Learn how to make homemade cake pops from scratch! This copycat Starbucks cake pop recipe uses simple ingredients (no cake mix or canned frosting) and makes the cutest bite-size treat for a kid’s birthday party!
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My daughter asked me to prepare cake pops for her 5th birthday party and I decided to give this Starbucks copycat recipe a try – making it entirely from scratch. This means I would prepare the so-called yellow cake myself and whip the frosting too. No artificial flavors, except for the coating since I used some pink candy melts. But you could use regular chocolate instead.
Now let me tell you: these cake pops were a huge hit among the kids! They were so happy to treat themselves with a pretty bite-size treat and loved them way more than the birthday cake. Many kids at the party were still talking about the cake pops days after. No need for candies when you make cake pops!
Why you’ll love homemade cake pops
- Taste like the original coffee shop version – and even better!
- Made from scratch (no cake mix, no ready-to-use frosting) with easy step-by-step instructions
- Kids LOVE them: They’re perfect for a kid’s birthday party!
What are cake pops?
If you’ve never made cake pops from scratch before, then you might be curious how we prepare these small bite-size treats on a stick. The recipe actually consists in 3 parts: a simple vanilla cake crumbled into pieces, then mixed together with some frosting, and finally dipped in some melted chocolate for coating.
What do you need to make cake pops from scratch
Basic ingredients. For the yellow cake and the frosting, you need some basic ingredients such as all-purpose flour, sugar, eggs, milk, butter, vanilla, and confectioners’ sugar.
Other ingredients and special equipment. Cake pop sticks (lollipop sticks) are an essential part of the recipe. Don’t forget to purchase them before you make the recipe! You’ll also need some pink candy melts with coconut oil for dipping. Semi-sweet chocolate or white chocolate bars also work fine. Last but not least, you’ll need a few sprinkles!
How to make cake pops
Find below the key steps to keep in mind to make cake pops. For the detailed recipe instructions, head over to the recipe card further below.
- Prepare and bake the vanilla cake. Let cool at room temperature.
- Prepare the frosting, beating all the ingredients together.
- Crumble the cooled cake and mix into the frosting until combined.
- Roll the cake pop dough into same-size cake balls. Place onto a tray lined with parchment paper and place in the refrigerator for 1 hour to harden.
- Dip into melted candy melts/chocolate (as described in the recipe card) and decorate with sprinkles. Place them upright to harden on a cake pop stand.
Expert tips
- Plan ahead and don’t rush the process. Let’s be honest here for a minute. These cake pops are easy to make from scratch, but the recipe itself takes time. For best results, I recommend to plan ahead and respect the chilling time rather than rushing the process.
- Make sure your cake pops are cold enough before dipping into the chocolate coating, or they may change their shape and start to melt. To ensure they remain cold, I suggest you remove the cake balls from the refrigerator one at a time rather than all at once.
- Secure that the cake ball adhere to the lollipop stick. To do so, dip the tip of the stick into the coating first, then insert the coated end into the center of the cake ball.
- Use the right method to cool upright. When dipping the cake pops into the melted chocolate, make sure you hold them upright or you’ll ruin the recipe. To make your job easier, I highly recommend you order a cake pop stand (super useful). For a cheaper option, you can make holes in a cardboard box but I find this method tricky and not optimal.
Storing instructions
Cake pops keeps very well up to 5 days in the refrigerator. You can also freeze them in a freezer bag and keep up to 3 months. It comes in handy when you’re craving a little sweet treat – or if you want to plan a big birthday party in advance!
Other recipes for a successful Birthday Party:
- Unicorn Cake
- Healthy Chocolate Birthday Cake
- Double Chocolate Muffins
- Funfetti Cookies
- Strawberry Vanilla Layer Cake (small size)
- Chocolate Chip Skillet Cookies
Homemade Cake Pops
- Prep Time: 2 hours
- Chilling Time: 1 hour
- Total Time: 3 hours
- Yield: 40 cake pops 1x
- Category: Cookies
Learn how to make homemade cake pops from scratch! This copycat Starbucks cake pop recipe uses simple ingredients (no cake mix or canned frosting) and makes the cutest bite-size treat for a kid’s birthday party!
Email me this recipe
We’ll send it straight to your inbox, along with weekly food inspiration!
Ingredients
For the yellow cake:
- 1 cup (200g) granulated sugar
- 1 stick (120g) unsalted butter, softened
- 1 large egg
- 2 cups (240g) all-purpose flour
- 2 teaspoons baking powder
- ¼ teaspoon fine sea salt
- 1 cup (240 ml) milk
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
For the frosting:
- 7 Tablespoons (100g) unsalted butter, softened to room temperature
- 1 ¾ cups (210g) confectioners’ sugar
- 2–3 teaspoons milk
For the chocolate coating:
- 12 ounces (340g) pink candy melts (or white chocolate bars)
- ½ teaspoon coconut oil (optional)
- 40 lollipop sticks
- White sprinkle mix
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 350°F (180°C). Grease and flour a 9×9-inch (23×23 cm) cake pan. Set aside.
- For the yellow cake. In a large bowl, cream together the butter and sugar with an electric mixer on medium speed until light and fluffy, about 3-5 minutes. Add in the egg, vanilla, and beat until well combined.
- In a separate bowl, whisk together the flour, baking powder, and salt. Slowly add in half of the dry ingredients to the wet ingredients, mixing until combined. Add the milk and mix until combined. Add the rest of the flour, stirring just until combined. Do not overmix.
- Spread the batter into the prepared cake pan. Bake for 35-40 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted into the center comes out clean. Allow the cake to cool completely in the pan set on a wire rack.
- For the frosting. In the bowl of a stand mixer fitted with a paddle attachment, beat the softened butter on medium speed until creamy, about 2 minutes. Add the confectioners’ sugar, milk, and vanilla extract and mix on low speed to combine. Increase to high speed and beat for 3 minutes.
- Crumble the cooled cake into the bowl on top of the frosting. Make sure there are no large lumps. Turn the mixer on low speed and beat together the frosting and cake crumbles until combined.
- Scoop 1 Tablespoon of the mixture and roll into a ball. Repeat with the remaining batter, then place the balls on a baking sheet lined with parchment paper and refrigerate for about 1 hour.*
- For the coating. Melt the pink candy melts or white chocolate in a measuring cup in the microwave in 20-second increments, until smooth. Add a teaspoon of coconut oil to thin it out (optional but recommended).
- Dip ¼-inch (0.5 cm) of a cake pop stick into the chocolate, and then insert it halfway into the cake ball. Completely dip the cake ball into the coating and lightly tap off any excess. Add some sprinkles on top. Place upright into a cake pop stand, or a Styrofoam block.** Repeat with all cake balls. Place cake pops in the refrigerator and allow coating to set completely, approximately one hour.
Notes
* If like me you’re a perfectionist, you can re-roll the chilled balls to reshape.
** I highly recommend using a cake pop stand; it will make your job way easier. Also, while coating the balls, only work a few balls at a time, keeping the other ones in the refrigerator, as the cake balls must remain very cold when dipping.
Did you make this recipe?
Lastly, if you make this Homemade Cake Pops, be sure to leave a comment and give this recipe a rating, letting me know how you liked it. And of course, don’t forget to tag me on Instagram! Thank you and enjoy!
