Cake pops are delightful bite-sized desserts that are perfect for satisfying your sweet tooth or impressing guests at any event. Inspired by Starbucksโ famous cake pops, this recipe will teach you how to recreate them at home with ease. These cake pops are moist, flavorful, and covered in a luscious coating, making them just as delicious as the ones from your favorite coffee shop.
Why Youโll Love This Recipe
- Perfect for Parties: These bite-sized treats are fun, portable, and always a hit at gatherings.
- Customizable: You can experiment with different flavors, colors, and decorations to suit any occasion.
- Simple Ingredients: Made with pantry staples, you donโt need anything fancy to make these cake pops.
- Cost-Effective: Enjoy the same indulgence as Starbucksโ cake pops at a fraction of the price.
Ingredients
(Tip: Youโll find the full list of ingredients and measurements in the recipe card below.)
- Prepared cake (any flavor of your choice, such as vanilla, chocolate, or red velvet)
- Frosting (store-bought or homemade)
- Candy melts (choose your favorite colors for the coating)
- Lollipop sticks
- Sprinkles (optional, for decoration)
Directions
- Prepare the Cake Base
Crumble the prepared cake into fine crumbs in a large bowl. - Mix with Frosting
Add a small amount of frosting to the crumbs and mix until the mixture holds together but is not too sticky. Adjust frosting quantity as needed. - Shape the Cake Balls
Roll the mixture into small balls, about 1โ1.5 inches in diameter. Place them on a baking sheet lined with parchment paper. - Insert the Sticks
Dip the end of each lollipop stick into melted candy melts, then insert it halfway into a cake ball. This helps secure the stick. - Chill the Cake Pops
Refrigerate the cake pops for about 30 minutes or until firm. - Coat the Cake Pops
Melt the candy melts according to the package instructions. Dip each cake pop into the melted coating, ensuring itโs fully covered. Gently tap off the excess coating. - Decorate
While the coating is still wet, add sprinkles or other decorations if desired. - Set and Serve
Place the coated cake pops upright in a styrofoam block or cake pop stand. Let them set until the coating hardens completely.
Servings and Timing
- Servings: This recipe yields approximately 12โ15 cake pops.
- Prep Time: 30 minutes
- Chill Time: 30 minutes
- Total Time: 1 hour
Variations
- Flavor Options: Use funfetti cake for a festive look or a rich chocolate cake for a decadent treat.
- Frosting Choices: Match your frosting flavor to your cake, like cream cheese frosting for red velvet or peanut butter frosting for chocolate cake.
- Themed Colors: Customize the candy melt colors for holidays, birthdays, or special events.
- Stuffed Cake Pops: Add a surprise filling like Nutella or caramel in the center of each cake ball.
Storage/Reheating
- Storage: Store cake pops in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 3 days. For longer storage, refrigerate them for up to a week.
- Freezing: Freeze uncoated cake balls for up to 2 months. Thaw in the refrigerator before coating.
- Reheating: Cake pops are best enjoyed fresh; if needed, let refrigerated cake pops sit at room temperature for a few minutes before serving.
FAQs
1. Can I use a box cake mix for this recipe?
Yes, a box cake mix works perfectly and saves time!
2. How do I prevent my cake pops from cracking?
Ensure the cake balls and candy coating are at similar temperatures before dipping to avoid cracking.
3. What can I use instead of candy melts?
You can use melted chocolate chips with a bit of coconut oil for a smooth coating.
4. Can I make these without lollipop sticks?
Absolutely! Skip the sticks and serve them as cake truffles.
5. Why are my cake pops falling off the stick?
Make sure not to use too much frosting, and chill the cake pops before dipping.
6. How can I color white candy melts?
Use oil-based food coloring for the best results, as water-based coloring can cause the candy melts to seize.
7. Are cake pops gluten-free?
They can be if you use a gluten-free cake and frosting.
8. Can I make vegan cake pops?
Yes, use vegan cake, frosting, and dairy-free candy melts to make them vegan-friendly.
9. Whatโs the best way to display cake pops?
Use a styrofoam block, a cake pop stand, or decorative containers filled with rice or beans to keep them upright.
10. How long do cake pops take to set?
The coating typically hardens within 10โ15 minutes at room temperature or faster in the refrigerator.
Conclusion
Starbucks cake pops are no longer just a coffee shop indulgence! With this simple recipe, you can make these delightful treats right in your own kitchen. Whether for a party, a gift, or just a fun baking project, these customizable cake pops are sure to impress. Enjoy the satisfaction of creating a dessert thatโs as beautiful as it is delicious!
Print
Starbucks Cake Pops Recipe
- Prep Time: 30 minutes
- Cook Time: 30 minutes
- Total Time: 1 hour
- Yield: This recipe yields approximately 12โ15 cake pops.
- Category: Dessert
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
- Diet: Vegetarian
Description
These bite-sized treats feature moist vanilla cake blended with creamy frosting, coated in a pink candy shell, and adorned with white sprinklesโjust like the ones at Starbucks.
Ingredients
- For the Cake:
- 1 box vanilla cake mix (plus ingredients as per package instructions)
- For the Frosting:
- 1/4 cup vanilla frosting
- For the Coating:
- 12 oz pink candy melts
- 1โ2 teaspoons vegetable oil (to thin the coating, if necessary)
- White sprinkles
- Additional Supplies:
- 24-36 lollipop sticks
- Styrofoam block or a box to hold the cake pops upright while drying
Instructions
- Prepare the Cake:
- Preheat your oven and bake the vanilla cake according to the package instructions.
- Allow the cake to cool completely.
- Once cooled, remove the outer brown layer of the cake and discard it.
- Crumble the remaining cake into fine crumbs using your hands or a food processor.
- Make the Cake Balls:
- In a large bowl, combine the cake crumbs with 1/4 cup of vanilla frosting.
- Mix until the mixture holds together when pressed.
- Using a cookie scoop or your hands, form the mixture into 1-inch balls.
- Place the cake balls on a baking sheet lined with parchment paper.
- Insert the Sticks:
- Melt a small amount of the pink candy melts in the microwave until smooth.
- Dip the tip of each lollipop stick into the melted candy and insert it halfway into each cake ball.
- This helps secure the stick to the cake ball.
- Freeze the cake pops for about 15 minutes to firm them up.
- Coat the Cake Pops:
- Melt the remaining pink candy melts in a microwave-safe bowl, stirring every 30 seconds until smooth.
- If the coating is too thick, stir in 1โ2 teaspoons of vegetable oil to achieve a smoother consistency.
- Dip each cake pop into the melted candy, ensuring it is fully coated.
- Gently tap off any excess coating.
- Immediately sprinkle the top with white sprinkles before the coating sets.
- Dry and Serve:
- Insert the cake pops upright into a Styrofoam block or a prepared box to allow the coating to set completely.
- Once set, your cake pops are ready to enjoy!
Notes
- Storage:ย Store the cake pops in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 3 days.
- Customization:ย Feel free to experiment with different cake and frosting flavors, as well as various candy melt colors and sprinkles, to suit different occasions.
Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *