Homemade Birthday Cake Pops

Craving the delicious Starbucks birthday cake pops? Now you can make them at home! These homemade birthday cake pops are rich, sweet, and perfect for any celebration. Covered in a smooth candy coating and topped with sprinkles, they are sure to impress.

Why These Cake Pops Are a Must-Try

• Starbucks Copycat: Recreate the popular birthday cake pops from Starbucks in the comfort of your own home.

• Fun & Interactive: Making cake pops is a fun project for kids and adults alike. Perfect for parties and events.

• Customizable: Choose different coatings or sprinkles to match your celebration theme.

• Perfectly Sweet: These cake pops are a delightful mix of moist cake, buttercream, and a crunchy candy coating.

Ingredients

For the Cake

• 1 box (13.25 oz) vanilla cake mix

• ⅓ cup neutral oil (vegetable, avocado, or canola)

• 1 cup milk or water

• 4 large eggs

For the Vanilla Buttercream

• ¼ cup unsalted butter, softened

• 1 cup powdered sugar

• 1 tsp vanilla extract

• Pinch of salt

• 1 tsp milk (add more if needed)

For the Coating

• 12 oz candy melts (choose your preferred color)

• White nonpareils or sprinkles for decoration

(Tip: You’ll find the full list of ingredients and measurements in the recipe card below.)

Instructions

1. Preheat the Oven: Preheat your oven to 325°F-350°F (162°C-175°C). Follow the cake mix box’s instructions for the correct temperature based on your pan size.

2. Bake the Cake: In a large mixing bowl, combine the cake mix, oil, milk (or water), and eggs. Pour the batter into a greased or lined baking pan. Bake according to the box instructions, checking with a toothpick 2-4 minutes before the recommended bake time to avoid overbaking.

3. Crumble the Cake: Once the cake is baked, remove it from the oven and place it in a large mixing bowl while it’s still hot. Use a stand mixer (with a paddle attachment) or a handheld mixer on low speed to crumble the cake. You can also crumble it by hand if you prefer.

4. Prepare the Buttercream: In a small bowl, beat together the softened butter, powdered sugar, vanilla extract, salt, and milk until smooth. Add the buttercream to the crumbled cake and mix well until fully incorporated.

5. Shape the Cake Pops: Roll the cake mixture into 1¼-inch balls, approximately 30g each. Chill them in the freezer for 15 minutes. Let them sit at room temperature for 10 minutes while you melt the candy coating.

6. Prepare the Coating: Melt a small portion of the candy melts in the microwave, heating in 15-30 second increments, stirring each time, until the mixture is smooth.

7. Insert the Sticks: Dip the tip of each lollipop stick into the melted candy melts and gently insert it halfway into the center of each cake ball. Repeat for all cake balls, then chill them in the freezer for another 15 minutes.

8. Coat the Cake Pops: After the cake pops have chilled, melt the remaining candy melts until smooth. Dip each cake pop into the melted candy, making sure it is fully submerged. Tap off any excess candy coating.

9. Decorate: While the coating is still soft, quickly decorate the cake pops with sprinkles or nonpareils. Stand the cake pops upright in a styrofoam block to dry completely.

10. Chill and Serve: Allow the cake pops to dry fully before serving, and enjoy your delicious homemade treats!

Servings and Timing

• Servings: 30 cake pops

• Prep time: 1 hour

• Cook time: 30 minutes

• Chill time: 30 minutes

• Total time: 2 hours

Variations

• Flavor Swaps: Experiment with different cake mix flavors like chocolate or red velvet for a fun twist.

• Colorful Coating: Use different colored candy melts to match any party theme or occasion.

• Sprinkle Variety: Choose a variety of sprinkles, such as rainbow, metallic, or themed sprinkles for an extra festive touch.

• Add-In Options: Try mixing in mini chocolate chips, fruit jam, or even extra frosting for a richer cake ball filling.

Storage/Reheating

• Storing Cake Pops: Store cake pops in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 1 week.

• Freezing: Freeze cake pops (before decorating) for up to 2 months. Decorate them after thawing.

• Reheating: Since these are cake pops, they don’t need reheating. Simply serve at room temperature.

FAQs

Can I make these cake pops in advance?

Yes, you can prepare the cake pops a day or two ahead. Just store them in an airtight container before decorating.

Can I use a different cake flavor?

Definitely! You can use chocolate cake mix, red velvet, or any other flavor of your choice to create unique cake pops.

How do I prevent the cake pops from falling off the sticks?

The key is to dip the lollipop stick into the melted candy coating before inserting it into the cake ball. This helps the stick stay in place.

Can I make the coating with chocolate instead of candy melts?

Yes, you can use melted chocolate, but candy melts are easier to work with and provide a smoother finish.

Can I make these without a stand mixer?

You can crumble the cake by hand or use a handheld mixer if you don’t have a stand mixer. It will take a little longer but works just fine.

How do I prevent the candy coating from being too thick?

Make sure to melt the candy melts properly, adding small amounts of shortening or oil to achieve a smooth, thin consistency.

How long do these cake pops last?

Cake pops can be stored for up to 1 week at room temperature, or up to 2 months in the freezer.

Can I make cake pops without lollipop sticks?

Yes, you can make cake balls without sticks. Just roll them into smaller balls and serve them as bite-sized treats.

How do I keep the cake pops upright while they dry?

Place the cake pops in a styrofoam block or any container that can hold them upright while the candy coating sets.

Can I decorate these with other toppings?

Of course! You can use crushed candies, edible glitter, or even drizzle more melted chocolate on top for extra flair.

Conclusion

These homemade birthday cake pops are the perfect treat for any celebration! Whether you’re craving a fun activity or need a cute dessert for a party, these cake pops are a guaranteed hit. With their soft, moist cake center, creamy buttercream, and festive candy coating, they’ll have everyone coming back for more. Enjoy making them and sharing the sweetness with friends and family!