Description
These Starbucks-style cake pops are an easy, fun, and delicious treat featuring moist vanilla cake mixed with frosting, dipped in a pink candy shell, and topped with sprinkles. Perfect for parties, gifts, or a sweet snack, they’re a beginner-friendly recipe that looks and tastes just like the coffee shop favorite.
Ingredients
Scale
- 1 box classic vanilla cake mix (plus ingredients needed to prepare it)
- 3 tablespoons vanilla frosting
- 24-36 cake pop sticks
- 12 ounces pink candy melts
- 2 tablespoons white sprinkles
Instructions
- Bake the cake: Prepare the vanilla cake according to the package instructions. Once baked, let it cool completely at room temperature before handling.
- Prepare the cake crumbs: Remove the cake from the pan and cut off the browned outer layer. Crumble the remaining cake into fine crumbs in a large mixing bowl.
- Combine with frosting: Add the vanilla frosting to the cake crumbs and mix until fully incorporated. The mixture should be moist enough to hold its shape when pressed together but not sticky.
- Shape the cake balls: Roll the mixture into evenly sized balls, about 1 to 1.5 inches in diameter. Use a cookie scoop for uniformity. Place them on a lined baking sheet.
- Chill the cake balls: Transfer the baking sheet to the freezer and chill the cake balls for 10–15 minutes to firm up before inserting sticks.
- Prepare the candy melts: Melt the pink candy melts in a microwave-safe bowl, heating in 30-second intervals and stirring between each until smooth and fully melted.
- Insert the sticks: Dip the tip of each cake pop stick into the melted candy, then insert it halfway into a cake ball. This creates a secure hold and prevents slipping.
- Dip the cake pops: Once the cake pops are firm, dip each one into the melted candy, ensuring full coverage. Gently tap off excess coating to create a smooth finish.
- Decorate and dry: Immediately add sprinkles while the coating is still wet. Place the cake pops upright in a block of Styrofoam or a box with holes to dry completely.
- Serve and enjoy: Once the candy coating has fully set, your cake pops are ready to enjoy!
Notes
- If the cake pops crack after dipping, let them sit at room temperature for a minute before coating to prevent temperature shock.
- If the candy melts harden during dipping, reheat them in 10-second bursts, stirring in between.
- For chocolate lovers, swap pink candy melts for dark or white chocolate.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 30 minutes
- Category: Dessert
- Method: No-bake (after initial baking)
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 cake pop
- Calories: 111
- Sugar: 14g
- Sodium: 126mg
- Fat: 3g
- Saturated Fat: 2g
- Unsaturated Fat: 1g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 19g
- Fiber: 1g
- Protein: 1g
- Cholesterol: 0mg