Homemade Starbucks Copycat Cake Pops Recipe: Sweet Bliss on a Stick

Sweet memories of childhood birthdays collide with starbucks copycat cake pops in this delightful recipe that brings bakery magic straight to your kitchen.

Soft crumbles of moist cake blend perfectly with creamy frosting for an irresistible treat.

Professional pastry chefs might charge big bucks for these delectable bites, but now you can craft them effortlessly at home.

Each compact morsel delivers pure sugary bliss with minimal effort and maximum satisfaction.

Colorful sprinkles and smooth chocolate coating make these cake pops a visual feast that sparks joy.

Kids and adults alike will adore these miniature desserts that promise pure happiness in every single bite.

Grab your mixing bowl and let’s create something spectacular that will become an instant favorite.

FAQs

• How do I get the cake mixture to stick together properly?

Mix the crumbled cake with frosting until it reaches a play-dough-like consistency that holds its shape when rolled into balls. Too little frosting will make the balls crumbly, while too much will make them too soft.

• Why do I need to freeze the cake balls before dipping?

Freezing helps the cake balls stay firm and prevents them from falling apart when dipped in melted chocolate. It also ensures a smoother chocolate coating and helps the cake pops maintain their shape.

• What's the best way to prevent cake balls from falling off the stick?

Insert the stick about halfway into the cake ball, and make sure the ball is compact and chilled. Dip the stick tip in melted chocolate before inserting it into the cake ball to create a secure bond.

• How can I avoid air bubbles or uneven coating when dipping?

Tap the cake pop gently on the side of the bowl after dipping to remove excess chocolate and ensure a smooth, even coating. Work quickly and keep the chocolate at the right temperature for the best results.

Cake Pops That Feel Just Like Starbucks

• Whip Up a Kid-Friendly Treat: Easy-to-make cake pops that children can help prepare, turning baking into a fun family activity.
• Customize Your Dessert: Versatile recipe allows endless decoration options with different sprinkles, colors, and chocolate coatings to match any theme or celebration.
• Master Bakery-Style Desserts at Home: Recreate a popular coffee shop favorite without professional baking skills, saving money and impressing friends with homemade gourmet treats.
• Quick Party Showstopper: Portable, bite-sized desserts perfect for birthdays, holidays, school events, or potlucks that look professionally made with minimal effort.

Cake Pops (Starbucks Copycat) Ingredient List

• Vanilla Cake Mix: Provides the soft, sweet foundation.
• Vanilla Frosting: Helps bind the cake crumbs together.

• White Chocolate Melts, Candy Melts: Creates smooth, sweet exterior.
• Sprinkles: Adds colorful, festive touch.

• Lollipop Sticks, Styrofoam Block: Enables cake pop structure and presentation.
• Parchment Paper: Prevents sticking during preparation.

Starbucks Cake Pops Copycat Baking Guide

Step 1: Bake the Vanilla Base

Whip up a delicious vanilla cake using a box mix in a 9×13 inch pan. Follow the package instructions carefully. Once baked, let the cake cool completely on a wire rack until it reaches room temperature.

Step 2: Transform Cake into Creamy Mixture

Gently crumble the cooled cake into a large mixing bowl. Break down the cake into fine, even crumbs. Mix in vanilla frosting until the mixture becomes a smooth, moldable consistency that holds together perfectly.

Step 3: Shape Delightful Cake Balls

Roll the cake and frosting mixture into small, uniform balls about the size of a golf ball. Place each ball carefully on a parchment-lined baking sheet. Ensure they are evenly shaped and compact.

Step 4: Prepare for Chilling

Insert lollipop sticks gently into the center of each cake ball. Make sure the sticks are secure but don’t push them all the way through. Transfer the baking sheet to the freezer and let the cake balls chill for approximately one hour until they become firm.

Step 5: Create the Chocolate Coating

Melt white chocolate or candy melts in a microwave-safe bowl. Heat in short intervals, stirring between each to prevent burning. Once completely smooth, prepare for dipping.

Step 6: Dip and Decorate

• Colorful jimmies
• Metallic sugar crystals
• Pastel sprinkles

Step 7: Let Them Set

Stand the decorated cake pops upright in a styrofoam block or specialized cake pop stand. Allow the chocolate to completely harden at room temperature. Avoid moving them too much during this process.

Cake Pop Tricks for a Copycat Starbucks Treat

• Prevent Crumbly Texture: Mix frosting gradually and adjust amount to achieve the perfect consistency that holds cake balls together without being too wet.
• Smooth Rolling Technique: Use clean, slightly damp hands to roll cake balls evenly and prevent sticking, ensuring uniform size and shape.
• Temperature Control: Keep cake balls chilled before and after dipping to maintain structural integrity and help chocolate coating set quickly and smoothly.
• Dipping Pro Tip: Tap excess chocolate gently off cake pop and rotate slowly to create a clean, even coating without drips or uneven surfaces.
• Sprinkle Strategy: Add decorative sprinkles immediately after dipping while chocolate is still wet to ensure they adhere perfectly and create a professional look.

Store Starbucks Copycat Cake Pops Without Drying Out

• Store cake pops in an airtight container layered with parchment paper for up to 5 days. Keep them chilled to maintain texture and prevent chocolate from melting.
• Wrap each cake pop individually in plastic wrap, then place in a freezer-safe container. Freeze for up to 2 months without losing quality or flavor.
• Remove frozen cake pops from freezer and let them sit at room temperature for 30-45 minutes. Unwrap carefully to prevent condensation from affecting chocolate coating.
• If slightly hardened, microwave cake pops for 5-10 seconds on low power to restore softness. Check temperature to avoid overheating chocolate shell.

Cake Pops Flavor Pairings

Sweeten the Sip: Pair these cake pops with a creamy vanilla latte that echoes the dessert’s vanilla notes, creating a harmonious flavor experience.

Bubbly Beverage Boost: Match the cake pops with a chilled sparkling rosé wine, whose light sweetness and effervescence complement the rich cake texture.

Flavor Fusion Partner: Serve alongside a cold brew coffee with a splash of caramel, which adds depth and contrasts the cake pop’s sugary sweetness.

Playful Palate Pleaser: Enjoy with a classic milk shake – preferably vanilla or strawberry – to enhance the dessert’s fun and nostalgic appeal.

Topping Ideas for Cake Pops

• Gluten-Free Friendly: Replace standard cake mix with gluten-free vanilla cake mix and ensure all decorating ingredients are certified gluten-free.
• Vegan Version: Swap traditional cake mix with dairy-free cake mix, use vegan frosting, and melt plant-based white chocolate for coating.
• Low-Sugar Alternative: Utilize sugar-free cake mix, replace frosting with Greek yogurt, and use sugar-free white chocolate coating for a diabetic-friendly option.
• Chocolate Lover's Variation: Substitute vanilla cake mix with chocolate cake mix, use chocolate frosting, and coat with dark chocolate instead of white chocolate for intense chocolate flavor.

Starbucks Copycat Cake Pops Recipe

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• Total Time: 2 hours
• Yield: 20 1x

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Description

Starbucks copycat cake pops bring sweet bakery magic right into home kitchens with irresistible bite-sized treats. Small spheres of moist cake enrobed in smooth chocolate create perfect party snacks you can quickly master and enjoy with friends.

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Ingredients

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Main Ingredients:

• 1 box vanilla cake mix
• 3 eggs (from box instructions)
• 1/2 cup water (from box instructions)
• 1/3 cup vegetable oil (from box instructions)
• 1 cup vanilla frosting

Coating Ingredients:

• 2 cups white chocolate chips
• 2 cups candy melts

Decorative Ingredients:

• Sprinkles
• 12 lollipop sticks

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Instructions

1. Transform the vanilla cake into a delectable foundation by following the box instructions, utilizing a 9×13 inch pan. Ensure complete cooling before proceeding.
2. Meticulously disintegrate the cooled cake into fine crumbs within a spacious mixing vessel, eliminating any substantial fragments.
3. Incorporate vanilla frosting into the cake crumbs, blending thoroughly until a cohesive, moldable consistency emerges.
4. Carefully craft uniform spherical portions by gently rolling the mixture into compact, one-inch diameter globes.
5. Arrange the nascent cake balls onto a parchment-lined baking tray, preparing them for the next phase.
6. Delicately insert lollipop sticks into the center of each spherical creation, ensuring stable placement.
7. Transfer the prepared cake balls to the freezer, allowing them to solidify and stabilize for approximately 60 minutes.
8. Gently melt white chocolate or candy melts, creating a smooth, glossy coating for dipping.
9. Immerse each chilled cake ball completely into the melted confectionery, ensuring thorough and even coverage.
10. While the chocolate remains liquid, embellish with a light dusting of decorative sprinkles for visual appeal.
11. Establish an upright drying station using a styrofoam block or specialized cake pop stand to facilitate setting.
12. Allow the adorned cake pops to rest until the chocolate coating hardens completely, creating a professional, polished finish.

Notes

• Ensure cake is completely cool to prevent crumbly texture and maintain structural integrity when mixing with frosting.
• Use room temperature frosting for smoother blending and easier ball formation.
• Refrigerate cake balls before dipping to help chocolate coating adhere more evenly and prevent cracking.
• Work in small batches when dipping to keep chocolate at optimal melting temperature and maintain clean, smooth coating.

• Prep Time: 30 minutes
• Cook Time: 1 hour 30 minutes
• Category: Desserts, Snacks
• Method: Baking
• Cuisine: American

Nutrition

• Serving Size: 20
• Calories: 160
• Sugar: 15 g
• Sodium: 200 mg
• Fat: 7 g
• Saturated Fat: 4 g
• Unsaturated Fat: 3 g
• Trans Fat: 0 g
• Carbohydrates: 22 g
• Fiber: 0 g
• Protein: 2 g
• Cholesterol: 20 mg