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Starbucks-Inspired Birthday Cake Pops Recipe

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4.3 from 14 reviews

  • Author: Sara
  • Total Time: 4 hours 50 minutes
  • Yield: 20 servings

Description

Celebrate in style with these delightful Starbucks-inspired birthday cake pops. Made from moist vanilla cake mixed with creamy buttercream, coated in smooth pink candy melts, and decorated with elegant pearl sprinkles, these bite-sized treats are perfect for parties or special occasions. The recipe involves baking, chilling, shaping, dipping, and decorating to achieve the iconic look and taste.

Ingredients

Cake

  • 1 box of vanilla cake mix

Frosting

  • 1 container of buttercream frosting (approximately 16 oz)

Coating and Decoration

  • 1 bag (24 oz) of pink candy melts
  • 1/4 cup pearl sprinkles

Other

  • Cake pop sticks
  • Parchment paper (for lining baking sheets)

Instructions

  1. Bake the Cake: Prepare the vanilla cake according to the package directions. Once baked, allow it to cool completely, then wrap it tightly with plastic wrap or foil and place it in the refrigerator to chill for at least 4 hours or overnight. This chilling step is crucial for easier handling when shaping the cake balls.
  2. Prepare Cake Ball Mixture: Remove the chilled cake from the fridge and place it into a stand mixer bowl. Beat the cake on medium speed for about 2 minutes to crumble it evenly. Add 1 to 2 tablespoons of buttercream frosting and continue mixing for 3 to 5 minutes until the mixture achieves a smooth, dough-like consistency that holds together well.
  3. Shape Cake Balls: Use a cookie scoop to portion out equal amounts of the cake mixture. Roll each portion into a small ball with your hands, ensuring they are smooth and uniform. Place the cake balls onto a baking sheet lined with parchment paper, spacing them out evenly.
  4. Melt Candy Coating: Place the pink candy melts in a microwave-safe bowl. Heat them in 30-second intervals, stirring well after each interval until the melts are completely smooth and creamy, without lumps.
  5. Insert Sticks: Dip one end of each cake pop stick about 1 inch into the melted candy coating. Immediately insert the dipped end gently into the center of each cake ball, being careful to avoid pushing the stick all the way through. Chill the cake pops in the refrigerator for about 10 minutes to allow the coating on the sticks to set firmly.
  6. Coat Cake Pops: Once the sticks are set, fully dip each cake pop into the melted pink candy melts, rotating it to ensure an even and complete coating. Gently tap off any excess coating and place the cake pops back on the lined baking sheet or stand them upright in a styrofoam block to dry in the classic cake pop style.
  7. Decorate: While the coating is still wet, immediately sprinkle pearl sprinkles over each cake pop to decorate. Allow the candy coating to harden completely at room temperature before serving or packaging.

Notes

  • Chilling the cake thoroughly is key for easier shaping and handling of the cake balls.
  • Adjust the amount of frosting if the mixture feels too dry or too wet to achieve the right consistency.
  • Use parchment paper to prevent sticking during shaping and drying.
  • If you do not have a stand mixer, mixing by hand with a strong spoon is possible but may require more effort.
  • Store finished cake pops in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to one week.
  • Replace pearl sprinkles with other decorations to customize the look for different occasions.
  • Prep Time: 20 minutes
  • Cook Time: 30 minutes
  • Category: Dessert
  • Method: Baking
  • Cuisine: American

Find it online: https://sarabaking.com/starbucks-inspired-birthday-cake-pops-recipe/