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If you’re searching for the copycat starbucks cake pops recipe, you’ve landed exactly where you need to be.
There is no denying many good recipes for copycat treats on the internet. But one on this page brings us even closer to the real thing at Starbucks.
This is because we’ll use the same ingredients, measurements, and methods as Starbucks.
Don’t worry; we didn’t miss sprinkling the fun toppings to avoid total chocolate surrender.
Key Takeaways
- This recipe makes 24 cake pops, offering a delicious homemade version of the Starbucks favorite.
- Combining crumbled vanilla cake with vanilla frosting creates the perfect dough-like consistency for cake pops.
- Chilling the cake balls before dipping in melted chocolate ensures the coating sets smoothly and securely.
What Is Starbucks Cake Pops?
Starbucks Cake Pops are delicious, colorful treats that will have you wishing you could eat them all day long. They’re made of the same delicious cake batter as Starbucks’ Signature Loaf Cake—but with a twist.
Instead of being baked in a loaf pan and sliced like your typical loaf cake, these balls are shaped into small spheres and rolled to create a solid yet soft center. They’re then dipped in frosting before being finished with sprinkles or colorful candies.
The result is an incredibly satisfying treat that’s easy to enjoy on its own or as part of a platter or cupcake stacker at parties.
Furthermore, they’re available in three flavors: white chocolate macadamia nut, salted caramel, and red velvet. And the most significant benefit of these treats is that they’re ready to eat right out of the box—no assembly required!
It’s also completely customizable: add nuts, sprinkles, or anything else you like to your cup before adding the cake ball.
See Also: Best Thanksgiving Cheesecake Recipes
Copycat Starbucks Cake Pops Recipe
Ingredients
For the Cake:
- One box of white cake mix
- One cup of milk
- Three eggs
- ½ cup of vegetable oil
- Two teaspoons of vanilla extract
- ¼ teaspoon of almond extract
- Four tablespoons of vanilla frosting
For the Candy Coating:
- 16 ounces of white almond bark
- One tablespoon of vegetable oil
- 5-6 drops of red food coloring
For Garnish
- White sprinkles
Tools Needed
- One small cardboard box or styrofoam block
- Twenty-one cake pop sticks
This list of ingredients is for thirty servings. It only takes fifteen minutes prep time and one hour twenty-five minutes of cooking time.
If you want fewer servings, consider reducing the ingredients. If not, let’s make this treatment right away!
How to Make Copycat Starbucks Cake Pops
Step 1
Preheat the oven to 350 degrees Fahrenheit.
Grease a 9×13-inch baking pan with butter or nonstick cooking spray.
Step 2
Stir the cake mix, milk, eggs, almond extract, vegetable oil, and vanilla in a large bowl.
Step 3
Pour the batter into a well-greased 9×13 inch pan—bake for 20 to 25 minutes. You can insert a toothpick in the center to check for doneness.
I suggest you use darker pans, which cook faster. If you don’t have any, be aware that baking times may vary depending on what type of pan is used.
Step 4
Let the cake cool completely at room temperature, then slice it into four equal pieces and discard any brown edges that have formed on the outer layer of your cake.
Step 5
Crush the remaining cake, then place it in a large bowl.
Stir in the vanilla frosting with a spoon until well combined. It should be sticky but not runny so you can effortlessly form balls.
Roll the cake mixture into balls. Place the batter on a baking sheet lined with parchment paper, and freeze it for one hour.
Step 6
You had a place where you would dry the cake pops after dipping them in candy coating. Poke a few holes in the top of your cardboard box.
However, if you’re using styrofoam, skip this step.
Step 7
Once the cake pops have chilled, break up the almond bark and place it in a glass measuring cup or tall microwave-safe bowl.
Melt it in the microwave and set a 30-second increment. Remember to stir between each interval.
Step 8
Once you have successfully melted the almond bark, stir in your food coloring and vegetable oil.
Remove five to six frozen cake pops from the freezer. Leave the rest in there until you need them again.
Step 9
Push the cake pop stick about half its length into the almond bark coating, then slide it halfway through the cake ball.
Then, dip the cake pop into an almond bark coating. Tap the stick gently against the edge of a bowl or cup to let off excessive coating drip.
Step 10
Place the cake pop upright in the box, then sprinkle it with sprinkles.
Once all of the cake pops have been dipped, serve and enjoy!
What To Serve With Copycat Starbucks Cake Pops
Here are five delightful pairings to serve with Copycat Starbucks Cake Pops:
1. Coffee or Espresso
Coffee or espresso is a perfect pairing for cake pops, as the rich and robust flavors of the coffee balance the sweetness of the cake pops. This combination mimics the Starbucks experience and enhances the overall enjoyment of the dessert.
2. Hot Chocolate
A warm cup of hot chocolate complements the cake pops beautifully. The creamy, chocolatey drink pairs well with the sweet and moist cake, making for a comforting and indulgent treat, especially in cooler weather.
3. Fruit Platter
A fresh fruit platter provides a light and refreshing contrast to the rich cake pops. Fruits like strawberries, blueberries, and kiwi add a burst of natural sweetness and acidity, balancing the dessert’s flavors and offering a healthier option alongside.
4. Whipped Cream or Ice Cream
Serving cake pops with a dollop of whipped cream or a scoop of vanilla ice cream adds an extra layer of decadence. The creamy textures of the whipped cream or ice cream complement the cake pops, creating a delightful dessert experience.
5. Herbal Tea
Herbal teas, such as chamomile or peppermint, offer a soothing and aromatic beverage choice to pair with cake pops. The subtle flavors of the tea cleanse the palate and enhance the enjoyment of the sweet treat, making it a perfect afternoon or evening combination.
These pairings not only complement the flavors of the cake pops but also create a well-rounded and enjoyable dessert experience.
How To Freeze Cake Pops
No doubt, if you want to make your cake pops last longer, freeze them first. This works exceptionally well if you’re making large batches of them. But it might seem like a simple question, but there is quite a bit of debate about how to freeze cake pops.
Some people say that you should use an airtight container and keep them in the freezer as long as possible. Others say it’s better to freeze them in small portions, so they only take up a little space.
The best method I’ve seen and put to use is to ensure they are completely cooled before putting them in the freezer. Uncoated cake pops will hold up better in the freezer. The chocolate coating on other types of frozen treats might tarnish over time.
Therefore, it’s best to only freeze uncoated cake truffles before storing them in an airtight container and then in the fridge.
See Also: Easy Winter Cupcake Recipes
FAQs
Why Are Starbucks Cake Pops So Good?
The questions you ask yourself when looking for a good cup of coffee are the same ones that Starbucks uses to sell its drinks. They know how to get you in the door, appeal to your tastes, and make their brand stand out in the crowded market of coffee shops.
So it makes sense that they would have some tricks up their sleeve—trickery that would make a cake taste like a Starbucks cake pop. But I’ve noticed that their icing isn’t just good for taste and helps keep your cake pop and moist.
That’s because it contains high moisture-retaining glycerin (glycerol) to keep your cake pop tasting fresh for longer than other cake pops.
What Are Some Of The Best Decoration Ideas?
There are so many different ways to decorate cake pops. You can choose from many colors and styles, and it is easy to decide what you like best.
But if you want to give your cake pops a unique look, then you should consider using one of these ideas:
- Unicorn Cake Pops
- Halloween Cake Pops
- Christmas Cake Pops
- Chocolate-Drizzled Cake Pops
Why Are Cake Pops So Popular?
Cake Pops are so popular because these bite-sized treats are delicious, fun, and convenient to eat on the go with less mess. Moreover, they are easy to make and don’t require a lot of space in your kitchen. And when you make them yourself, you can customize them however you want.
You can have any color or flavor of frosting that you like —or even add sprinkles or other decorations if you’d like! Cake pops are even more fun when they look like something spectacular: like a unicorn cake pop. Or maybe one that looks like an ice cream cone.
What Flavor Is The Cake Pop At Starbucks?
We know that the cake pop at Starbucks is a big deal, but we’re still determining what flavor they specialize in. This is because there are tons of flavors, from vanilla, chocolate, and red velvet, to mint chocolate chip carrot cake and more!
There’s no limit to what kind of flavors you can try out! We’ve been to Starbucks several times, and every time we go, there’s a line of people waiting to get their hands on this fantastic treat.
And from our observation, the vanilla flavor tends to be the most demanding. The vanilla cake is drenched with buttercream, purple- chocolaty icing, and decorated to look like an owl’s face.
Copycat Starbucks Cake Pops Recipe
Course: DessertCuisine: American24
servings30
minutes30
minutes150
kcalThis recipe makes 24 cake pops, offering a delicious homemade version of the Starbucks favorite.
Ingredients
- For the Cake
1 box vanilla cake mix (plus ingredients required on the box: eggs, oil, water)
1/2 cup vanilla frosting (store-bought or homemade)
- For the Coating
2 cups white chocolate or candy melts
Sprinkles (optional, for decoration)
Lollipop sticks
Directions
- Prepare and bake the vanilla cake according to the package instructions.
Allow the cake to cool completely. - Once cooled, crumble the cake into fine crumbs in a large mixing bowl.
- Add the vanilla frosting to the crumbled cake.
Mix well until the mixture has a dough-like consistency. - Scoop out small portions of the mixture and roll them into 1-inch balls.
Place the balls on a baking sheet lined with parchment paper. - Refrigerate the cake balls for at least 1 hour to firm them up.
- Melt the white chocolate or candy melts according to package instructions.
- Dip the end of each lollipop stick into the melted chocolate, then insert it halfway into each cake ball.
This helps secure the stick in the cake ball. - Dip each cake pop into the melted chocolate, turning to coat evenly.
Allow any excess chocolate to drip off. - If desired, decorate the cake pops with sprinkles while the coating is still wet.
Place the coated cake pops upright in a styrofoam block or a cake pop stand to set. - Once the coating is completely set, the cake pops are ready to enjoy!
Conclusion
In conclusion, you could stay in the comfort of your own home to enjoy Starbucks Cake pops ever again!
Even if you are a Starbucks lover like me, give this homemade Copycat Starbucks Cake Pops Recipe try.
You won’t regret it!
It brings you closer to what Starbucks is selling.
As far as imitations go, this recipe isn’t a bad one at all. Though you may be hesitant to try a diet-buster dessert like this cake pops once, you might find that it’s worth the calories to please a picky toddler or satisfy a sweet tooth.
