Starbucks Copycat Birthday Cake Pops
Indulging in sweet treats often brings joy to any celebration, and nothing quite captures that delight like cake pops. These bite-sized pieces of cake on a stick bring nostalgia and whimsy to the table, especially when inspired by a beloved coffee shop treat. Making your own Starbucks Copycat Birthday Cake Pops at home not only allows you to tailor the flavors to your liking but also brings a fun baking adventure right into your kitchen.
Cake pops are perfect for parties, gatherings, or simply satisfying a sweet craving. With their colorful appearance and delightful taste, they echo the festive nature of birthdays and celebrations. The creamy cake center, combined with a sweet candy coating, provides a textural contrast that is simply irresistible. This recipe captures all those elements, making it easy to create a café-style dessert at home that everyone will adore.
Why make this recipe
Creating your own version of Starbucks’ Birthday Cake Pops can be an extraordinary experience. Not only do you get to indulge in the deliciousness of cake pops, but you also gain the satisfaction of making them from scratch. Using store-bought cake mix simplifies the process while still allowing you to add your personal touch. You can adjust flavors, decorate them as you please, and even try various candy melts to customize your pops to fit any occasion.
The nostalgic connection to birthday celebrations makes cake pops particularly special. Whether it’s a child’s birthday, a milestone event, or an impromptu gathering with friends, these pops bring joy and charm. The process of dipping and decorating allows for creativity, making it a perfect activity for baking with kids or impressing guests at your next birthday bash.
How to make Starbucks Copycat Birthday Cake Pops
To achieve the best results, it’s essential to follow each step of the recipe closely. The initial phase involves baking a moist cake that will later be crumbled to form the base of your cake pops. This step can be the most straightforward part of the recipe, especially when using a box cake mix. Once baked, the cake is crumbled while still warm, which helps to incorporate the flavors and moisture more effectively with the buttercream.
Creating the buttercream filling is the next step, where you mix together softened butter and powdered sugar. This mixture is added to the crumbled cake until evenly combined. The fun begins when you shape the mix into small balls, which will eventually become your cake pops. After chilling to firm them up, these little spheres will pop into a frozen delight with the addition of candy melts that coat and flavor them. The melted candy can be customized with colors, making it a joy to decorate.
Once the cake pops are formed and coated, the final touch is the decorations. Sprinkles or nonpareils add that birthday cheer, creating a feast for the eyes in addition to the taste buds. The entire process may take some time, but the end result is undoubtedly rewarding.
Ingredients
- 1- 13.25 oz any store-bought box of vanilla cake mix
- ⅓ cup neutral oil (vegetable, avocado, canola, etc.)
- 1 cup milk or water
- 4 large eggs
- ¼ cup unsalted butter (softened)
- 1 cup powdered sugar
- 1 tsp vanilla extract
- Pinch salt
- 1 tsp milk (add more if needed)
- 12 oz candy melts
- White nonpareils or sprinkles
Directions
- Preheat oven to 325-350℉ (162-175℃). Refer to recipe on cake box for exact temperature depending on your baking pan size.
- Combine all cake ingredients in a large bowl. Pour batter into greased/lined pan and transfer into oven. Stick a toothpick in the center of cake to see if it comes out clean 2-4 mins PRIOR to the end of bake time. DO NOT OVER BAKE.
- Transfer baked cake into a large stand mixing bowl immediately while it’s still hot. Crumble cake on low speed using a paddle attachment until no large pieces remain. You can also use a handheld mixer or crumble slightly cooled cake by hand.
- In a small mixing bowl, combine all buttercream ingredients. Sifting powdered sugar is not necessary. Stir well until fairly smooth; small lumps are common.
- Add all the buttercream to the crumbled cake and mix until fully incorporated.
- Roll cake pops approx 1¼-inch (3cm) in diameter or 30g each. Chill cake pops in the freezer for 15 mins, then bring them back to room temperature for 10 mins as you melt your candy melt.
- Melt a small amount of pink candy melts in the microwave according to package instructions. Best way found is to heat and stir in 15-30 sec increments until thin and smooth.
- Dip the tip of the lollipop stick into candy melt, then gently insert the dipped tip into the cake balls halfway in. Repeat for all cake balls, then chill again in the freezer for 15 mins.
- Take cake pops out of the freezer and bring them back to room temperature for 10 mins. Melt the remaining candy melts until a desired thin consistency.
- Dip cake pop into melted candy melt, making sure it is submerged all the way to the stick. This will help adhere the cake pop and prevent it from falling off the stick.
- Holding the stick with one hand, use your other hand to gently tap the cake pop until all excess candy melt has dripped off. You want to achieve one even coating. Do not dunk again, as this extra weight may cause your cake pop to detach from the stick.
- Decorate with sprinkles or nonpareils quickly. Place finished cake pops into a styrofoam block to keep them upright as they dry. Repeat until all cake pops are dipped and sprinkled.
Time Breakdown
• Preparation Time: 20 minutes
• Cooking Time: 25 minutes
• Chilling Time: 30 minutes
• Total Time: 1 hour 15 minutes
• Servings: 24
How to serve Starbucks Copycat Birthday Cake Pops
Serving these delightful cake pops can be as fun as making them. Present them on a decorative platter or use a cake pop stand to create an eye-catching display for your guests. They can be enjoyed as a handheld treat, perfect for parties, or served individually in cupcake liners for a more formal presentation. The variety of colors and sprinkles not only appeals visually but also invites a certain whimsy that makes each bite feel like a celebration.
For a more festive touch, you may consider creating a cake pop bouquet. Simply place cake pops into floral foam or arrange them in a vase, adding greenery or other decorative elements for flair. This unique display works wonderfully for birthdays or festive occasions, drawing attention to your creation while encouraging guests to pick their favorite flavor.
How to store Starbucks Copycat Birthday Cake Pops
Once you have made your cake pops, storing them correctly will help preserve their freshness. These delightful treats can be kept in an airtight container at room temperature for up to three days. If you’re looking to store them for a longer duration, they can be placed in the refrigerator for about a week. Just be sure to separate layers with parchment paper to avoid sticking, ensuring their delightful appearance remains intact.
If you find yourself with leftover cake pops that may not be consumed soon, consider freezing them. Wrap each cake pop securely in plastic wrap or place them in a freezer bag to maintain quality. They can last in the freezer for up to three months.
Tips to make Starbucks Copycat Birthday Cake Pops
To elevate your cake pop experience, consider using high-quality candy melts to achieve a more refined finish. Experimenting with flavors is also an excellent approach—add different extracts or incorporate mini chocolate chips for added texture. If the mixture seems too dry for rolling, a splash of milk can help bind it without compromising the flavor.
It may be beneficial to chill the cake pop mixture longer if they seem sticky or difficult to shape. Patience is key in letting the pops rest between dipping and decorating to achieve a smooth finish. When adding sprinkles, do this quickly before the coating sets to ensure they adhere well.
Variation
No major variations, but you can adjust seasonings to taste.
Nutritional Information (Per Serving)
• Calories: 150 kcal
• Protein: 2 g
• Carbohydrates: 22 g
• Fat: 7 g
• Fiber: 0 g
• Sugar: 12 g
• Sodium: 90 mg
FAQs
Q: Can I use a different cake flavor instead of vanilla?
A: Absolutely! You can substitute with chocolate, red velvet, or lemon cake mix for varied flavors.
Q: What can I use if I don’t have candy melts?
A: You can use chocolate chips, although they may require added shortening to achieve a smoother consistency for dipping.
Q: How can I make these gluten-free?
A: Substitute the cake mix with a gluten-free blend and ensure all other ingredients are certified gluten-free for a safe option.
Starbucks Copycat Birthday Cake Pops
Ingredients
For the Cake
- 1 box 13.25 oz any store-bought box of vanilla cake mix Choose a box mix suitable for birthday cake.
- ⅓ cup neutral oil (vegetable, avocado, canola, etc.)
- 1 cup milk or water Use whichever you prefer.
- 4 large eggs
For the Buttercream
- ¼ cup unsalted butter (softened)
- 1 cup powdered sugar
- 1 tsp vanilla extract
- 1 pinch salt
- 1 tsp milk (add more if needed)
For Coating
- 12 oz candy melts Choose colors based on decoration preference.
- to taste white nonpareils or sprinkles Use for decoration.
Instructions
Baking the Cake
- Preheat oven to 325-350℉ (162-175℃), as directed on the cake box.
- Combine all cake ingredients in a large bowl and pour batter into a greased/lined pan.
- Bake until a toothpick comes out clean, 2-4 minutes prior to the end of the recommended bake time.
- Transfer the baked cake into a large mixing bowl while still hot and crumble using a paddle attachment until no large pieces remain.
Making the Buttercream Filling
- In a small mixing bowl, combine all buttercream ingredients and mix until smooth.
- Add the buttercream mixture to the crumbled cake and mix until fully incorporated.
Shaping and Chilling
- Roll cake mixture into 1¼-inch (3 cm) balls, about 30g each.
- Chill the cake balls in the freezer for 15 minutes.
Coating the Cake Pops
- Melt pink candy melts in the microwave in 15-30 second intervals until smooth.
- Dip the tip of a lollipop stick into the melted candy, then insert gently into the center of each cake ball halfway.
- Chill again in the freezer for 15 minutes.
- Melt the remaining candy melts until desired consistency, then dip each cake pop to coat fully.
- Tap gently to remove excess candy melt and decorate with sprinkles or nonpareils quickly before coating sets.
