Homemade Cake Pops | In The Kitchen With Matt Easy Cake Pops Recipe (2024)

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I am excited to show you how to make homemade cake pops. There is something cool about a ball of cake covered in chocolate on top of a lollipop stick.

Homemade cake pops are awesome and one of my favorite desserts! And they are way less expensive to make at home.

Are you tired of making the same thing for birthdays or maybe you want a new delicious treat to bring to a party, baby shower, or other special occasion? Make these amazing treats and impress your friends and family with your baking skills.

Instead of giving a bouquet of flowers, maybe give a bouquet of cake pops! If I can do it, you can do it. Let’s get baking! 🙂

If you are a fan of cake make sure to check out these other cake recipes.

Step 1: How to make homemade cake pops

First, in order to make cake pops at home, we need a base cake and a few other easy ingredients:

• 1 boxed cake mix box of your favorite cake (plus necessary ingredients listed on the back of the box) Or use your favorite homemade cake recipe. Make sure to bake the cake.
• Approx. 1/3 cup of frosting (your favorite homemade frosting or storebought, something like cream cheese frosting gives it a nice flavor) There are so many frosting flavors you can use.
• Candiquik or some other kind of candy coating
• Candy Melts or just normal chocolate that you melt.

Tools:

• Treat sticks or specific cake pop sticks
• Styrofoam block or cake pop stand
• Bowls
• Spoon
• Bags
• Hand mixer (optional)
• Parchment paper – baking sheet or plate

Step 2: Break up that cake

I am sorry cake, I love you, but it is time for a breakup.

After you bake your cake in whatever pans you want to use, it really doesn’t matter, allow it to cool completely. Then break it up in a large mixing bowl. Alternatively, a little trick I learned is you can put the cake in a heavy-duty zip-lock bag and break it up in there.

We want to get the cake crumbs pretty fine. I am using only half of the cake, which makes 12 to 13 cake pops. Another thing you can try is using a hand mixer or stand mixer.

If using the stand mixer, use your paddle attachment. Be aware, that some crumbled cake bits might want to pull a Superman and fly out of the bowl. 🙂 You can also use a food processor if you like.

Step 3: Frosting Time

Now we add in our favorite frosting. I am just using a store-bought white vanilla frosting. Start with one large heaping Tablespoon worth of frosting, which really is about 2 or 2 1/2 Tbsp. (approx. 35g or so).

You can always add some more if you want a little later. If using the full cake you will probably use about 1/3 of a cup. Now dive in there with your clean hands and mix the frosting with the cake bits.

You can use gloves if you like as well if you don’t like the idea of touching the cake. Or again, you can use your mixer. 🙂 You want to add the mixture to resemble play-dough, once it is all mixed together, meaning it stays together when you smush it together, haha.

Step 4: Roll out the cake pops balls

Now we need to grab some cake mixture and make it into a ball. I usually use a Tablespoon and measure out two Tablespoons worth, which makes a decent-sized cake ball. Knead the cake mix a little bit in your hand, then use your palms to roll it into a ball.

Again make sure your hands are clean or wear gloves. Next place the cake ball on a parchment paper-lined baking sheet or plate.

Step 5: Melt, Dip, Stick, Smooth, Chill

Now, melt some of theCandiquik,candy melts, almond bark, or chocolate chips/bars. I have used all three types, and I really like the consistency that melted Candiquik gives. You can’t go wrong with candy melts though. Or even using your favorite kind of chocolate.

I use the microwave to melt the Candiquik. I either use the defrost setting on bursts of like 45 seconds then stir, or use the hi setting and do bursts of 30 seconds and then stir, until the chocolate is nice and melted, you may also use the double boiler method.

After that dip yourtreat stickinto the Candiquik, about 3/4 of an inch, then stick it into your cake ball, about the same far. Don’t poke it too far, we don’t want it coming out the other side.

Now you can smooth out the chocolate that you like with your finger, purely for aesthetics. Next, place those in a piece of styrofoam or acake pop stand, and then into the fridge for 10 minutes. This will help the chocolate firm up and give some stability to the cake ball.

You will be left with a bunch of un-dipped homemade cake pops.

*Note if you pick the cake ball up and turn it over you will have a little flat part which is a great place to stick your lollipop stick.

Step 6: Dip, Turn, Tap those easy cake pops

Once our homemade cake pops have firmed up it is dipping time! Melt more chocolate, I usually only do one color/flavor at a time. If you are using a more shallow bowl, tilt the bowl of chocolate, then dip your cake pop into it.

Use a spoon to cover the ball if needed. Now rotate the cake stick, and gently tap the stick with your finger, this will allow the excess coating or chocolate to drip off, and rotating ensures a nice smooth covering.

You may also use a deeper more narrow glass. With these you can usually just dip straight down and come up with it, then do the rotating and tapping.

Once done place your cake pop back into the styrofoam or cake pops stand and let the chocolate set. If using traditional chocolate you may want to put them in the fridge for a few minutes to help the setting process. If not, by the time you are done dipping the last one, most of the others will have completely set.

Step 7: Decorate and Serve the Perfect Cake Pops

Now we get to decorate these little homemade cake pops. 🙂 You can have fun with the flavors and make vanilla cake pops, chocolate cake pops, strawberries, etc.

I chose to just drizzle different flavors on the top, using a bit of chocolate in a plastic bag with the corner snipped. You can use a professional piping bag with tips as well.

If you want to stick different candies or nuts on it, you will want to do it shortly after dipping before the chocolate sets completely. And there you go, easy cake pops! 🙂

How to store homemade cake pops?

You can store your cake pops at room temperature. You can also wrap them up with some candy bags for gifts. They will last about a week at room temperature. Alternatively, you can place them in an airtight container in the fridge for about 2 weeks.

Can I freeze the cake pops?

Sure! You can freeze homemade cake pops. Just place them in a freezer bag and store them in the freezer for 2 to 3 months. Then when you want to eat one, remove it and let it thaw out. Just make sure the chocolate is fully set before freezing them.

Cake Pops Troubleshooting – Why are my cake balls falling off the stick?

Now for a few homemade cake pops troubleshooting tips. One of the most common questions I get is “Why do my cake balls keep falling off the stick?” Here are a few reasons why that happens and what to do to fix it:

• The texture of the cake balls is not quite right. Meaning, you added too much frosting or not enough. Just add the frosting a little bit at a time until when it comes together it resembles smooth play dough. When you roll it, the cake ball will be nice and smooth. If there is too much frosting in it, it will be too soft and fall of the stick easily.
• The cake ball was too large. Don’t make the cake ball for the cake pop too large. The ball should be about a Tablespoon in size before dipping or just slightly larger. And it will weigh around 20g. Just shy of 1.5 inches in diameter.
• Try leaving them in the fridge a little longer before dipping them. This can help to keep them on the stick longer. Some people will even put them in the freezer after putting the sticks in them and before dipping them. However don’t let them freeze completely, the frozen cake ball will expand a bit after thawing which can crack the chocolate after it has been dipped.
• For best results make sure the melted chocolate or chocolate coating you use is nice and runny. The CandiQuik kind really is one of the best dipping chocolates. And if you run into issues with the chocolate that you are using not being thin enough, add a little vegetable shortening, vegetable oil, or coconut oil to it while melting it. This will help make it runnier. 1 to 2 teaspoons is all you should need.

Here are a few other recipes you may like:

Easy 3-Ingredient Fudge

Homemade Restaurant Quality French Fries

Best Ever Cinnamon Raisin Bread

Easy Fry Bread

Moist Chocolate Cake

Do you like this cake pop recipe? Please give it a rating and comment down below, I really appreciate it. 🙂 If you make it tag me on Instagram @inthekitchenwithmatt. Also, sign up for the newsletter so you won’t miss out on any of my new posts and recipes.

Tags

cake dessert treats

81 Comments

1. kathy

   July 17, 2023 at 11:00 am·Reply

   Can you add sprinkles to your cake mix to make funfetti cake pops

   Thanks
   Kathy

   • Matt Taylor

     July 17, 2023 at 11:09 am·Reply

     Sure!!

2. Kathy

   July 16, 2023 at 3:31 am·Reply

   I wanted to ask can I use your vanilla cake receipe to make your cake pops?
   Thanks
   Kathy

   • Matt Taylor

     July 16, 2023 at 8:04 am·Reply

     Hi Kathy, yes, you can use pretty much any cake recipe. In the example shown on my recipe that is a vanilla cake.

3. Christina Long

   December 9, 2021 at 9:39 am·Reply

   Hi! How long can you make these in advance/store these? Also do they need refrigerated? 🙂

   • Matt Taylor

     December 9, 2021 at 10:29 am·Reply

     Hi Christina! They will last about a week. If you read the recipe/blog post you will find some tips for storage (Step 7) 🙂

4. Mike

   May 9, 2021 at 3:19 pm·Reply

   
   Finally made it to Boulder CO to make ‘Matts’ cake pops with my granddaughter.
   You are ‘very cool’, and thank you.

   • Matt Taylor

     May 9, 2021 at 8:21 pm·Reply

     Awesome!!! 🙂

5. Matt

   April 20, 2021 at 7:43 am·Reply

   Do you mix white frosting with chocolate cake or would you use chocolate frosting?

   • Matt Taylor

     April 20, 2021 at 7:55 am·Reply

     Hello! You can use whichever frosting that you like. I use white frosting with chocolate all the time. 🙂 But you can use chocolate frosting too.

6. Unnamed User

   April 14, 2021 at 8:44 am·Reply

   
   I just tried making cake pops from a different website and they turned out bland and all together not very good. The recipe used a homemade cake and frosting that I have never tried before. I’m about to try this recipe with homemade chocolate cake and frosting! Fingers crossed it works!

   • Matt Taylor

     April 14, 2021 at 8:48 am·Reply

     Awesome!! Good luck, let me know how it goes and if you run into any issues. Make sure to read the blog post where it talks about troubleshooting tips. 🙂 Step 7 of the blog post. 🙂

7. Paula

   November 1, 2020 at 9:49 am·Reply

   Hello there. For the drizzle did u just use normal chocolate not candy melts?

   See Also

   This Easy Croissant Recipe Will Make You Feel Like A French Pastry Chef In No Time

   • Matt Taylor

     November 1, 2020 at 9:50 am·Reply

     Hi Paula! I used both. You can use either. 🙂 The white drizzle was from the white CandiQuik, the Brown was from the chocolate CandiQuick, the pink drizzle is form the pink candy melts. 🙂

8. tibisay Rojas

   October 30, 2020 at 4:57 pm·Reply

   puedo hacer un biscocho de torta y luego lo uno con los ingredientes que tenga o que pueda usar y como se pega los palitos gracias

9. Tina

   September 13, 2020 at 5:27 am·Reply

   Help! While the taste was great, my cakepops looked like garbage when I dipped them. I used the quik melts in the microwave. It seemed to be too thick and I couldn’t tap off the excess. I sort of scrapped at the sides with a spoon. Any ideas what I did wrong? Not melted enough? Thanks!

   • Matt Taylor

     September 13, 2020 at 7:46 am·Reply

     Hello, Tina! Yes, it sounds like the candy melts weren’t quite melted enough. You can add about a tablespoon of shortening and melt it first then add the candy melts and melt them down, it will help make it thinner and easier to dip. 🙂

     • Tina McLarty

       September 13, 2020 at 8:36 am·Reply

       Thanks for the quick reply! I will try this.

       • Matt Taylor

         September 13, 2020 at 8:48 am·Reply

         You are very welcome, Tina! Good luck, let me know how it goes. 🙂

10. CLEOPATRA KILOTE

    July 30, 2020 at 12:32 am·Reply

    
    I REALLY LOVE THEM I AM GOING TO MAKE THEM

    • Matt Taylor

      July 30, 2020 at 8:01 am·Reply

      Thank you! Good luck! Let me know how they turn out. 🙂

11. Cantaloupe

    July 20, 2020 at 12:17 pm·Reply

    
    This is amazing!!! I loved these cake pops soooo much! And so did the rest of my family! This is a delicious recipe that I would recommend very very much! Thankyou, Matt Taylor for making this wonderful recipe! 🙂

    • Matt Taylor

      July 20, 2020 at 12:29 pm·Reply

      So glad you made them and liked them!!! You are very welcome. 🙂 🙂

12. Fotodor

    April 17, 2020 at 12:21 am·Reply

    That leftover cake turns into cake pops and then all of sudden people are in the mood for cake again! Isn t it funny how you can put something on a stick and everybody wants it?

    • Matt Taylor

      April 17, 2020 at 10:09 am·Reply

      hahaha I know right?

13. Annie LeBlanc

    April 4, 2020 at 1:42 pm·Reply

    
    It is an amazing recipe that everyone should try. So sweet and tasty, just mmm…

    • Matt Taylor

      April 4, 2020 at 2:08 pm·Reply

      Thank you, Annie! Glad you made them and liked them! 🙂 🙂

14. Daisy Caldera

    March 8, 2020 at 4:11 pm·Reply

    
    Do you need to reheat the Candiquik while you the cake pops are in the fridge for 10 min? And how long?

    • Matt Taylor

      March 8, 2020 at 5:14 pm·Reply

      Hi Daisy! 🙂 You can just break a smaller part off and melt that, to dip the sticks in. Or you can heat half of it or so, and if it hardens up while the pops are in the fridge you can reheat it until it melts again. If using the microwave always start with bursts of 25 to 30 seconds and then stir. Defrost mode works great too. Or of course, you can use a double boiler. 🙂 🙂 Let me know if that helps.

15. Lyanna Soria

    February 2, 2020 at 6:30 am·Reply

    
    This would be a great idea to make especially this coming Valentine’s. Those cake pops look quite tasty and easy to do as well.

    • Matt Taylor

      February 2, 2020 at 10:25 am·Reply

      For sure! 🙂

16. Autumn

    January 31, 2020 at 8:49 am·Reply

    YUM! I love cake pops but have never tried to make them myself. Saving this recipe to make with my daughter! Thank you.

    • Matt Taylor

      January 31, 2020 at 9:33 am·Reply

      You are welcome! 🙂 Let me know how they turn out Autumn. 🙂

17. Emman Damian

    January 31, 2020 at 3:05 am·Reply

    
    I love your Homemade Cake Pops! It sounds so yummy! I hope to make it soon.

    • Matt Taylor

      January 31, 2020 at 8:47 am·Reply

      Thank you, Emman! 🙂

18. Lily

    January 30, 2020 at 12:28 am·Reply

    Cake pops are so fun. I want to make some Valentines themed ones!

    • Matt Taylor

      January 30, 2020 at 8:16 am·Reply

      Yeah, they are!! 🙂

19. Jocelyn Canasa Brown

    January 29, 2020 at 10:56 pm·Reply

    My kids would absolutely love these. This would disappear in no time at our house! This is my kind of weekend treat.

    • Matt Taylor

      January 30, 2020 at 8:16 am·Reply

      That is awesome! 🙂 🙂

20. Dreaming Loud

    January 29, 2020 at 5:53 pm·Reply

    
    These cake pops are so cute. Perfect for any occasions. I used to watch video tutorials about this. But it’s also convenient just reading the instructions. Thanks for sharing.

    • Matt Taylor

      January 29, 2020 at 5:58 pm·Reply

      You are very welcome! 🙂

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