Love to bake but don’t exactly want a whole cake? Make some cake pops instead! Better yet, simplify this dessert with a box of cake mix. If you haven’t heard about them yet, cake pop makers are an amazing appliance that have been gaining popularity in homes all across the country. Their small size and convenient design allow people to make delicious bites of cake quickly.
You can make small, no-hassle batches without having to wait for a big bulky oven to preheat or figure out the perfect ratio of buttercream frosting to crumbled cake.
It’s really easy to learn how to make cake pops with cake mix. Just pick up a tasty box of mix from the baking aisle, grab a few extra ingredients if you don’t already have them on hand and you’re all set!
Mix the batter up and in 5 minutes or less of bake time, you too can be enjoying these bites of deliciousness. The homemade icing is very easy to make and adds the finishing touch to these unique and tasty treats.
What I love about baking cake pops in a cake pop maker is the lightness of the cake balls, compared to forming the balls by hand with the heavy frosting. This method makes it far easier to keep the treat from falling apart or off of the treat sticks when dipping into the coating! Yes, you know what I’m talking about.
Ingredients & Items You Will Need
For the Cake Pops:
- Ingredients indicated on the cake mix package (usually milk, oil and eggs)
- Cake pop maker
- Cake pop stand - you can buy a stand that is specifically made for cake pops or make a stand out of an egg carton by turning it upside down and poking holes in the center of the egg cavities.
- Lollipop sticks
For the Coating:
- 1 cup powdered sugar
- 1 lemon, juiced (if you don't want lemon flavor, use milk instead)
- Sprinkles
If you don't have a cake pop maker just yet, take a look at our top 5 picks.
Step #1. Pour Cake Mix into Bowl
Lightly oil the inside of the cake pop maker and then preheat. Pour the cake mix into a bowl.
Step #2. Add Ingredients Indicated On Cake Mix Package
Add the ingredients according to the cake mix package (in our case: butter, egg and milk). Mix well.
Step #3. Fill Cake Pop Maker with Batter
Pour the batter into the cake pop maker cavities (fill them about 1 mm from the top so that they don’t spill over or come out flat). Bake them for 4-5 minutes (if a toothpick comes out dry they are ready). Repeat for remaining batter. Unplug the device and let it cool before cleaning.
Step #4. Prepare the Cake Pop Coating
Mix the powdered sugar with the lemon juice to make the icing. For a thicker coating, add more icing sugar. For a thinner coating, add a little bit of water or more lemon juice.
For an alternative coating: you can melt candy melts or chocolate in the microwave for 30 seconds at a time, stirring each time, until fully melted.
Step #5. Insert the Cake Pop Sticks
Insert the tips of the treat sticks into the icing, and then into the cake pops (about half-way into the cake pop). Place them on a tray or plate. Refrigerate for 30 minutes.
Step #6. Coat the Cake Pops
Dip the cake pops into the icing and coat with sprinkles. Place in a cake pop stand and let sit until coating has hardened (approximately 1 hour or more). They can be set in the fridge as well, for about 30 minutes.
Step #7. Serve & Enjoy!
The cake pops are now ready to eat!
Tips
Whether you’re just short on time or simply prefer your cake on a stick, this simple recipe allows you to bake your cake pops in a jiffy. Don’t worry if you’re having some trouble with the cake balls sticking to the cavities of the cake pop maker. Simply spray it down with baking spray or make sure each cavity is lightly oiled before piping in the batter and your cake balls will pop right out.
For more variety, melt some baking candy in different flavors to use as the coating. Adding a little bit of coconut oil to the melted candy helps to thin it out and make it easier to coat the cake balls.
If you accidentally overfill the cake pop cavities, that is okay. After the cake pops bake, let them cool for a few minutes (they will crisp up) and then you can break off the excess cake.
If you don't want to make all of the cake pops at once, you can freeze some of the cake balls for later in a freezer bag. Thaw them on the day of decorating/serving.
Try out this recipe next time you’re in the mood for a cake but want to eat something unique and snack size. The moisture and sweetness of these bite-sized morsels will have your mouth watering before they’re even out of the cake pop maker. The only downside to this recipe is you’ll want to eat them all yourself.
Bring them to your next party or simply make a whole batch and share with friends. Either way, everyone will be admiring your awesomeness and talking about your baking skills for days.
Did you enjoy making these easy cake pops with cake mix? Let me know in the comments below and please share the recipe!
📋Recipe
How to Make Cake Pops with Cake Mix
Ingredients
- 1 box cake mix
- Ingredients indicated on the cake mix package - (usually butter, egg and milk or water)
For the Coating:
- 1 cup powdered sugar
- 1 lemon - juiced (if you don’t want lemon flavor, use milk instead)
- sprinkles - to decorate
Instructions
- Lightly oil the inside of the cake pop maker and then preheat. Pour the cake mix into a bowl.
- Add the ingredients according to the cake mix package (in our case: butter, egg and milk). Mix well.
- Pour the batter into the cake pop maker cavities (fill them to just below the top so that they don’t spill over or come out flat). Bake them for 4-5 minutes (if a toothpick comes out dry, they are ready). Repeat for remaining batter. Unplug the device and let it cool before cleaning.
- Mix the powdered sugar with the lemon juice to make the icing. For a thicker coating, add more icing sugar. For a thinner coating, add a little bit of water or more lemon juice.
- Insert the tips of the treat sticks into the icing, and then into the cake pops (about half-way into the cake pop). Place them on a tray or plate. Refrigerate for 30 minutes.
- Dip the cake pops into the icing and coat with sprinkles. Place in a cake pop stand and let sit until coating has hardened (approximately 1 hour or more). They can be set in the fridge as well, for about 30 minutes.
- Serve & enjoy!
Notes
- The nutrition information will vary depending on the cake mix you choose.
- If you accidentally overfill the cake pop cavities, that is okay. After the cake pops bake, let them cool for a few minutes (they will crisp up) and then you can break off the excess cake.
- If you don't want to make all of the cake pops at once, you can freeze some of the cake balls for later in a freezer bag.
- For an alternative coating: you can melt candy melts or chocolate in the microwave for 30 seconds at a time, stirring each time, until fully melted.
Nutrition
Nutrition information on In the Kitch is provided as a courtesy and is an estimate only. It may not include toppings and/or sauces.
Looking to further enhance your cooking skills? Check out...How to Make Chocolate Covered Coffee Beans
Yesenia says
How do you keep them round after they bake? Mine always go almost flat on one side
Joss D says
Hi Yesenia, this might have to do with how much batter you are filling the cavities with. It can take some practice to get just the right amount so that a round cake ball forms. If you fill the batter to just below the top of the cavity and then close the lid, when it bakes it will rise into the top cavity. If you fill it any less, you could end up with a flat top. Also, make sure they are fully baked before removing them to cool by testing with a toothpick.
Terri says
I love how easy these are with the simple glaze and cake pop maker. I've always made them by hand, but a cake pop maker is sooo much simpler!
Joss D says
Yes! Cake pops don't have to be difficult. They are way easier with a cake pop maker, cake mix and a simpler coating. Thanks Terri!
Sean says
Very fun recipe! I have to admit, I didn't know that cake pop maker moulds were a thing. Lol. I wonder if you could make a takoyaki mould work too? Lol, rather different recipes I suppose, but the idea is quite similar. In any case, I really like the light coating you use on these too, as I often find cake-pops a little over-iced. Cheers, and thanks for sharing this!
Joss D says
Thank you Sean! A takoyaki maker definitely has a similar shape and I've seen people make takoyaki in a cake pop maker lol.
Sabrina says
Wow, these are so easy and fun. A great idea for my daughter’s birthday!
Joss D says
Thanks Sabrina! They are definitely great for birthdays.
Vijitha says
What a great idea for quick and easy treats! Perfect for when I don't want to bake a whole cake. Thanks for the great recipe and tips!
Joss D says
Thank you Vijitha!
nancy says
my DD loves cake pops! what a great idea!!
Joss D says
Thank you!
Laura says
Cake pops are so cute and fun to eat! I love how simple this recipe is by using cake mix. Will definitely be trying this out. Thanks for the recipe!😊
Joss D says
No problem Laura, thanks for the comment!
Vanessa says
Food on a stick is always fun! My kids love these and they also make a perfectly portioned little treat for me!
Joss D says
Thanks Vanessa! My kids love them too.
Bernice Hill says
Very cool! I think I would like this style of cake pop much better than the had formed ones. These are especially cute for Springtime!
Joss D says
They are much easier! Thanks Bernice!
Chef Jez says
Extremely tasty and a big hit with the guests! The whole batch was gone in a couple hours and I received compliments from the vast majority. A very well done recipe that will be bookmarked. Thanks inthekitch.net!
Joss D says
Thanks for the compliment Jez!
Becca says
Are these mini or full size?how many inches are they when baked?
Joss D says
Hi Becca. It does depend on the cake pop maker you have but mine are about 1 1/2" in diameter, which is pretty standard.
Rebecca says
Trying today
Joss D says
Enjoy, Rebecca!