Whoever thought of putting the cake on a stick deserves an award, and Starbucks Cake Pops are the crown jewel of this brilliant idea. These tiny treats never fail to improve my day; my kids love them just as much. It’s the perfect way to satisfy my sweet tooth while sipping our favorite coffee blend.
But now we’ve taken this treat from Starbucks menu to the next level by making our own Cake Pops at home! It’s become our family’s little hobby, and we love trying different flavors and designs. From pink birthday cake pop to chocolate cake pop, we have you covered.
The best part is that we can enjoy our homemade treats without spending money or leaving the house. It’s like having our own cake pop shop!! My kitchen is now a mini bakery, and I’m loving every minute of it.
Starbucks Cake Pops Copycat
Have you ever gotten a sudden craving for a cake pop from Starbucks and dropped everything to get one? The way these little cake balls melt in your mouth is really hard to resist. I don’t know about you, but I’d choose a cake pop over any of their fancy drinks any day!
So why wait in a long drive-thru line when you can make these delicious treats at home? Here is how to make cake pops like the ones at Starbucks. You don’t have to leave your house to satisfy your sweet tooth. All you need are a few simple ingredients and a few easy steps.
Now, I’ll let you in on a little secret: these homemade cake pops might be even better than the ones you can buy at Starbucks. Why? Because they are made with just the right amount of cake crumbs and powdered sugar to make a moist, delicious cake ball. And that’s not all—they’re then dipped in a rich, creamy white chocolate coating that takes their deliciousness to a whole new level.
Ingredients you’ll need
Classic cake mix box: You are free to use any brand or flavor of cake mix, but for the real Starbucks taste, try using a classic yellow cake mix.
Vanilla frosting: You can use frosting from the store if you want to save time, but making your own frosting gives you more control over how it tastes and feels. The best frosting for the Starbucks version is a simple vanilla frosting.
Cake pop sticks: Cake pop sticks are a must-have if you want to make cute, portable treats out of cake mix and frosting. You can find them online or in most craft stores. If you can’t find cake pop sticks, you can also use lollipop sticks.
Pink candy melts: Pink candy melts are small candy wafers in the shape of discs. They come in different colors and flavors. Pink candy melts are used to cover the outside of Starbucks’ cake pops. You can find them online or in stores that specialize in baking. There’s no need to worry if you can’t find pink candy melts. You can easily change your white chocolate chips to pink by adding food coloring to the mix. This way, you can get the same lovely color without much trouble.
White sprinkles: White sprinkles are small, lovely sugar crystals that give your cake pops a different texture and look. Starbucks’ sprinkles are white, but you can use any color or shape you want. Most grocery stores that sell baking supplies have them.
For Starbucks chocolate cake pops:
Chocolate candy melts: Instead of using pink candy melts to cover your cake pops, you’ll need chocolate candy melts. You can also get these in different flavors and colors, so pick your favorite.
Devil’s Food chocolate cake mix: You won’t be able to make the chocolate cake base for your cake pops with yellow cake mix. Instead, you’ll need Devil’s Food chocolate cake mix. The chocolate candy melts go well with the rich chocolate flavor of this cake mix.
Cake frosting: You’ll still need frosting to mix with the cake mix, but for the Devil’s Food chocolate cake mix, you’ll want to use chocolate frosting.
With these added ingredients, you can turn Starbucks cake pops into a delicious chocolate version that will satisfy any chocolate craving.
How to make Starbucks Cake Pops
Step 1: First, warm your oven according to the cake mix box instructions. Next, mix up the cake batter in a big bowl and bake it in the oven. Let the cake cool to room temperature when it’s done.
Step 2: Take it out of the pan and peel off the brown outer layer. Crumble the rest of the cake and crumbs into a large mixing bowl.
Step 3: Mix the crumbled cake with frosting and stir until everything is well-mixed.
Step 4: Make 25-35 cake balls, depending on how big you want them, and put them on a baking sheet that has been lined. Make sure each cookie is about the same size by using a cookie scoop.
Step 5: Melt the pink candy melts (or chocolate candy melts) for 30 seconds in a small bowl in the microwave, then stir. Keep heating it for 30 seconds at a time until it melts.
Step 6: Dip each of your cake pop sticks in the melted candy and then halfway into the cake balls. Place them in the freezer for around 10 to 12 minutes.
Step 7: After the cake pops have been in the freezer for at least 10-12 minutes, dip each one into the melted candy melts and make sure it is completely covered. Let the extra candy melt back into the bowl as it drips.
Step 8: Once the cake pops have been dipped, put them on a block of Styrofoam to hold them while the candy hardens. Add white sprinkles (or any other you like) to the candy immediately before it dries.
Step 9: The last step is to cover the cake pops with candy melts and let them dry completely. Then they are ready to eat and serve once they are completely dry.
Starbucks Cake Pops Tips
- Instead of using candy melts for the outside coating, try using white almond bark. Want a bit of color? Add some food coloring to the mix and start dipping!
- Make sure to break up the cake into small pieces to ensure your cake pops are smooth and tasty. No chunky parts allowed!
- To make uniform cake pop balls, use a cookie scoop to save time and trouble. We’re sure your guests will appreciate the aesthetics.
- Don’t be tempted to use the dry outer surface of the cake because it will make your cake pops fall apart. For best results, simply throw it and use the moist center.
- Don’t swirl your cake pops in the melted candy. Instead, go straight down for better coverage. Using a tall glass will make dipping even easier.
- Want the sprinkles to stay? Make sure to add them before the coating hardens. No one wants a sad cake pop that’s missing sprinkles.
- If you put your cake pops in the freezer to harden them, don’t leave them there for more than 15 minutes. Otherwise, your coating will harden too fast and your sprinkles will fall off.
- Want to make your presentation look even fancier? Instead of using Styrofoam, get a cake pop stand from your local craft store. The display will amaze your guests.
Can I Make Cake Pops Ahead of Time?
You can absolutely make cake pops ahead of time. The key is to make the cake and roll it into balls, then put them in the fridge for up to a month. When you’re ready to decorate, just remove them from the refrigerator and start working. That’s all there is to it.
These cake pops can be made ahead of time and are a hit with kids. In fact, the Starbucks Birthday Cake Pops and Chocolate Cake Pops are two of my kids’ favorites. So the next time you have a birthday (or really any event), you can relax knowing you already have some delicious cake pops ready to go.
Starbucks Cake Pops Copycat Recipe
Get ready to satisfy your sweet tooth with the Copycat recipe for Starbucks Cake Pops, the best dessert on a stick. These little bites of heaven are easy to make and can be modified to fit your tastes. There is a flavor for everyone, from classic vanilla to rich chocolate and everything in between.
Ingredients
- 1 box of classic yellow cake mix (for chocolate cake pops, use Devil’s Food chocolate cake mix)
- 3 Tbsp of pre-made Vanilla Frosting (for chocolate cake pops, use chocolate frosting)
- 25-35 Cake Pop Sticks or Lollipop Sticks
- 12 oz of Pink Candy Melts (for chocolate cake pops, use Chocolate candy melts)
- White Sprinkles
Instructions
Bake and Cool:
- Start by making a tasty cake by following the directions on the box.
- Let the cake cool at room temperature when it’s done.
Crumble and Mix:
- Take the cake out of the pan and peel off the brown layer on the outside. It’s not needed, so get rid of it and move on to the good stuff!
- Crumble the rest of the cake into a large bowl, and add the frosting. Mix everything together until it’s well mixed and oh-so-yummy.
Shape and Cool:
- Next, make small balls out of your cake mix. You can make anywhere from 25 to 35 cake balls, which are great for sharing.
- Put your cake balls on a lined cookie sheet and place them in the freezer for 10-12 minutes. This will allow them to maintain their shape when you dip them into the candy.
Dip and Decorate:
- Melt the pink candy melts in a microwave-safe bowl, stirring every 30 seconds until they’re all melted and creamy.
- Take your cake balls out of the freezer and dip each cake pop stick halfway into the melted candy. Then put them back in the freezer for 10-12 minutes.
- After the cake pops have been in the freezer for a while, dip each one into the melted candy melts and make sure it is completely covered. Let the extra candy fall back into the bowl.
- Place each cake pop stick in a block of Styrofoam to let the candy dry and harden. Add sprinkles right away before the candy dries.
- Once all the cake pops are covered in candy and sprinkles, they are ready to serve.
Listen up, cake lovers! If you’ve nailed this Starbucks Copycat cake pop, don’t keep it to yourself. Share the image below on your Pinterest board and invite your friends to join in the fun. Sharing is caring, and in this case, it’s also delicious! 🙂
