely. Finely crush remaining cookies; mix with butter. (This is what you will put in the bottom of the push up pops).
Beat cream cheese, sugar, and vanilla in large bowl with mixer until well blended. Gently stir in Cool Whip and coarsely chopped Oreos. Put this on top of your crust in the push-up pop and refrigerate.
Recipe should fill 20 push-up pops.
Put the caps on your push-up pops and place them in a styrofoam filled container to display.
I created these simple graduation circles you can print on sticker label paper to add to your push-up pops and dress them up a bit. Click HERE to download them.
Click on the picture above to download the free printables!
If you’re planning any fun graduation parties, I guarantee these treats will be a hit with adults and kids alike!
These are adorable! Thanks for the tutorial, too!
I just had an idea when I looked at the photo of the graduation caps. As a stand-alone dessert, you could make larger graduation caps with a chocolate-covered Oreo base, a chocolate-covered graham cracker top {glue with frosting/melted chocolate}, and then your idea for the licorice + red hot button and tassel. I think it would be darling! 🙂
Thanks Lisa! I love your idea using the oreo & chocolate covered graham crackers – that would be darling!!
These are a wonderful addition to a graduation party! I love how you used Karo syrup to attach the candy pieces instead of glue. Does that make them still edible? Either way – very creative use of candy and push pop containers!
Thanks Natalie! Yes, the Karo syrup makes them edible…just in case the kids decide to eat the licorice or red hots!! 🙂
Do you have the graduation printable with 2013?
Hi Mary! I just updated the post with 2013 printables and I also emailed them to you. Have fun planning!
Hi, can you tell me what size the 2013 printable stickers print as? Is it something that can be adjusted to fit label stickers we buy locally? Thanks!
Hi Devon, The squares print approx. 2 3/8″. They aren’t made to print on sticker labels, you would print them on full sheet sticker paper that you can buy at Walmart of office supply stores and then cut them out with scissors or use a 2″ or 2 1/4″ circle punch if you want them round.
ohh! Thank you!
could you update with 2014? i have a friend i am helping with 2014 red & black HS graduation. thanks!
Hi Andie! I just updated the printables for 2014 so go ahead and download them if you’d like!
thank you so much! these are great 🙂
where can I order the push ups – I need at least 75 – thank you
Hi Barbara, Amazon.com has several vendors that sell the push-up pops 🙂
These printables are so awesome! I have been looking all over and I was directed to this heaven! THanks a lot! 🙂
Glad I could help 🙂
Hi! What is the black base the push pops are sitting in? Did you stabilize them (ie stick them in styrofoam) or does the stuffing kinda keep them in place? Thanks!
The black base is a ceramic holder I found at my local home decor store. I did place a square styrofoam block inside the black vase to hold the push pops in place!
Thank you!
Love your idea and designs. Thank you for sharing! Thinking ahead and wondering if the graduation printable will be available in 2016? Perfect for college graduation!
Hi Nan, Thank you! Yes, I should be updating it for 2016 at the beginning of the year!