Hey there, fellow dessert enthusiast! If you’ve ever indulged in the delightful experience of biting into a cake pop from Starbucks, you know just how magical they can be. Soft, sweet, and coated in colorful candy melts, they are the perfect bite-sized treats for any celebration. Today, I’m super excited to share with you a homemade version that you can whip up right in your kitchen. That’s right, a Starbucks Copycat Birthday Cake Pops recipe! Loving desserts can often feel like a big, cozy hug, and trust me, these cake pops are here to spread that warmth and joy. So grab your apron, and let’s dive into the wonderful world of cake pop making!
Why Make This Recipe
You might be wondering, why bother making cake pops at home when you can easily grab one at your local Starbucks? Well, let me tell you, there are countless reasons! First, making these treats from scratch allows you to customize them to your liking. Want to add a touch of almond extract? Go for it! Prefer a different sprinkle mix? You do you! Moreover, there’s something so fulfilling about baking something with your own hands, especially when it turns out delicious. These birthday cake pops are not only an exciting dessert but also a fun project to share with friends and family.
Plus, you can enjoy them whenever you like, birthday party or not! Just think about all those cozy moments with loved ones, where you can proudly say, “I made these!” You’ll certainly get extra joy out of each bite, knowing you created something special. Let’s get started on how to make these delightful little bites of happiness!
How to Make Starbucks Copycat Birthday Cake Pops
Now, let’s break down the steps to create these fabulous birthday cake pops. Don’t worry; I’ll make it as simple as possible, just like the warm, fuzzy feelings they bring!
Ingredients:
- 1 box (13.25 oz) of any store-bought 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 tsp vanilla extract
- Pinch of salt
- 1 tsp milk (add more if needed)
- 12 oz candy melts (pink or any color you love)
- White nonpareils or colorful sprinkles for decoration
Directions:
Preheat the Oven: Start by preheating your oven to 325-350℉ (162-175℃). Make sure to check the cake box for the exact temperature based on your pan size.
Combine Ingredients: In a large mixing bowl, combine all the cake ingredients: cake mix, oil, milk (or water), eggs, and softened butter. Mix it all together until well combined.
Bake the Cake: Pour the batter into a greased or lined cake pan and pop it into the oven. Here’s a pro tip: stick a toothpick in the center of the cake around 2-4 minutes before the recommended bake time. If it comes out clean, it’s done, if not, let it bake a little longer. Be careful not to overbake!
Crumble the Cake: Once the cake is done baking, take it out and let it cool slightly before transferring it to a large stand mixer bowl (you can also use a handheld mixer or crumble by hand). Crumble the cake on low speed using the paddle attachment until no large pieces remain.
Make the Buttercream: In a small bowl, combine the buttercream ingredients: powdered sugar, vanilla extract, a pinch of salt, and milk. Stir well until you achieve a fairly smooth mixture. It’s okay if there are small lumps, perfection isn’t the goal here!
Mix Cake and Buttercream: Add the buttercream mixture to the crumbled cake and mix until fully incorporated.
Roll into Balls: Roll the mixture into 1¼-inch (3 cm) diameter balls. This recipe should yield about 30 pops. Once rolled, chill the cake pops in the freezer for about 15 minutes.
Prepare for Dipping: After chilling, bring the cake pops back to room temperature for about 10 minutes as you melt your candy melts. Melt a small amount of the pink candy melts in the microwave, stirring every 15-30 seconds until smooth.
Insert Sticks: Dip the tip of a lollipop stick into the melted candy melt and gently insert it halfway into each cake ball. Repeat this step for all cake balls, then chill them again in the freezer for another 15 minutes.
Dip the Cake Pops in Candy Melt: Melt the remaining candy melts until you achieve your desired thin consistency. Dip each cake pop into the melted candy melts until fully coated. Make sure to submerge it all the way to the stick.
Remove Excess Candy Melt: Hold the stick with one hand, and gently tap the cake pop with the other hand, allowing any excess candy melt to drip off. You want a nice, even coating.
Decorate: Quickly decorate your cake pops with sprinkles or nonpareils before the coating sets.
Let Them Dry: Place the finished cake pops into a styrofoam block (or any holder) to keep them upright as they dry. Repeat this until all cake pops are dipped and decorated.
How to Serve Starbucks Copycat Birthday Cake Pops
Serving these cake pops is as easy as it gets! You can set them out on a beautifully decorated platter for your guests to enjoy. They’re perfect for birthday parties, baby showers, holidays, or just a fun dessert night at home. Whether it’s a casual get-together or a festive celebration, these pops are sure to bring smiles and a little surprise to every bite.
How to Store Starbucks Copycat Birthday Cake Pops
If you have some cake pops left over (which is rare, trust me!), you can store them at room temperature in an airtight container for up to a week. If you want them to last longer, pop them in the fridge, where they can stay fresh for up to two weeks. Just make sure to keep them away from strong-smelling foods, you don’t want those delicate little treats absorbing any weird flavors!
Tips to Make Starbucks Copycat Birthday Cake Pops
- Use Quality Ingredients: Since you want the best flavor, choose a good-quality vanilla cake mix and fresh eggs.
- Don’t Overbake: Keeping an eye on the baking time is crucial, overbaking can lead to dry cake pops.
- Properly Melt Candy Melts: Ensuring your candy melts are the right consistency can make a huge difference in achieving that smooth, glossy finish.
- Experiment with Flavors: You can easily switch up the flavor by using chocolate cake mix or different extracts. The options are endless!
Variation
Want to change things up? Try making chocolate cake pops by swapping out the vanilla cake mix for chocolate. You could even add a hint of espresso to the buttercream for a mocha twist. The world is your oyster!
FAQs
1. Can I freeze cake pops?
Yes, you can freeze cake pops! Just make sure they are well-wrapped in an airtight container. When you’re ready to eat them, simply allow them to thaw in the fridge.
2. Can I use different types of candy melts?
Absolutely! While pink is adorable and festive, feel free to use any color or flavor of candy melts to suit your theme or mood.
3. Why is my candy melt not sticking to the cake pop?
If the candy melts are not sticking, it may be too thick. Try melting the candy melts again until they reach the right, smooth consistency. Plus, ensuring the cake pops are cold when dipping helps secure the coating!
Now you’re all set to create your very own Starbucks Copycat Birthday Cake Pops! Enjoy the process, and don’t forget to share these little bites of joy with your friends and family. After all, happiness is best when shared! Happy baking!
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Starbucks Copycat Birthday Cake Pops
- Total Time: 60 minutes
- Yield: 30 cake pops 1x
- Diet: Vegetarian
Description
Delightful homemade birthday cake pops reminiscent of Starbucks, perfect for celebrations and gatherings.
Ingredients
- 1 box (13.25 oz) vanilla cake mix
- ⅓ cup neutral oil (vegetable, avocado, or canola)
- 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 (pink or any color)
- White nonpareils or colorful sprinkles for decoration
Instructions
- Preheat your oven to 325-350℉ (162-175℃).
- In a large mixing bowl, combine all cake ingredients: cake mix, oil, milk (or water), eggs, and softened butter. Mix well.
- Pour the batter into a greased or lined cake pan and bake until a toothpick inserted comes out clean.
- Let the cake cool slightly, then crumble it in a large mixing bowl.
- In a small bowl, combine the buttercream ingredients: powdered sugar, vanilla, a pinch of salt, and milk. Stir well.
- Add the buttercream mixture to the crumbled cake and mix until fully incorporated.
- Roll the mixture into 1¼-inch balls and chill them in the freezer for about 15 minutes.
- After chilling, bring the cake pops back to room temperature. Melt a small amount of candy melts in the microwave.
- Dip the tip of each lollipop stick into the melted candy melts and insert halfway into each cake ball.
- Chill the cake balls in the freezer for another 15 minutes.
- Melt the remaining candy melts until thin, then dip each cake pop until fully coated.
- Allow excess candy melt to drip off, then quickly decorate with sprinkles.
- Place the finished cake pops into a holder to dry.
Notes
Use quality ingredients for the best flavor. Don’t overbake the cake for moist pops.
- Prep Time: 30 minutes
- Cook Time: 30 minutes
- Category: Dessert
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 pop
- Calories: 150
- Sugar: 8g
- Sodium: 150mg
- Fat: 6g
- Saturated Fat: 2g
- Unsaturated Fat: 3g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 23g
- Fiber: 0g
- Protein: 2g
- Cholesterol: 40mg