Starbucks Copycat Birthday Cake Pops

Making homemade treats is always a special way to celebrate, and these Starbucks Copycat Birthday Cake Pops are no exception. I remember the first time I made them; they brought a burst of joy to a friend’s celebration. These delightful bites are not just visually appealing but also packed with that rich, festive flavor we all love. Perfect for birthdays, anniversaries, or simply indulging your sweet tooth, these cake pops are sure to impress!

What Makes This Recipe Special

There are countless reasons to fall in love with this birthday cake pop recipe. For starters, they are incredibly easy to create and an excellent way to use a store-bought cake mix, making them both time-efficient and budget-friendly. Kids adore them, which makes them a fantastic project for bustling family nights or birthday parties.

“These cake pops were an absolute hit at my daughter’s birthday! The recipe was easy to follow, and they tasted just like the ones from Starbucks. I can’t recommend them enough!” – Happy Reviewer

Preparing Starbucks Copycat Birthday Cake Pops

Here’s the best part: making these cake pops involves straightforward steps that lead to a beautiful and delicious treat. You’ll start with baking a simple cake, then crumbling it to mix with a buttery frosting, rolling them into pops, and finally coating them in candy melts. It’s a fun process that even a novice can master!

Everything You Need for This Recipe

To whip up these delicious cake pops, gather the following ingredients:

• 1 box (13.25 oz) vanilla cake mix
• ⅓ cup neutral oil (like vegetable, avocado, or canola)
• 1 cup milk or water
• 4 large eggs
• ¼ cup unsalted butter (softened)
• 1 cup powdered sugar
• 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
• Pinch of salt
• 1 teaspoon milk (to adjust consistency)
• 12 oz candy melts (your favorite color)
• White nonpareils or sprinkles for decoration

Feel free to swap the cake mix for a gluten-free option or the milk for a non-dairy alternative if you have dietary preferences or restrictions!

Steps to Making Starbucks Copycat Birthday Cake Pops

1. Preheat your oven to 325-350℉ (162-175℃), checking your cake box for the exact temperature.
2. In a large mixing bowl, combine the cake mix, neutral oil, milk (or water), eggs, and softened butter.
3. Pour the batter into a greased or lined baking pan and bake it as directed. Use a toothpick to check for doneness a few minutes before the time is up.
4. Once baked, crumble the cake while it’s still warm into a large stand mixer bowl. Mix on low speed until no large pieces remain. Alternatively, crumble it by hand if you prefer.
5. In a separate bowl, stir together all the buttercream ingredients until smooth. Add this to the crumbled cake and mix well until fully incorporated.
6. Roll the mixture into 1¼-inch balls (around 30g each). Chill in the freezer for 15 minutes.
7. While chilling, melt a small amount of candy melts using the microwave in 15-30 second increments until smooth.
8. Dip the tip of each lollipop stick into the melted candy and insert it halfway into each cake ball. Chill them again for another 15 minutes.
9. Melt the remaining candy melts and dip each cake pop until fully coated. Allow excess candy to drip off, then quickly decorate with sprinkles.
10. To dry, stick the cake pops into a styrofoam block.

Serving Suggestions for Your Cake Pops

These cake pops are perfect as a standalone treat but can also shine at larger gatherings. Serve them in colorful wrappers for a festive look or place them in a decorative jar as a centerpiece. These pops also pair wonderfully with a side of coffee or hot chocolate, making them an irresistible addition to any dessert table.

Best Way to Store Starbucks Copycat Birthday Cake Pops

To keep your cake pops fresh, store them in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 5 days. If you need to keep them longer, consider refrigerating them, which can extend their shelf life for about two weeks. For freezing, wrap each pop in plastic wrap and place them in a freezer-safe container. They can last for up to three months in the freezer!

Pro Chef Tips for Perfect Pops

1. Don’t skip the chilling steps! This helps the cake pops maintain their shape during the coating process.
2. Use high-quality candy melts for smoother coatings and vibrant colors.
3. If the cake mixture feels too dry during mixing, carefully add milk a teaspoon at a time until it’s just right.

Creative Twists on the Original

Feeling adventurous? Here are some variations to put a spin on your birthday cake pops:

• Flavors: Substitute the vanilla cake mix with chocolate, red velvet, or even lemon-flavored cake for different tastes!
• Decorations: Instead of standard sprinkles, use themed decorations for holidays or occasions (like hearts for Valentine’s Day).
• Dipping: Experiment with different candy melts, such as dark chocolate or caramel for a gourmet touch.

Your Questions Answered

How long do these cake pops take to make?

The total time to make these delicious cake pops is approximately 1.5 to 2 hours, including baking, cooling, and assembly time.

Can I substitute the eggs in this recipe?

Yes! You can use egg replacements like applesauce, mashed bananas, or a commercial egg replacer to make this recipe vegan-friendly.

Can I freeze the cake pops before dipping?

Absolutely! Bake and shape your cake pops, then freeze them before dipping them in candy melts. This ensures they keep their shape while coating.

Getting creative in the kitchen is rewarding, and what better way to celebrate than with these delightful birthday cake pops? Whether it’s for a festive occasion or just to treat yourself, this recipe is a crowd-pleaser that never goes out of style. Happy baking!

Starbucks Copycat Birthday Cake Pops

---

• Total Time: 90 minutes
• Yield: 30 cake pops 1x
• Diet: Vegetarian

Pin Recipe

Pin Recipe

Description

Delicious and festive birthday cake pops inspired by Starbucks. Perfect for celebrations or treating yourself!

---

Ingredients

Scale 1x2x3x

• 1 box (13.25 oz) vanilla cake mix
• ⅓ cup neutral oil (like vegetable, avocado, or canola)
• 1 cup milk or water
• 4 large eggs
• ¼ cup unsalted butter (softened)
• 1 cup powdered sugar
• 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
• Pinch of salt
• 1 teaspoon milk (to adjust consistency)
• 12 oz candy melts (your favorite color)
• White nonpareils or sprinkles for decoration

---

Instructions

1. Preheat your oven to 325-350℉ (162-175℃).
2. In a large mixing bowl, combine the cake mix, neutral oil, milk (or water), eggs, and softened butter.
3. Pour the batter into a greased or lined baking pan and bake as directed.
4. Once baked, crumble the cake while it’s still warm into a large stand mixer bowl.
5. In a separate bowl, stir together all the buttercream ingredients until smooth. Add this to the crumbled cake and mix well.
6. Roll the mixture into 1¼-inch balls (around 30g each) and chill in the freezer for 15 minutes.
7. Melt a small amount of candy melts in the microwave and dip the tip of each lollipop stick into the melted candy before inserting it halfway into each cake ball. Chill again for another 15 minutes.
8. Melt the remaining candy melts and dip each cake pop until fully coated. Allow excess candy to drip off, then quickly decorate with sprinkles.
9. To dry, stick the cake pops into a styrofoam block.

Notes

Store the cake pops in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 5 days, or refrigerate for up to two weeks.

• Prep Time: 30 minutes
• Cook Time: 30 minutes
• Category: Dessert
• Method: Baking
• Cuisine: American

Nutrition

• Serving Size: 1 cake pop
• Calories: 160
• Sugar: 12g
• Sodium: 100mg
• Fat: 7g
• Saturated Fat: 3g
• Unsaturated Fat: 4g
• Trans Fat: 0g
• Carbohydrates: 20g
• Fiber: 0g
• Protein: 2g
• Cholesterol: 40mg

Keywords: cake pops, birthday, dessert, party treats, easy recipes