Starbucks Birthday Cake Pops (Print-Friendly Recipe)
Moist vanilla cake pops with rich buttercream and pink candy coating, inspired by the Starbucks classic treat.
# Ingredients List:
→ Cake
01 -
1 box (13.25 oz) vanilla cake mix
02 -
1/3 cup neutral oil (vegetable, avocado, or canola)
03 -
1 cup milk or water
04 -
4 large eggs
→ Vanilla Buttercream
05 -
1/4 cup unsalted butter, softened
06 -
1 cup powdered sugar
07 -
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
08 -
1 pinch salt
09 -
1 teaspoon milk, plus more if needed
→ Coating
10 -
12 oz candy melts
11 -
white nonpareils or sprinkles
# How to Make It:
01 -
Preheat oven to 325–350°F as directed on cake mix box, adjusting for pan size. Grease or line the cake pan.
02 -
In a large mixing bowl, combine cake mix, oil, milk or water, and eggs. Mix thoroughly until batter is smooth.
03 -
Pour batter into prepared pan. Bake according to cake mix instructions, checking with a toothpick 2–4 minutes before suggested baking time. Remove when toothpick comes out clean.
04 -
Transfer hot cake to a large mixing bowl. Crumble cake on low speed with a paddle attachment or by hand until no large pieces remain.
05 -
In a small bowl, blend softened butter, powdered sugar, vanilla extract, salt, and milk until smooth with minor lumps.
06 -
Add buttercream to crumbled cake and mix until fully combined and dough-like.
07 -
Portion and roll cake mixture into balls about 1 1/4-inch in diameter (approximately 30g each).
08 -
Place shaped cake balls on a tray and freeze for 15 minutes. Let stand at room temperature for 10 minutes while melting candy melts.
09 -
Melt a small portion of candy melts. Dip tip of each lollipop stick in the melt, then insert halfway into cake ball. Chill again for 15 minutes.
10 -
Melt remaining candy melts to a smooth, thin consistency. Dip each cake pop, making sure it is fully coated up to the stick.
11 -
Gently tap stick while holding to allow excess coating to drip off. Aim for an even layer; avoid double-dipping.
12 -
Sprinkle cake pops immediately with nonpareils or sprinkles. Place decorated pops upright in a styrofoam block to set.
# Extra Information:
01 -
Allow cake pops to come fully to room temperature before dipping to prevent cracking.