Starbucks Copycat Birthday Cake Pops are a fun and festive treat that tastes just like the ones I grab at the coffee shop—but even better when made at home. They’re made with soft vanilla cake crumbs mixed with frosting, shaped into bite-sized balls, dipped in sweet candy coating, and finished with colorful sprinkles. These little pops are perfect for parties, gifts, or just when I want a bite of something sweet and nostalgic.
Why You’ll Love This Recipe
I love how these cake pops turn a simple vanilla cake into something playful and delicious. They’re easy to customize with colors and toppings, and they make the perfect handheld dessert. The best part? I can make a whole batch for a fraction of the price of the store-bought version. Whether I’m celebrating a birthday or just having fun in the kitchen, these cake pops always bring smiles.
ingredients
(Here’s a tip: Check out the full list of ingredients and measurements in the recipe card below.)
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Boxed vanilla or white cake mix (plus ingredients to prepare it)
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Vanilla frosting (store-bought or homemade)
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White candy melts or white chocolate coating
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Vegetable shortening or coconut oil (optional, to thin the coating)
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Sprinkles (rainbow or pink for a classic birthday look)
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Lollipop sticks
directions
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I bake the cake according to the package instructions and let it cool completely.
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Once cooled, I crumble the cake into fine crumbs using my hands or a food processor.
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I mix in a few spoonfuls of frosting, a little at a time, until the mixture holds together when pressed.
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I scoop and roll the mixture into small balls, about 1 tablespoon each, and place them on a lined baking sheet.
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I refrigerate the cake balls for at least 2 hours, or freeze them for 30 minutes, to firm up.
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I melt the candy coating in a microwave-safe bowl, adding a bit of shortening or coconut oil if it’s too thick.
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I dip the end of each lollipop stick into the melted coating, then insert it halfway into each cake ball to help it stick.
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I dip each cake pop into the coating, gently tapping off the excess, and immediately add sprinkles before the coating sets.
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I stick the pops upright in a styrofoam block or a box with holes and let them set completely at room temperature.
Servings and timing
This recipe makes about 24 cake pops. It takes around 15 minutes to prepare the cake (if using a mix), 20 minutes to form and dip the cake pops, plus chilling time of about 1–2 hours.
Variations
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I sometimes use chocolate cake with chocolate frosting for a rich twist.
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For different holidays, I swap the sprinkles to match the theme—pastels for Easter, red and green for Christmas.
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I add a few drops of food coloring to the cake or candy coating for an extra festive look.
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If I’m feeling fancy, I drizzle them with melted dark or white chocolate after they’ve set.
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For a richer taste, I use homemade buttercream instead of store-bought frosting.
storage/reheating
I store the cake pops in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 3 days or in the refrigerator for up to a week. If I want to keep them longer, I freeze them (undipped) for up to 1 month and dip them in coating after thawing. These don’t require reheating, just letting them come to room temperature before serving if chilled.
FAQs
Why do my cake pops fall off the sticks?
I make sure to chill the cake balls well and dip the stick in melted coating before inserting. This helps “glue” the stick in place once it sets.
Can I use homemade cake instead of a box mix?
Yes, I sometimes use a homemade vanilla cake as long as it’s moist enough to crumble and bind with the frosting.
What’s the best way to melt candy melts?
I microwave them in 30-second intervals, stirring in between, and add a little shortening if needed to smooth out the consistency.
Can I make these ahead of time?
Definitely. I make them a day or two ahead and store them in the fridge. I wait to add sprinkles until right after dipping so they stick well.
Do I need a cake pop stand?
Not necessarily. I use a block of styrofoam, an upside-down egg carton, or even a box with holes poked in it to hold them upright while they set.
Conclusion
Starbucks Copycat Birthday Cake Pops are a delightful treat that brings bakery-quality results to my own kitchen. They’re fun to make, easy to decorate, and just the right size for satisfying my sweet tooth. Whether I’m making them for a party or just because, they always turn out cute, colorful, and completely delicious.
Print
Starbucks Copycat Birthday Cake Pops
- Prep Time: 15 minutes (plus cake baking time)
- Cook Time: As per cake box (typically 25–30 minutes)
- Total Time: 2–2.5 hours
- Yield: About 24 cake pops
- Category: Dessert
- Method: No-Bake
- Cuisine: American
- Diet: Vegetarian
Description
Starbucks Copycat Birthday Cake Pops are soft, bite-sized cake balls coated in a smooth white candy shell and topped with colorful sprinkles—just like the ones at the coffee shop, only better homemade! These festive treats are made with vanilla cake, frosting, and candy melts, and they’re perfect for birthdays, celebrations, or a sweet pick-me-up any day.
Ingredients
- 1 box vanilla or white cake mix (plus ingredients to prepare it)
- Vanilla frosting (store-bought or homemade)
- White candy melts or white chocolate coating
- Vegetable shortening or coconut oil (optional, to thin coating)
- Sprinkles (rainbow or pink for a classic birthday look)
- Lollipop sticks
Instructions
- Bake the vanilla cake according to package instructions. Let cool completely.
- Crumble the cake into fine crumbs using your hands or a food processor.
- Mix in vanilla frosting, a spoonful at a time, until the mixture holds together when pressed.
- Roll mixture into 1-tablespoon-sized balls and place on a lined baking sheet.
- Chill cake balls in the refrigerator for at least 2 hours or freeze for 30 minutes until firm.
- Melt candy coating in a microwave-safe bowl. Add shortening or coconut oil if needed to thin.
- Dip the end of each lollipop stick into melted coating, then insert into each cake ball.
- Dip each pop into the candy coating, tapping off excess, and immediately decorate with sprinkles.
- Let cake pops stand upright in a styrofoam block or box with holes until fully set.
Notes
- Use chocolate cake and frosting for a fudgy variation.
- Swap sprinkle colors for seasonal or holiday themes.
- Add food coloring to the cake or candy melts for extra flair.
- Drizzle set cake pops with additional melted chocolate for decoration.
- Homemade buttercream gives a richer taste than store-bought frosting.
- Undipped cake pops can be frozen for up to 1 month and dipped after thawing.
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