Copycat Starbucks lemon cake pop recipe is bursting with lemon flavor. Each cake pop is coated in candy melts and topped with sprinkles for a decadent treat.

Starbucks lemon cake pops displayed in a stand.
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Copycat Starbucks lemon cake pop recipe

If you love Starbuck’s lemon loaf, this is a must try recipe. These bite size cake pops are so fun to make and eat. The recipe starts with a boxed cake but no one will ever guess.

The inside is so moist and delicious. This will definitely be a crowd pleaser.

We have a blast making cake pops and also enjoy making Copycat Starbucks Cake Pops Recipe and Starbucks Chocolate Cake Pops .

Ingredients for Starbucks lemon cake pops.

Ingredients: 

  • Classic white cake mix. Plus, ingredients to prepare the cake based on the package instructions.
  • Cream Cheese, softened at room temperature 
  • Butter, softened at room temperature 
  • Lemon Extract 
  • Confectioners Sugar
  • Cake Pop Sticks or Lollipop Sticks
  • Yellow Candy Melts
  • Sugar Sprinkles

How to make Starbucks lemon cake pops:

  • Prepare the cake. Make cake and bake according to box instructions. Then let the cake cool at room temperature.
  • Make the frosting. While the cake is cooling, prepare the frosting. 
  • Combine the butter and cream cheese. In a large bowl, beat together the cream cheese, butter and lemon extract until the mixture is fluffy. 
  • Gradually add the powdered sugar. Then slowly add in the confectioners sugar until it’s combined and creamy.  
Process of making Starbucks lemon cake pops and forming into balls.
  • Crumble the cake. Remove the cake from the pan.  Remove the brown outside layer from the cake and throw it away.  Crumble up the remaining cake into a large bowl.
  • Mix in the frosting. Add approximately 2/3 frosting to your crumbled cake and stir everything together until well combined. Then slowly continue to add more frosting until you are able to roll the mixture into balls and they stay intact.  You want to add just enough frosting as needed to form balls or the cake balls will be mushy.  
  • From the cake balls. Shape mixture into about 24-36 cake balls (depending on their size) and place on a lined baking sheet. I used a cookie scoop to ensure that each one is approximately the same size.
  • Melt the candy coating. Put the yellow 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 the sticks. Dip each cake pop stick into the yellow melted candy and then place them into the cake balls about halfway thru the balls.  Then place in the freezer for 10-15 minutes.
  • Coat the cake pops. After the cake pops, it has been in the freezer.  Dip each cake pop into the melted candy melts (you may need to re-melt 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.
Dipping cake pops into candy melts.
  • Place in Styrofoam. 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 or it won’t adhere..
  • Continue until all the cake pops have been covered.  Once all the cake pops are dry, they are ready to serve and enjoy!
Starbucks lemon cake pops on the counter.

How to store lemon Starbucks cake pops:

Since the cake pops have cream cheese frosting in them, they need to be refrigerated. They can be stored up to 3 days in the fridge.

You can also freeze these up to 6 weeks. Ensure the cake pops are completely cool prior to freezing. Then place inside an airtight freezer container.

Close up photo of Starbucks lemon cake pops.

Can you make in advance?

Save time and make these up to 2 days before the party. Refrigerate and serve when ready.

This is an effortless way to save time prior to parties and events.

Starbucks lemon cake pops displayed in a stand.

Starbucks lemon cake pop tips:

  • Cake Mix. Substitute lemon cake mix for even more lemon flavor.
  • Frosting. Feel free to swap the homemade frosting for store bought. You can also use vanilla frosting instead of cream cheese.
  • Coating. Use white chocolate for dipping the cake pops instead of candy melts.
  • Lemon. Add lemon zest or lemon juice instead of lemon extract in the frosting.
Starbucks lemon cake pops displayed in a stand.

Different Decorating ideas:

  • Dip in white candy melts and top with yellow sprinkles or drizzle yellow candy melts on top.
  • You can utilize different types of sprinkles to match various occasions and holidays.
  • Gold baking dust sprinkled on top adds a touch of elegance to the cake pops.
Starbucks lemon cake pops displayed in a stand.

Print this Starbucks lemon cake pop recipe below:

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Starbucks Lemon Cake Pops

4.73 from 11 votes
Copycat Starbucks lemon cake pop recipe is bursting with lemon flavor. Each cake pop is coated in candy melts and topped with sprinkles for a decadent treat.
Prep Time 15 minutes
Cook Time 25 minutes
Freeze 15 minutes
Total Time 55 minutes
Servings 24
Cuisine American
Course Dessert
Calories 286

Ingredients

  • 1 box classic white cake mix
  • Ingredients to prepare the cake based on the package instructions
  • 8 oz Cream Cheese softened at room temperature
  • 1 cup Butter softened at room temperature
  • 2 tsp Lemon Extract
  • 3.5 cups Confectioners Sugar
  • 24-36 Cake Pop Sticks or Lollipop Sticks
  • 12 oz Yellow Candy Melts
  • Sugar Sprinkles

Instructions

  • Make cake and bake according to box instructions. Then let the cake cool at room temperature.
  • While the cake is cooling, prepare the frosting.
  • In a large bowl, beat together the cream cheese, butter and lemon extract until the mixture is fluffy.
  • Then slowly add in the confectioners sugar until it’s combined and creamy.
  • Remove the cake from the pan.  Remove the brown outside layer from the cake and throw it away.  Crumble up the remaining cake into a large bowl.
  • Add approximately 2/3 frosting to your crumbled cake and stir everything together until well combined. Then slowly continue to add more frosting until you are able to roll the mixture into balls and they stay intact.  You want to add just enough frosting as needed to form balls or the cake balls will be mushy.
  • 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 yellow 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 yellow melted candy and then place them into the cake balls about halfway thru the balls.  Then place in the freezer for 10-15 minutes.
  • After the cake pops, it has 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 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 cake pops have been covered.  Once all the cake pops are dry, they are ready to serve and enjoy!

Nutrition Facts

Calories 286kcal, Carbohydrates 39g, Protein 2g, Fat 14g, Saturated Fat 9g, Polyunsaturated Fat 1g, Monounsaturated Fat 3g, Trans Fat 1g, Cholesterol 44mg, Sodium 252mg, Potassium 34mg, Fiber 1g, Sugar 30g, Vitamin A 383IU, Calcium 61mg, Iron 1mg

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Starbucks lemon cake pops on the counter.

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Copycat Starbucks lemon cake pop recipe is bursting with lemon flavor. Each cake pop is coated in candy melts and topped with sprinkles. Learn How to Make Homemade Cake Pops. #dessertsonadime #copycatrecipes #starbucks #lemoncakepop

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

I’m on a mission to help you cook delicious meals without busting your budget. Together we are going to cook real food… for real families.

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