If you love the delicious, sweet, and moist birthday cake pops from Starbucks, why not make your own at home? These Starbucks Copycat Birthday Cake Pops are the perfect treat for any celebration, combining moist vanilla cake, smooth vanilla buttercream, and a colorful coating of candy melts. Whether you’re hosting a birthday party or just looking for a fun baking project, these homemade cake pops will surely impress.

Why You’ll Love This Recipe

These birthday cake pops are a fun twist on a classic dessert. They have everything you love about cake—moist, fluffy texture and creamy buttercream—wrapped up in a cute, bite-sized pop. The colorful candy coating and sprinkles make them perfect for any special occasion. Plus, you can easily customize them with your favorite colors and flavors, making this recipe a go-to for birthdays, parties, or simply satisfying a cake pop craving.

Starbucks Copycat Birthday Cake Pops Recipe

Ingredients

For the Cake:

1 box (13.25 oz) of store-bought vanilla cake mix
⅓ cup neutral oil (vegetable, avocado, or canola oil)
1 cup milk or water
4 large eggs

For the Vanilla Buttercream:

¼ cup unsalted butter, softened
1 cup powdered sugar
1 tsp vanilla extract
Pinch of salt
1 tsp milk (add more if needed)

For the Coating:

12 oz candy melts (preferably pink or any color of your choice)
White nonpareils or sprinkles

(Tip: You’ll find the full list of ingredients and measurements in the recipe card below.)

Directions

1. Bake the Cake:

Preheat your oven to 325°F (162°C) for dark-colored pans or 350°F (175°C) for light-colored pans. Refer to the cake mix box for the exact temperature based on your pan size.
In a large bowl, combine the cake mix, oil, milk (or water), and eggs. Mix well until the batter is smooth and well incorporated.
Pour the batter into a greased or lined pan and bake according to the instructions on the cake mix box. Check doneness by inserting a toothpick into the center about 2-4 minutes before the end of the baking time. If the toothpick comes out clean, the cake is done. Be careful not to overbake.
Once done, let the cake cool slightly before transferring it to a large stand mixer or mixing bowl.

2. Crumble the Cake:

While the cake is still warm (but not hot), use a stand mixer with a paddle attachment on low speed to crumble the cake into small pieces. Alternatively, you can crumble the cake by hand or use a handheld mixer. Continue until there are no large pieces of cake remaining.

3. Make the Buttercream:

In a small mixing bowl, combine the softened butter, powdered sugar, vanilla extract, salt, and milk. Mix well until the buttercream is smooth. Small lumps are normal, but make sure everything is well incorporated.
Add the buttercream to the crumbled cake and mix until fully incorporated. The mixture should be moist but firm enough to form into balls.

4. Form the Cake Pops:

Roll the cake mixture into 1¼-inch (3 cm) balls, about 30g each.
Place the formed cake pops on a tray and chill in the freezer for about 15 minutes. This helps the pops firm up before dipping them in the candy coating.

5. Prepare the Candy Coating:

Melt a small amount of pink or white candy melts in the microwave. Heat in 15-30 second intervals, stirring well each time, until smooth and thin.
Dip the tip of each lollipop stick into the melted candy melt, then insert the dipped tip halfway into the center of each cake ball. This helps secure the stick in the cake pop and prevents it from falling off during dipping.
After inserting the sticks into all the cake balls, chill the pops in the freezer for an additional 15 minutes to help set the candy coating on the sticks.

6. Dip the Cake Pops:

Melt the remaining candy melts until they reach a smooth, pourable consistency.
Dip each cake pop into the melted candy melts, ensuring that the entire cake ball is covered. Gently tap the stick on the edge of the bowl to remove excess candy coating. This helps ensure an even layer without dripping.
Quickly decorate the pops with nonpareils or sprinkles while the coating is still wet.

7. Dry and Serve:

Place the decorated cake pops into a styrofoam block or stand to allow the coating to fully dry and set.
Once dry, the cake pops are ready to be served!

Servings and Timing

Servings: Approximately 12-15 cake pops
Prep Time: 20 minutes
Cook Time: 25-30 minutes (plus chilling time)
Total Time: 1 hour 15 minutes

Variations

Color Options: Customize your cake pops with any color of candy melts for a themed party or celebration.
Flavored Cake: You can experiment with different cake flavors like chocolate, red velvet, or lemon for a fun twist.
Filling: Add small pieces of fruit or chocolate chips to the cake mixture for extra flavor and texture.
Toppings: Get creative with toppings such as crushed candies, edible glitter, or colored sugar for more visual appeal.

Storage/Reheating

Storage: Store cake pops in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 3 days. If you want to keep them fresh longer, you can refrigerate them for up to a week.
Freezing: Cake pops can be frozen for up to 2-3 months. Freeze them uncoated, then dip in melted candy melts when you’re ready to serve.

FAQs

Can I use a homemade cake recipe instead of a cake mix?

Yes, you can absolutely use a homemade vanilla cake recipe. Just ensure that the cake is properly cooled and crumbled into small pieces before adding the buttercream.

Do I need to chill the cake pops before dipping?

Yes, chilling the cake pops helps them set and prevents them from falling apart when dipped in the melted candy coating.

Can I use chocolate coating instead of candy melts?

Yes, you can use melted chocolate, but candy melts are easier to work with as they set up faster and have a smooth texture. Chocolate can sometimes be more temperamental.

How do I prevent the cake pops from falling off the stick?

Be sure to dip the stick into the melted candy coating before inserting it into the cake pop. This helps to anchor the stick and keep it in place.

Can I make these in advance?

Yes, you can make the cake pops ahead of time. Simply store them in an airtight container at room temperature or refrigerate them for later use.

What can I do if the candy coating is too thick?

If your candy melts are too thick, you can thin them by adding a small amount of vegetable oil or shortening to the melted candy. This will help create a smoother, more fluid coating.

Can I make these cake pops without a stick?

Yes, you can make cake balls without sticks. Just skip the step of inserting the lollipop stick and serve the cake balls as they are, either on a tray or in mini cupcake liners.

Conclusion

These Starbucks Copycat Birthday Cake Pops are a fun, festive treat that everyone will love. They’re perfect for birthdays, parties, or just when you’re in the mood for something sweet and cute. With a simple cake mix base, creamy buttercream, and a colorful candy coating, these cake pops are the ultimate indulgence. Get creative with the toppings and colors, and you’ll have a batch of homemade cake pops that rival the ones from Starbucks!