Name: Easy Cake Pops
Prep time: 15 min
Cook time: PT-487553H16M6S
Total time: PT-487553H16M6S
Cuisine: American
Ingredients: 1 box of cake mix (any flavor you like, such as chocolate, vanilla, or red velvet); Ingredients required for the cake mix (usually eggs, water, and oil); 1/2 to 3/4 cup store-bought or homemade frosting (cream cheese frosting, buttercream, or any preferred type); 12 oz candy melts or chocolate chips (choose white, milk, or dark chocolate); 1 tablespoon vegetable oil or shortening (optional, to thin out the coating for easier dipping); Sprinkles, mini chocolate chips, or edible glitter (optional, for decorating)

Why You’ll Love This Recipe

These Easy Cake Pops are not only delicious but also incredibly versatile. You can customize them with different flavors, coatings, and decorations to suit any occasion. The combination of cake and frosting creates a moist, flavorful center, while the outer coating provides a sweet crunch. Whether you’re making them for a birthday party, holiday gathering, or just a fun afternoon activity, these cake pops are sure to be a hit. Plus, they’re super easy to make with just a few simple ingredients!

Ingredients

For the Cake:

1 box of cake mix (any flavor you like, such as chocolate, vanilla, or red velvet)
Ingredients required for the cake mix (usually eggs, water, and oil)

For the Cake Pop Mixture:

1/2 to 3/4 cup store-bought or homemade frosting (cream cheese frosting, buttercream, or any preferred type)

For the Coating:

12 oz candy melts or chocolate chips (choose white, milk, or dark chocolate)
1 tablespoon vegetable oil or shortening (optional, to thin out the coating for easier dipping)

For Decorating (Optional):

Sprinkles, mini chocolate chips, or edible glitter

(Tip: You’ll find the full list of ingredients and measurements in the recipe card below.)

Directions

Bake the Cake:

Prepare the Cake:
- Follow the instructions on the cake mix box to bake the cake. Allow the cake to cool completely on a wire rack.

Make the Cake Pop Mixture:

Crumble the Cake:
- Once the cake has cooled, crumble it into fine crumbs using your hands or a fork. The cake should be broken into small pieces, with no large chunks remaining.
Mix with Frosting:
- Add 1/2 cup of frosting to the crumbled cake and mix thoroughly. You want the mixture to be moist but not too sticky. Gradually add more frosting if necessary, a tablespoon at a time, until the mixture holds together when shaped into a ball.

Shape the Cake Pops:

Form Cake Balls:
- Roll the cake mixture into 1-inch balls, gently pressing the mixture together so they hold their shape. Place the shaped balls on a baking sheet lined with parchment paper or wax paper.

Prepare the Coating:

Melt the Coating:
- In a microwave-safe bowl, melt the candy melts or chocolate chips in 30-second intervals, stirring between each, until smooth and completely melted. If desired, add a tablespoon of vegetable oil or shortening to thin the coating for easier dipping.

Assemble the Cake Pops:

Insert the Sticks:
- Dip the end of each cake pop stick into the melted chocolate (this helps the stick stay in place) and insert it into the center of each cake ball. This will act as a “glue” to hold the stick in place.
Dip the Cake Pops:
- Carefully dip each cake ball into the melted chocolate or candy coating, swirling it to cover completely. Allow any excess coating to drip off, then place the cake pop upright on the parchment paper to set.

Decorate and Set:

Decorate the Cake Pops:
- While the coating is still soft, add sprinkles, mini chocolate chips, or edible glitter for decoration. You can also drizzle additional melted chocolate over the pops for a design effect.
Let the Cake Pops Set:
- Allow the cake pops to cool and set completely. You can place them in the fridge for 10-15 minutes to speed up the process.

To Serve:

Serve and Enjoy:

Once the coating has hardened, the cake pops are ready to enjoy! Serve them on a cake stand or stick them in a styrofoam block for easy display at your party or event.

Servings and Timing

Servings: This recipe yields about 20-30 cake pops, depending on the size of the balls.
Preparation Time: 15 minutes (after the cake has cooled)
Total Time: 1-2 hours, including cooling and setting time

Variations

Flavors: Experiment with different cake mix flavors (chocolate, vanilla, red velvet, carrot cake, etc.) and frosting flavors to create different cake pops.
Coating Flavors: Use different colored candy melts or flavored chocolate for variety. You can also drizzle a combination of chocolate and candy melts for a multi-colored look.
Add-Ins: Mix in chocolate chips, crushed cookies, or candies into the cake mixture for extra texture and flavor.
Mini Cake Pops: For smaller treats, roll the mixture into mini balls (about 1/2 inch in diameter) and use smaller sticks or toothpicks.

Storage/Reheating

Storage: Store cake pops in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 1 week, or refrigerate for up to 2 weeks.
Freezing: Cake pops can be frozen for up to 3 months. To freeze, place them in a single layer on a baking sheet until frozen solid, then transfer them to a freezer-safe container or bag. Thaw in the refrigerator before serving.

FAQs

1. Can I make cake pops without sticks?

Yes, you can make cake balls instead of cake pops by simply skipping the sticks. They’re perfect for bite-sized treats!

2. Can I use frosting from a can?

Yes, store-bought frosting works just as well as homemade frosting. However, homemade frosting may give you a creamier texture that blends nicely with the cake.

3. How can I make the cake pops firmer?

If your cake pops are too soft, add more frosting or place them in the fridge for 10-15 minutes to help them firm up before coating.

4. Can I use a cake pop machine instead of shaping them by hand?

Yes, if you have a cake pop machine, you can bake the cake balls in it and then proceed with the dipping and decorating.

5. Can I use chocolate chips instead of candy melts?

Yes, you can use chocolate chips, but candy melts work better for coating as they harden with a smoother, shinier finish.

6. Can I make cake pops ahead of time?

Yes, cake pops can be made in advance. You can store them in the fridge or at room temperature for up to a week, depending on your preference.

7. How do I make sure the sticks stay in place?

Dipping the sticks into the melted coating before inserting them into the cake balls helps them stay in place. Let them set for a few minutes before fully coating the cake pops.

8. Can I use different decorations for the cake pops?

Yes, you can use various decorations such as colored sprinkles, edible glitter, candy pieces, or even drizzle different colored coatings for a personalized touch.

9. How do I store leftover cake pops?

Store leftover cake pops in an airtight container at room temperature or refrigerate them to extend their freshness.

10. Can I make cake pops with gluten-free cake mix?

Yes, you can use gluten-free cake mix and frosting to make gluten-free cake pops. The process remains the same.

Conclusion

Easy Cake Pops are a fun, customizable treat that brings joy to any occasion. Whether you’re making them for a birthday party, holiday gathering, or just as a fun activity, these cake pops are sure to be a hit. With endless flavor and decoration possibilities, you can tailor them to any theme or preference. They’re a sweet, bite-sized treat that’s perfect for sharing and enjoying!

Easy Cake Pops

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Author: Lisa
Prep Time: 15 minutes (after the cake has cooled)
Cook Time: undefined
Total Time: undefined
Yield: About 20-30 cake pops
Category: Dessert
Method: Baking and Dipping
Cuisine: American
Diet: Vegetarian

Print Recipe

Description

Easy Cake Pops are a fun and delicious treat made by combining crumbled cake with frosting, shaping them into small balls, and dipping them in melted chocolate or candy coating. These bite-sized cake pops are perfect for parties, celebrations, or as a fun snack to make with kids. With minimal effort, you can create an impressive and customizable treat that everyone will love!

Ingredients

1 box of cake mix (any flavor you like, such as chocolate, vanilla, or red velvet)
Ingredients required for the cake mix (usually eggs, water, and oil)
1/2 to 3/4 cup store-bought or homemade frosting (cream cheese frosting, buttercream, or any preferred type)
12 oz candy melts or chocolate chips (choose white, milk, or dark chocolate)
1 tablespoon vegetable oil or shortening (optional, to thin out the coating for easier dipping)
Sprinkles, mini chocolate chips, or edible glitter (optional, for decorating)

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Instructions

Bake the Cake: Follow the instructions on the cake mix box to bake the cake. Allow the cake to cool completely on a wire rack.
Make the Cake Pop Mixture: Once the cake has cooled, crumble it into fine crumbs using your hands or a fork. The cake should be broken into small pieces, with no large chunks remaining. Add 1/2 cup of frosting to the crumbled cake and mix thoroughly. Gradually add more frosting if necessary, a tablespoon at a time, until the mixture holds together when shaped into a ball.
Shape the Cake Pops: Roll the cake mixture into 1-inch balls, gently pressing the mixture together so they hold their shape. Place the shaped balls on a baking sheet lined with parchment paper or wax paper.
Prepare the Coating: In a microwave-safe bowl, melt the candy melts or chocolate chips in 30-second intervals, stirring between each, until smooth and completely melted. If desired, add a tablespoon of vegetable oil or shortening to thin the coating for easier dipping.
Assemble the Cake Pops: Dip the end of each cake pop stick into the melted chocolate (this helps the stick stay in place) and insert it into the center of each cake ball. Dip each cake ball into the melted chocolate or candy coating, swirling it to cover completely. Allow any excess coating to drip off, then place the cake pop upright on the parchment paper to set.
Decorate and Set: While the coating is still soft, add sprinkles, mini chocolate chips, or edible glitter for decoration. Let the cake pops cool and set completely. You can place them in the fridge for 10-15 minutes to speed up the process.
Serve: Once the coating has hardened, the cake pops are ready to enjoy! Serve them on a cake stand or stick them in a styrofoam block for easy display at your party or event.

Notes

For an even cheesier sauce, you can add a little extra Parmesan or even some mozzarella for a stretchy, gooey texture.To make it spicy, add a pinch of red pepper flakes to the sauce.To make this dish low-carb, serve over zucchini noodles or spaghetti squash.