Learn how to make the perfect cake pops! If you love Starbuck’s cake pops then you are going to love these, they are even better! Homemade cake pops are easy to make once you know how and we are going to tell you all the tips and tricks to make perfect homemade cake pops.
Homemade Cake Pops
I am not going to lie the first time I made cake pops I said I didn’t want to make them again. It was a horrible experience, a crumbled cake that wouldn’t stay together with a mix of chocolate coating that was just a huge mess. I found the cake pops recipe online and while the photo looked amazing they did not turn out the way the recipe said they would.
So I did what I do best and started messing around in the kitchen to come up with my own cake pop recipe that is easy enough that anyone can make it. It took a lot of trial and error but thankfully it all worked out and you now have the best cake pop recipe ever. I promise you, this is so easy and so easy to customize you won’t be buying the store bought ones anymore! You will be making your own in every cake and frosting flavor combination you can think of!
This cake pop recipe is easy to make (I made sure of it!). There is the ability to easily change up flavors and customize them to what you want them to be while still following the directions. If you want to make them into cake balls you totally can by skipping the step to add the lollipop stick in.
Tips for making perfect cake pops
- Make the cake balls smooth. For a smooth cake pop you need to roll the cake balls very smooth. I like to roll them the first time and then give them a quick roll in my hands again after they have cooled in the fridge.
- Easy cake ball dipping. Melt the chocolate in a small glass to dip the pops in, I find a 2 cup measuring cup to be the best way to do the dipping and not make a huge mess.
- Make them all the same size. You can use a cookie scoop to get them all the same size.
- Keep tthe cake ball on the stick. Make sure the cake pop stays on the lolipop stick by dipping it into the melted candy coating and then placing the cake pop on the stick.
- Use quality candy melts. You will have a much easier time melting them and dipping the cake balls with a quality candy melt or dipping chocolate.
Why are there air bubbles in my cake pops?
If you get air bubbles in the candy coating it is from stirring them in the melted candy melts. You just want to dip the pop straight in chocolate and not stir it. If you get air bubbles let the cake balls warm up a little bit.
Why are there cracks in my candy or chocolate coating?
If you get cracks in the candy or chocolate coating it is from having drastic difference in temperature of the coating and the cake ball itself.
Variations of this recipe
Change up the cake flavor. Read on for some of our favorite cake flavor combinations but you can use any cake flavor you want to.
Change up the frosting. You can change up the frosting to make your favorites, read on for some of our favorite cake and frosting flavor combinations.
Skip the pop stick. If you want to make cake balls you totally can, just skip adding the lollipop stick in.
Change up the toppings. I like adding sprinkles, but you can totally add some shrdded coconut, chopped nuts or skip toppings altogether.
Flavor Combinations
Chocolate Cake Pops. Use chocolate cake and chocolate buttercream with a milk chocolate candy coating.
Vanilla Cake Pops. Use Vanilla cake, vanilla buttercream, and white vanilla candy melts.
Strawberry cake Pops. Use Strawberry cake mix, Strawberry buttercream frosting and pink vanilla flavored candy melts.
Chocolate Mint Cake Pops. Use chocolate cake, mint buttercream frosting and milk chocolate candy coating.
Red Velvet. Red velvet cake mix, vanilla buttercream or cream cheese frosting and white chocolate candy melts.
Chocolate Peanut Butter. Use vanilla cake mix, Peanutbutter Buttercream Frosting and milk chocolate candy coating.
Lemon Cake Pops. Lemon cake mix, lemon buttercream and yellow candy melts.
Spice Cake balls. Spice Cake, cream cheese frosting and white chocolate candy melts.
If you are looking for more frosting recipes to change things up, check out some of our other favorite frosting recipes.
- Blackberry Buttercream Frosting
- Mocha Buttercream Frosting
- Almond Buttercream
- marshmallow buttercream
- Chocolate Raspberry buttercream
- Raspberry buttercream Frosting
Cake Pop Toppings
After dipping the cake pops in the melted candy melts you can top them with sprinkles of any kind to match the holiday or party theme you are having.
Can I use colored candy melts?
Yes! If you are wanting the coating to be different colors you can totally use different colored candy melts.
Homemade Cake or Boxed cake mix?
While I do love a homemade cake, a boxed cake will work just fine for these cake pops.
Homemade or Store bought Frosting?
You can use either store bought or homemade frosting. If you are using homemade frosting make it ahead of time and let it sit in the fridge for a little bit to stiffen up after making it.
Can I make these ahead of time?
Yes! I actually think they are better when they have had a day to sit and harden and come together. The uncoated cake balls can be stored in the fridge for up to 2 days. Coated cake pops can be stored in the fridge for up to 3 days.
Can I freeze Cake Pops?
You can freeze the cake balls before you have dipped them into the candy coating. To freeze the cake balls place them on a baking sheet and place in the freezer till frozen. Once frozen place in a freezer bag. They will keep frozen for up to 6 weeks. To make cake pops, allow the frozen cake balls to thaw in the fridge and then continue on with the steps for decorating and dipping in the candy coating.
You can also freeze the dipped cake pops for up to 6 weeks in an air-tight container.
How to Store Cake Pops
Allow cake pops to be fully set and then store in an air tight container in the fridge for up to 3 days.
Ingredients for making perfect cake pops
- Baked cake – any flavor mix or homemade cake baked and cooled slightly.
- buttercream frosting in flavor of choice or store bought frosting
- Candy Melts or chocolate melts
- shortening
- lollipop sticks
How to Make Cake Pops
Prepare and bake cake mix as directed on the box or use a homemade cake mix.
Allow to cool for about 30 minutes.
Crumble cake into a large bowl.
Add frosting and mix thoroughly with hands or a spatula.
Measure cake mixture and roll into 1″ sized balls.
Place on a wax paper lined baking sheet.
Place in the fridge for 20-30 minutes to firm up.
Melt the candy coating according to directions on package and add the shorting, be careful not to overheat.
Dip the lollipop stick in a small amount of coating before inserting into the cake ball.
Dip cake pops in melted candy and allow excess coating to drip off by tapping your wrist.
If adding sprinkles, pour sprinkles in a bowl and roll pops in the sprinkles before placing to set.
Place finished pops in the Styrofoam block, a box with holes to set or a deep dish with beans.
Easy Party Dessert Recipes
- Christms Tree Marshmallow Pops
- Santa Banana Pops
- Mickey Mouse Cupcakes
- Rainbow Cupcakes
- Spaghetti Ice Cream
- Ice Cream Cake
Homemade Cake Pops Recipe
Equipment
- Lollipop sticks
Ingredients
- 1 cake mix or homemade cake baked and cooled slightly.
- 1 cup buttercream frosting
- 36 ounce Candy Coating melts
- 1 tablespoon shortening
Instructions
- Prepare and bake cake mix as directed on the box or use a homemade cake mix.
- Allow to cool for about 30 minutes.
- Crumble cake into a large bowl.
- Add frosting and mix thoroughly with hands.
- Measure cake mixture and roll into 1″ sized balls.
- Place on a wax paper lined baking sheet.
- Place in the fridge for 20-30 minutes to firm up.
- Dip the lollipop stick in a small amount of coating before inserting into the cake ball.
- Melt the candy coating according to directions on package and add the shorting, be careful not to overheat.
- Dip cake pops in melted candy and allow excess coating to drip off by tapping your wrist and place in the Styrofoam block or a box with holes to set.
Violeta Gill says
Cake pops expand so it is good to let them sit out for a little bit before dipping.
I love making them!
Monica says
Is it ok to mix the frosting in the batter and pour into cake pop molds? I bought one and I can’t seem to recipes specific for the molds. Please help!
Stephanie says
I have never used the molds so i am not sure but it is very simple to just roll them out.