These pink cake pops are the perfect sweet treat for birthday parties, baby showers, or just when you need a fun dessert. This easy recipe uses simple ingredients like boxed cake mix, pink candy melts, and lollipop sticks to create homemade cake pops that taste just like a Starbucks birthday cake pop!
Making your own cake pops at home is not only fun but also cost-effective. A Starbucks cake pop can cost around $2-$3 per piece, but with this copycat Starbucks cake pops recipe, you can make an entire batch for around the same price!
If you love bite-sized treats, you might also enjoy our strawberry cake pop or chocolate-covered strawberry cake pop recipes!
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Why You'll Love This Recipe
- Kids Can Help- This is a fun recipe to make with kids! Let them roll the cake balls, dip them in chocolate, and add sprinkles for a hands-on baking experience.
- Super Easy Recipe- Made with a boxed cake mix and a few extra ingredients, this is one of the best ways to make delicious cake pops at home.
- Perfect for Celebrations- These pink cake pops are ideal for birthday parties, baby showers, and special events.
- Great Treats to Gift- These make the cutest, sweet treat to gift to others. They can be wrapped in clear treat bags with a bow for an extra special touch!
Ingredients
You'll need just a few simple ingredients to make these homemade Starbucks cake pops.
- Cake mix (vanilla) + ingredients listed on the box - A boxed cake mix makes this recipe super easy, but you can use homemade cake if you prefer.
- Pink candy melts - These create a smooth coating and gives the cake pops their signature pink look. You can mix in a bit of pink food coloring to white chocolate for a softer shade or try different colored melts for a fun variation.
- Powdered sugar - This helps absorb moisture from the cake and binds the crumbs together, making the mixture easy to roll into balls without crumbling.
- Vanilla extract - A splash of vanilla enhances the cake's natural sweetness and gives it that classic birthday cake flavor. Use pure vanilla extract for the best taste.
- White nonpareils - Add these tiny sugar pearls for the perfect copycat look!
See the recipe card for the full list of ingredients and measurements.
Substitutions & Variations
If you're looking to change things up, here are some easy substitutions and variations to customize these cake pops!
- You can use different flavors of cake mix such as chocolate, strawberry, or funfetti to change up the taste and color of your cake pops.
- Instead of pink candy melts, try using white chocolate, milk chocolate, or even colored candy melts to create different looks and flavors.
- Skip the lollipop sticks and serve the cake pops as cake truffles by placing them in muffin liners for a simple presentation.
How to Make Pink Cake Pops
Follow these simple steps to make the best pink cake pops that taste just like your favorite coffee shop treat!
Step 1: Prepare the boxed cake mix according to the package instructions.
Step 2: While the cake is still warm, add it to a large bowl along with the powdered sugar. Using a paddle attachment or a wooden spoon, mix on low speed until fully combined. The mixture will be moist and easy to shape.
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Step 3: Use a cookie scoop to measure even portions, then roll them into cake balls between the palm of your hands. Place them on a parchment paper-lined cookie sheet and chill for 20 minutes.
Step 4: Melt the chocolate in 30 second intervals in the microwave, stirring frequently. Dip the lollipop sticks in the melted chocolate, then insert them into each cake ball. Let set for 10 minutes before fully dipping each cake portion.
Step 5: Before the coating hardens, sprinkle white nonpareil sprinkles on top. Insert into a Styrofoam block, cardboard box, or cake pop holder to keep them upright as they harden.
Storage & Make-Ahead Tips
Proper storage ensures your cake pops stay fresh and delicious, whether you're making them ahead for an event or saving leftovers.
- Room Temperature: Store in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 5 days.
- Refrigerate: Keep in the fridge for up to a week. Before serving, let them sit at room temperature for 10 minutes to soften slightly.
- Freeze: Place in a freezer-safe container and store for up to 3 months. To prevent freezer burn, wrap each cake pop individually in plastic wrap before storing.
Tips for the best Strawberry Shortcake Cake Pops
To ensure your cake pops turn out perfectly every time, follow these helpful tips and tricks!
- Make sure to use warm cake. Mixing the cake while it's still warm helps bind everything together and keeps the cake pops moist.
- Ensure the stick is secure. Before dipping, make sure the stick is firmly set in the cake ball by letting the initial chocolate coating harden. This prevents the cake ball from falling off during dipping.
- Thin the chocolate if needed. If the melted chocolate is too thick, add a little bit of coconut oil to achieve a smooth, even coating that is easier to dip.
FAQ
To make pink chocolate for cake pops, melt white chocolate or white candy melts, then stir in a few drops of oil-based pink food coloring until you achieve your desired shade. Avoid water-based food coloring, as it can cause the chocolate to seize.
A pink birthday cake pop at Starbucks typically costs between $2 and $3, depending on the location.
The trick to making perfect cake pops is to use warm cake when mixing so it binds well and chill the cake balls before dipping to help them hold their shape.
Dipping the lollipop sticks in melted chocolate before inserting them into the cake balls helps secure them.
More Sweets You'll Love!
Looking for other sweet treats like this? Try these:
Copycat Starbucks Pink Cake Pops
Equipment
- 26 lollipop sticks
Ingredients
- 1 box vanilla cake mix plus ingredients listed on the box
- ¼ cup powdered sugar
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 12 oz pink candy melts
- White nonpareils
Instructions
- Prepare the boxed cake mix according to the package instructions.
- While the cake is still warm, add it to a large bowl along with the powdered sugar. Using a paddle attachment or a wooden spoon, mix on low speed until fully combined. The mixture will be moist and easy to shape.
- Use a cookie scoop to measure even portions, then roll them into cake balls between the palm of your hands. Place them on a parchment paper-lined cookie sheet and chill for 20 minutes.
- Melt the chocolate in 30 second intervals in the microwave, stirring frequently. Dip the lollipop sticks in the melted chocolate, then insert them into each cake ball. Let set for 10 minutes before fully dipping each cake portion.
- Before the coating hardens, sprinkle white nonpareil sprinkles on top. Insert into a Styrofoam block, cardboard box, or cake pop holder to keep them upright as they harden.
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