Cake Pops

When it comes to trendy treats, we’ve seen cute cupcakes, flashy sugar cookies and naked cakes. But don’t forget about cake pops! These trendy desserts—essentially a blend of cake and frosting, shaped and dipped in a candy or chocolate coating—are surprisingly simple to put together. You can take some shortcuts to make assembling these treats a cinch. And cake pop recipes are so easy to customize. Here’s how to make cake pops for your next celebration, or even just as a fun and easy baking recipe for kids.

How to Make Cake Pops

So, how do you make cake pops? Crumble up a baked cake and stir in enough frosting until the mixture holds together when pressed. Then, roll the mixture into balls (a little smaller than the size of a golf ball) and press the sticks into the cake pops. Stash the cake pops in the freezer until firm. Melt the candy coating disks, then dip each entire cake pop into the melted candy coating. Stick the cake pop sticks into a Styrofoam board so the cake pops can stand upright. Let the coatings harden, then enjoy!

Ingredients for Cake Pops

• Cake mix: We keep this cake pop recipe easy with a store-bought cake mix, but you can certainly use your favorite cake recipe here instead.
• Frosting: While you can buy a premade frosting from the store, a homemade frosting is well worth the effort. All you need to do is whip up softened butter, confectioners’ sugar, whole milk and a bit of vanilla extract until the mixture is light and fluffy.
• Cake pop sticks: You can usually find these sticks at craft stores or major retailers like Target or Walmart.
• Candy coating disks: The candy coating disks are usually located near the cake pop sticks in stores. Although we recommend white candy coating, you can pick any color. Or, you can use chocolate instead if desired.
• Sprinkles: While you’re at the store, pick out sprinkles for your cake pops! Match them to the holiday or party theme, or simply use whichever ones you like best.

Directions

Step 1: Bake the cake

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Prepare the cake mix according to the package’s directions. Transfer the cake to a wire rack and let it cool completely to room temperature before moving on.

Step 2: Make the frosting

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In a large bowl, use a hand mixer or stand mixer to beat the butter at medium speed until smooth, two to three minutes.

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Reduce the mixer speed to medium-low, and slowly add the confectioners’ sugar, whole milk and vanilla extract. Increase the mixer speed to medium-high, and beat until fluffy, two to three more minutes.

Step 3: Combine the cake and frosting

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Crumble the cooled cake into the bowl with the frosting. Beat on low speed until everything comes together, two to three minutes.

Step 4: Shape the cake pops

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Scoop tablespoonfuls of the cake mixture, then roll each in your hands to make a (near) perfect sphere.

Editor’s Tip: You can use a cookie scoop to measure for uniform size.

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Place the cake balls on baking sheets and insert the sticks. Pop the cake balls in the freezer or fridge until they’re firm, least two hours in the freezer or at least three hours in the fridge.

Step 5: Dip the cake pops

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Melt chocolate or candy melts in the microwave until smooth. Dip each cake ball in the coating, and allow any excess to drip off. You can lightly tap the stick on the side of the bowl if needed.

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While the chocolate is still tacky, add any sort of sprinkles or decorations you’d like.

Stick the finished pops into a Styrofoam block to let them cool completely and harden before digging in.

Editor’s Tip: You can also use your finger or the back of a spoon to smooth out any drips or rough edges.

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Cake Pop Variations

When it comes to how to make different cake pop recipes, the options are nearly limitless. Think about your favorite desserts and riff off those ingredients. Here are some of our favorite cake pop flavor ideas:

• Red velvet cake pops: Red velvet cake fans can turn their favorite cake into cake pops with a box of red velvet cake, cream cheese frosting, a white chocolate coating and red velvet cake crumbles on top.
• Lemon drop cake pops: Lemon lovers, unite! Bake your favorite lemon cake, mix it with either vanilla buttercream or lemon buttercream, dip it in a white chocolate coating, and finish it with dehydrated lemon pieces or yellow sprinkles.
• Chocolate-hazelnut cake pops: Who doesn’t love a Nutella spin off? Combine chocolate cake with amaretto frosting and dip the cake pops in a dark chocolate coating. Then, sprinkle crushed hazelnuts on top if you’d like.
• Blackberry cake pops: Crumble white cake and stir it with a gloriously vibrant blackberry frosting that uses fresh blackberry puree. Dip the cake pops in white chocolate, and finish them with purple sprinkles or freeze-dried blackberries.
• Pumpkin cheesecake pops: Combine pumpkin cake with an incredibly rich cream cheese frosting for a cake pop similar to a pumpkin cheesecake. Dip the cake pops in white chocolate and sprinkle crushed graham crackers on top to mimic a cheesecake’s crust.
• Spice cake pops: These cake pops evoke the fall and winter season. Combine a heady spice cake with vanilla buttercream or cinnamon frosting, and dip the cake balls in white chocolate. Finish each with a sprinkling of cinnamon or a dehydrated piece of apple.
• Chocolate-peanut butter cake pops: There’s not too many people who could resist a gourmet chocolate-peanut butter cake pop. Crumble a Devil’s food cake and mix it with peanut butter frosting. Dip the cake balls in milk chocolate and finish them with a peanut butter chip drizzle or crushed peanuts.
• Pina colada cake pops: For something a little fresher, crumble a pineapple cake and mix it with a little bit of vanilla frosting. You may not need a lot of the frosting as the cake will be very moist already. Dip the pops in white chocolate and then roll them in toasted coconut flakes.
• Carrot cake pops: We all know at least one person whose favorite cake is carrot cake. Bake a carrot cake, whip up the cream cheese frosting, and crumble and mix them together to make the cake pops. Dip them in white chocolate and finish them with crushed walnuts.
• Strawberry cheesecake pops: Bake up a strawberry cake from scratch or a box mix from the store, then crumble it and mix it with cream cheese frosting. Dip the cake pops in white chocolate and finish them with graham cracker crumbs for the “crust.”
• Copycat Starbucks cake pops: These light pink cake pops are iconic. Whip up a batch for the Starbucks lover in your life, then go the extra mile and make their favorite Starbucks drink.

How to Store Cake Pops

When it comes to storing cake pops, they’re best kept in the fridge. Place the cake pops in an airtight container or zip-top bag, and store them in the fridge for up to a week.

Can you freeze cake pops?

Yes, you can freeze cake pops. Stash the cake pops in an airtight container or resealable bag, and freeze them for up to one month. Allow them to thaw overnight in the fridge before enjoying.

Cake Pop Tips

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What can I use to decorate cake pop recipes?

Cake pops are great vehicles for decorations. Dipping them in sprinkles is a great way to finish them off, but there are plenty of other ways to decorate them:

• Sprinkles, sprinkles and more sprinkles to suit the occasion (holiday colors, school colors, etc.)
• Contrasting chocolate drizzles
• Cookie crumbs
• Crushed candies
• Shredded coconut
• Chopped nuts

How do I keep the chocolate coating from cracking?

The chocolate coating normally cracks due to a temperature difference between the melted chocolate and the cold cake pops. To combat this, make sure your chocolate isn’t too hot, and let it sit for a few minutes after you melt it before you start dipping.

Why are my cake pops falling apart?

If your pops are falling apart, they might just need an extended stay in the freezer. Keep them in there until they set up. Also, be mindful not to overdo it when adding the frosting while making the cake pop recipe.

What can I use instead of sticks for cake pops?

You can grab a package of hard paper sticks made especially for candy and treats at most craft shops and cake stores. You can also use a thick wooden skewer or straw in a pinch.

How do you keep the cake pops from falling off the sticks?

Even when you make a cake pop recipe just right, you might run into this issue. Keep the cake pops chilled in the fridge until it’s time to serve. Chilled cake pops hold their shape and stay on their sticks better than ones that are a little too warm.