Description
This Starbucks Cake Pop Recipe is an easy and fun copycat treat that lets you recreate the classic Starbucks cake pops at home. Made from moist vanilla cake mixed with creamy frosting, shaped into bite-sized balls, and dipped in light pink candy melts with a sprinkle of decorative toppings, these cake pops are perfect for parties, gifts, or a delightful snack.
Ingredients
Cake
- 1 box vanilla cake mix (plus ingredients required by the box: typically water, oil, and eggs)
Frosting
- 1/3 cup French vanilla frosting
Coating and Decoration
- 1 bag (12 oz) light pink candy melts
- White sprinkles (for decoration)
Instructions
- Bake the cake: Prepare the cake batter according to the package directions by beating the cake mix with water, oil, and eggs. Pour the batter into a greased 9×13-inch baking dish or two 8×8-inch pans. Bake at 350°F (175°C) until a toothpick inserted in the center comes out clean, about 30-35 minutes.
- Cool and crumble the cake: Allow the cake to cool completely. Once cooled, crumble the cake into fine pieces using a fork in a large bowl.
- Mix with frosting and chill: Stir the French vanilla frosting into the crumbled cake until combined. Cover the mixture and place it in the freezer until it is chilled and firm, about 30 minutes.
- Form cake balls: Using your hands, roll the chilled cake mixture into evenly sized balls. Place them on a baking sheet and freeze again until firm, about 30 minutes. For smoother balls, you can slightly re-roll each ball after freezing.
- Prepare the lollipop sticks: Melt a small amount of the candy melts either in the microwave or a double boiler. Dip the tip of each lollipop stick into the melted candy, then insert the stick halfway into each cake ball. Return the cake pops to the freezer to set the sticks firmly.
- Coat the cake pops: Fully melt the remaining candy melts. Gently dip each cake pop into the melted candy or spoon the coating over the balls, twirling to evenly coat them.
- Decorate and set: Immediately decorate the coated cake pops with white sprinkles as desired. Place the cake pops upright in a styrofoam block or a box and let them harden at room temperature until the coating is fully set.
Notes
- Freezing the cake balls before shaping and dipping helps maintain their shape and makes the process easier.
- If candy melts are too thick, melt gently and stir frequently to avoid burning.
- Store cake pops in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 3 days or in the refrigerator for up to a week.
- Variations: Use different cake mix flavors or candy melt colors to customize your cake pops.
