Kiki: [Gasps after opening the box to discover a chocolate cake inside with her name and depiction on it.] "I don't get it."
Lady: "Would you please bring this to a young delivery girl? She was kind to me and a very big help. It's my way of saying thank you. Ah, yes, and can you find out when her next birthday is? Then I can bake her another one."
[Kiki is silent as she looks at the cake. She begins to cry.]
Lady: "Kiki?"
Kiki: [Turns to the woman, wipes away her tears, and smiles.] "Of course I will! And maybe the young girl will want to know the lady's birthday because she'll be able to give her a present to repay her!"
Lady: "You've got a deal." [They laugh together.]
–"Kiki's Delivery Service", Studio Ghibli, 1989
At this point in the movie (spoilers!) Kiki has lost her ability to fly and is struggling with thoughts of her future as a witch. The unexpected gift serves as fodder to melt away Kiki's insecurities and worries about the future and the life and vocation she has chosen. The special homemade cake is evidence that Kiki is appreciated and loved.
Note: Ghibli's "Kiki's Delivery Service" is based on a novel series by Japanese author Eiko Kadono. Only the first book made it into English and sadly it's now out of print. A chocolate cake doesn't appear in that book, but it might later on in the Kiki series. I included the book in the photo directly below though just to show that there is a book. If you'd like to learn more about the book (and the food in it) please read my review post here. And just FYI, a live-action adaptation of the novels was released in Japanese theaters this spring. I sure hope it makes its way to the US (subtitled blu-ray, please)!
Kiki's Cake Cookie Pops
(Inspired by a creation in this video on Kawaii Kakkoii Sugoi)
Ingredients:
12 Round Chocolate Sandwich Cookies (preferably chocolate cream filled like chocolate Oreos)
1 Bag Dark Chocolate Chips
1/2 Cup White Chocolate
1/3 Cup Green Candy Melts
1/3 Cup Red Candy Melts
Canola Oil
Important Items:
Lollipop Sticks
3 Candy Decorating Bags or Sturdy Plastic Baggies
#1 Frosting Tip(s) (optional but makes the decorating easier)
3 Toothpicks
Styrofoam Block or Cake Pop Holder
Red Ribbon, 12 pieces cut 9" long.
Directions:
2. Dip each cookie into the melted chocolate until fully coated (pour the chocolate into a tall cup if your container is too shallow), letting the excess drip off into the container before sticking it upright in the styrofoam block or pop holder (tapping the wrist of the hand holding the stick helps the excess chocolate to fall off). Let the chocolate solidify before moving on to the next step.
4. Melt the red candy melts the same way you melted the previous chocolates, remembering to add a tiny amount of oil. Spoon the melted red into another decorating bag with a tiny tip (or baggie with snipped hole) & carefully pipe a red hair bow onto each cookie, using a clean toothpick to do the details if needed. (You can actually just use a toothpick for this part of you want, but the bag & tip can be more efficient.)
5. Melt the green candy melts same as the others (add oil) & spoon the melted mixture into another bag with tiny tip or snip. Carefully pipe a little green pine tree onto each cookie, quickly using a clean toothpick to make the three triangle shapes of the tree if needed. Lastly, near the bottom of each stick, tie a bow using the red ribbon & then slide the bow up to just under the cookie. Place the cookie pops into the styrofoam block or pop holder. Give as gifts or invite your friends over for a "Kiki" viewing party!
