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Easy Starbucks Cake Pop Copycat Recipe
5 from 18 votes

Easy Starbucks Cake Pop Copycat Recipe

This recipe recreates Starbucks-style cake pops using a simple vanilla cake base combined with a smooth buttercream frosting, coated in pink candy melts. The process involves baking a moist vanilla cake, mixing it with a creamy frosting to form cake balls, and then dipping these in flavored candy coating. The final texture is tender and sweet, with a crisp candy shell that offers a pleasing contrast. Making these at home offers control over sweetness and decoration, perfect for celebrations or treats.

Prep Time
15 mins
Cook Time
1 hr
Freezing Time
30 mins
Total Time
1 hr 45 mins
Servings: 30 cake pops
Calories: 166 kcal
Course: Dessert, Snacks
Cuisine: American

Ingredients

Vanilla Cake
  • 1 box vanilla cake mix
  • water other ingredients called for on the box
  • oil
  • eggs
Frosting
  • 7 tablespoons butter room temperature, unsalted
  • 1 ¾ cups confectioners’ sugar
  • 2-3 teaspoons heavy cream or milk
  • 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
Coating
  • 36 ounces pink candy melts (I use Wilton brand, you can also use white chocolate with red food coloring)
  • 2 teaspoons vegetable oil
  • Sprinkles white

Instructions

Make the Cake
    Cup of Yum
  1. Preheat oven to 350°F. Grease a cake pan or baking dish.
  2. Prepare the cake batter according to the instructions on the package. Then pour it to the cake pan.
  3. Bake according to the instructions (30-35 minutes) or until a toothpick inserted in the center comes out clean. (If the top browns too fast, you can cover the pan with aluminum foil.)
  4. Let the cake cool to room temperature on a wire rack.
Make the Frosting
  1. Add softened butter into a large bowl, and beat the butter with a handheld mixer on medium speed until creamy (about 2 minutes).
  2. While the mixer is running, add 1/2 cup of confectioner's sugar. Mix until combined. Add heavy cream, vanila, cand the rest of confectioners’ sugar, a little a time.
  3. Increase the speed to high and beat for 3 more minutes.
Make Cake Balls
  1. Cut the brown edges off the cake, and add the cake into a large bowl. Crumble the cake using your hands. Make sure there are no large lumps. (Don’t make it too crumbly or it won’t hold together.)
  2. Add the frosting into the cake. Mix until everything’s combined. (Start with 1/2 of the frosting, gradually add more until you reach the perfect consistency.)
  3. Use an ice cream scoop and scoop out a full scoop of cake mixture (about 1 and a half tablespoons). Squeeze the mixture and roll it into a ball. Then place it onto a parchment paper lined baking sheet. Repeat until all the cake mixture has been formed into balls.
  4. In a small microwave safe bowl, melt a few candy melts (2 - 4 ounces). Begin by heating for 30 seconds and then stirring. Repeat until all candy melts are melted.
  5. Dip the tip of the cake pop sticks into the melted candy melts. Then insert each stick into a call ball about half-way.
  6. Freeze for about 30 minutes.
Coat the Cake Balls
  1. Right before they are ready to be taken out of the freezer, melt the rest of the candy melts.
  2. Once melted, add vegetable oil. Mix well and pour it into a deep glass.
  3. Dip the cake ball into the coating until it’s completely covered. Gently tap the stick against the edge of the glass to allow excess coating to drop off.
  4. Decorate the top of the ball with white sprinkles and place upright into a box. Repeat with the remaining cake balls.
  5. Allow the coating to set for about 1 hour. Serve and enjoy!

Notes

  • Store cake pops in the refrigerator for up to one week to maintain freshness.
  • Cut off crispy edges of the cake before forming balls to prevent them from falling apart.
  • Add frosting gradually to the crumbled cake to get the right consistency; too much can make the mixture too moist to hold shape.
  • Use a Styrofoam or cardboard stand to hold cake pops upright while the coating dries and sets.

Nutrition Information

Calories 166kcal (8%) Carbohydrates 31g (10%) Protein 1g (2%) Fat 8g (12%) Saturated Fat 6g (30%) Trans Fat 1g (50%) Cholesterol 7mg (2%) Sodium 135mg (6%) Potassium 12mg (0%) Fiber 1g (4%) Sugar 16g (32%) Vitamin A 87IU (2%) Vitamin C 1mg (1%) Calcium 39mg (4%) Iron 1mg (6%)

Nutrition Facts

Serving: 30 cake pops

Amount Per Serving

Calories 166

% Daily Value*

Calories 166kcal 8%
Carbohydrates 31g 10%
Protein 1g 2%
Fat 8g 12%
Saturated Fat 6g 30%
Trans Fat 1g 50%
Cholesterol 7mg 2%
Sodium 135mg 6%
Potassium 12mg 0%
Fiber 1g 4%
Sugar 16g 32%
Vitamin A 87IU 2%
Vitamin C 1mg 1%
Calcium 39mg 4%
Iron 1mg 6%

* Percent Daily Values are based on a 2,000 calorie diet.