Learn how to make this charming and delicious Easy Homemade Vanilla Cake Pop Recipe from scratch! These bite-sized confections combine the rich flavor of vanilla cake with a smooth and creamy vanilla butter cream and coated in chocolate. Perfect for parties or a fun baking project for you and your kids, these cake pops are better then any store bought cake pop out there!
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There is something undeniably charming and delicious about cake pops. These bite size confections bring a sense of whimsy and charm to any occasion and homemade cake pops take that joy to a whole new level. Whether you are planning a birthday party, a holiday gathering or simply a fun baking project for you and your kids, making cake pops in your own kitchen will taste better and will be way less expensive then buying them at your local store or coffee shop!
In this guide I will walk you through the process of creating perfect homemade vanilla cake pops, using our favorite vanilla cake recipe, the best butter cream frosting and dipping them in a creamy smooth chocolate.
Ingredient List
Vanilla Cake-Make if from scratch or buy a box mix! Making a homemade vanilla cake is not as challenging as you think, but if you are not up for it, grab a box cake mix and get started!
Vanilla Buttercream-Homemade or store bought! Vanilla buttercream is going to make these cake pops taste extra delicious.
Glaze-I love using a dark or white chocolate melting wafer or candy melts! For a white or dark chocolate glaze I love using Ghirardelli chocolate melting wafers but if you are wanting to create a colored cake pop like these perfectly pink pops Wilton Candy Melts are the best option. They come in several colors and melt super easy!
Sprinkles-Choose you sprinkles! Rainbow, chocolate, clear sugar crystals or any color you would like will make these cake pops extra charming!
Sticks-These white lollipop sticks are always great to keep on hand!
Step-By-Step Instructions To Make Cake Pops
- Prepare the Vanilla Cake according to the recipe or if you choose to use a prepare mix, follow the instructions.
- Prepare the Vanilla Butter Cream according to the recipe or if you choose you can use premade vanilla buttercream.
- Crumble the vanilla cake into a large bowl with a paddle attachment and add the vanilla butter cream until the cake and buttercream come together.
- Scoop and roll the cake ball batter into balls and add a stick to each ball
- Refrigerate the cake balls for 1-2 hours or until the cake ball is cold and firm.
- Dip the cake pops into the melted chocolate and top with sprinkles!
- Allow the cake pops to set and dry before serving.
- Enjoy!
Tips To Make The Best Cake Pops
Homemade or Store Bought
Vanilla Cake is very easy to make and the benefits of a made from scratch cake is so worth the time and effort, but if you prefer to make these adorable cake pops with a store bought box cake mix, you will still be so proud of your creations. You can use a box cake mix and premade vanilla buttercream for a faster baking project!
Make Ahead
These bite size beauties are perfect to make in advance. You can make the cake balls and refrigerate for 2-3 days or freeze them for up to a month and pull them out of the freezer when you are ready to dip and enjoy! If you freeze the cake balls make sure to allow them to defrost in the refrigerator overnight before dipping. You want them chilled but not frozen.
Dipping Technique
- Make sure the cake balls are cold and firm before dipping in the chocolate or candy coating.
- Dip the lollipop stick in the melted chocolate or candy coating and place in the cake ball. Allow the chocolate to harden before dipping the ball into the chocolate. This will ensure the cake balls stays on the stick.
- If the chocolate or candy coating is too thick and not dipping smooth, add one tablespoon of melted coconut oil to the warm and melted chocolate and mix until combined. This should thin out the chocolate and make it easier to dip.
Cake Pop FAQS
You can either freeze the cake ball unglazed and store them in a large ziplock bag and pull out the amount you need and dip in chocolate or candy coating as needed or you can freeze the fully finished cake pop in an airtight container and place in the refrigerator overnight to defrost before serving.
If you are not enjoying all the cake pops the day you have made them, it is best to store the cake pops in an airtight container in the refrigerator. You can serve them cold or at room temperature the next day or they will stay good for 4-5 days.
Cake pops are a fun addition to any party because you can customize the color and coordinate with any theme. If you are using white chocolate you can change the color by adding a gel food coloring to the melted white chocolate or you can use the candy melts in any of the colors they offer.
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Easy Homemade Vanilla Cake Pops
Ingredients
Vanilla Cake Recipe
Vanilla Buttercream Recipe
- ½ Cup Unsalted Butter Room Temperature
- 1 Cup Powdered Sugar
- 1 Teaspoon Vanilla Extract
Cake Pop Glaze
- 24 Ounces Chocolate Wafers or Candy Wafers
Additional Supplies
- Sprinkles
- 40 Lollipop Sticks
Instructions
Prepare the Vanilla Cake
- Prepare the vanilla cake according to the recipe instructions and bake
- Once the cake is baked, set aside and allow it to cool
Prepare the Vanilla Buttercream
- In a mixing bowl with paddle attachment, cream together the room temperature butter, powdered sugar and vanilla extract until smooth and creamy
Prepare the Cake Pops
- In a mixing bowl with paddle attachment crumble the vanilla cake until it is small pea size pieces
- Add the vanilla butter cream into the crumble cake and mix until fully combine and comes together
- Using a small ice cream scoop (1 tablespoon) scoop the cake ball batter, roll into a ball and place on a parchment lined baking sheet
- Refrigerate the cake balls for 1-2 hours or until they feel cold and firm
- Melt the chocolate or candy wafers in the microwave in 30 second increments, stirring in between until it is fully melted and smooth.
Glaze the Cake Balls
- Remove the cake ball from the refrigerator and dip the end of the lollipop stick into the melted chocolate and place into the center of the cake ball about ½ way down. (the dipped lollipop stick will allow the cake ball to stay on the stick better when dipping in the glaze)
- Dip the cake pop into the glaze until it is fully coated
- Gently tap the excess chocolate off the cake ball and then place the cake pop on the parchment lined baking sheet
- Add the sprinkles to the cake pops while the chocolate is still wet and continue dipping and sprinkling until all cake pops are coated
- The chocolate or candy coating will set within 30 minutes at room temperature or place in the refrigerator to set faster
- Enjoy cake pops within one week of making them!
Nutrition
Lexi says
These were incredible. Very soft cake and subtle flavor. I froze them in a ziploc and will use them for my daughters birthday coming up. Easy to make gluten free, just had to bake a little longer.
Kristen Massad says
Yay! I am so happy you loved them and could adjust to GF! Thanks for the feedback!
Kristen