The Foolproof Beginner Cake Pop Recipe: Vanilla Base with Easy Dipping Guide
I am so glad you are here. I believe incredible food does not need to be complicated. Follow this simple, step-by-step guide to make perfect vanilla cake pops that hold together and dip smoothly, even if you are a beginner.
- Prep Time: 30 min
- Cook Time: 35 min
- Total Time: 65 min
- Yield: 24 servings 1x
- Category: Dessert
- Method: No Bake (after initial cake baking)
- Cuisine: American
- Diet: Vegetarian
Ingredients
Scale
- 1 box (15.25 oz) yellow or white cake mix
- Ingredients called for on cake mix box (usually eggs, oil, water)
- 1 container (16 oz) vanilla or cream cheese frosting
- 12 ounces melting wafers or chocolate candy coating (vanilla or colored)
- 1 tablespoon vegetable shortening or coconut oil (optional, for thinning coating)
- Cake pop sticks
- Sprinkles or desired decorations (optional)
Instructions
- Bake the cake according to the box directions using the ingredients listed on the box. Let the cake cool completely.
- Once cool, crumble the entire cake into fine crumbs in a large bowl. You can use your hands or a stand mixer on low speed.
- Add the entire container of frosting to the cake crumbs. Mix on low speed until the mixture comes together like a thick dough. Do not overmix.
- Cover the cake dough and chill it in the refrigerator for at least 30 minutes. This step is key to preventing cracks.
- Remove the dough from the refrigerator. Scoop out about 1.5 tablespoons of the mixture and roll it firmly between your palms into a smooth ball. Place the balls on a parchment-lined baking sheet.
- Insert the cake pop sticks about halfway into the center of each ball. You can dip the tip of the stick into melted coating first for extra security, if you wish.
- Place the sheet of formed cake pops back into the freezer for 10 to 15 minutes until the balls are very firm.
- Prepare your coating. Melt the candy wafers according to package directions, usually in 30-second intervals in the microwave, stirring well between each interval. If the coating is too thick, stir in the vegetable shortening or oil one teaspoon at a time until it reaches a smooth, dipping consistency.
- Working with one pop at a time, hold the stick and dip the entire cake ball into the melted coating, tilting the bowl if necessary to cover it completely. Gently tap the stick against the side of the bowl to allow excess coating to drip off.
- Immediately apply any sprinkles or decorations before the coating sets.
- Place the finished cake pop upright in a styrofoam block or cake pop stand to dry completely.
- Once the coating is hard, your easy cake pops are ready to serve.
Notes
- For the best results and to stop cake pops from cracking, make sure your cake dough is well chilled before rolling and that the dipped balls are frozen solid before coating.
- If you want Starbucks copycat cake pops, use a yellow cake mix and white vanilla frosting, then use white candy melts for dipping.
- You can adapt this vanilla base to make Oreo cake pops by mixing in 1 cup of finely crushed Oreos with the cake crumbs and frosting.
- Make these ahead! Cake pops store well in an airtight container at room temperature for up to one week.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 pop
- Calories: 250
- Sugar: 25
- Sodium: 200
- Fat: 14
- Saturated Fat: 7
- Unsaturated Fat: 5
- Trans Fat: 0.5
- Carbohydrates: 30
- Fiber: 1
- Protein: 3
- Cholesterol: 25