Simple Cake Pops

Think cake pops are a bakery-only treat? Think again! These simple cake pops have a secret, shortcut ingredient: store-bought mix! You'll want to bookmark this top-rated cake pop recipe — you'll come back to it again and again. 

A cake pop is a cake ball (baked cake rolled into balls and dipped in candy coating) on a stick to resemble a lollipop. Though cake pops existed before the coffee chain's version, the bite-sized dessert experienced a surge in popularity after Starbucks added them to its menu in 2011. 

Cake pops can be served plain, but they are more often coated with colorful sprinkles or embellished with icing. 

Here's what you'll need to make these easy cake pops: 

Prepared Cake Mix
A boxed yellow cake is mixed with water, oil, and eggs and baked according to the package instructions. 

Chocolate Frosting
You can use store-bought chocolate frosting or try our top-rated Creamy Chocolate Frosting recipe. 

Lollipop Sticks
It wouldn't be a cake pop without a lollipop stick! If you can't find them in the baking aisle of your local grocery store, you can order them online. 

Candy Melts 
Candy melts serve as the hard, shiny coating of these silky cake pops. Don't try to substitute chocolate chips or wafers — they won't work in the same way. 

You'll find the full, step-by-step recipe below — but here's a brief overview of what you can expect when you make these simple cake pops: 

Beat cake mix, water, oil, and eggs in a bowl. Pour the batter into a greased 9x13-inch baking dish and bake in a 350 degree F oven until a toothpick inserted into the center comes out clean. 

Let the cake cool completely, then crumble it in a large bowl. Stir the frosting into the crumbled cake, cover, and refrigerate until chilled. Use your hands to roll the mixture into evenly sized balls. Place on a baking sheet. 

Melt candy melts in the microwave or in a double boiler. Push a lollipop stick into each ball, then gently dip the balls into the melted chocolate. Decorate if desired. Place upright in a styrofoam block to harden. 

Homemade cake pops make a fantastic food gift for everyone on your list. Of course, anyone would be thrilled to receive a regular ol' zip-top bag or storage container filled with cake pops. But you can go the extra mile by wrapping them in decorative cellophane tied with a ribbon,  arranging them in a cookie tin filled with colorful shredded paper, or presenting them as a bouquet in a flower pot. 

Related: 25 Favorite Homemade Food Gifts Allrecipes Allstars Love to Share

Place finished cake pops in an airtight container lined with paper towels. Store in the fridge for up to a week. There's no reason to reheat, as cake pops are served chilled. 

Yes! You can freeze cake pops. However, it's best to freeze them uncoated. You can dip the cake balls in the candy melts before you plan to serve them: Arrange the balls on a baking sheet, cover, and freeze for at least three hours or up to overnight. Transfer the now-frozen cake balls to zip-top freezer bags labeled with the date, then lay flat. For added protection, wrap the flattened bags in one layer of foil. Freeze for up to six months.

Thaw in the fridge before coating. 

Editorial contributions by Corey Williams