If you’ve ever sipped your latte and bit into a Starbucks Cake Pop, you know there’s nothing like that combination of moist vanilla cake, creamy frosting, and crisp pink coating with a snowfall of white sprinkles. Making your own Starbucks Cake Pop at home is way easier than you’d think, plus you can prep a whole batch for a fraction of the coffee shop price and have fun playing cake pop barista. This easy copycat recipe gives you bakery-style treats you’ll want to share (or not!) for birthdays, parties, or just to brighten up a regular day with a touch of sweetness.
Ingredients You’ll Need
Getting those signature Starbucks Cake Pops just right starts with a handful of easy-to-find ingredients. Each one brings something special: vanilla cake for a soft bite, frosting for creamy richness, and candy melts for that irresistible crackly shell.
- Vanilla cake mix: The base of our cake pop, providing the classic flavor and light, spongy texture that everyone loves.
- French vanilla frosting (1/3 cup): This is the creamy glue that binds the cake crumbs together for perfectly moist, bite-sized pops.
- Light pink candy melts (12 oz bag): These create that shiny, bakery-style coating with the dreamy pink hue just like Starbucks.
- White sprinkles: The finishing touch, bringing a playful sparkle and a little pop of texture.
- Lollipop sticks: Essential for the “pop” factor, making them easy (and fun!) to eat and serve.
How to Make Starbucks Cake Pop
Step 1: Bake the Vanilla Cake
Follow the instructions on your favorite box of vanilla cake mix to bake the cake. Whisk cake mix, water, oil, and eggs in a bowl until smooth. Pour the batter into a greased 9×13-inch baking pan (or two 8-inch rounds if you prefer) and bake at 350°F until a toothpick in the center comes out clean. Let the cake cool completely; patience is key so the frosting won’t melt in the next step.
Step 2: Crumble and Mix with Frosting
Once your cake has cooled, crumble it into fine pieces using a fork right in the baking dish or move it to a large bowl. Add a generous third cup of French vanilla frosting and stir until the mixture is thoroughly combined. The goal here is a sticky, dough-like consistency that holds together easily. Cover and pop the bowl in the freezer for at least 20 minutes to chill, making it much easier to handle later.
Step 3: Shape the Cake Balls
With chilled hands (or lightly greased hands if needed), roll the mixture into evenly sized balls about 1 to 1.5 inches in diameter. Set them on a lined baking sheet and freeze again for 20 minutes. This second chill makes them firm enough to maintain a perfect round shape when you add the sticks, a tip every Starbucks Cake Pop devotee should know!
Step 4: Insert the Lollipop Sticks
Melt a small amount of pink candy melts—just enough to dip the ends of your lollipop sticks in. Insert each stick about halfway into a cake ball. This gives the finished pops extra hold when dipping. Pop the tray back in the freezer for a final quick chill; this prevents cake balls from falling off during the coating step.
Step 5: Dip and Decorate
Now for the magic! Melt the remaining pink candy melts in the microwave (heat in 30-second increments, stirring in between, until smooth and silky). Dip each cake pop gently into the melt, swirling to coat completely, and let any extra drip off. While the candy is still wet, shower with white sprinkles. Stand the finished Starbucks Cake Pops upright in a styrofoam block or a box with holes while the coating sets. Voilà—bakery style at home!
How to Serve Starbucks Cake Pop
Garnishes
Don’t underestimate the power of those simple white sprinkles for a true Starbucks Cake Pop look! You can use pearl sprinkles, heart shapes, or even a dusting of edible glitter to make these treats stand out at any celebration.
Side Dishes
These little cake pops shine next to a steaming cup of coffee, creamy hot chocolate, or icy milkshake. For a festive dessert board, serve alongside chocolate-dipped strawberries, mini cookies, or your favorite colorful fruit skewers to create an irresistible party platter.
Creative Ways to Present
Stand your Starbucks Cake Pops in a glass filled with sugar, coffee beans, or tiny marshmallows for a whimsical display. Arrange them in a bouquet for birthdays or tie ribbons around the sticks for party favors—your guests will adore the thought (and flavor!) in every bite.
Make Ahead and Storage
Storing Leftovers
Keep your Starbucks Cake Pops fresh by storing them in an airtight container in the fridge for up to a week. Just make sure they’re standing up and not squished together to keep their coating picture-perfect.
Freezing
You can absolutely freeze these cake pops! Arrange them on a tray in a single layer until frozen, then transfer to a zip-top bag. They’ll stay delicious for up to two months—simply thaw in the fridge overnight before serving.
Reheating
While cake pops are meant to be eaten chilled or at room temperature, if your candy coating is too firm straight from the fridge, let the Starbucks Cake Pop rest at room temp for 10–15 minutes. There’s no actual need to reheat, and this keeps the coating smooth and crack-free.
FAQs
Do I have to use pink candy melts, or can I change the color?
Pink candy melts give that iconic Starbucks Cake Pop look, but feel free to use any color you love! White, purple, or blue melts are perfect for custom parties or themed events—just follow the same dipping method.
Can I make Starbucks Cake Pops gluten-free?
Absolutely! Just swap the vanilla cake mix for your favorite gluten-free blend and double-check that your frosting and candy melts are certified gluten-free. The texture and flavor still turn out wonderfully indulgent.
What if I don’t have French vanilla frosting?
You can use any classic vanilla frosting you like, either homemade or store-bought. French vanilla just adds a little extra creaminess, but regular vanilla won’t make or break this treat.
How do I keep the cake pops from falling off the sticks?
Chilling the cake balls thoroughly before adding sticks and dipping the stick tips in melted candy before inserting helps everything hold tight. Work in small batches so the pops stay cold—this makes all the difference!
Can I use homemade cake instead of a mix?
Yes, homemade vanilla cake brings delicious, rich flavor to your Starbucks Cake Pop. Just make sure the cake isn’t too moist or crumbly, so it’s easy to roll and hold its shape with the frosting.
Final Thoughts
There you have it—your own gorgeous batch of Starbucks Cake Pops, ready to make any day a little sweeter! You’ll love how easy, fun, and customizable these are, and sharing them always brings huge smiles. Give this copycat recipe a try and see just how delightful homemade Starbucks Cake Pop magic truly is!
Print
Starbucks Cake Pop Recipe
- Total Time: 1 hour 40 minutes
- Yield: 15 cake pops
- Diet: Vegetarian
Description
This Starbucks Cake Pop Recipe is a simple and cost-effective way to enjoy delicious vanilla cake pops similar to the ones from Starbucks. Made with a vanilla cake mix, frosting, and candy melts, these cake pops are a delightful treat for any occasion.
Ingredients
Cake:
- 1 box vanilla cake mix
- Water, oil, and eggs (as per cake mix instructions)
Frosting:
- 1/3 cup French vanilla frosting
Coating:
- 1 bag light pink candy melts (12 oz)
- White sprinkles
Instructions
- Prepare Cake: Follow the instructions on the vanilla cake mix box to prepare the cake batter. Bake in a greased dish until fully cooked.
- Make Cake Pop Mixture: Crumble the cooled cake and mix in the French vanilla frosting. Freeze until chilled.
- Shape Cake Balls: Roll the cake mixture into balls and freeze until firm.
- Coat Cake Balls: Dip lollipop sticks in melted candy melts, insert into cake balls, and coat the balls with candy melts. Decorate with sprinkles.
- Set Cake Pops: Place the coated cake pops upright to harden.
- Prep Time: 1 hour
- Cook Time: 40 minutes
- Category: Dessert
- Method: Baking, Freezing
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 cake pop
- Calories: 246
- Sugar: 33g
- Sodium: 274mg
- Fat: 2g
- Saturated Fat: 1g
- Unsaturated Fat: 1g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 55g
- Fiber: 0g
- Protein: 1g
- Cholesterol: 0mg
