Cake pops are a preferable alternative to birthday cakes, whose constant accompaniment by off-key singing has depleted the planet’s finite supply of forced smiles. Garner genuine grins with today’s Groupon from Cake Pop Ladies. Choose between the following options:

• For $30, you get a gift box of one dozen classic cake pops (a $60 value), with free delivery to Minneapolis and St. Paul. A delivery charge of $15 will apply for all other locations.
• For $25, you get $50 worth of custom cake pops. A minimum order of $50 is required. Delivery charges ($15 to Minneapolis or St. Paul; $30 for all other locations) are not included with this Groupon.<p>

Betsey and Katie, the dynamic duo collectively known as the Cake Pop Ladies, accent their tasty cake confections with a convenient handle. Betsey and Katie can decorate each custom order to individual specifications—including a choice of cake, frosting, coating, and design—and can craft such confectionery creations as bee-shaped pops, a menagerie of barnyard animals, and miniature wedding cakes guaranteed to leave guests smiling, unlike the traditional matrimonial séance. Although every order is different, custom cake pops start at $3 each, and can be housed in an optional display ($12+, not included).

Alternatively, the whimsical cakesmiths can forge a dozen of the diminutive delights and house them in a decorative gift box or miniature HazMat suit. Sweet-seekers leave the design of the pops to the professionals, but can select a flavor from eight different options, including chocolate, red velvet, and vanilla; a frosting such as vanilla or cream cheese; and a choice of vanilla, chocolate, peanut butter, or laminate coatings. Or opt for one of the Cake Pop Ladies’ classic combinations, including cookies and cream—which unites chocolate cake with vanilla frosting, chocolate coating, and a generous dusting of crushed oreos—or pumpkin, which pairs jack-o’-lantern-flavored cake with a vanilla coating and orange pumpkin swirl.