Starbucks Copycat Birthday Cake Pops

Are you craving something sweet and festive? Try making Starbucks Copycat Birthday Cake Pops! These delightful treats are perfect for celebrations or just a special snack. With their bright colors and tasty flavors, they are sure to bring a smile to anyone who enjoys them. Plus, making them at home means you can customize them to your liking!

Why Make This Recipe

Making Starbucks Copycat Birthday Cake Pops at home is not only fun but also rewarding. You can enjoy the same great taste without the trip to your local Starbucks. This recipe is great for parties, birthdays, or when you simply want to indulge yourself in a delicious, bite-sized treat. Plus, they’re easy to share with friends and family!

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 (like vegetable, avocado, or canola)
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 the cake box recipe for the exact temperature based on your pan size.
In a large bowl, combine all the cake ingredients. Pour the batter into a greased or lined baking pan.
Bake the cake and start checking with a toothpick 2-4 minutes before the suggested bake time. It should come out clean. Be careful not to overbake!
When the cake is done, remove it from the oven. Transfer it to a large mixing bowl while it’s still hot. Use a stand mixer, handheld mixer, or your hands to crumble the cake into small pieces.
In a small bowl, mix all the buttercream ingredients. You don’t need to sift the powdered sugar, just stir well until smooth. It’s okay if there are a few small lumps.
Add the buttercream to the crumbled cake and mix until everything is well combined.
Roll the mixture into balls about 1¼-inch (3cm) in diameter, weighing around 30g each. Place the cake pops in the freezer for 15 minutes, then let them warm up for 10 minutes at room temperature.
Melt a small amount of pink candy melts in the microwave, stirring every 15-30 seconds until smooth. Dip the tips of the lollipop sticks in the melted candy and insert them halfway into the cake balls. Do this for all cake balls and chill them again in the freezer for 15 minutes.
After removing them from the freezer, let them sit at room temperature for 10 minutes. Melt the remaining candy melts to your desired consistency. Dip each cake pop into the melted candy, ensuring it is coated all the way down to the stick.
Hold the stick and tap the cake pop gently to let any excess candy melt drip off. Aim for an even coating, and don’t dunk the pops again.
Quickly decorate with sprinkles or nonpareils before the candy melts set. Place finished cake pops in a styrofoam block to keep them upright while they dry. Repeat until all cake pops are dipped and decorated.

How to Serve Starbucks Copycat Birthday Cake Pops

Serve these delightful cake pops on a platter or in a fun container. They are perfect for parties, gifts, or just a sweet treat to enjoy anytime. You can also pair them with coffee or milk for an extra indulgence.

How to Store Starbucks Copycat Birthday Cake Pops

Store leftover cake pops in an airtight container at room temperature for up to a week. If you want to keep them fresh longer, you can refrigerate them, though this may change the texture slightly.

Tips to Make Starbucks Copycat Birthday Cake Pops

Make sure the cake is completely cooled before crumbling it to avoid adding too much moisture.
If the batter feels too dry, add a little more milk until you reach the desired consistency.
Be gentle when dipping the cake pops to prevent the cake from breaking and popping off the stick.

Variation

For a twist on the classic birthday cake flavor, you can add different extracts, such as almond or lemon, to change the taste. You can also use different colors of candy melts to match a theme or occasion.

FAQs

Q: Can I use a different flavor of cake mix?
A: Yes! You can use any flavor of cake mix that you like, such as chocolate or red velvet, to create your own unique cake pops.

Q: How long do these cake pops take to make?
A: The entire process, including baking and cooling, will take a few hours. It’s worth it for such a delightful treat!

Q: Can I freeze these cake pops?
A: Yes, definitely! You can freeze the uncoated cake pops for up to 3 months. Just make sure they are well-wrapped to prevent freezer burn. Thaw at room temperature before decorating.

Enjoy making and sharing these delicious Starbucks Copycat Birthday Cake Pops!