How to Make the Perfect Cake Pops
American · Easy · 60 min · 24 servings
These adorable and delicious cake pops are one of the most exciting kid friendly recipes for parties and special occasions. Kids absolutely love crumbling the cake rolling it into balls and dipping them into colorful melted chocolate.
Why this recipe works
This Cake Pops recipe has been crafted to deliver restaurant-quality results in your home kitchen. At just 60 minutes from start to finish, it fits perfectly into a busy schedule without sacrificing flavor. Each serving comes in at 165 calories with 2g of protein, making it a balanced choice for any meal.
What you will need
This recipe uses 7 simple ingredients that you can find at any grocery store:
- 1 box vanilla or chocolate cake mix plus required box ingredients
- 0.5 cup store-bought frosting
- 2 cups candy melts or white chocolate chips
- 1 tablespoon coconut oil
- 1 cup colorful sprinkles
- 24 count lollipop sticks
- 1 block styrofoam for drying
Step by step instructions
Step 1: Bake and Cool the Cake
Bake the cake according to package directions in a 9x13 inch pan. Let the cake cool completely to room temperature, then crumble it by hand into fine crumbs in a large bowl. Make sure there are no large chunks remaining.
Step 2: Form the Cake Balls
Add frosting to the cake crumbs a little at a time, mixing until the mixture holds together when pressed but is not sticky or wet. Roll into 1.5 inch balls and place on a parchment-lined baking sheet. Refrigerate for 20 minutes.
Step 3: Insert Sticks and Dip
Melt candy melts with coconut oil in the microwave in 30-second intervals, stirring between each. Dip the tip of each lollipop stick into the coating, then insert into each cake ball. Now dip each pop fully into the coating, letting excess drip off.
Step 4: Decorate and Dry
While the coating is still wet, let kids add sprinkles and decorations immediately. Insert the sticks into a styrofoam block to hold them upright and let the coating set completely at room temperature for about 15 minutes before serving.
Easy substitutions
Missing an ingredient? Here are some swaps that work perfectly:
- store-bought frosting → cream cheese softened to 2 tablespoons for a less sweet binding option
- candy melts → melted chocolate chips mixed with a teaspoon of coconut oil for smooth dipping
Common mistakes to avoid
Watch out for these pitfalls that can affect your results:
- Adding too much frosting to the cake crumbs which makes the balls too wet and soft to hold their shape
- Dipping cake pops when the coating chocolate is too thick which creates clumpy uneven coating
Nutrition facts
Per serving: 165 calories, 2g protein, 22g carbs, 8g fat, 0g fiber.
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