# Cool Baker - toy "bakes" in refrigerator. **URL:** \ **Category:** Cafe Society\ **Created:** [November 17, 2014, 9:22pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/cool-baker-toy-bakes-in-refrigerator/704897 "2014-11-17T21:22:01Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 18\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![TruCelt](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/trucelt/32/523_2.png) [@TruCelt](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/TruCelt)\ **Post date:** [November 17, 2014, 9:22pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/cool-baker-toy-bakes-in-refrigerator/704897/1 "2014-11-17T21:22:01Z")
[http://www.umagineactivities.com/en/brands/cool-baker-cake-pops](http://www.umagineactivities.com/en/brands/cool-baker-cake-pops) How on Earth does this thing work? The commercial shows the batter actually rising in the refrigerator. Too bizarre. I could understand if you just whipped it up and it set up in the fridge (e.g. gelatin, or corn starch), or even if it rose right away after mixing (acid plus baking soda). But what would sit there as batter and then rise as it chills? ---
**Author:** ![Smapti](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/smapti/32/17938_2.png) [@Smapti](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Smapti)\ **Post date:** [November 17, 2014, 9:30pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/cool-baker-toy-bakes-in-refrigerator/704897/2 "2014-11-17T21:30:45Z")
[Judging from the reviews on Amazon](http://www.amazon.com/Cool-Baker-Cake-Pop-Maker/product-reviews/B008BRLZ44), the answer to “How does it work?” is “Not very well”. [Here’s a photo of the ingredients list.](http://cdn.agilitycms.com/naturally-savvy/Images/Articles/cake-pop.jpg) Just a guess, but I’m thinking it works on a similar mechanism to the “1-2-3” Jello mix they made back in the '90s that separated into regular jello and a foamy topping while it cooled. ---
**Author:** ![Skywatcher](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/skywatcher/32/254_2.png) [@Skywatcher](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Skywatcher)\ **Post date:** [November 17, 2014, 9:54pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/cool-baker-toy-bakes-in-refrigerator/704897/3 "2014-11-17T21:54:39Z")
Yeesh. Hell with that contraption, any kid wanting to make a no-bake dessert should try [eskimo cookies](http://allrecipes.com/recipe/eskimo-cookies/). ---
**Author:** ![JKilez](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/j/e5b9ba/32.png) [@JKilez](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/JKilez)\ **Post date:** [November 17, 2014, 10:09pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/cool-baker-toy-bakes-in-refrigerator/704897/4 "2014-11-17T22:09:11Z")
> [@TruCelt](#): > > But what would sit there as batter and then rise as it chills? Sodium bicarbonate + gelatin. ---
**Author:** ![johnpost](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/j/f17d59/32.png) [@johnpost](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/johnpost)\ **Post date:** [November 17, 2014, 11:43pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/cool-baker-toy-bakes-in-refrigerator/704897/5 "2014-11-17T23:43:13Z")
chemical and biological activity still happens in the frig. some dough rising is better done there. ---
**Author:** ![TruCelt](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/trucelt/32/523_2.png) [@TruCelt](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/TruCelt)\ **Post date:** [November 18, 2014, 11:56am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/cool-baker-toy-bakes-in-refrigerator/704897/6 "2014-11-18T11:56:32Z")
> [@Smapti](#): > > [Judging from the reviews on Amazon](http://www.amazon.com/Cool-Baker-Cake-Pop-Maker/product-reviews/B008BRLZ44), the answer to “How does it work?” is “Not very well”. > > [Here’s a photo of the ingredients list.](http://cdn.agilitycms.com/naturally-savvy/Images/Articles/cake-pop.jpg) Just a guess, but I’m thinking it works on a similar mechanism to the “1-2-3” Jello mix they made back in the '90s that separated into regular jello and a foamy topping while it cooled. “shellac” ?!? :eek: In food? :mad: Thank you all very much for your answers. ---
**Author:** ![psychonaut](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/psychonaut/32/4655_2.png) [@psychonaut](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/psychonaut)\ **Post date:** [November 18, 2014, 1:32pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/cool-baker-toy-bakes-in-refrigerator/704897/7 "2014-11-18T13:32:04Z")
> [@TruCelt](#): > > “shellac” ?!? :eek: In food? :mad: You’ve never had Milk Duds, Raisinettes, Junior Mints, or any of dozens of other candies? As a general rule, if it’s got a shiny coating, it’s got shellac in it. ---
**Author:** ![TruCelt](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/trucelt/32/523_2.png) [@TruCelt](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/TruCelt)\ **Post date:** [November 18, 2014, 3:31pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/cool-baker-toy-bakes-in-refrigerator/704897/8 "2014-11-18T15:31:11Z")
> [@psychonaut](#): > > You’ve never had Milk Duds, Raisinettes, Junior Mints, or any of dozens of other candies? As a general rule, if it’s got a shiny coating, it’s got shellac in it. Well, I won’t _again_. Blech! ---
**Author:** ![Chronos](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/chronos/32/134_2.png) [@Chronos](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Chronos)\ **Post date:** [November 18, 2014, 5:49pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/cool-baker-toy-bakes-in-refrigerator/704897/9 "2014-11-18T17:49:20Z")
Should we tell her what shellac is made from? ---
**Author:** ![psychonaut](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/psychonaut/32/4655_2.png) [@psychonaut](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/psychonaut)\ **Post date:** [November 18, 2014, 6:04pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/cool-baker-toy-bakes-in-refrigerator/704897/10 "2014-11-18T18:04:41Z")
Let’s just say that it’s “all-natural”. ---
**Author:** ![Drunky\_Smurf](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/drunky_smurf/32/449_2.png) [@Drunky\_Smurf](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Drunky_Smurf)\ **Post date:** [November 18, 2014, 6:50pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/cool-baker-toy-bakes-in-refrigerator/704897/11 "2014-11-18T18:50:15Z")
Shellac: > [@](#): > > Shellac is a resin secreted by the female lac bug, on trees in the forests of India and Thailand. It is processed and sold as dry flakes (pictured at right) and dissolved in ethanol to make liquid shellac, which is used as a brush-on colorant, food glaze and **wood finish**. Personally I think wood finish adds that extra specialness to candy. ---
**Author:** ![Son\_of\_a\_Rich](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/son_of_a_rich/32/5439_2.png) [@Son\_of\_a\_Rich](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Son_of_a_Rich)\ **Post date:** [November 18, 2014, 7:35pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/cool-baker-toy-bakes-in-refrigerator/704897/12 "2014-11-18T19:35:15Z")
> [@Drunky\_Smurf](#): > > Shellac: > > Personally I think wood finish adds that extra specialness to candy. Now I want some Junior Mints. ---
**Author:** ![Skywatcher](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/skywatcher/32/254_2.png) [@Skywatcher](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Skywatcher)\ **Post date:** [November 18, 2014, 7:43pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/cool-baker-toy-bakes-in-refrigerator/704897/13 "2014-11-18T19:43:24Z")
> [@TruCelt](#): > > Well, I won’t _again_. Blech! You’re not on any [time-released medication](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Pharmaceutical_glaze), are you? ---
**Author:** ![TruCelt](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/trucelt/32/523_2.png) [@TruCelt](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/TruCelt)\ **Post date:** [November 18, 2014, 9:08pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/cool-baker-toy-bakes-in-refrigerator/704897/14 "2014-11-18T21:08:28Z")
> [@Chronos](#): > > Should we tell her what shellac is made from? I come here to have my ignorance fought and defeated. Damn the consequences. 😉 > [@psychonaut](#): > > Let’s just say that it’s “all-natural”. You are talking to someone who hasn’t eaten Jello in more than a decade. ETA: Drunky Smurf: Thank you. And, EWWWWWWW!!! ---
**Author:** ![purplehorseshoe](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/purplehorseshoe/32/2996_2.png) [@purplehorseshoe](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/purplehorseshoe)\ **Post date:** [November 18, 2014, 10:10pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/cool-baker-toy-bakes-in-refrigerator/704897/15 "2014-11-18T22:10:51Z")
Shellac is used TO MAKE wood finish. That’s not the same as saying “Junior Mints ARE coated in wood finish.” It’d be like giving someone a spoonful of flour and telling them it’s a slice of cake. ---
**Author:** ![Aquadementia](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/aquadementia/32/555_2.png) [@Aquadementia](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Aquadementia)\ **Post date:** [November 18, 2014, 10:22pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/cool-baker-toy-bakes-in-refrigerator/704897/16 "2014-11-18T22:22:39Z")
> [@Drunky\_Smurf](#): > > Shellac: > > Personally I think wood finish adds that extra specialness to candy. Gross! I’ll stick to honey. ---
**Author:** ![G0sp3l](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/g/c68b51/32.png) [@G0sp3l](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/G0sp3l)\ **Post date:** [November 19, 2014, 12:29am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/cool-baker-toy-bakes-in-refrigerator/704897/17 "2014-11-19T00:29:13Z")
> [@Aquadementia](#): > > Gross! I’ll stick to honey. eeeeewwwwww!!! Do you know what honey is made from? 😃 ---
**Author:** ![johnpost](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/j/f17d59/32.png) [@johnpost](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/johnpost)\ **Post date:** [November 19, 2014, 2:01am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/cool-baker-toy-bakes-in-refrigerator/704897/18 "2014-11-19T02:01:53Z")
> [@purplehorseshoe](#): > > Shellac is used TO MAKE wood finish. That’s not the same as saying “Junior Mints ARE coated in wood finish.” It’d be like giving someone a spoonful of flour and telling them it’s a slice of cake. if you gave me a slice of cake, i would finish it.