Cake pops are the ultimate fun dessert—bite-sized, sweet, and totally customizable for any party or occasion! And this easy cake pop recipe takes all the guesswork out. No need to make a cake from scratch (unless you want to!). We’re using boxed cake mix and store-bought frosting to keep things quick, but you still get moist, flavorful cake pops with that iconic candy shell crunch.
Perfect for kids’ parties, baby showers, holiday treats, or even a cute gift, cake pops are as fun to make as they are to eat. 🎉
What You’ll Need
Ingredients (makes 24–30 cake pops):
- 1 box cake mix (any flavor: vanilla, chocolate, red velvet, etc.)
- Ingredients listed on the cake mix (usually oil, eggs, and water)
- ½ cup store-bought frosting (vanilla, cream cheese, or chocolate)
- 12 oz candy melts or chocolate coating (your color choice)
- Sprinkles, sanding sugar, or crushed nuts (optional)
- 24–30 lollipop sticks
Pro Tips for Perfect Cake Pops
🎂 Don’t overdo the frosting – too much and they’ll be mushy; too little and they’ll crack.
🧊 Chill the balls before dipping for easier coating and less sliding.
🍫 Use a toothpick to pop bubbles in the candy coating for a smooth finish.
🎨 Decorate fast – add sprinkles before the candy shell hardens!
👧 Let kids roll the balls and add the sprinkles—messy fun guaranteed!
Tools You’ll Need
- Mixing bowls
- Baking sheet
- Parchment or wax paper
- Lollipop sticks
- Microwave-safe bowls for melting candy
- Cake pop stand or styrofoam block (for drying)
Substitutions & Variations
🍰 Make it from scratch? Use any homemade cake recipe
🍫 Chocolate drizzle or white chocolate shell for a fancy finish
🌱 Gluten-free? Use a gluten-free cake mix
🌈 Theme it up – use matching colors for holidays, birthdays, or baby showers
Make-Ahead Tips
- Cake balls can be rolled and frozen for up to 1 month
- Dip straight from fridge for best coating
- Finished cake pops stay fresh at room temp for 3–4 days, or in fridge for up to a week
How to Make Easy Cake Pops
Step 1: Bake and Cool the Cake
- Prepare the boxed cake mix according to instructions and bake in a 9×13 inch pan.
- Let it cool completely.
Step 2: Crumble the Cake
- Once cooled, crumble the cake into a large bowl using your hands or a fork.
- Add ½ cup frosting and mix until it forms a dough-like consistency.
Step 3: Roll into Balls & Chill
- Roll mixture into 1-inch balls and place on a parchment-lined tray.
- Chill in the fridge for 1 hour or freezer for 15–20 minutes.
Step 4: Dip & Decorate
- Melt candy melts in microwave-safe bowl in 30-second bursts, stirring between.
- Dip lollipop stick into melted candy, then insert into a cake ball (this helps it stay on).
- Dip the entire ball into melted candy and let excess drip off.
- Decorate immediately with sprinkles or drizzle, then place upright in cake pop stand to dry.
Step 5: Let Set & Serve
- Let cake pops harden fully at room temp (about 30 minutes) or in the fridge (15 minutes).
- Serve on a platter or wrap individually for gifts!
Leftovers & Storage
- Store at room temp for up to 3 days, or refrigerate for up to 1 week
- Can be frozen for up to 2 months—thaw before serving
Final Thoughts
Cake pops are pure joy on a stick—simple to make, endlessly creative, and always a hit with kids and grown-ups alike. Whether you’re decorating for a party, gifting them to friends, or just baking for fun, this easy recipe gives you beautiful results every time. 💕
💬 What flavor combo did you try—red velvet + cream cheese? Funfetti + vanilla? Share your favorite cake pop creations in the comments—I can’t wait to see what you made! 🎂🍭✨
Leave a Reply