Birthday Cake Pops with sprinkles are so fun for any occasion. They are simple to make and always a hit with the kids.

Close up photo of birthday cake pops.
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My kids love cake pops and sprinkles make it even better. We have been making these Copycat Starbucks Cake Pops and I wanted to try some with colorful sprinkles. You might also like Cakesicles and Oreo Cake Pops for a celebration.

Why This Recipe Works

When you add up the cost of purchasing cake pops at a bakery or coffee shop, it adds up quickly. This can get very expensive if you have a large family.

It’s so easy to make homemade cake pops and vanilla cake pops taste great. Try them for birthday parties, baby showers and more. Guests will love Starbucks Birthday Cake Pops for treats. It is one of the best birthday desserts.

If you are craving desserts with a colorful theme, try Easy Rainbow Sugar Cookies , Butter Mints Recipe and Confetti Cupcakes.

Ingredients

  • White Cake Mix. Plus, the ingredients needed to prepare the cake on the back of the box.
  • White Candy Melts. Candy melts are so smooth and easy to melt.
  • Rainbow Sprinkles. You can use any colors you prefer.

Find the entire list of ingredients at the bottom of the page.

Variations

  • Food coloring. You can use food dye to change things up. This can be used in the white cake mix to make different colors. You can also use this to turn the white candy melts into any color you like.
  • Candy coating. We used white candy melts, but they sell these an assortment of colors. Feel free to use whatever you like such as pink candy coating. Pink candy melts would be pretty for a baby shower. White chocolate is another option.
  • Cake mixture. We used white cake mix but you can use yellow or vanilla cake, funfetti, strawberry or chocolate. The ideas are endless.
  • Sprinkles. Rainbow sprinkles are so fun for birthday cake pops. However, you can easily switch these sprinkles for any occasion.

    Try using Valentine’s Day sprinkles, St. Patrick’s Day sprinkles. Easter and more.

How to Make Birthday Cake Pops

Batter in a bowl.

Step 1. Make the cake. Follow the box instructions for a 9X13 pan.

Batter spread into baking dish.

Step 2. Pour the cake batter into the baking dish.

Cake in baking dish cooling.

Step 3. Bake the cake. Remove from the oven and allow to cool at room temperature.

Cake crumbled in a mixing bowl.

Step 4. Next, take the cake out of the baking dish. Remove the brown outside layer from the cake and throw it away. Crumble the remaining cake crumbs into a large mixing bowl.

Frosting added to cake crumbles in a bowl.

Step 5. Add the frosting. Pour the frosting into your crumbled cake.

Everything combined together in a bowl.

Step 6. Stir together until everything is well combined.

Cake balls on baking sheet.

Step 7. Form the dough into cake balls. Use your hands to shape the mixture into about 24 to 36 cake balls. Then place on a baking sheet lined with parchment paper.

Cake ball sticks coated in white chocolate.

Step 8. Microwave the white candy melts in a small microwave-safe bowl for 30 second intervals and then stir.  Coat the cake ball sticks into melted candy. Use a fork to remove any excess.

Cake balls with sticks inserted on baking sheet.

Step 9. Then place them into the cake balls about halfway into the balls.  Freeze for about 10 to 15 minutes.

Cake balls dipped in melted chocolate.

Step 10. Remove from the freezer. The cake pops should be easier to dip once frozen. Coat each one with the melted candy melts. Allow the excess melted candy drip back into the bowl so that it is not wasted.

Cake pop coated in sprinkles.

Step 11. Put the rainbow sprinkles in a shallow ball.  Carefully roll the cake pops in the bowl of sprinkles. Do not wait to do this step or the sprinkles won’t stick once dry.

Cake pops inserted into Styrofoam block.

Step 12. As you coat the cake pops in sprinkles, place them in a block of Styrofoam. This will allow the candy to dry, and the cake pops to solidify without messing them up.

Close up photo of birthday cake pops.

Pro Tips

  • Make sure to coat the stick into the melted candy first. This will help to secure the cake ball in place.
  • Don’t add extra frosting. This will make the mixture too soft, and it will be hard to form the balls. They will be difficult to keep the cake balls on the stick.
  • Freeze the cake balls before coating. This makes it so much easier. The cake balls will look much smoother as well.
  • Melt the candy in intervals. It is imperative to microwave a few seconds at a time. You risk burning the candy melts if you try to microwave the full amount of time at once.
  • Place in Styrofoam to dry. Put the cake pop sticks in Styrofoam to allow to dry. If you lay them on a baking sheet, they will be flat on one side.

    This method will keep them perfectly round once dry.
  • You can make in advance and freeze. Cake pops freeze well. Just allow to cool completely before freezing. They will keep up to 6 weeks.

    When you are ready to serve, allow to thaw in the fridge overnight.

Serving Suggestion

You can purchase a cake pop stand, but we just used a block of Styrofoam. The sticks are easy to push into this and it securely holds them in place.

As you are ready to serve, friends and family can just grab and go.

If you are concerned about how the Styrofoam looks, you can wrap it in paper secured with pins. You can use wrapping paper or craft paper that matches your décor.

Once dry, you can also serve them in a mason jar. Just use the idea that works best for you.

Can You Freeze Cake Pops?

Yes, you can! See how to Freeze Cake Pops so you can make them ahead and freeze for when you are ready to use them.

From parties to holidays or just because, these cake pops will be a hit. They also make great party favors. You can wrap them individually in cellophane.

More Cake Pop and Cake Ball Recipes

I’m so excited for you to try this delicious cake pop recipe. Please come back and leave a comment once you do.

Birthday Cake Pops

4.86 from 7 votes
Birthday Cake Pops with sprinkles are so fun for any occasion. They are simple to make and always a hit with the kids.
Prep Time 15 minutes
Cook Time 30 minutes
Total Time 45 minutes
Servings 24
Cuisine American
Course Dessert
Calories 247

Ingredients

  • 1 box White Cake Mix
  • *Plus ingredients to prepare the cake on the back of the box
  • 1/3 cup White Frosting
  • 16 oz. White Candy Melts
  • Rainbow Sprinkles
  • Lollipop Sticks
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Instructions

  • Make cake and bake according to box instructions in a 9X13 pan. Then let the cake cool at room temperature.
  • Remove the cake from the pan.  Remove the brown outside layer from the cake and throw away.  Crumble up the remaining cake into a large bowl.
  • Add the frosting to your crumbled cake and stir everything together until well combined.
  • Shape mixture into about 24-36 cake balls (depending on their size) and place on a lined cookie sheet. I used a cookie scoop to ensure that each one is approximately the same size.
  • Put the white candy melts in a small microwave safe bowl and microwave for 30 seconds, then stir.  Then continue to heat in 30 second intervals stirring between each one until the candy melts are fully melted and creamy.
  • Dip each cake pop stick into the melted candy and then place them into the cake balls about halfway into the balls.  Then place in freezer for 10-15 minutes.
  • After the cake pops have been in the freezer.  Dip each cake pop into the melted candy melts (you may need to remelt if it has solidified some).  Make sure that the candy covers the cake pop completely.  Allow the excess melted candy to drip off back into the bowl.
  • Then place the rainbow sprinkles in a shallow ball.  Gently roll the candy coated cake pop in the bowl of sprinkles to coat the cake pop in the sprinkles.  You’ll want to make sure to work quickly to coat the cake pops with the sprinkles before they dry.
  • Then place the stick of cake pops in a block of styrofoam while the candy dries and solidifies.
  • Continue until all the cake pops have been covered.  Once all the cake pops are dry, they are ready to serve and enjoy!

Nutrition Facts

Calories 247kcal, Carbohydrates 25g, Protein 1g, Fat 16g, Saturated Fat 4g, Polyunsaturated Fat 4g, Monounsaturated Fat 8g, Trans Fat 1g, Cholesterol 14mg, Sodium 169mg, Potassium 19mg, Fiber 1g, Sugar 16g, Vitamin A 20IU, Calcium 49mg, Iron 1mg

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About the Author

Hi, I’m Carrie. Welcome to Desserts on a Dime!

I’m on a mission to help you create delicious desserts on a budget and do not require a ton of time. Together, we are going to make something sweet that the entire family will love!

4.86 from 7 votes (7 ratings without comment)

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