why make this recipe
Making Starbucks Copycat Birthday Cake Pops at home is a fun and rewarding project. These sweet treats are perfect for celebrations, and they taste just as good as the ones from your favorite coffee shop. With a sprinkle of joy and a touch of creativity, you can enjoy a delightful snack that everyone will love.
how to make Starbucks Copycat Birthday Cake Pops
Ingredients:
- 1 box (13.25 oz) of any store-bought 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 of salt
- 1 tsp milk (add more if needed)
- 12 oz candy melts
- White nonpareils or sprinkles
Directions:
- Preheat your oven to 325-350℉ (162-175℃). Check your cake box for the exact temperature based on your baking pan size.
- In a large bowl, combine all the cake ingredients. Mix well until fully combined.
- Pour the batter into a greased or lined baking pan. Bake according to the cake box instructions. Use a toothpick to check if the cake is done 2-4 minutes before the end of the baking time. Make sure it comes out clean. Be careful not to overbake.
- Once baked, transfer the warm cake to a large mixing bowl. Using a paddle attachment on a stand mixer, crumble the cake on low speed until there are no large pieces. You can also crumble it with a handheld mixer or by hand when slightly cooled.
- In a separate small bowl, mix all the buttercream ingredients. You don’t need to sift the powdered sugar. Stir until smooth, though some small lumps are fine.
- Add the buttercream to the crumbled cake and mix until everything is well combined.
- Roll the mixture into balls about 1¼ inches in diameter (or 30g each). Chill the cake pops in the freezer for 15 minutes. Then, let them sit at room temperature for another 10 minutes while you prepare your candy melts.
- Melt a small amount of pink candy melts in the microwave according to the package instructions. Heat in 15-30 second increments, stirring until smooth.
- Dip the tip of each lollipop stick in the melted candy and then insert it into the cake balls halfway. Repeat this for all cake balls, then return them to the freezer for another 15 minutes.
- After the second chill, let the cake pops sit at room temperature for 10 minutes. Melt the remaining candy melts until they reach your desired thin consistency.
- Dip each cake pop into the melted candy until fully covered, making sure it submerges to the stick. Gently tap the stick to remove excess candy melt for an even coating. Avoid dunking again to prevent the cake pop from falling off.
- Quickly decorate the cake pops with sprinkles or nonpareils. Stand the finished cake pops upright in a styrofoam block to dry. Repeat this process until all cake pops are dipped and sprinkled.
how to serve Starbucks Copycat Birthday Cake Pops
Serve these delicious cake pops on a pretty platter at parties or special occasions. They are perfect as a sweet treat on a dessert table and are sure to impress your guests. They are also great as a snack with coffee or tea.
how to store Starbucks Copycat Birthday Cake Pops
Store any leftover cake pops in an airtight container. Keep them at room temperature for up to three days. If you need to keep them longer, they can be refrigerated for about a week. Just let them come to room temperature before serving for the best flavor.
tips to make Starbucks Copycat Birthday Cake Pops
- Make sure your cake is fully cooled before crumbling it to prevent excess moisture.
- Use different colored candy melts to match your theme or for seasonal celebrations.
- Don’t skip the chilling steps! They help the cake pops hold their shape and make dipping easier.
variation
You can experiment with different cake flavors like chocolate or red velvet. Additionally, adding flavor extracts such as almond or lemon can give a unique twist to your cake pops.
FAQs
Q: Can I use homemade cake instead of a box mix?
A: Yes, you can! Just make sure it’s a sturdy cake that crumbles well.
Q: Can I freeze cake pops?
A: Yes, you can freeze uncoated cake pops. Just wrap them well in plastic wrap and store them in an airtight container.
Q: How do I prevent the candy coating from cracking?
A: Ensure the cake pops are at room temperature before dipping and make sure the candy melts are warm and smooth for better coating.