Starbucks Copycat Birthday Cake Pops

Highlighted under: Baking & Desserts

Enjoy the delightful taste of Starbucks' iconic Birthday Cake Pops at home with this easy recipe. Perfect for celebrations or sweet treats!

Phoebe Turner

Created by

Phoebe Turner

Last updated on 2025-12-22T22:00:29.332Z

These Starbucks Copycat Birthday Cake Pops are a fun and festive treat, perfect for any occasion. With a moist cake center and a sweet coating, they're sure to be a hit at parties!

Why You'll Love This Recipe

  • Rich vanilla flavor with colorful sprinkles
  • Fun, bite-sized treats perfect for sharing
  • Great for birthdays, celebrations, or just because

The Joy of Homemade Cake Pops

Creating cake pops at home transforms a simple dessert into a festive celebration. These delightful treats are not only visually appealing with their colorful sprinkles but also bring a rich vanilla flavor that tantalizes the taste buds. Making them yourself ensures that you can customize the flavors and decorations, making each batch uniquely yours. Whether you're preparing them for a birthday party or just a cozy get-together, homemade cake pops are sure to impress your guests.

One of the best things about cake pops is their versatility. You can experiment with different cake mixes or frostings to create various flavors or even incorporate fillings like chocolate ganache or fruit preserves. This flexibility allows you to cater to different tastes and preferences, ensuring that everyone can enjoy a sweet treat that suits their palate.

Perfect for Any Occasion

These Starbucks Copycat Birthday Cake Pops are perfect for any occasion, from birthdays to casual family gatherings. Their bite-sized nature makes them easy to share, and they can be enjoyed without the need for utensils. This portability means they can be added to party platters, dessert tables, or even school lunches, making them a versatile treat for both kids and adults alike.

Additionally, cake pops can be personalized for any celebration. Using different colored sprinkles or themed decorations allows you to match them to your event's color scheme or theme. This attention to detail not only enhances the aesthetic appeal but also adds a special touch that shows your guests you care.

Tips for Success

When making cake pops, the key to achieving a smooth coating is ensuring that the cake pops are well-chilled before dipping them into the melted chocolate. If they are too warm, the coating may slide off, resulting in a less than perfect appearance. Take the time to chill them adequately, and you'll be rewarded with a beautiful finish that holds up well.

Another tip is to use high-quality white chocolate chips for coating. The flavor and texture of the chocolate can greatly influence the overall taste of your cake pops. If you find melting chocolate challenging, consider using candy melts, which are specially designed for easy melting and coating, resulting in a glossy and professional-looking finish.

Ingredients

Gather the following ingredients to make your cake pops:

Cake Ingredients

  • 1 box vanilla cake mix
  • 1 cup water
  • 1/3 cup vegetable oil
  • 3 large eggs

Cake Pop Coating

  • 1 cup white chocolate chips
  • 1 tablespoon vegetable oil
  • Sprinkles for decoration

Cake Pop Sticks

  • 12 lollipop sticks

Make sure to have all ingredients ready before starting the process!

Instructions

Follow these steps to create your delicious cake pops:

Bake the Cake

Preheat your oven according to the cake mix instructions. Combine the cake mix, water, vegetable oil, and eggs in a large bowl. Mix until smooth, then pour into a greased cake pan.

Bake as directed until a toothpick comes out clean. Let it cool completely.

Prepare the Cake Crumbs

Once the cake is cool, crumble it into a large bowl using your hands or a fork until fine crumbs form.

Form the Cake Pops

Add a few tablespoons of frosting to the cake crumbs and mix until combined. Roll the mixture into small balls and place them on a baking sheet lined with parchment paper. Insert lollipop sticks into each ball.

Chill the Cake Pops

Refrigerate the cake pops for at least 30 minutes to firm up.

Coat with Chocolate

Melt the white chocolate chips with vegetable oil in a microwave-safe bowl, stirring every 30 seconds until smooth. Dip each cake pop into the melted chocolate, allowing excess to drip off, then immediately sprinkle with colorful sprinkles.

Let Set and Serve

Place the coated cake pops upright in a styrofoam block or a cake pop stand to set. Once the chocolate hardens, they are ready to serve!

Enjoy your delicious homemade cake pops!

Storage and Shelf Life

Once your cake pops are fully set, they can be stored in an airtight container at room temperature for up to a week. If you want to extend their shelf life, consider refrigerating them, which can keep them fresh for up to two weeks. Just remember to allow them to come to room temperature before serving for the best flavor and texture.

If you decide to freeze your cake pops, they can last for up to three months. To freeze, place them in a single layer on a baking sheet until solid, then transfer them to a freezer-safe container. This way, you can enjoy these delicious treats even after a special occasion has passed.

Creative Variations

While the classic birthday cake pop is always a hit, don't hesitate to get creative with different flavors and coatings. Consider using lemon cake mix for a zesty twist or chocolate cake mix for a richer treat. You can also drizzle melted chocolate in contrasting colors over the pops for an elegant finish.

For those looking for a healthier option, try incorporating fruit purees or yogurt into the cake mixture. This not only adds flavor but also gives a nutritional boost. You can even experiment with gluten-free cake mixes to accommodate dietary restrictions without compromising on taste.

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Questions About Recipes

→ Can I use a different cake flavor?

Yes, you can use any flavor of cake mix you like for a different taste!

→ How do I store leftover cake pops?

Store them in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 5 days.

→ Can I freeze cake pops?

Yes, you can freeze cake pops for up to 3 months. Just make sure they're well-wrapped.

→ What can I use instead of white chocolate?

You can use candy melts or milk chocolate as an alternative for coating.

Starbucks Copycat Birthday Cake Pops

Enjoy the delightful taste of Starbucks' iconic Birthday Cake Pops at home with this easy recipe. Perfect for celebrations or sweet treats!

Prep Time20 minutes
Cooking Duration15 minutes
Overall Time35 minutes

Created by: Phoebe Turner

Recipe Type: Baking & Desserts

Skill Level: Intermediate

Final Quantity: 12 pops

What You'll Need

Cake Ingredients

  1. 1 box vanilla cake mix
  2. 1 cup water
  3. 1/3 cup vegetable oil
  4. 3 large eggs

Cake Pop Coating

  1. 1 cup white chocolate chips
  2. 1 tablespoon vegetable oil
  3. Sprinkles for decoration

Cake Pop Sticks

  1. 12 lollipop sticks

How-To Steps

Step 01

Preheat your oven according to the cake mix instructions. Combine the cake mix, water, vegetable oil, and eggs in a large bowl. Mix until smooth, then pour into a greased cake pan. Bake as directed until a toothpick comes out clean. Let it cool completely.

Step 02

Once the cake is cool, crumble it into a large bowl using your hands or a fork until fine crumbs form.

Step 03

Add a few tablespoons of frosting to the cake crumbs and mix until combined. Roll the mixture into small balls and place them on a baking sheet lined with parchment paper. Insert lollipop sticks into each ball.

Step 04

Refrigerate the cake pops for at least 30 minutes to firm up.

Step 05

Melt the white chocolate chips with vegetable oil in a microwave-safe bowl, stirring every 30 seconds until smooth. Dip each cake pop into the melted chocolate, allowing excess to drip off, then immediately sprinkle with colorful sprinkles.

Step 06

Place the coated cake pops upright in a styrofoam block or a cake pop stand to set. Once the chocolate hardens, they are ready to serve!

Nutritional Breakdown (Per Serving)

  • Calories: 150 kcal
  • Total Fat: 8g
  • Saturated Fat: 4g
  • Cholesterol: 30mg
  • Sodium: 120mg
  • Total Carbohydrates: 20g
  • Dietary Fiber: 0g
  • Sugars: 10g
  • Protein: 2g