The BEST Copycat Starbucks Cake Pops Recipe
If you’re craving a sweet, bite-sized treat, this Starbucks Cake Pops recipe is just what you need. These delightful cake pops are perfect for any occasion, from birthday parties to the holidays and even Valentine’s Day celebrations. Not only are they delicious, but they’re also fun to make and sure to impress your friends and family.
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I’ve been whipping up treats in my kitchen for 40 years, and this Starbucks Cake Pop recipe is a real favorite. It’s simple, fun, and always a hit. No matter your cooking skill level, these cake pops are easy to make and super tasty. Trust me, they’re a guaranteed crowd-pleaser!
Why You Will Love Making This Copycat Starbucks Cake Pops Recipe
Making these homemade Starbucks Cake Pops is not just about recreating a popular treat; it’s an enjoyable experience in its own right. Here’s why you’ll love making them:
- Perfect for Parties: These cake pops are a hit at birthday parties, Halloween bashes, or even as a sweet treat for Valentine’s Day.
- Easy and Fun: With simple instructions and everyday ingredients, making these cake pops is an enjoyable activity, especially if you’re baking with kids.
- Versatile Flavors: Whether you’re a fan of classic vanilla, rich chocolate, or even red velvet, this recipe can be easily adapted to your preferred flavor.
- Eye-Catching and Delicious: The combination of a moist cake interior with a crisp candy coating makes these cake pops both visually appealing and irresistibly tasty.
- Great for Gifting: Wrapped up in a little cellophane, these cake pops make delightful gifts for friends, family, or coworkers.
- No Special Equipment Needed: All you need is a microwave, a freezer, and some common kitchen tools – no fancy gadgets required.
Ingredients You’ll Need
You’ll need all the ingredients in the photograph below.
How to Make Homemade Cake Pops with Step-By-Step Instructions
A complete printable recipe and the measurements in both US customary and metric are available in the recipe card below.
Creating these delightful Starbucks Cake Pops is easier than you might think. Here’s a step-by-step guide to ensure your cake pops turn out perfectly every time.
Preparing the Cake
- Preheat and Bake: Start by preheating your oven to 355ºF/180ºC. Prepare the vanilla cake mix according to the package directions, typically involving eggs and melted butter. Pour the cake batter into a pan and bake as directed.
- Cool and Crumble: After baking, allow the cake to cool completely. This is crucial for the next steps. Once cooled, crumble the cake into fine pieces in a large mixing bowl. The texture should be fine enough to blend easily with other ingredients.
Making the Cake Pop Mixture
- Mix Wet Ingredients: In a separate large bowl, blend together a stick of butter, confectioner’s sugar, sour milk, and vanilla extract until creamy.
- Combine with Cake Crumbs: Gradually add this mixture to the crumbled cake, mixing until it can hold together and form compact balls. You may not need to use all the butter mixture. The goal is a thick, moldable texture.
Forming and Coating the Cake Pops
- Shape the Cake Balls: Using your hands or a cookie scoop, form the cake mixture into compact balls. Place these balls on a lined baking sheet and chill in the refrigerator to firm up.
- Melt the Chocolate: In a microwave-safe bowl, melt white chocolate in 1-minute intervals, stirring in between until smooth. Add red food coloring to achieve the desired pink shade.
- Assemble the Cake Pops: Insert a cake pop stick (or lollipop sticks) into each ball, using a little melted chocolate to secure it. Then, dip each cake ball into the melted chocolate, coating the ball evenly and gently shaking off the excess. Add white sprinkles for decoration.
- Let Them Set: Place the coated vanilla cake pops in a styrofoam block or an egg basket to set. Once the coating hardens, your Starbucks Cake Pops are ready to enjoy!
Recipe Notes and Expert Tips
To help you get the best results with your Starbucks Cake Pops, here are some expert tips and important notes to keep in mind:
- Cake Texture: Make sure your cake is fully cooled before crumbling. Warm cake can lead to a too-moist mixture that doesn’t hold its shape well.
- Consistency: When mixing the cake crumbs with the butter mixture, aim for a consistency that’s moist enough to hold together but not so wet that it falls apart.
- Melting Chocolate Tips: Melt the chocolate in short bursts in the microwave, stirring at each interval to avoid burning. A smooth, runny consistency makes dipping easier.
- Coloring the Chocolate: Add the food coloring gradually to the melted chocolate to get the perfect shade. Remember, a little goes a long way! You can also try different colors for different holidays. Orange and purple are great for Halloween, red, white, and blue for July 4th, or red white, and green to make Christmas cake pops!
- Avoiding Cracks: Let the rolled cake balls chill in the refrigerator before dipping them in chocolate. This helps prevent cracks in the coating.
- Decorating: Get creative with sprinkles, colored sugar, or even drizzles of different chocolate. The sky’s the limit when it comes to decorating. Be sure to add the sprinkles immediately after dipping each cake pop, as the melted candy coating sets quickly.
- Cake Flavor: While the recipe uses vanilla cake mix, feel free to experiment with chocolate (for chocolate cake pops), red velvet (red velvet cake pops), or even strawberry (strawberry cake pops) cake mixes for different flavors. Funfetti cake mix is perfect for making Starbucks birthday cake pops!
- How do I prevent the cake pops from falling off the sticks? To keep the cake pops secure, dip the stick in a little melted chocolate before inserting it into the cake ball. Also, make sure the cake balls are chilled and firm before dipping.
- Can I make these cake pops gluten-free? Yes, you can use a gluten-free cake mix and double check for gluten in the other ingredients. Just keep an eye on the consistency of the mixture.
How to Store Leftover Starbucks Cake Pops
Got some leftover Starbucks Cake Pops? Lucky you! Here’s how to keep them fresh and delicious for as long as possible:
- Room Temperature Storage: If you plan to consume the cake pops within a couple of days, simply store them in a cool, dry place. Avoid direct sunlight or warm areas, as this can cause the chocolate coating to melt.
- Refrigeration: For longer storage, keep the cake pops in an airtight container in the refrigerator. They can last up to a week when stored this way.
- Freezing: If you want to keep them for even longer, cake pops freeze well. Wrap them individually in cling film and then place them in a freezer-safe bag or container. They can be stored in the freezer for up to a month.
What to Serve with Starbucks Cake Pops
Pairing your homemade Starbucks Cake Pops with a little something extra can turn them from a simple treat into a complete dessert experience. Here are some of my favorite ideas to serve with these sweet bites.
Coffee and Tea
Naturally, coffee is a great companion for these cake pops. A warm cup of your favorite brew, be it a classic Americano or a frothy cappuccino, can balance the sweetness of the cake pops. For tea lovers, a soothing cup of chamomile or an aromatic Earl Grey can be just as delightful.
And if you’re a fan of Starbucks, serve them with the best Starbucks drinks!
Fresh Fruit
For a refreshing contrast, serve your cake pops with a side of fresh fruit. Berries, like strawberries and blueberries, add a tartness that complements the sweetness. Slices of mango or pineapple can also bring a tropical twist to the plate. Our Fresh Fruit Salad Recipe is a great option for a crowd!
Ice Cream
If you’re feeling indulgent, why not pair your cake pops with a scoop of ice cream? Vanilla ice cream is a classic choice, but feel free to get creative with flavors like strawberry, chocolate, or even salted caramel.
Cold Milk
For a classic and simple pairing, serve your cake pops with a glass of cold milk. This combination is especially popular with kids and offers a comforting, nostalgic treat.
More Easy Dessert Recipes You Will Love
- Homemade Red Velvet Cake
- Air Fryer Cheesecake
- How to Make a Baked Alaska
- Best Banoffee Pie
- Rhubarb Crumble Recipe
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The BEST Copycat Starbucks Cake Pops Recipe
Ingredients
- 1 vanilla cake mix
- ½ butter stick
- 2 cups confectioner’s sugar
- ¼ cup sour milk
- 1 tablespoon vanilla extract
- 1 ½ cups white chocolate
- 1 tablespoon red food colorant
- 3 tablespoons white sprinkles
- Cake pop sticks
Instructions
- Preheat the oven to 355°F/180ºC.
- Make the cake according to the packaged directions and bake following the same directions.1 vanilla cake mix
- Once the cake is ready, let it cool.
- In a bowl, combine butter, sugar, sour milk, vanilla extract and mix until creamy.½ butter stick, 2 cups confectioner’s sugar, ¼ cup sour milk, 1 tablespoon vanilla extract
- Combine the cake crumbs and the butter mixture. Add the butter in small amounts, until the mixture is moist enough. It should have a thick consistency that allows you to form balls with it.
- Form compact balls with your hands.
- Melt the chocolate in the microwave in 1 minute increments and slowly add the red colorant, until you reach the desired pink color.1 ½ cups white chocolate, 1 tablespoon red food colorant
- Insert a cake pop stick (or lollipop sticks) into each ball, using a little melted chocolate to secure it.Cake pop sticks
- Dip each cake ball into the melted chocolate, coating the ball evenly. Add the white sprinkles for decoration.3 tablespoons white sprinkles
- Let them sit in an egg basket or holder until it sets.
- Serve and enjoy your Starbucks cake pops!
Notes
- Cake Texture: Make sure your cake is fully cooled before crumbling. Warm cake can lead to a too-moist mixture that doesn’t hold its shape well.
- Consistency: When mixing the cake crumbs with the butter mixture, aim for a consistency that’s moist enough to hold together but not so wet that it falls apart.
- Melting Chocolate Tips: Melt the chocolate in short bursts in the microwave, stirring at each interval to avoid burning. A smooth, runny consistency makes dipping easier.
- Coloring the Chocolate: Add the food coloring gradually to the melted chocolate to get the perfect shade. Remember, a little goes a long way! You can also try different colors for different holidays. Orange and purple are great for Halloween, red, white, and blue for July 4th, or red white, and green to make Christmas cake pops!
- Avoiding Cracks: Let the rolled cake balls chill in the refrigerator before dipping them in chocolate. This helps prevent cracks in the coating.
- Decorating: Get creative with sprinkles, colored sugar, or even drizzles of different chocolate. The sky’s the limit when it comes to decorating. Be sure to add the sprinkles immediately after dipping each cake pop, as the melted candy coating sets quickly.
- Cake Flavor: While the recipe uses vanilla cake mix, feel free to experiment with chocolate (for chocolate cake pops), red velvet (red velvet cake pops), or even strawberry (strawberry cake pops) cake mixes for different flavors. Funfetti cake mix is perfect for making Starbucks birthday cake pops!
- How do I prevent the cake pops from falling off the sticks? To keep the cake pops secure, dip the stick in a little melted chocolate before inserting it into the cake ball. Also, make sure the cake balls are chilled and firm before dipping.
- Can I make these cake pops gluten-free? Yes, you can use a gluten-free cake mix and double check for gluten in the other ingredients. Just keep an eye on the consistency of the mixture.
Storage & Freezing
- Room Temperature Storage: If you plan to consume the cake pops within a couple of days, simply store them in a cool, dry place. Avoid direct sunlight or warm areas, as this can cause the chocolate coating to melt.
- Refrigeration: For longer storage, keep the cake pops in an airtight container in the refrigerator. They can last up to a week when stored this way.
- Freezing: If you want to keep them for even longer, cake pops freeze well. Wrap them individually in cling film and then place them in a freezer-safe bag or container. They can be stored in the freezer for up to a month.
Nutrition
Disclaimer
Please note that nutrient values are estimates only. Variations can occur due to product availability and manner of food preparation. Nutrition may vary based on methods of origin, preparation, freshness of ingredients, and other factors.
