Cake Pop Recipe Better Than Starbucks

Ready for more party treats? Try my cake batter dip, pumpkin cake pops, and unicorn balls next. 99% of the time, my family asks me to make a Starbucks run–it’s not for coffee–it’s for cake pops. I get it. They’re popular for a reason, but they’re much better when you make them at home. For this recipe, I used some leftover cake and frosting from recipe testing. Suffice it to say we don’t get them from Starbucks anymore!

Why I love this recipe

A good use for leftover cake. Not that I’ve ever encountered such a thing… They can be made diet-friendly. Starbucks cake pops are neither vegan nor gluten-free, but it’s easy to do at home. No fancy kitchen tools needed. You don’t need a cake pop marker–just your hands and a few bowls. Much cheaper than Starbucks. And the last time I ordered some, they were so tiny! Thanks shrinkflation…

Ingredients needed

Leftover chocolate cake. Use my death by chocolate cake recipe for the most decadent chocolate cake pops. Alternatively, use a boxed cake mix. Leftover vanilla cake. My classic vanilla cake recipe is moist, fluffy, and easy to make with pantry staples. Vanilla and chocolate frosting. Any frosting will do, whether it’s store-bought or homemade. This will add texture and make the cake pops more sturdy. White chocolate chips AND dark chocolate chips. Melted to coat each cake pop. Alternatively, use candy melts. Pink gel food coloring. This is mixed into the melted white chocolate to dye the vanilla cake pops pink. Sprinkles. For decoration.

How to make homemade cake pops

I’ve included step-by-step photos below to make this recipe easy to follow at home. For the full printable recipe instructions and ingredient quantities, scroll to the recipe card at the bottom of this post.

Arman’s recipe tips

Use a stand mixer or electric mixer. While optional, it makes the mixing process go by faster. Dip the sticks in melted chocolate before sticking them in the cake pops. I find this makes the cake pops sturdier.

Storage instructions

To store: The chocolate-coated cake pops can be stored in an airtight container in the fridge for about 1 week.

Make them vegan. Use my vegan chocolate cake and vegan birthday cake. Make them gluten-free. Use one of my gluten-free cake recipes, like my almond flour chocolate cake or coconut flour cake. Swap the frosting. Use any flavored frosting of choice (I love strawberry!). More cake flavors! Try my healthy carrot cake, spice cake, or biscoff cake.

To freeze: Freeze them in a freezer-safe container for up to 2 months.