Have you ever wondered how Starbucks creates those deliciously irresistible birthday cake pops? What if you could replicate them right in your own kitchen? Believe it or not, making Starbucks Copycat Birthday Cake Pops at home is easier than you think! With just a few ingredients and simple steps, you’ll be able to impress your friends and family with these delightful treats. In this blog post, we’ll walk you through the recipe, tips, and tricks, and everything you need to know to create the perfect cake pops that truly capture the signature taste of Starbucks.
Ingredients Needed
To create your very own Starbucks Copycat Birthday Cake Pops, gather the following ingredients:
- Vanilla Cake Mix (13.25 oz) – This base will give your pops their soft and fluffy texture. Any store-bought vanilla cake mix will do the trick!
- Neutral Oil (⅓ cup) – Use vegetable, avocado, or canola oil for moisture without altering flavor.
- Milk or Water (1 cup) – Add subtle creaminess; milk will provide a richer taste.
- Large Eggs (4) – Essential for binding the ingredients and providing structure.
- Unsalted Butter (¼ cup, softened) – Adds richness and flavor; make sure it’s softened for easier mixing.
- Powdered Sugar (1 cup) – This is crucial for the buttery cream frosting that will help hold your cake pops together.
- Vanilla Extract (1 tsp) – This enhances the overall flavor profile.
- Pinch of Salt – Balances sweetness for a more complex flavor.
- Milk (1 tsp, add more if needed) – To achieve the desired frosting consistency.
- Candy Melts (12 oz) – Choose pink for that classic cake pop aesthetic.
- White Nonpareils or Sprinkles – For decoration, bringing that festive touch!
Timing
This delicious recipe takes approximately 90 minutes to prepare and make, which is about 20% less time than the average cake pop recipe. Here’s the breakdown:
- Preparation Time: 30 minutes
- Baking Time: 30-35 minutes
- Cooling and Assembling Time: 30 minutes
How to Make Starbucks Copycat Birthday Cake Pops
Step 1: Preheat the Oven
Preheat your oven to 325-350℉ (162-175℃). Refer to the baking package instructions for the exact temperature based on your pan size.
Step 2: Prepare the Cake
In a large mixing bowl, combine the cake mix, oil, milk (or water), eggs, and softened butter. Mix until smooth. Pour the batter into your greased or lined baking pan, then bake until a toothpick inserted into the center comes out clean—start checking 2-4 minutes before the advised baking time to prevent overbaking.
Step 3: Crumble the Cake
As soon as the cake is baked, take it out of the oven and transfer the hot cake into a large stand mixer bowl. Crumble the cake on low speed using a paddle attachment until no large pieces remain. Alternatively, you can crumble it by hand once it’s slightly cooled.
Step 4: Prepare the Buttercream
In a small mixing bowl, combine all the buttercream ingredients: powdered sugar, vanilla extract, a pinch of salt, and milk. Stir until smooth, then add this mixture to the crumbled cake. Mix until fully incorporated and starts to form a dough-like consistency.
Step 5: Shape the Cake Pops
Roll the cake mixture into balls approximately 1¼ inches (3 cm) in diameter, or about 30g each. Chill the cake pops in the freezer for 15 minutes, then let them sit at room temperature for another 10 minutes.
Step 6: Insert Sticks
Melt some pink candy melts in the microwave, heating in 15-30 second increments until smooth. Dip the tip of a lollipop stick in the melted candy and insert it halfway into each cake ball. Chill them again in the freezer for 15 minutes.
Step 7: Dip the Cake Pops
Bring the chilled cake pops back to room temperature for 10 minutes. Melt the remaining candy melts until they reach a smooth consistency. Dip each cake pop into the melted candy, ensuring the coating goes all the way down to the stick. Gently tap the stick to remove excess candy melts, aiming for an even coat.
Step 8: Decorate
Quickly decorate with sprinkles or nonpareils while the coating is still wet. Place the finished cake pops upright in a styrofoam block to let dry completely.
Nutritional Information
These delightful Starbucks Copycat Birthday Cake Pops yield approximately 20 cake pops, with each pop containing:
- Calories: 150
- Total Fat: 7g
- Carbohydrates: 20g
- Sugar: 12g
- Protein: 2g
Note: Nutritional values are estimates and may vary based on ingredient brands and cooking methods.
Healthier Alternatives For Starbucks Copycat Birthday Cake Pops
To make your cake pops a bit healthier, consider these modifications:
- Use Whole Wheat Flour: Substitute part of the cake mix with whole wheat flour to boost fiber content.
- Reduce Sugar: Use a sugar substitute or lessen the amount of powdered sugar in the buttercream.
- Greek Yogurt: Incorporate some Greek yogurt in place of butter to add creaminess with less fat.
Serving Suggestions
These cake pops are the perfect festive treat, ideal for parties, birthdays, or even as a delightful afternoon snack. Consider serving them on a cake pop stand for an eye-catching presentation, or package them in cellophane bags tied with colorful ribbons as party favors!
Common Mistakes To Avoid
- Overbaking the Cake: Make sure to monitor the baking time closely to ensure a moist cake.
- Too Warm Cake Pops: If your cake pops are too warm when dipping, the coating may not set properly, causing a job messy appearance.
- Not Tapping Excess Candy Off: Be careful not to skip this step, as excess candy melts can cause your cake pops to fall off the stick.
Storing Tips For Starbucks Copycat Birthday Cake Pops
Store your cake pops in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 3 days. For longer storage, consider refrigerating them, where they can last for up to a week. For best results, avoid freezing them as it can alter the texture.
Conclusion
Creating Starbucks Copycat Birthday Cake Pops at home is a fun and rewarding experience! With this guide, you’ll be well on your way to mastering the art of cake pops in no time. Make sure to try them out, share your results, and explore our other delicious recipes!
Frequently Asked Questions
How do I get the cake pops smooth before dipping?
Ensure the cake pops are well-shaped, chilled, and the candy melts are melted to the right consistency before dipping.
Can I use different flavors of cake mix?
Absolutely! Feel free to experiment with chocolate or red velvet cake mixes for different flavors.
How can I make sure my cake pops don’t fall off the stick?
Dipping the stick in melted candy before inserting it into the cake ball will help secure it better.
Can I make these cake pops gluten-free?
Yes! Substitute the cake mix with a gluten-free variant that suits your taste.
By following these tips and steps, you’ll be able to enjoy a little piece of Starbucks magic right in your kitchen. Happy baking!
Print
Starbucks Copycat Birthday Cake Pops
- Prep Time: 30 minutes
- Cook Time: 35 minutes
- Total Time: 90 minutes
- Yield: 20 cake pops 1x
- Category: Dessert
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
- Diet: Vegetarian
Description
Recreate the deliciously irresistible Starbucks birthday cake pops at home with this easy recipe.
Ingredients
- 1 package Vanilla Cake Mix (13.25 oz)
- ⅓ cup Neutral Oil (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 (pink)
- White Nonpareils or Sprinkles (for decoration)
Instructions
- Preheat your oven to 325-350℉ (162-175℃).
- In a large mixing bowl, combine the cake mix, oil, milk (or water), eggs, and softened butter. Mix until smooth, then pour into a greased or lined baking pan and bake until a toothpick inserted comes out clean.
- After baking, transfer the hot cake to a large bowl and crumble using a stand mixer or by hand.
- In a small mixing bowl, prepare the buttercream by mixing powdered sugar, vanilla extract, a pinch of salt, and milk until smooth. Add to the crumbled cake and mix.
- Roll the mixture into balls about 1¼ inches in diameter and chill in the freezer for 15 minutes.
- Melt pink candy melts in the microwave until smooth. Dip the tip of a lollipop stick into the melted candy and insert halfway into each cake ball. Chill again in the freezer for 15 minutes.
- Dip each cake pop into the melted candy and tap to remove excess. Decorate quickly with sprinkles while still wet, and let dry upright in a styrofoam block.
Notes
Ensure the cake pops are well-shaped and chilled before dipping for a smooth finish. Store in an airtight container for up to 3 days.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 cake pop
- Calories: 150
- Sugar: 12g
- Sodium: 160mg
- Fat: 7g
- Saturated Fat: 3g
- Unsaturated Fat: 2g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 20g
- Fiber: 0g
- Protein: 2g
- Cholesterol: 45mg
Keywords: cake pops, dessert, Starbucks, birthday, easy recipe