Starbucks Cake Pop Recipe (Easy Copycat)

Highlighted under: Baking & Desserts

Enjoy the delightful taste of Starbucks cake pops right at home with this easy copycat recipe. Perfect for parties or a sweet treat!

Heidi Lawson

Created by

Heidi Lawson

Last updated on 2025-12-19T14:08:02.652Z

This Starbucks Cake Pop Recipe is a fun and delicious way to recreate your favorite coffee shop treat at home. With a moist cake center and a sweet chocolate coating, they are sure to impress!

Why You Will Love This Recipe

  • Rich chocolate flavor paired with fresh orange zest
  • Creamy texture that melts in your mouth
  • Perfect for celebrations or as a sweet indulgence

The Perfect Treat for Any Occasion

Cake pops are a fun and versatile dessert that can be enjoyed at various occasions. Whether you're hosting a birthday party, a baby shower, or just looking to satisfy a sweet tooth, these delightful bites are sure to impress. Their bite-sized nature makes them perfect for mingling guests, allowing everyone to enjoy a sweet treat without the fuss of traditional cake slices.

One of the best things about cake pops is their adaptability. You can customize them with different flavors, colors, and decorations to suit the theme of your event. From festive sprinkles to elegant chocolate drizzles, the possibilities are endless. This easy copycat Starbucks recipe allows you to create a delicious and visually appealing dessert that will be the star of your dessert table.

A Fun Activity for Kids

Making cake pops can be a delightful activity to do with kids. Involving them in the baking process not only makes for great family bonding time but also teaches them essential kitchen skills. From mixing the batter to rolling the cake balls, children will enjoy every step of creating these tasty treats.

You can even set up a decorating station with various toppings and let them unleash their creativity. This hands-on experience can help children learn about measurements, following recipes, and the joy of baking, all while having fun. Plus, they’ll be excited to share their delicious creations with family and friends!

Storing and Serving Your Cake Pops

Once your cake pops are made and decorated, it’s important to store them properly to maintain their freshness. Place them in an airtight container and keep them in the refrigerator for up to a week. If you want to prepare them ahead of time, you can freeze the uncoated cake balls and dip them in chocolate when ready to serve. This keeps them fresh and ensures that you have a sweet treat on hand whenever you need it.

When serving, consider presenting your cake pops in a fun and creative way. Use a styrofoam block or a decorative jar to display them upright, giving your dessert table a charming and inviting look. This will not only enhance their visual appeal but also make it easy for guests to grab one and enjoy!

Ingredients

For the Cake Pops

  • 1 cup cake mix
  • 1/2 cup water
  • 1/4 cup vegetable oil
  • 1 large egg
  • 1/2 cup frosting (store-bought or homemade)
  • 12 lollipop sticks
  • 1 cup chocolate chips (for coating)
  • Sprinkles (optional)

Make sure to let the cake pops cool completely before coating them in chocolate.

Instructions

Bake the Cake

Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). In a mixing bowl, combine the cake mix, water, vegetable oil, and egg. Mix until smooth. Pour the batter into a greased baking dish and bake for 15 minutes. Allow to cool completely.

Make the Cake Balls

Once the cake is cooled, crumble it into a large bowl. Add the frosting and mix until well combined. Roll the mixture into small balls, about 1 inch in diameter, and place them on a baking sheet lined with parchment paper.

Insert Sticks

Dip the end of each lollipop stick into melted chocolate and insert it into the center of each cake ball. This will help the stick stay in place. Freeze the cake balls for about 15 minutes to set.

Coat with Chocolate

Melt the chocolate chips in a microwave-safe bowl. Once melted, dip each cake pop into the chocolate, allowing any excess to drip off. Decorate with sprinkles if desired and place back on the parchment paper to set.

Serve and Enjoy

Once the chocolate has hardened, your Starbucks cake pops are ready to be enjoyed! Serve them at parties or keep them as a sweet treat for yourself.

Store any leftovers in an airtight container at room temperature.

Tips for the Best Cake Pops

To achieve the best texture for your cake pops, ensure that the cake is completely cooled before crumbling it. This prevents the mixture from becoming too moist, which can make rolling difficult. Additionally, when mixing in the frosting, start with a small amount and gradually add more until you reach the desired consistency. This will help you avoid overly sticky cake balls.

Using high-quality chocolate for coating is essential for a smooth and delicious finish. If you find that your chocolate is too thick, you can add a small amount of vegetable oil or shortening to achieve the right consistency for dipping. This will ensure that your cake pops have a beautiful, glossy finish.

Flavor Variations to Try

While this recipe features a classic chocolate flavor, feel free to experiment with different cake mixes and frostings. Vanilla, red velvet, or even funfetti cake mixes can create exciting flavor profiles. Pair them with complementary frostings, such as cream cheese or strawberry, to enhance the taste and overall experience.

For those who enjoy a hint of zest, consider adding citrus flavors. A lemon or orange cake pop can be a refreshing twist, especially when paired with a white chocolate coating. Don't hesitate to get creative with your flavors; the beauty of cake pops lies in their versatility!

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Questions About Recipes

→ Can I use a different flavor of cake mix?

Absolutely! Feel free to experiment with different cake mix flavors such as chocolate, red velvet, or lemon.

→ How long can I store cake pops?

Cake pops can be stored in an airtight container at room temperature for up to one week.

→ Can I freeze cake pops?

Yes, you can freeze cake pops! Just make sure they are completely set before placing them in an airtight container in the freezer.

→ What type of chocolate is best for coating?

Candy melts or chocolate chips work best for coating. They melt smoothly and harden nicely.

Starbucks Cake Pop Recipe (Easy Copycat)

Enjoy the delightful taste of Starbucks cake pops right at home with this easy copycat recipe. Perfect for parties or a sweet treat!

Prep Time20 minutes
Cooking Duration15 minutes
Overall Time35 minutes

Created by: Heidi Lawson

Recipe Type: Baking & Desserts

Skill Level: Intermediate

Final Quantity: 12 cake pops

What You'll Need

For the Cake Pops

  1. 1 cup cake mix
  2. 1/2 cup water
  3. 1/4 cup vegetable oil
  4. 1 large egg
  5. 1/2 cup frosting (store-bought or homemade)
  6. 12 lollipop sticks
  7. 1 cup chocolate chips (for coating)
  8. Sprinkles (optional)

How-To Steps

Step 01

Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). In a mixing bowl, combine the cake mix, water, vegetable oil, and egg. Mix until smooth. Pour the batter into a greased baking dish and bake for 15 minutes. Allow to cool completely.

Step 02

Once the cake is cooled, crumble it into a large bowl. Add the frosting and mix until well combined. Roll the mixture into small balls, about 1 inch in diameter, and place them on a baking sheet lined with parchment paper.

Step 03

Dip the end of each lollipop stick into melted chocolate and insert it into the center of each cake ball. This will help the stick stay in place. Freeze the cake balls for about 15 minutes to set.

Step 04

Melt the chocolate chips in a microwave-safe bowl. Once melted, dip each cake pop into the chocolate, allowing any excess to drip off. Decorate with sprinkles if desired and place back on the parchment paper to set.

Step 05

Once the chocolate has hardened, your Starbucks cake pops are ready to be enjoyed! Serve them at parties or keep them as a sweet treat for yourself.

Nutritional Breakdown (Per Serving)

  • Calories: 150 kcal
  • Total Fat: 7g
  • Saturated Fat: 3g
  • Cholesterol: 30mg
  • Sodium: 95mg
  • Total Carbohydrates: 20g
  • Dietary Fiber: 0g
  • Sugars: 10g
  • Protein: 2g