If you’ve ever indulged in Starbucks’ delightful birthday cake pops, you know just how delicious these little treats can be.
But did you know you can make these at home with ease?
They turned out great for me, and I’m excited to share this simple recipe with you.
Let’s bake some together!
Below is the step-by-step guide to making these scrumptious cake pops.
Ingredients
Cake:
- 1 package (13.25 oz or 375g) of any vanilla store-bought cake mix
- 1/3 cup (70ml) neutral oil (vegetable or canola)
- 1 cup (240ml) milk or water
- 4 large eggs
Add ONE of the following options for binding the cake crumbs:
- Ready-to-use vanilla frosting: 3-4 tablespoons
- Powdered sugar & vanilla mixture: 1/4 cup (28g) powdered sugar & 1/2 teaspoon vanilla
- Vanilla buttercream:
- 1/4 cup (56g) softened unsalted butter
- 1 cup (118g) powdered sugar
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- Splash of milk (start with 1 teaspoon, add more until smooth)
- Pinch of salt
Coating:
- 12oz (340g) pink candy melts
- White nonpareils (sprinkles)
- Lollipop sticks
Instructions
Step 1: Preheat Your Oven
- Preheat your oven according to the instructions on your cake mix box, typically between 325°F to 350°F. The temperature can vary depending on the type of pan you’re using.
Step 2: Prepare the Cake Batter
- In a large bowl, combine the cake mix, oil, milk or water, and eggs. Mix until well combined.
- Pour the batter into a lined or greased baking pan.
Step 3: Bake the Cake
- Bake the cake according to the instructions on the cake mix box. Keep a close eye on it and start checking for doneness 2-4 minutes before the recommended bake time by inserting a toothpick into the center. If it comes out clean, your cake is ready.
Step 4: Crumble the Cake
- While the cake is still warm, transfer it to a large mixing bowl. Using a stand mixer with a paddle attachment, crumble the cake on low speed until there are no large pieces left. Removing the darker crust pieces is optional, but I find it wasteful and unnecessary.
Step 5: Prepare the Buttercream (if using)
- In a small mixing bowl, combine the softened butter, powdered sugar, vanilla, a splash of milk, and a pinch of salt. Mix until smooth. It’s okay if it’s a little lumpy since it’s not for decoration.
Step 6: Combine Cake and Frosting
- Add your chosen binding mixture (vanilla frosting, powdered sugar & vanilla, or vanilla buttercream) to the crumbled cake. Mix on low speed until the mixture comes together and forms a dough-like consistency.
Step 7: Form the Cake Balls
- Roll the mixture into cake balls weighing approximately 30g each, or about 1-1/4 inch (3cm) in diameter. Place the cake balls on a baking sheet and chill them in the freezer for 15 minutes.
Step 8: Prepare the Candy Melts
- Melt your pink candy melts in the microwave in 20-30 second increments, stirring between each interval until smooth. Alternatively, you can use a double boiler for this step.
Step 9: Insert the Sticks
- Dip the end of a lollipop stick into the melted candy, then insert it halfway into a chilled cake ball. Repeat this step for all cake balls and place them back in the freezer for another 15 minutes to set.
Step 10: Coat the Cake Pops
- Once the cake pops are chilled, melt the candy melts again if they have hardened. Dip each cake pop into the melted candy, ensuring the coating covers where the stick was inserted. Gently tap the stick with one hand while rotating the cake pop with the other to allow any excess coating to drip off, creating an even layer. Avoid double-dipping as this could cause the cake pop to become too heavy and fall off the stick.
Step 11: Decorate
- Before the coating dries, quickly sprinkle the cake pops with white nonpareils or your favorite sprinkles. Place the sticks into a styrofoam block to allow the coating to set completely.
Step 12: Enjoy!
- Repeat the dipping and decorating process until all cake pops are coated and decorated. Let them cool and set completely before serving.
Tips for Success
- Temperature Control: Ensure the cake balls are adequately chilled before dipping to prevent them from falling apart.
- Candy Melts Consistency: If your candy melts are too thick, add a small amount of vegetable oil to achieve a smoother consistency.
- Decoration Speed: Work quickly when decorating as the candy coating can harden fast.
Making Starbucks copycat birthday cake pops at home is fun and rewarding.
They make perfect treats for parties, special occasions, or simply as a sweet indulgence.
Enjoy baking and decorating these delightful cake pops, and most importantly, enjoy eating them!
Credit: @happytummy_702