Bake Sale Ready Cake Pops with Cake Mix Easy Beginner Recipe

Cake pops with cake mix easy enough for beginners are delightful treats. They’re simple to create using boxed cake mix, perfect for new bakers and fun for any occasion.

These delightful, bite-sized treats consist of crumbled cake mixed with frosting, shaped into balls, and coated in melted candy. The resulting confections offer a sweet and satisfying experience, combining the familiar taste of cake with a playful, handheld format.

Imagine sinking your teeth into a smooth, vibrant candy shell that yields to a moist, tender cake center. The flavor is intensely sweet, balanced by the richness of the cake and the subtle tang of the frosting. Each pop is a miniature explosion of textures and tastes, making them utterly irresistible.

Cake pops have emerged as a modern dessert staple, celebrated for their whimsical charm and endless customization options. From birthday parties to bake sales, these miniature creations bring a touch of fun and creativity to any event, proving that even the simplest ingredients can yield something extraordinary.

What makes these cake pops particularly appealing is their accessibility. Using cake mix streamlines the baking process, allowing even novice bakers to achieve impressive results. The recipe is easily adaptable to suit different flavor preferences, dietary needs, and creative visions.

Variations abound, from incorporating flavored extracts and sprinkles to experimenting with different types of chocolate and candy coatings. Cake pops can be customized to match any theme or color scheme, making them a versatile and crowd-pleasing treat.

Ready to create your own batch of irresistible cake pops? Follow along for a step-by-step guide to crafting these delightful confections.

Recipe Metadata

• Categories: Baking, Desserts, No Bake Recipes, Quick and Easy, Holiday Recipes
• Courses: Desserts, Baking
• Cuisines: American
• Keywords: Cake Pops, Cake Mix, Easy Baking, Kid-Friendly, Party Food, Sweet Treats

Estimated Cost: $12.00 total

Preparation Time & Yield

• Prep Time: 30 minutes
• Chill Time: 30 minutes
• Total Time: 1 hour
• Recipe Yield: Makes 24 cake pops

Ingredients

• 1 box (15.25 oz) cake mix (any flavor)
• Ingredients required by cake mix box (usually eggs, oil, and water)
• 1/2 cup frosting (any flavor, matching or complementing the cake mix)
• 12 oz candy melts (any color)
• 2 tablespoons vegetable shortening (optional, for thinning candy melts)
• 24 lollipop sticks
• Sprinkles or other decorations (optional)

Instructions

• Step 1: Bake the Cake: Prepare the cake batter according to the instructions on the cake mix box. Bake in a 9×13 inch pan as directed. Once baked, let the cake cool completely.
• Step 2: Crumble the Cake: Once the cake is cool, crumble it thoroughly into a large bowl using a fork or your hands. Ensure there are no large lumps remaining.
• Step 3: Mix in the Frosting: Add the frosting to the crumbled cake. Mix well until the cake and frosting are fully combined and form a dough-like consistency. The mixture should be moist enough to hold its shape.
• Step 4: Shape the Cake Pops: Roll the cake mixture into approximately 1-inch balls. Place the formed cake balls on a baking sheet lined with parchment paper.
• Step 5: Chill the Cake Balls: Place the baking sheet with the cake balls into the refrigerator and chill for at least 30 minutes to allow them to firm up. This helps them stay on the sticks.
• Step 6: Melt the Candy Melts: While the cake balls are chilling, melt the candy melts in a microwave-safe bowl in 30-second intervals, stirring in between, until completely smooth. If the melted candy is too thick, stir in the vegetable shortening, one tablespoon at a time, until it reaches a thinner, more dippable consistency.
• Step 7: Dip the Lollipop Sticks: Dip the tip of each lollipop stick into the melted candy and then insert it halfway into a chilled cake ball. This helps the stick adhere to the cake pop.
• Step 8: Dip the Cake Pops: Dip each cake pop into the melted candy, ensuring it is fully coated. Gently tap off any excess candy.
• Step 9: Decorate: Immediately add sprinkles or other decorations to the cake pops before the candy coating sets.
• Step 10: Set the Cake Pops: Place the decorated cake pops into a styrofoam block or cake pop stand to allow the candy coating to harden completely. Alternatively, place them back on the parchment-lined baking sheet. This will take approximately 20-30 minutes.
• Step 11: Enjoy!: Once the candy coating is set, the cake pops are ready to serve and enjoy. Store in an airtight container at room temperature.

Optional Tip: For flavor variations, add a teaspoon of extract (vanilla, almond, lemon) to the cake and frosting mixture. Instead of candy melts, white chocolate or dark chocolate can be used. If the cake pops are cracking after dipping, the cake balls are too cold; allow them to warm up slightly before dipping.

Nutritional Information

Approximate nutritional values per serving (1 cake pop):

Essential Cooking Equipment

• Mixing bowls
• 9×13 inch baking pan
• Measuring cups and spoons
• Fork or potato masher
• Baking sheet
• Parchment paper
• Microwave-safe bowls
• Lollipop sticks
• Styrofoam block or cake pop stand (optional)

Variations

These cake pops offer a versatile base for numerous creative adaptations:

• Ingredient Swaps: Substitute gluten-free cake mix for dietary needs. Experiment with different frosting flavors, such as cream cheese, chocolate ganache, or peanut butter. Natural food coloring can replace artificial options.
• Regional Twists: Incorporate local flavors and ingredients. For example, add a hint of maple extract and crushed pecans for a New England-inspired treat. A dash of cinnamon and a swirl of dulce de leche can evoke Latin American flavors.
• Dietary Adjustments: Use sugar-free cake mix and frosting alternatives for a lower-sugar option. Vegan cake mix and frosting, along with dairy-free candy melts, cater to vegan diets.
• Flavor Enhancements: Add mini chocolate chips, chopped nuts, or crushed cookies to the cake mixture for added texture and flavor. Infuse the melted candy with flavored oils or extracts for a unique twist.

Serving Suggestions

Cake pops are suitable for a variety of occasions. They can be served as a delightful dessert at birthday parties, baby showers, and holiday gatherings. These treats also make charming additions to dessert tables, bake sales, and potlucks. For an elevated presentation, arrange cake pops on a decorative stand or package them individually in cellophane bags tied with ribbon.

Storage Tips

To preserve freshness, store cake pops in an airtight container at room temperature. They can be stored for up to 3-4 days. Avoid refrigerating cake pops, as this can cause the candy coating to sweat and become sticky. For longer storage, cake pops can be frozen for up to 2 months. Wrap each cake pop individually in plastic wrap before placing them in a freezer-safe container.

Frequently Asked Questions

• Question 1: Why are my cake pops cracking after dipping? The cake balls may be too cold. Allow them to warm up slightly before dipping, as extreme temperature differences can cause the candy coating to crack.
• Question 2: How can the candy coating be thinned if it’s too thick? Stir in vegetable shortening, one tablespoon at a time, until the desired consistency is achieved. Alternatively, a small amount of coconut oil can also be used.
• Question 3: Can the cake pops be made ahead of time? Yes, cake pops can be made 1-2 days in advance and stored at room temperature in an airtight container. For longer storage, freezing is recommended.
• Question 4: What if the cake balls are too dry and crumbly? Add a little more frosting to the cake mixture until it reaches a moist, dough-like consistency. A tablespoon of milk or cream can also be added if needed.

Summary & Final Thoughts

This recipe for cake pops offers a simple and fun way to create delicious treats, even if you’re a beginner baker. The ease of using cake mix combined with customizable flavors makes it a delightful project for any occasion.

The beauty of these cake pops lies in their versatility. You can easily adapt the recipe to suit your preferences by experimenting with different cake flavors, frostings, and decorations. Feel free to get creative and make them your own!

We hope you’re inspired to try this recipe and experience the joy of making your own cake pops. Don’t hesitate to share your results with us or leave a comment with any questions or variations you’ve tried. We’d love to hear about your baking adventures!

Happy cooking!