Gosh, do you know what my family argues about most at the holidays? Not politics. Dessert! Who makes the best pie, which cookie is the real favorite, and whether anybody at the table can truly tell the difference.
So I turned the argument into a game. I call it the Taste-Off. You close your eyes, take one bite, and try to name the flavor. It takes about 20 minutes, a five year old can play it with a ninety five year old, and nobody has to wash a single dish after.
Below are the rules, the scoring, three ready made rounds, what to pour with each flavor, and a free scorecard to print. Fair warning. It gets loud.
What is a cake pop flight?
A cake pop flight is a set of mini cake pops in different flavors that you taste side by side, the way you would taste a flight of wine or coffee. Play it blind and it turns into a party game. One bite, eyes closed, guess the flavor.
- 2 to 8players
- 20 minper round
- 6flavors per round
- $15to start
What do I need for a blind taste test party?
Not much! That is the beauty of it.
- A flight of mini pops. My sample packs come with 6, 12 or 18 one bite minis, and every mini is wrapped on its own.
- A scorecard and a pencil for each taster. The scorecard is free and it is further down this page.
- Six sticky notes, numbered 1 to 6.
- A blindfold, a sleep mask, or the honor system. A dish towel works too.
- Water or cold milk. A sip between bites clears the last flavor.
How do you play the Taste-Off?
Five steps. The host does not taste, so take turns hosting if you play more than one round.
- Pick a host and number the popsThe host lines up six pops and gives each one a sticky note, 1 to 6. Only the host knows which is which. Keep the list in your pocket. That is your answer key.
- Eyes closed, one biteTasters close their eyes or pull on a blindfold. The host hands everyone pop number 1. The minis are one perfect bite, so in it goes.
- Write down your guessNo talking! Write the flavor you think it is, then circle its family: pie, cookie, chocolate, original or fruity. Poker faces, please.
- Give it a yum scoreRate the pop from 1 to 5. This part has nothing to do with being right. It is how the house favorite gets picked.
- Reveal and crown the winnerAfter pop number 6, the host reads the answers. Count the points. Top score wins the Golden Stick, and the pop with the most yum points is your house favorite.
Before anyone closes their eyes, ask about allergies. A blind bite is no time for a surprise. My kitchen handles wheat, eggs, milk, soy, peanuts and tree nuts, so I cannot promise any pop is free of a specific allergen. Every box lists the full ingredients. The packaging and shipping page has the details.
How do you score a blind taste test?
Keep it simple. A perfect round of six pops is 18 points.
You named the exact flavor. Key Lime Pie means Key Lime Pie. "Something citrus" does not count!
You only got the family right. You guessed a cookie and it was a cookie, just not that cookie.
You asked for a clue. The host reads one hint from the clue list. It costs you a point.
My 18 flavors come in five families, and that is what makes the one point guess fair. There are 3 pie-inspired pops, 4 cookie classics, 4 for the chocolate lover, 4 gourmet originals and 3 bright and fruity ones.
Tie at the top? Each tied taster describes their favorite pop in three words. The host picks the best three words, and that is that.
Which flavors make the best taste test?
You can mix and match any flavors you like. If you want me to pick, here are three rounds that get harder as you go. Play all three and you have tasted all 18.
The Warm-Up
Six flavors that could not be more different. Start here, and let everybody feel smart for a minute.
The Holiday Table
The cozy ones. Pie, cookie, caramel and campfire. This is the round where the family starts arguing.
The Expert Round
Here is the trap. Three of these start with lemon cake, and two of them are sweet, buttery and golden. Good luck!
Dealer's choice
Let the page pick six flavors for you. Keep dealing until you like your hand.
How many cake pops do I need for a taste test?
Multiply tasters by flavors. The minis are one bite each, so every taster needs their own mini of every flavor. For a bigger group, order full size pops and cut each one into quarters with a sharp knife. One full size pop is rich enough to satisfy like a whole slice, so a quarter is a perfect tasting bite.
| Who is playing | What to order | You taste | Price |
|---|---|---|---|
| Date night for two | 12 minis, two each of 6 flavors | 6 flavors | $25 |
| A family of three | 18 minis, three each of 6 flavors | 6 flavors | $40 |
| The all 18 challenge, one brave taster | 18 minis, one of every flavor | All 18 flavors | $40 |
| A crowd of four | 6 full size pops, each cut into quarters | 6 flavors | $35.70 |
| A crowd of eight | 12 full size pops, two each of 6 flavors, cut into quarters | 6 flavors | $71.40 |
Minis ship for a flat $5.95, $9.95 or $14.95 for 6, 12 or 18. Full size pops are $5.95 each with a minimum order of 6, can be mixed flavors.
Is there a free printable taste test scorecard?
Yes, and here it is. It is two pages. Page one is the scorecard, so print one for every taster. Page two is the host's answer key, with a Golden Stick award at the bottom for the winner to hang on the fridge.
| Pop | My guess | Circle the family | Yum score |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Pie · Cookie · Chocolate · Original · Fruity | 1 2 3 4 5 | |
| 2 | Pie · Cookie · Chocolate · Original · Fruity | 1 2 3 4 5 | |
| 3 | Pie · Cookie · Chocolate · Original · Fruity | 1 2 3 4 5 | |
| 4 | Pie · Cookie · Chocolate · Original · Fruity | 1 2 3 4 5 | |
| 5 | Pie · Cookie · Chocolate · Original · Fruity | 1 2 3 4 5 | |
| 6 | Pie · Cookie · Chocolate · Original · Fruity | 1 2 3 4 5 |
Host eyes only: one clue for every flavor
- Banana Crème Pie. Vanilla wafers and a dash of cinnamon on the outside. A cream pie from the diner case.
- Cheesecake. Dense, creamy and a little tangy, with spiced graham crumbs.
- Key Lime Pie. Tart green citrus with a graham crust. Think Florida.
- Chocolate Chip Cookie. Brown sugar and tiny chips. The first cookie you ever baked.
- Lemon Sugar Cookie. Sweet, then tart, with sparkling sugar on the outside.
- Cookies and Cream. Black and white, and you will want a glass of milk with it.
- Snickerdoodle. Cinnamon sugar with a little tang. The name is fun to say.
- Chocolate Hazelnut Coffee. Smells like the coffee shop. There is a roasted nut in here too.
- Chocolate Mint. Cool and dark, like the little chocolate that comes with the check.
- Chocolate Peanut Butter. Salty, nutty and chocolatey. A lunchbox favorite, all grown up.
- Dark Chocolate Raspberry. Dark and romantic, with a ripe red berry.
- Birthday Cake. Sprinkles! You have blown out candles over this one.
- English Toffee. Buttery and crunchy. A candy from across the pond.
- S'mores. Toasted marshmallow and graham. No campfire needed.
- Salted Caramel. Sweet, salty and buttery, like a golden Southern cake.
- Blueberry Lemon Cobbler. A summer berry and a citrus, with a crumble on top.
- Raspberry Lemonade. Pink, tangy, and sold at a stand on a hot day.
- Strawberry Shortcake. A red summer berry with shortbread crumble.
What drinks go with cake pops?
A sip between bites keeps your taste buds honest, so you may as well pour something good. Here is what I would set out. One cozy pour for everybody and one for the grown-ups.
| Flavor | Cozy pour | Grown-up pour |
|---|---|---|
| Banana Crème PiePie-inspired | Cold milk | Moscato |
| CheesecakePie-inspired | Black coffee | Sparkling rosé |
| Key Lime PiePie-inspired | Sparkling water with lime | Prosecco |
| Chocolate Chip CookieCookie classic | Cold milk | Irish cream over ice |
| Lemon Sugar CookieCookie classic | Hot Earl Grey tea | Moscato |
| Cookies and CreamCookie classic | Cold milk, of course | Coffee with Irish cream |
| SnickerdoodleCookie classic | Hot apple cider | Cider with spiced rum |
| Chocolate Hazelnut CoffeeChocolate lover | A latte | Amaretto |
| Chocolate MintChocolate lover | Hot cocoa | Cocoa with peppermint schnapps |
| Chocolate Peanut ButterChocolate lover | Cold milk | A dark stout |
| Dark Chocolate RaspberryChocolate lover | Black coffee | Cabernet |
| Birthday CakeGourmet original | Pink lemonade | Champagne |
| English ToffeeGourmet original | Black tea with milk | Tawny port |
| S'moresGourmet original | Hot cocoa | Coffee with Irish cream |
| Salted CaramelGourmet original | Coffee with cream | Bourbon, neat |
| Blueberry Lemon CobblerBright and fruity | Iced tea | Riesling |
| Raspberry LemonadeBright and fruity | Sparkling water | Prosecco |
| Strawberry ShortcakeBright and fruity | Vanilla tea | Brut rosé |
Our fall seasonal, the Caramel Apple Crunch Pop, loves a mug of hot apple cider.
When should we play it?
Any time people you love are stuck in one room with nothing to do but talk. Here are six of my favorites this season.
Friendsgiving
Bring the flight in place of a pie. You get the dessert and the entertainment out of one little box.
Thanksgiving, kids against grown-ups
Play it after the dishes and before the football. My money is on the kids.
A new Christmas Eve tradition
Pajamas on, cocoa poured, six pops on the table. Save the Golden Stick award and bring it back next year.
New Year's Eve at home
Date night for two, a little something bubbly, and twelve minis. Loser does the midnight toast.
The office party, or the remote team
Send every teammate the same sample pack and taste pop number 1 together on the call. More ideas in my guide to dessert for corporate events.
A gift you can play
Mail a flight to someone far away and send them this page. It is a present and a plan for the evening.
I bake every order fresh and ship on Mondays and Tuesdays. The pops keep about 10 days in the fridge, so order a week ahead and you are set. The exact dates for each holiday are in my holiday ordering guide.
I dare you to name all 18
Six is a game. Eighteen is a dare. Order the pack with every flavor, take them one bite at a time, and see how far you get before the lemons trip you up.
Then show me! Post your scorecard and tag @missconfectionstore on Instagram or TikTok. I want to see who earns the Golden Stick.
#CakePopTasteOffReady to play???
Buy a sample pack of mini pops to taste! Mix and match, minimum 6 up to 18.
And when the game is over and everybody is arguing about which flavor should be next, go build it. My Flavor Lab lets you invent flavor number 19. Happy popping!
Quick answers
What is a cake pop flight?
A cake pop flight is a set of mini cake pops in different flavors that you taste side by side, the way you would taste a flight of wine or coffee. Miss Confection sells flights as sample packs of 6, 12 or 18 one bite mini pops.
How do you host a blind taste test party?
Pick a host, number six pops from 1 to 6, and have tasters close their eyes. Everyone takes one bite, writes down a guess and gives the pop a score from 1 to 5. The host reveals the answers at the end and the highest score wins.
How many cake pops do I need for a taste test party?
Multiply tasters by flavors. Two people tasting 6 flavors need 12 mini pops. Three people tasting 6 flavors need 18. For four or more, order full size pops and cut each one into quarters.
How much does a cake pop tasting party cost?
Mini sample packs are $15 for 6, $25 for 12 and $40 for 18, which covers all 18 flavors. Shipping for minis is a flat $5.95, $9.95 or $14.95.
Is there a free printable taste test scorecard?
Yes. The Great Cake Pop Taste-Off scorecard is a free two page PDF with a scorecard for each taster, a host answer key and a Golden Stick award. Print one scorecard for each person.
How is the taste test scored?
Naming the exact flavor is worth 3 points. Naming only the right family, such as pie, cookie or chocolate, is worth 1 point. Asking the host for a clue costs 1 point. A perfect six pop round is 18 points.
Is a blind taste test safe for people with food allergies?
Ask about allergies before anyone tastes blind. Miss Confection pops are made in a kitchen that handles wheat, eggs, milk, soy, peanuts and tree nuts, so no pop can be promised free of a specific allergen.
Can a remote team play a taste test over video?
Yes. Send each teammate the same sample pack, have one person host on the call, and taste pop number 1 together. Orders ship on Mondays and Tuesdays, and orders of 50 pops or more need 7 days of lead time.
What drinks go with cake pops?
Cold milk suits the cookie flavors, coffee suits cheesecake and dark chocolate, and hot cider suits Snickerdoodle. For grown-ups, try Prosecco with Key Lime Pie, Cabernet with Dark Chocolate Raspberry and bourbon with Salted Caramel.
How long do the pops keep before the party?
Put the pops in the fridge when the box arrives and enjoy them within about 10 days. Let them sit out about 15 minutes before the game.
More from the kitchen
The Little Book of Sweet Moments
How many to order, which flavors to pick and when to order, for weddings, showers, birthdays and the office. No email needed.
Download the free guide →Ready when you are
18 gourmet flavors · mini sample packs from $15 · full size pops $5.95 each · minimum 6, mix them all
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