Cake Pops Recipe

Introduction

Cake pops are a delightful treat that’s both fun to make and delicious to eat. These bite-sized cake balls covered in smooth candy coating are perfect for parties or a sweet snack anytime. With simple ingredients and easy steps, you can create colorful, tasty cake pops at home.

Ingredients

• 1 (15.25-ounce) box vanilla cake mix
• 1 cup water (240ml)
• ½ cup vegetable oil (120ml)
• 3 large eggs
• 1 cup frosting
• 12 ounces candy melts or chocolate melting wafers
• Sprinkles (optional, for decorating)

Instructions

1. Step 1: Preheat the oven to 350°F. Grease a 9×13-inch cake pan with baking spray.
2. Step 2: In a large bowl, whisk together the cake mix, water, oil, and eggs until well combined. Pour the batter into the prepared pan and bake according to the package directions. Allow the cake to cool completely.
3. Step 3: Line a small baking sheet or plate with wax or parchment paper and make sure it fits in your fridge.
4. Step 4: Crumble the cooled cake into a large bowl. Add the frosting and mix with a wooden spoon or beat on low speed with a hand mixer until the mixture resembles wet sand. It should be crumbly, not pasty.
5. Step 5: Scoop the mixture and roll into 1-inch balls (about 1 tablespoon each). Place on the lined baking sheet and refrigerate for at least 4 hours or freeze for 30 minutes.
6. Step 6: Melt the candy melts or chocolate wafers according to package instructions and pour into a tall cup or measuring cup.
7. Step 7: Keep most cake balls cold in the fridge as you work. Dip the tip of a lollipop stick into the melted coating, then insert it halfway into a cake ball. Dip the ball into the coating, covering the base where stick and cake meet. Gently tap to remove excess coating.
8. Step 8: Decorate with sprinkles if desired. Place the cake pops upright in a holder and allow the coating to set for 30 minutes to 1 hour. Rewarm the coating as needed while coating the remaining pops.

Tips & Variations

• Use different flavored cake mixes or frostings to customize your cake pops.
• Freeze the cake balls briefly before dipping to help the coating set faster.
• Try using colored candy melts or drizzle contrasting chocolate for a decorative finish.

Storage

Store cake pops in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 5 days. Let them come to room temperature before eating for best flavor. If frozen, thaw in the refrigerator overnight and avoid refreezing.

How to Serve

Serve this delicious recipe with your favorite sides.

FAQs

Can I use homemade cake instead of box mix?

Yes, homemade cake works well for cake pops. Just ensure it is fully cooled before crumbling and mixing with frosting.

What can I substitute for candy melts?

You can use chocolate chips or regular melting chocolate, but be sure to melt them gently to avoid burning and achieve a smooth coating.

Cake Pops Recipe

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4.5 from 128 reviews

Delicious and fun vanilla cake pops made from scratch using a boxed cake mix, creamy frosting, and coated with smooth candy melts. Perfectly bite-sized and decorated with optional sprinkles, these cake pops are a delightful treat for parties or any occasion.

• Author: Elena
• Prep Time: 20 minutes
• Cook Time: 30 minutes
• Total Time: 5 hours (including chilling time)
• Yield: Approximately 24 cake pops 1x
• Category: Dessert
• Method: Baking
• Cuisine: American

Ingredients

Scale 1x2x3x

Cake Balls

• 1 (15.25-ounce) box vanilla cake mix
• 1 cup water (240ml)
• ½ cup vegetable oil (120ml)
• 3 large eggs
• 1 cup frosting

Coating and Decoration

• 12 ounces candy melts or chocolate melting wafers
• Sprinkles (optional, for decorating)
• Lollipop sticks

Instructions

1. Preheat and Prepare: Preheat the oven to 350°F (175°C). Grease a 9×13-inch cake pan thoroughly with baking spray to prevent sticking.
2. Make the Cake Batter: In a large bowl, whisk together the vanilla cake mix, water, vegetable oil, and eggs until smooth and well combined.
3. Bake the Cake: Pour the batter into the prepared pan and bake according to the package directions until a toothpick inserted into the center comes out clean. Let the cake cool completely before proceeding.
4. Prepare the Cake Balls Base: Line a small baking sheet or plate with wax or parchment paper. Crumble the cooled cake into a large bowl carefully, breaking it into fine crumbs.
5. Add Frosting: Add 1 cup of frosting to the crumbled cake. Stir with a wooden spoon or beat on low speed with a hand mixer just until the mixture is crumbly and resembles wet sand, avoiding a pasty texture.
6. Shape the Cake Balls: Scoop the mixture by tablespoons and roll into 1-inch balls. Place these balls on the prepared lined baking sheet. It’s fine if they touch.
7. Chill the Cake Balls: Refrigerate the cake balls for at least 4 hours or freeze for 30 minutes to firm them up for coating.
8. Melt Candy Coating: Melt the candy melts or chocolate wafers as per package instructions, then transfer the melted coating to a 2-cup liquid measuring cup or a tall glass for easy dipping.
9. Assemble the Cake Pops: Remove a few cake balls from the fridge at a time (keep the rest chilled). Dip the tip of a lollipop stick in the melted coating, then insert it halfway into a cake ball. Dip the cake ball into the coating, covering fully and especially where the stick and ball meet. Gently tap excess coating off.
10. Decorate and Set: If desired, sprinkle the coated cake pops with sprinkles. Place them upright in a cake pop holder and allow the coating to set at room temperature for 30 minutes to 1 hour. Reheat coating as necessary while continuing to dip remaining cake pops.

Notes

• Ensuring the cake is completely cooled before crumbling prevents a soggy mixture.
• Keeping cake balls cold while dipping helps the coating set quickly and reduces melting.
• Use a cake pop holder or styrofoam block to keep cake pops upright while drying.
• The size of the cake balls can be adjusted, but 1-inch or about 1 tablespoon per ball works best for even coating and serving.
• Sprinkles add festive decoration but are optional; you can also drizzle with melted chocolate for variation.
• Store finished cake pops in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 3 days or refrigerated for up to a week.

Keywords: cake pops, vanilla cake pops, candy melt coating, party treats, bite-sized desserts