Easy Brownie Cake Pops start with a box mix and transform into fudgy, chocolate-dipped treats. They’re simple to make and cost about $8.31 per batch, or $0.35 per pop when making 24.
Cake pops and our Cakesicles are so much fun to make, so I tried a version with brownies — and now it’s the one my kids ask for most. Fudgy brownies hold together on their own, so there’s no frosting to mix in.
For the pink birthday version, try our Copycat Starbucks Cake Pops.
Why You’ll Love This Recipe!
- No frosting needed: Fudgy brownies are moist enough to roll on their own, so there’s one less ingredient to buy and one less step.
- Looks like a bakery treat: Simple to make, but they look like something you’d pay a lot more for at a coffee shop.
- Fun for kids: Kids can help roll, dip, and add sprinkles.
- Budget-friendly: About 35¢ a pop, so a whole tray for a party or bake sale won’t break the bank.
After years of making desserts for my family, I love recipes that look impressive without requiring complicated steps. These Brownie Cake Pops are one of my favorite shortcuts because a simple box of brownie mix turns into rich, fudgy treats. Chilling the brownie balls before dipping is the key to helping them stay on the sticks and making them easier to coat in chocolate.
You may also like to make Chocolate Cake Pops and Oreo Cake Pops.
If you want the café look, my homemade Starbucks Chocolate Cake Pops that use the same dipping method with a cake-mix center.
For an even easier bite-size treat, bake Mini Brownie Cupcakes instead.
Ingredients
- Fudge Brownie Mix. Use a fudgy mix (not cake-like) for a 9×13 pan. Fudgy brownies are moist enough to roll into balls without adding frosting.
- Cake Pop Sticks or Lollipop Sticks. Paper sticks around 6 inches long are the easiest to find and hold a brownie ball well. You’ll find them in the baking aisle at Walmart or craft stores.
- Chocolate Candy Melts. I use candy melts because they melt smooth and set into a firm, shiny shell on their own. Chocolate chips can work, but they tend to stay softer and can look streaky once they set.
- Shortening. Thins the candy melts so they coat smoothly and drip off easily. Coconut oil works too.
- White Sprinkles. Nonpareils or jimmies both work. Add them right after dipping, while the coating is still wet, or they won’t stick.
Get the complete list of ingredients at the bottom of the page.
How to Make Brownie Cake Pops
Step 1. Make the brownies. Prepare the fudge brownies based on the package instructions. Allow them to cool completely at room temperature in the baking pan. How to Tell if Brownies are Done
Step 2. Break apart the baked brownies. Remove the brownies from the pan. Remove the outside layer from the brownies and discard. Crumble the remaining brownies into a large bowl. Mash the brownie crumbles together. The mixture should hold together like play dough when you squeeze it. If it’s crumbly, mix in 1–2 tablespoons of chocolate frosting.
Step 3. Form into balls. Shape the mashed brownies into balls and place on a parchment paper lined baking sheet. I used a cookie scoop to make sure each one is the same size. You can use a spoon or tablespoons if you don’t have one. About 1 ½ tablespoons each makes 24 pops.
Step 4. Place a cake pop stick into each one. Then freeze for 2 hours. Dip the tip of each stick in a little melted candy before pushing it halfway into the ball. It works like glue and keeps the pops from sliding off.
Step 5. In a microwave safe bowl, heat the candy melts and the shortening. Microwave in 30 second intervals. Make sure to stir after each one until melted.
Step 6. Coat the brownie balls. Dip each brownie ball into the melted candy melts. Make sure that the candy covers the brownie ball completely. Allow the excess chocolate to drip back into the bowl. Let the frozen pops sit out for 5 minutes before dipping. If they’re rock-hard, the coating can crack as the brownie warms up.
Step 7. Then place the stick of cake pops in a Styrofoam block while the candy dries and solidifies. Add the sprinkles immediately before the candy dries.
How to Decorate
- Sprinkles. Top with any type of sprinkles you like for any occasion.
- Melted chocolate. Melt chocolate chips or white chocolate. Drizzle on the top of each one. You can use one or both. I think the combination would be pretty.
- Toppings. Decorate with chopped nuts, coconut or anything you like.
- Candy Melts. You can use different colors candy melts to decorate these treats. Try dipping into pink for Valentine’s Day, Orange for Halloween and more. This is a fun recipe that can work for any occasion or holiday.
Cosmic Brownie Cake Pops
Love Little Debbie Cosmic Brownies? Dip the pops in chocolate candy melts and immediately press on rainbow candy-coated chocolate chips (find them near the sprinkles). For a super-fast shortcut, skip baking: crumble a box of Cosmic Brownies — frosting and all — and roll into balls. One 6-count box makes about 12 pops.
Frequently Asked Questions
Store in an airtight container with wax paper between layers. They keep at room temperature for 2–3 days or in the fridge for up to 1 week. If refrigerated, let them sit out about 15 minutes before serving for the best fudgy texture.
Gifting: Slip each pop into a small cellophane treat bag and tie with ribbon. You can find cake pop bags at Hobby Lobby, Walmart or craft stores.
I recommend freezing the brownie balls before they are coated. Freezing ones that have been coated will often form condensation and ruin their appearance.
Store them inside a freezer container with wax paper between the layers. Then coat as normal when ready to enjoy.
You can use a little (about ½ teaspoon per cup of candy melts), but butter has water in it, so the coating may be softer and less shiny. Shortening or coconut oil gives the best finish.
The balls are too big or too warm, or the stick wasn’t anchored. Keep them about 1 ½ tablespoons, chill well, and dip the stick in melted candy before inserting.
Yes. Freezing for 2 hours firms the brownie so it doesn’t crumble or slide off the stick in the warm coating. Let them sit out 5 minutes before dipping so the coating doesn’t crack.
Yes, as long as they’re fudgy, not cakey. Leftover brownies that have dried out a little may need 1–2 tablespoons of chocolate frosting to hold together.
The brownie balls are too cold. As a frozen ball warms, it expands and cracks the shell. Let them sit out 5 minutes before dipping, and keep the coating warm and thin.
More Cake Pop Recipes
Try these fun and tasty Brownie Cake Pops. You will love them. Then leave a comment and star rating.
Brownie Cake Pops
Ingredients
- 1 box Brownie Fudge Mix to make Brownies in a 9X13 pan
- *Ingredients to prepare the brownies based on the package instructions
- 24-36 Cake Pop Sticks or Lollipop Sticks
- 16 oz Chocolate Candy Melts
- 2 tsp Shortening
- White Sprinkles
See how we calculate recipe costs.
Instructions
- Prepare the fudge brownies based on the package instructions and allow them to cool completely at room temperature. Remove the brownies from the pan. Remove the outside layer from the brownies and discard.
- Crumble the remaining brownies into a large bowl. Mash the brownie crumbles together. Shape mashed brownies into about 24-36 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.
- Insert a cake pop stick into each brownie ball and freeze for 2 hours.
- In a microwave safe bowl, heat the candy melts and the shortening in the microwave in 30 second intervals, stirring after each one until fully melted.
- Dip each brownie ball into the melted candy melts. Make sure that the candy covers the brownie ball completely. Allow the excess melted candy to drip off back into the bowl.
- Then place the stick of cake pops in a block of styrofoam while the candy dries and solidifies. Add the sprinkles immediately before the candy dries.
- Continue until all the brownie cake pops have been covered.
- Once all the brownie cake pops are dry, they are ready to serve and enjoy!
Haven’t tried yet, but looks wonderful. I have made several of your recipes with great success!! Could I use butter in place of shortening?
Thank you so much, Lisa! That means a lot that you have tried several recipes. Yes, you can use butter in place of shortening with candy melts for brownie cake pops—but there are a few important things to know before you do.
Using Butter Instead of Shortening
Butter will thin the candy melts, making them easier to dip.
Use a very small amount: start with ½ teaspoon butter per 1 cup candy melts.
Melt the candy melts first, then stir in the butter until smooth.
Cons (Important)
Butter contains water and milk solids, which can cause:
Softer coating that doesn’t fully harden
A finish that’s less shiny
Candy coating may take longer to set
Hope this helps. Let me know how they turn out.
These turned out amazing! My kids loved them! I love how fudgy they are <3
Hey! Thanks so much! So glad to hear this!
Hello! This looks great! Where can I find little individual wrappers to send these as a gift? 🙅🏼♀️
Traci – You can find them at Hobby Lobby or Walmart. Let me know if you try them!
I love this recipe and love that you are still doing these me and my friends really love your work : )
Thank you so much, Bryar. It means a lot to hear that you and your friends are enjoying the recipes. I really appreciate your support!