Easy Cake Pops with Cake Mix
These easy cake pops start with a boxed cake mix, then mix it with frosting and dip it in colorful candy melts. Use homemade buttercream or grab a container of store-bought frosting for an even easier shortcut. One batch makes about 35 cake pops, making them perfect for birthdays, holidays, baby showers and party favors.
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Cake pops look like one of those desserts that should be complicated to make, but they really don’t have to be. Starting with a boxed cake mix takes care of the hardest part, and you can make them even easier by using store-bought frosting.
Once you know the basic method, cake pops are also incredibly easy to customize. Change the cake flavor, candy melts and sprinkles, and the same recipe works for birthdays, holidays, baby showers or whatever you’re celebrating.
The trickiest part isn’t actually making them. It’s getting those little cake balls to stay on the sticks and dip smoothly without cracking or falling apart. I’ll walk you through the simple tricks that make that part much easier, too.
What you’ll love about this easy cake pop recipe:
Ingredients Needed for the Perfect Cake Pops
Gather these simple pantry staples before getting started:
How to Make Cake Pops
Bake and Cool the Cake
Prepare your choice of boxed cake mix according to package instructions and let it cool completely. Crumble the cake into fine crumbs in a large bowl. (I used a vanilla cake mix in the recipe below)
Mix the Cake and Frosting
Add 1/3 cup of frosting to the crumbled cake. Mix thoroughly until it forms a dough-like consistency.
Form Cake Balls
Use a cookie scoop to portion the dough evenly. Roll into smooth balls and place them on a parchment-lined baking sheet. Freeze for 20 minutes to firm up.
Prepare the Candy Melts
Melt your candy melts in a microwave-safe bowl at 50% power in 30-second intervals, stirring between each interval until smooth. (Tip: I find the best colors and pricing at Michael’s Craft Stores)
Assemble the Cake Pops
Dip the end of each cake pop stick into the melted candy coating and insert it into the center of a cake ball. Once all sticks are in place, dip each cake pop into the melted coating, ensuring it’s fully covered. Gently tap off excess chocolate.
Decorate and Dry
Quickly add sprinkles before the coating hardens. Place the cake pops upright in a styrofoam block to set completely.
Easy Cake Pop Decorating Ideas
Cake pops are perfect for any occasion, and a quick change in candy melts color or sprinkles can make them fit any holiday:
- Christmas: Red and green candy melts with gold sprinkles.
- New Year’s Eve: Metallic gold or silver candy melts and edible glitter.
- July 4th: Red, white, and blue candy melts with star-shaped sprinkles.
- Halloween: Orange candy melts with black and purple sprinkles or candy eyes.
- Baby Showers: Soft Pink or Baby Blue candy melts make for pretty treats and party favors!
- First Birthday Parties: Choose your candy melt colors to coordinate with your party theme!
Cake pop troubleshooting
How to Keep Cake Pops from Falling Apart
Cake pops aren’t difficult to make, but there are a few little tricks that make the process much easier.
- Don’t Add Too Much Frosting – Start with the ⅓ cup called for in the recipe. You want the cake mixture to hold together when rolled without becoming wet or sticky.
- Chill the Cake Balls – Chilling helps the cake balls firm up before dipping. I freeze mine for about 20 minutes.
- Dip the Stick First – Dip the end of your cake pop stick into the melted candy coating before pushing it into the cake ball. The coating acts like glue and helps keep the cake pop on the stick.
- Don’t Dip Them Rock-Hard Frozen – Very cold cake balls and warm candy coating can contribute to cracking. You want them firm and chilled, not frozen solid.
- Thin Thick Candy Melts – If your coating is too thick to dip easily, add a small amount of vegetable or coconut oil and stir until you get a smoother dipping consistency.
More Cake Pop Recipes You’ll Love:
- Frosted Animal Cookies Circus Cake Pop Recipe
- The Best Christmas Grinch Cake Pops Recipe
- Super Easy Cake Pops [Easter Dessert Recipe]
Tips & Tricks for Perfect Cake Pops
- Room Temperature Ingredients: Ensure your frosting is at room temperature for easy mixing.
- Don’t Overload with Frosting: Add frosting gradually to avoid making the mixture too sticky.
- Use a Styrofoam Block: This ensures your cake pops stay upright and set perfectly. Styrofoam Block Linked Here
- Avoid Cracks in the Coating: Make sure your cake balls are frozen but not rock-hard before dipping.
- Thin the Candy Melts: Add a teaspoon of vegetable or coconut oil if the coating is too thick.
Creative Serving Ideas
These bite-sized desserts are versatile for any event:
- Display them in small jars filled with candy for a playful dessert table.
- Wrap them in clear treat bags with a ribbon for party favors.
- Arrange them on a platter with cowboy chocolate chip cookies and brownies for a dessert spread.
Can You Make Cake Pops Ahead of Time?
Yes! Cake pops are a great make-ahead party dessert. You can bake and crumble the cake ahead of time, or form the cake balls and chill them until you’re ready to dip and decorate.
You can also store finished cake pops in an airtight container in the refrigerator. If you’re making them for a party, getting the cake balls rolled ahead of time makes decorating day much easier.
Storing and Reheating
- Short-Term Storage: Store in an airtight container in a refrigerator for up to 5 days.
- Long-Term Storage: Freeze in a single layer in a zip-top bag for up to 3 months. Thaw in the fridge for a few hours before serving.
Making cake pops at home doesn’t have to be intimidating! With this easy cake pop recipe, you’ll enjoy the satisfaction of making a homemade treat while saving money. Plus, the versatility of flavors and decorations ensures they’ll be a hit no matter the occasion.
Next time you’re planning a birthday party, baby shower, or even July 4th BBQ, skip the bakery and whip up these homemade cake pops. They’re budget-friendly, fun to make, and absolutely delicious!
Happy Baking!
Easy Cake Pops
These easy cake pops start with boxed white cake mixed with vanilla frosting, then they're dipped in colorful candy melts and finished with sprinkles. Use homemade buttercream or store-bought frosting for an easy shortcut that makes about 35 cake pops.
Ingredients
- 1 ½ cup powdered sugar
- 4 Tablespoons (½ stick) salted butter, softened
- 2 Tablespoons whole milk
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 1 (15.25 ounce) box white cake mix, prepared to package instructions, cooled and crumbled
- 2 (12 ounce) bags candy melts (any color)
- Sprinkles, optional garnish
Instructions
- In a small mixing bowl, combine the powdered sugar, butter, milk and vanilla.
- Use a hand mixer, on low, to combine before turning to medium and beating until fluffy (about 1-2 minutes) and set aside.
- In a large bowl, combine the crumbled cake with ⅓ cup frosting and stir until well until the cake and frosting resemble a dough (Add more frosting as needed but you don’t want the dough to be too wet.)
- Line a cookie sheet with parchment paper and use a 1 ½ Tablespoon cookie scoop to scoop the dough, roll into a ball and place it on the cookie sheet.
- Freeze for about 20 minutes to firm. If preparing the cake balls ahead and freezing longer, allow them to sit briefly before dipping so they aren't frozen solid.
- When the cake balls are firm, place your candy melts in a microwave safe container and microwave at 50% power in 30 second intervals until they are almost completely melted. Stir to a smooth consistency.
- Working in batches, dip a lollipop stick in the melted candy melts and then stick immediately into a firme ball, pushing about halfway through.
- Coat the rest of the outside of the cake ball in the candy melts and allow the excess to drip off.
- Working quickly, top with sprinkles of your choice and set upright in styrofoam to set up completely.
- Repeat steps 8-9 until all of the cake pops are done.
Notes
- I used salted butter, but unsalted butter would do fine. The candy melts are really sweet, so if you use unsalted, add ½ teaspoon of salt to your frosting.
- Store-bought frosting is a great shortcut for when you need to make these fast. You can use vanilla or
even cream cheese frosting. Start out by adding ⅓ cup of frosting to your cake and then add more until the cake and frosting are just combined.
- You can store any leftover birthday cake pops in an airtight container in a refrigerator for up
to 5 days. Your cake pops can also freeze in a gallon sized zip-loc bag for up to 3 months.
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Nutrition Information:
Yield: 35 Serving Size: 1Amount Per Serving: Calories: 35Total Fat: 2gSaturated Fat: 1gUnsaturated Fat: 1gCholesterol: 4mgSodium: 18mgCarbohydrates: 5gFiber: 0gSugar: 4gProtein: 0g
Hi, I’m Brittany, and I believe life at home should feel easier, not heavier.
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