why make this recipe
Starbucks Copycat Birthday Cake Pops are a delightful treat that brings the fun of celebration right to your home. They are perfect for birthdays, parties, or just a sweet snack. With a soft cake center dipped in colorful candy melts and sprinkled with fun toppings, these cake pops are not only delicious but also visually appealing. Plus, making them at home lets you customize flavors and decorations to suit your taste!
how to make Starbucks Copycat Birthday Cake Pops
Ingredients:
- 13.25 oz any store-bought box of vanilla cake mix
- ⅓ cup neutral oil (vegetable, avocado, canola, etc.)
- 1 cup milk or water
- 4 large eggs
- ¼ cup unsalted butter (softened)
- 1 cup powdered sugar
- 1 tsp vanilla extract
- Pinch of salt
- 1 tsp milk (add more if needed)
- 12 oz candy melts
- White nonpareils or sprinkles
Directions:
- Preheat your oven to 325-350℉ (162-175℃). Check your cake box recipe for the exact temperature based on your baking pan size.
- In a large bowl, combine all the cake ingredients. Mix well.
- Pour the batter into a greased or lined baking pan, and then place it in the oven. Use a toothpick to check if the cake is done 2-4 minutes before the recommended bake time; it should come out clean. Be careful not to overbake!
- Once baked, move the hot cake into a large mixing bowl. Crumble it using a stand mixer on low speed with a paddle attachment until no large pieces remain. You can also use a handheld mixer or crumble the cake by hand if you prefer.
- In a small bowl, mix all the buttercream ingredients together. You don’t need to sift the powdered sugar. Stir until smooth, but it’s okay if there are small lumps.
- Add the buttercream to the crumbled cake and mix until fully combined.
- Roll the cake mixture into balls about 1¼ inches in diameter (approximately 30g each). Chill the rolled cake pops in the freezer for 15 minutes, then let them sit at room temperature for 10 minutes as you melt your candy melts.
- Melt a small amount of pink candy melts in the microwave according to the package instructions. It’s best to heat and stir in 15-30 second intervals until melted and smooth.
- Dip the tip of each lollipop stick into the melted candy, then insert it into the center of each cake ball, pushing it halfway in. Repeat this for all cake balls and return them to the freezer for another 15 minutes.
- Take the cake pops out of the freezer and let them return to room temperature for 10 minutes. Melt the remaining candy melts until they reach your desired thin consistency.
- Dip each cake pop into the melted candy melts, making sure to submerge it all the way to the stick. This helps to hold the cake pop on the stick.
- Gently tap the stick with one hand while holding it in the other to let excess candy melt drip off. Aim for a smooth, even coating.
- Quickly decorate with sprinkles or nonpareils. Place finished cake pops into a styrofoam block to keep them upright while they dry. Repeat this until all cake pops are decorated.
how to serve Starbucks Copycat Birthday Cake Pops
Serve these delightful cake pops on a cute platter or cake stand. They are great for grabbing and enjoying, making them a hit at parties or gatherings. You can also package them in clear bags tied with ribbon for a fun party favor!
how to store Starbucks Copycat Birthday Cake Pops
Store your cake pops in an airtight container in the refrigerator. They will stay fresh for about a week. If they are decorated with sprinkles, it’s best to serve them within a few days to maintain their crispness.
tips to make Starbucks Copycat Birthday Cake Pops
- Don’t overbake the cake, as this can lead to dry cake pops.
- Allow the cake to cool slightly before crumbling; this will make it easier to mix.
- Use different colors of candy melts for fun variations and festive looks.
- If the coating is too thick, you can add a little bit of shortening to the candy melts to thin it out.
Make-Ahead & Party Prep Tips for Starbucks Copycat Birthday Cake Pops
STARBUCKS COPYCAT BIRTHDAY CAKE POPS ARE PERFECT FOR PARTIES BECAUSE YOU CAN MAKE THEM IN STAGES AND HAVE THEM READY BEFORE YOUR EVENT. INSTEAD OF RUSHING ON THE SAME DAY, YOU CAN BAKE THE CAKE, ROLL THE BALLS, AND DIP THEM IN COATING OVER 1–2 DAYS. THIS MAKES THEM IDEAL FOR BIRTHDAYS, SCHOOL EVENTS, OR HOLIDAY DESSERT TABLES.
YOU CAN ALSO MATCH THE COLORS TO ANY THEME BY SWITCHING UP YOUR CANDY MELTS AND SPRINKLES—PASTELS FOR BABY SHOWERS, BRIGHT COLORS FOR KIDS’ PARTIES, OR METALLIC SPRINKLES FOR HOLIDAYS.
variation
Feel free to experiment with different cake flavors or candy melt colors. You could try chocolate cake with dark or white candy melts, or add flavor extracts like almond or lemon to the buttercream for a unique twist!
FAQs
1. Can I use homemade cake instead of a box mix?
Yes, you can absolutely use homemade cake! Just ensure it crumbles well, as this is essential for forming the cake pops.
2. How can I make the cake pops more flavorful?
You can add flavoring extracts, like almond or lemon, to the cake batter or buttercream. Incorporating mini chocolate chips or sprinkles into the cake mixture can also add flavor and texture.
3. What should I do if my candy melts aren’t melting properly?
Make sure to heat them in small increments and stir in between. Adding a bit of vegetable shortening can also help achieve a smoother consistency if they’re too thick.
Starbucks Copycat Birthday Cake Pops
Ingredients
For the Cake Pops
- 13.25 oz any store-bought box of vanilla cake mix
- ⅓ cup neutral oil (vegetable, avocado, canola, etc.)
- 1 cup milk or water
- 4 large eggs
- ¼ cup unsalted butter (softened)
- 1 cup powdered sugar
- 1 tsp vanilla extract
- 1 pinch salt
- 1 tsp milk (add more if needed)
- 12 oz candy melts
- White nonpareils or sprinkles
Instructions
Preparation
- Preheat your oven to 325-350℉ (162-175℃). Check your cake box recipe for the exact temperature based on your baking pan size.
- In a large bowl, combine all the cake ingredients. Mix well.
- Pour the batter into a greased or lined baking pan, and then place it in the oven. Use a toothpick to check if the cake is done 2-4 minutes before the recommended bake time.
- Once baked, move the hot cake into a large mixing bowl. Crumble it using a stand mixer on low speed until no large pieces remain.
- In a small bowl, mix all the buttercream ingredients together. Stir until smooth.
- Add the buttercream to the crumbled cake and mix until fully combined.
- Roll the cake mixture into balls about 1¼ inches in diameter (approximately 30g each). Chill the rolled cake pops in the freezer for 15 minutes.
- Melt a small amount of pink candy melts in the microwave according to the package instructions.
- Dip the tip of each lollipop stick into the melted candy, then insert it into the center of each cake ball.
- Return cake balls to the freezer for another 15 minutes.
- Melt the remaining candy melts until they reach your desired thin consistency.
- Dip each cake pop into the melted candy melts, making sure to submerge it all the way to the stick.
- Gently tap the stick to let excess candy melt drip off and decoratively decorate with sprinkles.
- Allow them to dry in a styrofoam block.