One snowy afternoon, I found myself in the mood for a delightful treat—something that would be both fun to make and delicious to eat. That's when the idea of creating cake pops popped into my mind. Perfect for parties or just as a sweet indulgence, these cake pops combine the flavors of a moist cake and the enjoyment of candy-covered treats. I remember making them with my kids and how their eyes lit up at the sight of sprinkles.
This cake pop recipe is not only easy to follow but also highly rewarding. With just a box of cake mix and candy melts, you can create something truly special. Whether you're a seasoned baker or a beginner, these cake pops will brighten any occasion.
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Why You’ll Love This Recipe
- Simple Ingredients: Just a few items, mostly found in your pantry, make this recipe easy to prepare quickly.
- Fun and Creative: Let your imagination run wild with different candy melt colors and sprinkle designs.
- Kid-Friendly: This recipe is a great activity for kids to help with, from rolling the cake balls to decorating them.
- Perfect for Parties: These cake pops are a hit at gatherings and serve as delightful party favors.
- Customizable Flavors: Swap out the cake mix or frosting flavor to fit any theme or taste preference.
Ingredients You'll Need
- White Cake Mix – 15.25 oz box. Forms the base for our cake pops.
- Water, Oil, and Eggs – As listed on the cake mix box. Essential for creating the cake batter.
- Frosting – ½ cup, homemade or store-bought. Binds the cake crumbs together.
- Candy Melts – 12 oz, any color. Provides the delicious coating for the cake pops.
- Lollipop Sticks – Necessary for holding the cake pops.
- Sprinkles – Add a decorative and fun touch.
How to Make Cake Pop Recipe
Step 1: Prepare the Pan
Preheat the oven to 350ºF. Spray a 9×13 inch pan with nonstick spray to ensure easy cake removal. Set this aside as the oven preheats.
Step 2: Mix the Batter
In a large bowl, whisk together the cake mix, water, oil, and eggs following the instructions on the box. Pour the batter into the prepared pan and bake according to the time specified on the box.
Step 3: Combine Cake and Frosting
Once the cake is baked, transfer it into a large mixing bowl. Add ½ cup of frosting and mix with an electric mixer on low speed until you achieve a dough-like texture.
Step 4: Form Cake Balls
Using a tablespoon-sized scoop, roll the dough into balls. Place these on a lined baking sheet and refrigerate for about 2 hours to firm up.
Step 5: Prepare Candy Coating
After chilling, re-roll if necessary, then melt the candy melts in a microwave-safe bowl in 20-second intervals until smooth.
Step 6: Assemble Cake Pops
Dip each lollipop stick into the melted candy and insert it into the center of each cake ball. Fully submerge each ball into the candy coating.
Step 7: Decorate and Set
Gently tap off any excess coating and add sprinkles if desired. Place each pop upright in a styrofoam block to allow the coating to set. Repeat with remaining cake balls.
Pro Tips from My Kitchen
✓ Keep Coating Warm – Stir the candy melts intermittently to maintain a smooth, dippable consistency throughout the process.
✓ Use a Cookie Scoop – For uniform cake balls, use a cookie scoop to portion out the dough before rolling.
✓ Chill the Pops – Ensure the cake balls are thoroughly chilled before dipping to help the coating settle smoothly.
✓ Double Coat Sticks – Dip the sticks twice before inserting into cake balls to secure them firmly.
✓ Set Quickly – After dipping, quickly set each pop on the styrofoam block so the coating doesn't drip.
What Makes This Recipe Work
- The combination of cake crumbs and frosting creates a smooth, dough-like consistency that's easy to shape into pops. The frosting acts as an adhesive, holding the cake mix together flawlessly.
- Chilling the cake balls ensures they hold their shape while dipping, preventing them from falling apart in the candy coating.
- Candy melts provide a quick-setting, colorful coating that pairs beautifully with the moist texture of the cake inside, making each bite a delightful contrast of soft and crunch.
Frequently Asked Questions About Cake Pop Recipe
Yes, you can substitute any flavor of cake mix you prefer, such as chocolate or red velvet, following this same recipe process.
After dipping in candy melts, if the coating is smooth and not dripping excessively, your cake pops are well coated.
Yes, prepare the cake pops a day in advance and store them in an airtight container in the fridge. Let them reach room temperature before serving.
If the cake balls are falling off, they might need more chilling time, or the stick might not be inserted deep enough. Ensure the stick is inserted at least halfway through.
Enjoy these cake pops with a hot drink like coffee or hot cocoa for a cozy experience. They're also perfect as a sweet addition to a dessert table at a party.
Cake Pops Recipe
Ingredients
- 1 box White Cake Mix – 15.25 oz
- 1 cup Water
- ⅓ cup Oil
- 3 large Eggs
- ½ cup Frosting Homemade or store-bought to bind the cake crumbs.
- 12 oz Candy Melts
- 20 sticks Lollipop Sticks Necessary
- as desired Sprinkles For decorative touch.
Instructions
- Preheat the oven to 350ºF and spray a 9x13 inch pan with nonstick spray.
- In a large bowl, whisk together the cake mix, water, oil, and eggs following the instructions on the box.
- Pour the batter into the prepared pan and bake according to the time specified on the box.
- Once the cake is baked, transfer it to a large mixing bowl, add frosting, and mix until dough-like.
- Scoop dough into tablespoon-sized balls and place on a lined baking sheet. Refrigerate for about 2 hours to firm up.
- Melt the candy melts in a microwave-safe bowl in 20-second intervals until smooth.
- Dip each lollipop stick into melted candy, then insert into the center of each cake ball.
- Fully submerge each ball in the candy coating, gently tapping off the excess.
- Add sprinkles if desired, then place each pop upright in a styrofoam block to allow the coating to set.
Notes
- Keep the coating warm for consistency, use a cookie scoop for even balls, ensure pops are well chilled before dipping, and set quickly to prevent dripping.
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