How to Make Starbucks Birthday Cake Pops at Home

Warm, sweet, and super close to the Starbucks vibe these copycat Birthday Cake Pops are easy once you know the “dough method” (hot cake + powdered sugar). Here’s the clean step-by-step you can follow.

Make Starbucks copycat Birthday Cake Pops at home with a simple vanilla cake “dough,” a smooth pink candy coating, — How to Make Starbucks Birthday Cake Pops at Home 2

Why make these Starbucks copycat cake pops

Same look, same flavor: vanilla cake center + pink candy shell + white sprinkles
Beginner-friendly: no frosting needed
Great for parties: easy to bag up as favors

How to make Starbucks Copycat Birthday Cake Pops step by step

Ingredients

1 box vanilla cake mix (plus the ingredients on the back of the box)
1/4 cup (27g) powdered sugar
1/2 tsp vanilla extract
12 oz light pink color melts
White nonpareils sprinkles
24 lollipop sticks

Directions

Bake the cake following the box directions.
While the cake is still hot, crumble/pour it into a stand mixer bowl. (Don’t overbake or it won’t form a smooth “dough.”)
Add powdered sugar and vanilla. Mix on low with the paddle until it turns into a soft dough you can press into a ball.
Roll the dough into 24 even balls (about 1 to 1½ tablespoons each).
Place balls on a cookie sheet and freeze until firm (this helps them coat cleanly).
Melt the pink color melts until smooth.
Dip the tip of each lollipop stick into melted candy, then push it halfway into a cake ball.
Chill again until the candy at the stick sets (this “glues” the pop in place).
Pour melted candy into a tall, skinny glass. Dip each pop to coat.
Gently tap/shake off extra coating, then add white nonpareils right away.
Stand pops upright in a foam block or a box with holes and let them fully set.

How to serve Birthday Cake Pops

Serve at room temp for the best texture.
Great with milk, hot cocoa, or iced coffee.

How to store Birthday Cake Pops

Room temp: up to 3 days (keep them dry and covered)
Fridge: optional, but can cause condensation; let them come to room temp before serving

Tips to make them look like Starbucks

Roll balls smooth and tight (cracks usually start with rough balls).
Don’t overheat the candy melts; warm and fluid is best.
If coating feels thick, stir gently and keep it warm (a tall cup helps with clean dipping).
Chill cake balls, but don’t dip them ice-cold if your room is warm (big temp changes can crack the shell).

Variations

Different colors: swap pink melts for white, pastel blue, or purple.
Flavor boost: use French vanilla or funfetti cake mix (if you want a sprinkle look inside).
Topping swap: white sanding sugar, star sprinkles, or confetti sprinkles.

FAQs

Why do my cake pops fall off the stick?

Usually the stick wasn’t “glued” in with candy melts long enough, or the ball is too heavy. Dip-stick-first, insert, then chill until set.

Why is my coating lumpy or thick?

Candy melts got too hot or started cooling while you dip. Rewarm gently and stir until smooth before dipping again.

Can I use frosting instead of powdered sugar?

You can, but this recipe is designed to work without frosting. Too much frosting can make them oily and harder to coat cleanly.

Nutrition (per cake pop)