If you are a fan of the iconic pink treats at the coffee shop, this Starbucks Cake Pop Recipe is exactly what you need. These bite-sized desserts on a stick are perfectly moist, sweet, and surprisingly easy to recreate in your own kitchen for a fraction of the price.
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Why You Will Love This Recipe
This Starbucks Cake Pop Recipe is a total game-changer for parents and dessert lovers alike. You will love it because it uses simple store-bought shortcuts like boxed cake mix and pre-made frosting to save time without sacrificing flavor. It is the perfect activity for kids, and the result is a professional-looking treat that tastes just like the “Birthday Cake” version from the Starbucks bakery case. Plus, making them at home allows you to customize the colors and flavors for any holiday or special occasion.
Ingredients
- 1 box Classic Vanilla Cake Mix (plus the ingredients required by the box instructions)
- 3 tablespoons Vanilla Frosting (pre-made or store-bought)
- 24 to 36 Cake Pop Sticks or Lollipop Sticks
- 12 ounces Pink Candy Melts
- White Sprinkles
Step-by-Step Instructions
- Prepare the classic vanilla cake mixture in a large bowl and bake it in the oven according to the specific instructions on the box. Once finished, allow the cake to cool completely at room temperature.
- Remove the cooled cake from the pan. Using a knife, carefully trim away and remove the brown outside layer from the top, bottom, and sides of the cake. Discard these pieces so you are left with only the soft, light-colored interior.
- Crumble the remaining cake into fine crumbs into a large mixing bowl.
- Add the vanilla frosting to your bowl of crumbled cake. Stir everything together thoroughly until the mixture is well combined and holds its shape when pressed.
- Shape the mixture into approximately 24 to 36 cake balls, depending on your preferred size. Place them on a lined baking sheet. Using a cookie scoop helps ensure that each ball is the same size.
- Place the pink candy melts in a small microwave-safe bowl. Microwave for 30 seconds and stir. Continue heating in 30-second intervals, stirring between each, until the candy is smooth and creamy.
- Dip the tip of each cake pop stick into the melted pink chocolate, then insert the stick about halfway into a cake ball. This acts as “glue.” Place the tray in the freezer for 10 to 15 minutes to set.
- Remove the cake pops from the freezer. Dip each ball into the melted candy melts, ensuring the cake is completely covered. If the candy has thickened, reheat it for a few seconds. Gently tap the stick to allow excess melted candy to drip back into the bowl.
- Stand the cake pops upright by placing the sticks into a block of Styrofoam or a sturdy cardboard box.
- Immediately add the white sprinkles before the candy coating dries. Once the coating has fully solidified, your treats are ready to enjoy.
Expert Tips / Pro Tips
To achieve that signature Starbucks look, do not skip the step of removing the brown edges of the cake. This ensures the inside of your cake pop is a uniform, light color. Another pro tip is to ensure your cake balls are chilled but not frozen solid before dipping; if they are too cold, the warm candy coating might crack as it cools. If the melted candy is too thick to dip smoothly, you can add a teaspoon of vegetable shortening or coconut oil to the melts to thin them out to a pourable consistency.
While the classic pink version is a fan favorite, this Starbucks Cake Pop Recipe is highly versatile. You can swap the vanilla cake for chocolate, lemon, strawberry, or even red velvet cake mix. If you cannot find pink candy melts, you can use white almond bark or white chocolate chips and add a drop of oil-based food coloring. For a different flavor profile, try using cream cheese frosting instead of vanilla frosting for a slightly tangy center.
Serving Suggestions
These cake pops are the ultimate companion to a homemade Vanilla Bean Frappuccino or a hot cup of coffee. They look beautiful displayed in a mason jar filled with sugar or decorative beads to hold the sticks in place. They are also excellent additions to dessert tables at birthday parties, baby showers, or Valentine’s Day celebrations.
You can store these cake pops in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 3 days or in the refrigerator for up to one week. If you want to make them further in advance, you can freeze the undipped cake balls for up to a month. To freeze decorated cake pops, wrap them individually in plastic wrap and place them in a freezer-safe container. Thaw them in the refrigerator before serving to prevent condensation from forming on the chocolate coating.
Nutrition Information
| Nutrient | Amount Per Serving |
| Calories | 111 kcal |
| Carbohydrates | 19g |
| Protein | 1g |
| Fat | 3g |
| Saturated Fat | 2g |
| Sodium | 126mg |
| Sugar | 14g |
Starbucks Cake Pop Recipe
Ingredients
Equipment
Method
- Prepare the classic vanilla cake mixture in a large bowl and bake it in the oven according to the specific instructions on the box. Once finished, allow the cake to cool completely at room temperature.1 box Classic Vanilla Cake Mix
- Remove the cooled cake from the pan. Using a knife, carefully trim away and remove the brown outside layer from the top, bottom, and sides of the cake. Discard these pieces so you are left with only the soft, light-colored interior.
- Crumble the remaining cake into fine crumbs into a large mixing bowl.
- Add the vanilla frosting to your bowl of crumbled cake. Stir everything together thoroughly until the mixture is well combined and holds its shape when pressed.3 tablespoons Vanilla Frosting
- Shape the mixture into approximately 24 to 36 cake balls, depending on your preferred size. Place them on a lined baking sheet. Using a cookie scoop helps ensure that each ball is the same size.
- Place the pink candy melts in a small microwave-safe bowl. Microwave for 30 seconds and stir. Continue heating in 30-second intervals, stirring between each, until the candy is smooth and creamy.12 ounces Pink Candy Melts
- Dip the tip of each cake pop stick into the melted pink chocolate, then insert the stick about halfway into a cake ball. This acts as “glue.” Place the tray in the freezer for 10 to 15 minutes to set.36 Cake Pop Sticks
- Remove the cake pops from the freezer. Dip each ball into the melted candy melts, ensuring the cake is completely covered. If the candy has thickened, reheat it for a few seconds. Gently tap the stick to allow excess melted candy to drip back into the bowl.
- Stand the cake pops upright by placing the sticks into a block of Styrofoam or a sturdy cardboard box.
- Immediately add the white sprinkles before the candy coating dries. Once the coating has fully solidified, your treats are ready to enjoy.White Sprinkles
Notes
FAQ
How much does a Starbucks Cake Pop cost compared to homemade?
A single cake pop at the store typically costs between $3 and $4. By making this Starbucks Cake Pop Recipe at home, you can make a batch of 24 to 36 pops for roughly the same price as two or three store-bought ones.
Why did my cake pop fall off the stick?
This usually happens if the cake ball is too heavy or if the stick wasn’t “glued” in with melted chocolate first. Make sure to dip the stick in the candy melts before inserting it into the cake ball and allow it to chill in the freezer to set.
Can I make these without a Styrofoam block?
Yes! If you do not have Styrofoam, you can poke holes in a cardboard box or use a colander turned upside down to hold the sticks while the candy coating dries.
Do I have to use boxed cake mix?
Not at all. While the boxed mix is the easiest way to recreate the Starbucks texture, you can use any from-scratch vanilla cake recipe you prefer. Just ensure the cake is completely cooled before crumbling.