Preheat the oven to 350 degrees F and spray a 9 inch round or square baking pan with non-stick cooking spray.

In a large mixing bowl, whisk together the flour, sugar, cocoa powder, baking soda and salt until combined.

Stir in the melted butter and eggs, one at a time, until combined.  Then mix in the vanilla extract until combined.

Reduce the mixer speed to low and add in the buttermilk and hot water.

Pour the batter into the prepared pan and bake for 25-27 minutes until a toothpick inserted into the center of the cake comes out clean.

Allow the cake to cool completely at room temperature.

Place the butter in a mixing bowl and beat on medium high speed for 2-3 minutes until light and fluffy.

Reduce the speed of the mixture to low and add in the confectioner’s sugar, cocoa powder, vanilla extract and salt. Mix until well combined.

Add in the heavy cream, 1 tablespoon, at a time, until the frosting is a good consistency. You may or may not use all the heavy cream.  Once all the ingredients are well combined, beat for 3-4 minutes until creamy.

Remove the cake from the pan.  Remove the outside layer from the cake and throw it away.  Crumble up the remaining cake into a large bowl.

Add the frosting to your crumbled cake and stir everything together until well combined.

Shape mixture into about 24-36 cake balls (depending on their size) and place on a lined cookie sheet. I used a cookie scoop to ensure that each one is approximately the same size.

Put the chocolate candy melts in a small microwave safe bowl and microwave for 30 seconds, then stir.  Then continue to heat in 30 second intervals stirring between each one until the candy melts are fully melted and creamy.

Dip each cake pop stick into the melted candy and then place them into the cake balls about halfway into the balls.  Then place in the freezer for 10-15 minutes (do not freeze for longer than 15 minutes).

After the cake pops have been chilled, dip each cake pop into the melted candy melts (you may need to re-melt it if it has solidified some).  Make sure that the candy covers the cake pop completely.  Allow the excess melted candy to drip off back into the bowl.

Then place the stick of cake pops in a block of styrofoam while the candy dries and solidifies. Add the sprinkles immediately before the candy dries.

Continue until all the cake pops have been covered.  Once all the cake pops are dry, they are ready to serve and enjoy!