This copycat Starbucks Birthday Cake Pop recipe allows you to recreate those iconic treats in your own kitchen. These cake pops feature a 'from-scratch' moist vanilla cake center dipped in a vibrant pink candy shell and finished with a sprinkle of festive white sugar pearls.
Fun to make and perfect for parties, bake sales, or a sweet after-school treat, these copycat Starbucks Birthday Cake Pops are sure to be a crowd-pleaser.
Why You'll Love This Recipe
These cake pops are surprisingly easy to make, requiring basic pantry ingredients and equipment. They're a perfect weekend activity to get the kids involved in the kitchen, or a fun way to impress your friends and family with your baking skills.
- Easy & Fun to Make: This recipe is simple to follow, making it a great activity for bakers of all skill levels.
- Customizable: You can get creative with sprinkles, colors, or even add a surprise filling for a personalized touch.
- Budget-Friendly: Skip the store-bought treats and create delicious cake pops at a fraction of the cost.
Ingredients You'll Need
You can make our scratch vanilla cake batter for these cake pops, or use a yellow cake mix if you have one on hand. Or, for a no-bake option, use a frozen or bakery pound cake!
From Scratch Vanilla Birthday Cake
- Butter unsalted
- Granulated sugar
- Eggs
- Vanilla extract
- Almond extract
- Salt
- All purpose flour
- Baking powder
- Milk
Homemade Vanilla Frosting
- Butter unsalted
- Salt
- Powdered sugar
- Vanilla extract
- Milk
Pink Candy Coating
- Pink candy melts
- Coconut oil
- Sugar pearls white
Full ingredient amounts and preparation instructions are in the printable recipe card at the bottom of this post.
How To Make Strawberry Cake Pops
Our homemade copycat Starbucks Birthday Cake pop recipe is super easy to whip up. You can make up to two dozen cake pops for a fraction of the cost of what they would cost you at Starbucks!
So, preheat your oven, gather your sprinkles, and get ready to whip up a batch of these delightful cake pops!
Prepare The Homemade Vanilla Cake and Frosting
- Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C) and grease a loaf pan. In a large bowl, whisk together flour, baking powder, and salt.
- Using an electric mixer, cream together butter and sugar until light and fluffy. Beat in eggs one at a time, then stir in vanilla and almond extract.
- Alternately add the dry ingredients and milk to the creamed butter mixture, beginning and ending with the dry ingredients. Mix until just combined, be careful not to overmix.
- Pour batter into the prepared loaf pan and bake for 20-25 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted into the center comes out clean.
- Let the cake cool completely on a wire rack before crumbling it into a large bowl.
- While the cake bakes, prepare the frosting by mixing the softened butter, salt, powdered sugar, vanilla extract, and milk into a smooth, creamy frosting. Set aside until the crumbled cake is completely cooled.
- Once the cake is cooled, use your hands to break the cake into pieces and create small crumbles.
- Add the frosting and blend together with a fork or clean hands until the cake pop dough is formed.
Shape The Cake Balls
- Shape the cake mixture into 1-inch balls and place them on a baking sheet lined with parchment paper. Freeze for at least 30, or until very firm. This prevents them from falling apart when dipping.
- In a microwave-safe bowl, melt the pink candy melts according to package instructions.
- Dip each cake pop stick ¼ inch into the melted candy and press into a cake ball halfway through.
- Allow the cake pop sticks and the melted candy to harden before dipping into the melted candy.
Dip Cake Pop Into Pink Candy Melt
- Carefully, dip each cake pop ball into the melted candy melts, turning gently to coat completely.
Sprinkle With White Sugar Pearls
- Lift the cake pop out of the melted candy coating and let the excess drip off. Set cake pop into a cake pop stand and sprinkle on the white sugar pearls. Allow to harden completely before serving.
Tips for Success
Here are a few tips for making this copycat Starbucks Birthday Cake pop recipe:
- Don't Overmix the Batter: Overmixing can lead to a tough cake and dry cake pops. Mix just until the ingredients are combined.
- Freeze the Cake Balls: Freezing the cake balls before dipping them helps them hold their shape and ensures a smooth candy shell.
- Use a Spoon for Dipping: A spoon helps coat the cake pops evenly in the candy melts.
- Tap Off Excess Candy: After dipping the cake pop, gently tap it against the bowl to remove any excess candy.
- Work Quickly: The candy coating will start to harden quickly. Work efficiently when dipping and decorating your cake pops.
Substitutions and Variations
Here are a few delicious variations or substitutions when making this copycat Starbucks Birthday Cake pop recipe.
- Cake Mix: Feel free to use a boxed vanilla cake mix for a quicker and easier option. Prepare the cake mix according to package instructions and use it instead of the cake recipe above.
- Frosting: You can use store-bought vanilla frosting or any other flavor you prefer.
- Candy Melts: Choose a different color of candy melts to match your party theme or preference.
- Sprinkles: Get creative with festive sprinkles like nonpareils, jimmies, or even chopped nuts.
- Fillings: For an extra surprise, add a small dollop of your favorite jam or Nutella in the center of the cake ball before dipping it in candy melts.
Serving Suggestions
These Birthday Cake Pops are perfect on their own or served alongside a glass of milk for a delightful afternoon snack. They're also ideal for birthday parties, baby showers, bake sales, or simply a delightful after-school treat.
Package them in cellophane bags with colorful ribbons for a charming presentation.
Related Recipes
- Copycat Starbucks Blueberry Scones
- Dalgona Iced Coffee
- Lemon Poppy Seed Scones
- Chocolate Rum Balls
- Iced Americano
Storage Options
- Cake pops can be stored at room temperature in an airtight container for up to 3 days.
- For longer storage, you can freeze them for up to 3 months. Place the cooled cake pops in a single layer in an airtight container lined with parchment paper. Thaw them in the refrigerator overnight before serving.
Frequently Asked Questions
You need to use some of the melted candy to secure the cake balls first. Dip the sticks into the melted candy, then press into the cake balls.
Oh course! If you don't want to make the vanilla cake from scratch, than any brand of yellow cake mix will work. You can also just purchase a read to slice pound cake if you want a no-bake version of this recipe!
Feel free to experiment with different cake like devils food, red velvet, or even fudge brownies.
Yes, freeze them at least 30 minutes or until very firm. This prevents the cake pops falling apart when dipping into the warm candy melts.
More Delish Ideas
- Powdered Sugar Mini Donuts
- Cherry Fluff Salad
- Raspberry Linzer Cookies
- Chocolate Dipped Pink Sugar Cookies
Starbucks Birthday Cake Pop Recipe
Ingredients
Cake
- ½ cup butter unsalted
- 1 ¼ cups white granulated sugar
- 2 eggs
- 1 ½ teaspoon vanilla extract
- ½ teaspoon almond extract
- ½ teaspoon salt
- 1 ¼ cup all purpose flour
- 1 ¾ teaspoon baking powder
- ¾ cup whole milk
Frosting
- ¼ cup butter unsalted
- ¼ teaspoon salt
- 2 cups powdered sugar
- ½ teaspoon vanilla extract
- 1 ½ tablespoon milk
Pink Candy Coating
- 1 ½ cups pink candy melts
- 1 tablespoon coconut oil
- sugar pearls white
Instructions
For The Homemade Birthday Cake
- Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C) and grease a loaf pan. In a large bowl, whisk together flour, baking powder, and salt.
- Using an electric mixer, cream together butter and sugar until light and fluffy. Beat in eggs one at a time, then stir in vanilla and almond extract.½ cup butter, 1 ¼ cups white granulated sugar, 2 eggs, 1 ½ teaspoon vanilla extract, ½ teaspoon almond extract
- Alternately add the dry ingredients and milk to the creamed butter mixture, beginning and ending with the dry ingredients. Mix until just combined, be careful not to overmix.½ teaspoon salt, 1 ¼ cup all purpose flour, 1 ¾ teaspoon baking powder, ¾ cup whole milk
- Pour batter into the prepared loaf pan and bake for 20-25 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted into the center comes out clean.
- Let the cake cool completely on a wire rack before crumbling it into a large bowl.
- Once the cake is cooled, use your hands to break the cake into pieces and create small crumbles.
Make The Frosting
- While the cake bakes, prepare the frosting by mixing the softened butter, salt, powdered sugar, vanilla extract, and milk into a smooth, creamy frosting. Set aside until the crumbled cake is completely cooled.¼ cup butter, ¼ teaspoon salt, 2 cups powdered sugar, ½ teaspoon vanilla extract, 1 ½ tablespoon milk
- Add the frosting and blend together with a fork or clean hands until the cake pop dough is formed.
- Shape the cake mixture into 1-inch balls and place them on a baking sheet lined with parchment paper. Freeze for at least 30, or until very firm. This prevents them from falling apart when dipping.
Prepare The Pink Candy Coating
- In a microwave-safe bowl, melt the pink candy melts and coconut oil according to package instructions.1 ½ cups pink candy melts, 1 tablespoon coconut oil
- Dip each cake pop stick ¼ inch into the melted candy and press into a cake ball halfway through.
- Allow the cake pop sticks with the melted candy to harden before dipping into the melted candy coating.
- Carefully, dip each cake pop ball into the melted candy melts, turning gently to coat completely.
- Lift the cake pop out of the melted candy coating and let the excess drip off. Set cake pop into a cake pop stand and sprinkle on the white sugar pearls. Allow to harden completely before serving.sugar pearls
Notes
- Instead of a cake pop stand you can use a loaf pan filled with rice to stick the cake pops in standing up the candy coating sets.
- To help the cake cool faster, break apart first and place in the freezer for 15 minutes.
- Make sure the melted candy coating is not piping hot when putting onto your cake pops or they will form cracks
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