I will be attempteing cake pops for the first time this week. I saw the recent tutorial posted on here and that was great! I am wondering how much actual cake will I need for 40 pops? I baked a 12 in round....will that be enough?

Yes, that should be more than enough.
I can get at least four dozen from a 9-13 ( single box mix) when I make them.
I use a level tablespoon for each 'ball'.


mommachris

The cookie scoop works wonderfully-makes them all the same size.
1 box of cake mix is all you need.
Happy Baking and Decorating,
Chef Angie

How much icing do you think I'll need?

I use no more than 1/2 a tub of teh storebought icing. Too much makes it too mushy.

I weigh my cake crumbs, and use about 1/3 that weight in frosting. But it all depends on how moist your cake is, and how liquidy your frosting is. Agree that mushy is not good! Not only for taste, but they can slide off the sticks.

I actually don't use icing..found that liquid coffee creamer (which comes in so many flavors) is a good binder. That and about two tablespoons of powdered sugar and some 'add-ins' like mini chocolate chips, heath bits, nuts, etc.)
I'll use just under two tablespoons for creamer per 2 cups of crumbled cake. It's usually about 5-6 tablespoons per box, but I always measure the crumbs since the cake boxes have been getting smaller lately.


mommachris