I still remember the first time I tried a Starbucks cake pop. I had my coffee in one hand, and this tiny pink treat on a stick in the other. One bite in, and it was soft, sweet, and the perfect partner for a hot drink. But with kids who can spot a Starbucks sign from a mile away, those little indulgences add up fast. That’s when I decided—why not make them at home?
Now, these cake pops have become part of our weekend kitchen fun. The kids love rolling the cake balls, I get to sneak a few before the frosting step, and we all feel pretty proud when the candy coating sets and they look like they came right out of a café display case.
Why This Recipe Works Every Time
Cake pops can sometimes be tricky—too dry, too soft, or they just won’t stay on the stick. This version is as close to foolproof as I’ve found because:
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Boxed cake mix = consistent results. It takes out the guesswork, and honestly, I’m all for shortcuts that don’t compromise taste.
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The frosting binds everything together so the pops stay moist inside without crumbling.
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Candy melts give that smooth outer shell that feels just like the Starbucks ones.
Plus, you can make them any flavor or color you like—my daughter insists on pink for every occasion, but I’ve done everything from lemon-yellow for spring to dark chocolate for my own coffee breaks.
Ingredients You’ll Need
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Vanilla Cake Mix – Plus the ingredients listed on the box. I usually grab the store brand; it works just as well as name-brand.
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Vanilla Frosting – Pre-made frosting is perfect here, but if you have homemade buttercream left over, go for it.
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Cake Pop Sticks or Lollipop Sticks – You can find these in baking aisles or craft stores.
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Pink Candy Melts – These melt smoother than regular chocolate and hold their color beautifully.
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White Sprinkles – Optional, but they give that signature Starbucks look.
Flavor & Color Variations I’ve Tried
Once you get the hang of it, switching things up is easy:
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Chocolate Cake + Chocolate Frosting – Rich and indulgent, perfect for grown-up coffee pairings.
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Strawberry Cake + White Candy Melts – A hit at my niece’s baby shower.
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Red Velvet + Cream Cheese Frosting – A Valentine’s Day tradition in our house.
You can even use seasonal candy melts—green for St. Patrick’s Day, orange for Halloween.
Step-by-Step: My Method for Perfect Cake Pops
Step 1 – Bake Your Cake
Prepare the cake mix as per the box instructions. I bake it in a 9×13 pan so it cools faster.
Step 2 – Trim and Crumble
Once cooled, slice off the golden-brown edges. They’re tasty for snacking, but they make the pops harder to roll. Crumble the soft cake into a large bowl.
Step 3 – Mix with Frosting
Add frosting a spoonful at a time. Too much and the pops will be sticky, too little and they’ll fall apart. I stop mixing when the texture feels like cookie dough.
Step 4 – Roll into Balls
Use a cookie scoop for even sizes—this keeps the cooking sticks upright later. Place them on a lined baking tray.
Step 5 – Chill Before Sticking
Melt a little candy, dip the end of each stick in it, and insert halfway into each ball. This ‘glues’ the stick in place. Chill in the freezer for 10–15 minutes.
Step 6 – Coat in Candy Melts
Reheat your melts if needed. Dip each chilled cake ball, turning it gently to coat. Let the excess drip back into the bowl.
Step 7 – Decorate & Dry
Stick the pops into a Styrofoam block or a sturdy cardboard box. Add sprinkles right away before the coating sets.
Making Them Ahead
I often bake the cake and form the balls a week before a birthday party, freezing them in a single layer before transferring to a bag. On decorating day, they’re ready to coat. This trick has saved me from last-minute stress more times than I can count.
Serving Ideas
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On a tiered dessert stand for parties—it looks like you bought them from a bakery.
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Wrapped individually in clear cellophane for party favors.
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In a mason jar on the coffee table for guests to grab.
Storage Tips
Once coated, cake pops last up to a week in the fridge. If you want them to stay fresh longer, freeze the undecorated balls and coat them closer to serving time.
Starbucks Cake Pops
These sweet little treats are just as pretty as they are delicious—soft, moist cake crumbled and rolled into bite-sized pops, dipped in creamy pink coating, and sprinkled with a touch of sparkle. Perfect for parties, gifts, or just because.
Ingredients
- 12 oz pink candy melts
- 1 box classic cake mix (plus ingredients listed on the box)
- 3 Tbsp vanilla frosting (store-bought or homemade)
- White sprinkles
- 24–36 cake pop or lollipop sticks
Instructions
- Bake the cake: Prepare and bake the cake according to the package directions. Let it cool completely before handling.
- Crumble the cake: Remove the baked cake from the pan and discard the browned outer layer. Break the soft center into fine crumbs in a large mixing bowl.
- Mix in the frosting: Add the vanilla frosting to the crumbs and stir until the mixture holds together like dough.
- Shape into balls: Roll the mixture into evenly sized balls (a cookie scoop helps keep them uniform) and arrange them on a parchment-lined baking sheet.
- Prepare the candy coating: In a microwave-safe bowl, melt the candy melts in 30-second bursts, stirring between each until smooth.
- Insert the sticks: Dip the tip of each stick into the melted candy, then insert it halfway into a cake ball. Chill the tray in the freezer for 10–15 minutes.
- Coat the pops: Rewarm the candy melts if needed. Dip each chilled cake pop until fully covered, letting any excess drip back into the bowl.
- Decorate and set: Place the coated pops upright in a block of styrofoam and immediately sprinkle with white decorations before the coating hardens.
- Serve and enjoy: Once the coating is fully set, your cake pops are ready to share—or keep all to yourself!
Nutrition Information
Yield
36Serving Size
1Amount Per Serving Calories 10153Total Fat 461gSaturated Fat 76gTrans Fat 0gUnsaturated Fat 359gCholesterol 1929mgSodium 7029mgCarbohydrates 1467gFiber 8gSugar 1088gProtein 77g
TastyFitnessRecipes.com, occasionally offers nutritional information for recipes contained on this site. This information is provided as a courtesy and is an estimate only. This information comes from online calculators. Although tastyfitnessrecipes.com attempts to provide accurate nutritional information, these figures are only estimates.
FAQs from Friends Who’ve Tried This Recipe
Do they have to be kept in the fridge?
If it’s warm out, yes, to keep the coating firm. In cooler weather, they can sit at room temp for a couple of days.
Can I skip the candy melts?
You can use tempered chocolate, but it won’t have that Starbucks-style glossy shell.
Why do my sticks keep falling out?
That usually means the frosting ratio is off or the cake balls weren’t chilled enough before dipping.
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