These adorable Starbucks Cake Pops are a mix of rich cake and creamy frosting, dipped in a luscious outer coating, and perched on a handy stick. They’re the perfect treat to satisfy your sweet tooth without overindulgence—and, admit it, they’re just too cute to resist.
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How to make Starbucks Cake Pops
Starbucks Cake Pops are small, bite-sized desserts sold at Starbucks that combine cake and frosting, shaped into balls, coated, and served on a stick—kind of like edible lollipops.
Ingredients
- 1 box of your favorite cake mix (vanilla, chocolate, or funfetti)
- 1/2 cup of chocolate frosting (store-bought or homemade)
- 2 cups of candy melts (white, pink, or chocolate, depending on your preferred flavor)
- 1-2 tablespoons of coconut oil or vegetable shortening (optional, for a smoother coating)
- Lollipop sticks (available at baking stores or online)
- Sprinkles (optional, for decoration)
- Styrofoam block or cake pop stand (to hold pops while drying)
Instructions
1. Bake the Cake: Follow the instructions on your cake mix box to bake the cake in a 9×13-inch pan. Let it cool completely before proceeding—this is important to ensure your cake pops hold their shape!
2. Crumble the Cake: Once cooled, break the cake into large chunks, then use your hands to crumble it into fine crumbs. The crumbs should resemble breadcrumbs, with no large pieces remaining.
3. Mix Frosting and Cake Crumbs: Add 1/2 cup of frosting to the cake crumbs. Mix thoroughly using a spoon, rubber spatula, or your hands until the mixture reaches a dough-like consistency. It should be moist enough to hold its shape when pressed together but not overly sticky.
TIP: Start with less frosting and add more as needed. Too much frosting will make the pops too soft and difficult to shape.
4. Shape the Cake Balls: Scoop out about 1 tablespoon of the mixture at a time (use a cookie scoop for even sizing). Roll it between your palms to form smooth, round balls. Place the balls on a baking sheet lined with parchment paper. Repeat until all the mixture is used up.
TIP: If the mixture is too warm or sticky, chill it in the refrigerator for 10-15 minutes before shaping.
5. Chill the Cake Balls: Refrigerate the cake balls for at least 1 hour (or freeze for 15-20 minutes) to help them firm up. This step makes dipping much easier and prevents crumbling.
6. Prepare the Coating: Melt the candy melts in a microwave-safe bowl according to the package instructions. Add 1-2 tablespoons of coconut oil or vegetable shortening to thin the candy coating if needed—it should be smooth and pourable.
7. Attach the Sticks: Dip the tip of each lollipop stick about 1/2 inch into the melted candy coating. Insert the coated tip into the center of a cake ball, about halfway through. This acts as a “glue” to secure the stick. Let the candy coating set by placing the cake pops back in the refrigerator for 5-10 minutes.
8. Dip and Coat the Cake Pops: Hold a cake pop by the stick and dip it into the melted candy coating, ensuring it’s fully covered. Gently tap off the excess coating by lightly tapping the stick on the edge of the bowl.
9. Decorate: Before the coating sets, sprinkle your cake pop with sprinkles or other decorations of your choice. Place the decorated cake pop upright in a Styrofoam block or cake pop stand to dry completely.
10. Serve and Enjoy!: Once the coating has hardened, your Starbucks-style cake pops are ready to enjoy. Serve them immediately or store them in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 3 days, or in the refrigerator for up to a week.
Tips for Perfect Starbucks Cake Pops
- Chill the Cake Balls Well: Cold cake balls are firmer and easier to work with. Don’t skip the chilling step before dipping!
- Use Candy Melts for the Coating: Candy melts are specifically designed for dipping and setting quickly. You can also use white chocolate or semi-sweet chocolate chips, but the finish might not be as smooth.
- Thin the Coating: Adding a small amount of coconut oil or shortening to the melted candy coating gives it a smoother texture for dipping.
- Keep the Coating Warm: If the candy coating thickens as you work, reheat it in 10-second intervals in the microwave.
- Be Creative with Flavors and Colors: Experiment with different cake flavors (red velvet, lemon, etc.) and candy melt colors. You can also drizzle additional coatings on top for a decorative touch.
- Practice Makes Perfect: Don’t worry if your first few cake pops aren’t perfectly round or smooth—they’ll still taste delicious!
What to serve with
Starbucks Cake Pops are delightful on their own, but pairing them with the right beverages or complementary snacks can elevate your dessert experience to a whole new level.
1. Coffee Pairings
Since Starbucks Cake Pops are originally a coffee shop treat, it only makes sense to pair them with a warm, aromatic cup of coffee. Choosing the right coffee can enhance the flavor of your cake pop based on its flavor profile.
💡 Best Coffee Pairings:
- Vanilla or Birthday Cake Pops: Pair with a Vanilla Latte, Caramel Macchiato, or classic Cappuccino. The creaminess of these beverages complements the sweetness of the cake pop.
- Chocolate Cake Pops: Serve with a Mocha Latte, Espresso, or a Dark Roast Black Coffee to balance the richness of the chocolate.
- Seasonal Cake Pops (e.g., Pumpkin or Peppermint): Match them with a Pumpkin Spiced Latte, Peppermint Mocha, or even a toasty Chai Tea Latte for a festive combo.
- Hosting Tip: Set up a DIY coffee bar where guests can mix and match their cake pops with various coffee flavors, creamers, and syrups.
2. Tea Pairings
For tea lovers, a cup of tea makes an excellent companion to the sugary goodness of cake pops. The tannins in tea can act as a palate cleanser, balancing out the sweetness and richness.
Best Tea Pairings:
- Green Tea: The grassy, fresh flavors of green tea (like Jasmine Green Tea or Matcha Latte) pair well with vanilla-flavored cake pops.
- Black Tea: Bold teas such as Earl Grey or English Breakfast Tea are perfect for chocolate or rich, frosting-heavy cake pops.
- Herbal Teas: Fruity herbal teas, such as Berry Hibiscus or Lemon Ginger, go well with lighter, fruity-flavored cake pops.
Final Thoughts
While Starbucks Cake Pops are delightful as standalone treats, pairing them with the right beverages, fruits, or add-ons can take your dessert spread to the next level.
Ingredients
- 1 box of your favorite cake mix
- 1/2 cup of chocolate frosting
- 2 cups of candy melts
- 1-2 tablespoons of coconut oil
- Lollipop sticks
- Sprinkles (optional, for decoration)
- Styrofoam block
Instructions
1. Bake the Cake: Follow the instructions on your cake mix box to bake the cake in a 9x13-inch pan. Let it cool completely before proceeding—this is important to ensure your cake pops hold their shape!
2. Crumble the Cake: Once cooled, break the cake into large chunks, then use your hands to crumble it into fine crumbs. The crumbs should resemble breadcrumbs, with no large pieces remaining.
3. Mix Frosting and Cake Crumbs: Add 1/2 cup of frosting to the cake crumbs. Mix thoroughly using a spoon, rubber spatula, or your hands until the mixture reaches a dough-like consistency. It should be moist enough to hold its shape when pressed together but not overly sticky.
TIP: Start with less frosting and add more as needed. Too much frosting will make the pops too soft and difficult to shape.
4. Shape the Cake Balls: Scoop out about 1 tablespoon of the mixture at a time (use a cookie scoop for even sizing). Roll it between your palms to form smooth, round balls. Place the balls on a baking sheet lined with parchment paper. Repeat until all the mixture is used up.
TIP: If the mixture is too warm or sticky, chill it in the refrigerator for 10-15 minutes before shaping.
5. Chill the Cake Balls: Refrigerate the cake balls for at least 1 hour (or freeze for 15-20 minutes) to help them firm up. This step makes dipping much easier and prevents crumbling.
6. Prepare the Coating: Melt the candy melts in a microwave-safe bowl according to the package instructions. Add 1-2 tablespoons of coconut oil or vegetable shortening to thin the candy coating if needed—it should be smooth and pourable.
7. Attach the Sticks: Dip the tip of each lollipop stick about 1/2 inch into the melted candy coating. Insert the coated tip into the center of a cake ball, about halfway through. This acts as a "glue" to secure the stick. Let the candy coating set by placing the cake pops back in the refrigerator for 5-10 minutes.
8. Dip and Coat the Cake Pops: Hold a cake pop by the stick and dip it into the melted candy coating, ensuring it’s fully covered. Gently tap off the excess coating by lightly tapping the stick on the edge of the bowl.
9. Decorate: Before the coating sets, sprinkle your cake pop with sprinkles or other decorations of your choice. Place the decorated cake pop upright in a Styrofoam block or cake pop stand to dry completely.
10. Serve and Enjoy!: Once the coating has hardened, your Starbucks-style cake pops are ready to enjoy. Serve them immediately or store them in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 3 days, or in the refrigerator for up to a week.
