You know that craving. The one for those perfect, sweet little Starbucks cake pops. If you love those, you’ll adore our full Starbucks Copycat Birthday Cake Pops recipe for an even more festive version.
But who has the time or energy to be a fancy pastry chef on a random Tuesday? Or to prep for a birthday party that snuck up on you?
I hear you. That’s why we’re making Easy Starbucks Cake Pops right here, right now. No fancy skills needed. Just maximum fun and flavor for minimum effort.
We’re skipping the long lines and high prices. We’re using a genius shortcut that works every single time. Let’s get into the kitchen and make some magic happen.
Recipe Overview
- Cuisine: American
- Category: Dessert
- Prep Time: 30 minutes
- Cook Time: 0 minutes (No-Bake!)
- Total Time: 1 hour (including chilling)
- Servings: 20-24 cake pops
Ultimate Guide to Easy Starbucks Cake Pops
This is your only guide. I’ve tested all the tricks so you don’t have to.
We’re focusing on three things: iconic flavor, crazy speed, and total ease. The secret? We’re starting with a baked cake. But not one we bake.
That’s right. We use a store-bought cake or leftover cake. This is a game-changer for easy baking recipes. It cuts your time in half.
We’ll mix it with frosting, dip it in chocolate, and decorate like a pro. The result is a sweet treat that rivals the coffee shop version.
You get all the joy of homemade cake pops without the stress. Perfect for party snacks or a fun kitchen project.
Easy Starbucks Cake Pops Recipe
The Simple Ingredients
Let’s Get Cooking! (The Step-by-Step)
Notes
Enjoy your homemade Easy Starbucks Cake Pops Recipe!
Nutrition Information
The Simple Ingredients
I love this list. You might already have most of it in your pantry. That’s the goal!
- 1 (9×13 inch) baked cake (store-bought or homemade, any flavor)
- 1/2 cup prepared frosting (vanilla or cream cheese works great)
- 16 oz (about 2 cups) candy melting wafers (vanilla, chocolate, or pink)
- 1 tablespoon coconut oil or shortening
- Sprinkles, for decorating
- 24 lollipop sticks
- 1 styrofoam block (to hold pops while drying)
Let’s Get Cooking! (The Step-by-Step)
Grab a big bowl and let’s go. This process is seriously fun and messy in the best way.
- Crumble the cake. Take your baked cake and crumble it completely into fine crumbs in a large mixing bowl. Use your hands! It’s therapeutic.
- Add the frosting. Spoon in about half of the frosting. Mix it in with a spatula or your hands. You want the mixture to hold together when pinched. Add more frosting a spoonful at a time if needed. Don’t make it too wet!
- Roll the balls. Scoop out about 1 tablespoon of the mixture. Roll it into a tight, smooth ball. Place it on a baking sheet lined with parchment paper. Repeat with all the mixture.
- Chill them. Pop the baking sheet into the freezer for 15 minutes. This step is crucial. It makes dipping so much easier.
- Melt the coating. While the balls chill, melt your candy wafers with the coconut oil. Do this in a microwave-safe bowl in 30-second bursts, stirring well between each. You want it smooth and thin.
- Dip the sticks. Take a lollipop stick and dip the tip about 1/2 inch into the melted candy. Then, push it into a chilled cake ball about halfway through. This acts like glue.
- Dip the pops. Now, dip the entire cake pop into the melted candy. Gently tap off any excess coating. This is the key to a smooth shell.
- Decorate and dry. Immediately add sprinkles. Then, stick the pop into your styrofoam block to dry completely. Repeat with all pops!
What to Serve With This Dish
These are the star of the show! But they love being part of a bigger spread.
For a birthday party, pair them with other sweet snacks like a fruit platter or mini cupcakes. It creates a beautiful dessert table. For another stunning addition to a dessert spread, try this gorgeous Blueberry Cheesecake Crumb Cake.
For a fun afternoon, serve them with hot coffee or cold milk. The bitter coffee cuts the sweetness perfectly. It’s a classic combo for a reason.
Make This Recipe Your Own (Quick Swaps)
This recipe is a fantastic base. Play with it! Here are my favorite easy swaps.
Use a chocolate cake with vanilla frosting. Dip in dark chocolate coating. Instant classic flavor.
Try funfetti cake with pink candy melts. Cover it in rainbow sprinkles. It’s the ultimate birthday cake pop.
For a richer treat, use red velvet cake and cream cheese frosting. Dip in white chocolate. You can’t go wrong.
How to Store Leftovers (If You Have Any!)
They keep well! Store them in a single layer in an airtight container.
They will last at room temperature for 2-3 days. You can also keep them in the fridge for up to a week.
For longer storage, freeze them. Place them in a freezer-safe container for up to a month. Thaw at room temperature.
NUTRITION INFORMATION
- Calories: ~180 kcal
- Carbohydrates: 25g
- Protein: 1g
- Fat: 9g
- Saturated Fat: 5g
- Sugar: 20g
*This is an estimate per cake pop. Values will vary with your specific ingredients.
FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
Why are my cake pops falling off the stick?
This usually means the cake ball is too heavy or the stick wasn’t “glued” first. Make sure you dip the stick in coating before inserting it. Also, don’t make the balls too big. And always chill them before dipping!
Can I use real chocolate instead of candy melts?
You can, but you must temper it. Candy melts are designed to set hard at room temperature. They are the easy win for this recipe. If you use chocolate chips, add a little more coconut oil to thin it for dipping.
My coating is too thick! Help!
Thin it out! Add a tiny bit more coconut oil or shortening to the melted wafers and stir. This will make it much easier to dip and get that smooth, professional look.
See? I told you it was simple. You just made Starbucks-worthy cake pops in your own kitchen. No fancy class required.
This is how we do fun baking recipes that actually fit into real life. You get the sweet treats and keep your sanity. It’s a total win. If you’re looking for another simple, fruity cake recipe, this easy Peach Cake is a summer favorite.
Now, go be the hero of your next party or weeknight treat session. Let me know how your cake pops turn out by leaving a comment and rating below!
