Description

Starbucks Copycat Birthday Cake Pops are moist, flavorful cake balls coated in a smooth candy shell and decorated with festive sprinkles, replicating the classic birthday cake pops from Starbucks. Easy to make with a box cake mix and homemade buttercream, they’re perfect for parties or gifting.

Ingredients

1 box (13.25 oz) vanilla cake mix (store-bought)

⅓ cup neutral oil (vegetable, avocado, canola, etc.)

1 cup milk or water

4 large eggs

¼ cup unsalted butter, softened

1 cup powdered sugar

1 teaspoon vanilla extract

Pinch of salt

1 teaspoon milk (add more if needed)

12 oz candy melts (pink or white)

White nonpareils or sprinkles

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Instructions

Preheat oven to 325–350°F (162–175°C) according to cake mix instructions.
In a large bowl, mix cake mix, oil, milk or water, and eggs until smooth. Pour into greased or lined pan.
Bake as directed, testing doneness with a toothpick 2-4 minutes before end of baking.
While warm, crumble cake using a mixer or by hand until no large pieces remain.
In a small bowl, mix butter, powdered sugar, vanilla extract, salt, and milk until smooth.
Add buttercream to crumbled cake and mix until fully combined.
Roll mixture into 1¼-inch balls (~30 grams each), place on baking sheet, and freeze for 15 minutes.
Let cake balls warm at room temperature for 10 minutes while melting a small portion of candy melts.
Dip lollipop stick tips in melted candy and insert halfway into each cake ball. Freeze 15 minutes to set sticks.
Melt remaining candy melts to a smooth consistency. Dip each cake pop fully, tap off excess coating, and avoid double dipping.
Decorate with nonpareils or sprinkles immediately. Place upright to dry completely.

Notes

Use chocolate or funfetti cake mix for flavor variations.

Change candy melt colors to match themes.

Add food coloring to buttercream for tinted cake pops.

Mix crushed cookies or candy into cake for texture.

Dip in melted chocolate and drizzle white chocolate for a gourmet look.

Store cake pops in airtight container in fridge up to 5 days; bring to room temperature before serving.

Thin candy melts with vegetable oil or shortening if too thick.

Use homemade cake if preferred, following the same process.

Freeze for up to 1 month for longer storage.

Nutrition

Serving Size: 1 cake pop
Calories: approx. 150-180
Sugar: 15g
Sodium: 90mg
Fat: 7g
Saturated Fat: 4g
Unsaturated Fat: 2g
Trans Fat: 0g
Carbohydrates: 23g
Fiber: 0.5g
Protein: 2g
Cholesterol: 35mg