Chocolate Cake Pops are a fun and delicious bite-sized treat with a fudgy, moist chocolate cake center wrapped in a crisp chocolate shell. They’re easy to make, perfect for parties, and guaranteed to satisfy your sweet tooth.
Why You’ll Love These Chocolate Cake Pops
- Fudgy & moist inside – the cake mixed with cream cheese frosting makes a rich, melt-in-your-mouth center.
- Crispy chocolate coating – the outer shell gives the perfect crunch to balance the soft middle.
- Easy to customize – add sprinkles, drizzle with white chocolate, or swap in fun toppings for different holidays and celebrations.
- Better than store-bought – just like Starbucks cake pops, but fresher and homemade!
These are ideal for birthdays, holidays, baby showers, or just a sweet weekend project.
Ingredients
For the Cake Pops:
- 1 box chocolate cake mix (plus ingredients required per package)
- 12 oz chocolate melting wafers (for coating)
- Sprinkles, for decorating
For the Cream Cheese Frosting:
- ½ cup salted butter, softened
- 8 oz plain cream cheese, softened
- 2 tsp vanilla extract
- 3 cups powdered sugar
Equipment:
- 24 cake pop sticks
- Baking sheet lined with parchment paper
How to Make Chocolate Cake Pops
Step 1: Bake the Cake
- Prepare and bake the chocolate cake according to package directions.
- For extra richness, substitute milk for water in the recipe.
- Let the cake cool completely before moving on.
Step 2: Make the Frosting
- In a large bowl, beat together butter, cream cheese, and vanilla until smooth.
- Add powdered sugar in three additions, mixing until creamy and fluffy.
Step 3: Combine Cake and Frosting
- Crumble the cooled cake into a large bowl.
- Add about 1 cup of frosting. Mix with an electric hand mixer until well combined.
- Adjust texture by adding up to ½ cup more frosting if needed.
- Chill the mixture for 30–45 minutes.
Step 4: Shape the Cake Pops
- Scoop 1.5 tbsp portions of the chilled mixture and roll into balls.
- Place them on a parchment-lined baking sheet.
- Insert a cake pop stick dipped in melted chocolate into each ball.
- Chill again for 30–45 minutes (or freeze for 20–30 minutes).
Step 5: Coat and Decorate
- Melt chocolate wafers in the microwave in 30-second intervals, stirring until smooth.
- Dip each cake pop into the melted chocolate, letting excess drip off.
- Quickly top with sprinkles before the chocolate hardens.
- Allow cake pops to set at room temperature or in the fridge for extra crunch.
Tips for the Best Cake Pops
- Don’t skip chilling – it keeps the cake pops firm and prevents them from falling off the sticks.
- Use candy melts – they harden faster and create a smoother shell than regular chocolate.
- Customize for holidays – red and green sprinkles for Christmas, pastel colors for Easter, or orange drizzle for Halloween.
- Storage – keep in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 7 days.
FAQs
Can I use any brand of cake mix?
Yes! Any standard 15 oz box will work.
Can I use regular chocolate instead of melting wafers?
You can, but the coating may be thicker and slower to harden. Candy melts are best for a smooth finish.
Why do I need to chill the mixture?
It helps the cake balls hold their shape and stick firmly to the cake pop sticks.
How do I store them?
Refrigerate in an airtight container for up to a week.
Chocolate Cake Pops Recipe Card
Prep Time: 30 minutes
Chill Time: 1 hour
Total Time: 1 hour 30 minutes
Yield: 24 cake pops
Calories: 162 per serving
Ingredients
- 1 box chocolate cake mix (plus box ingredients)
- 12 oz chocolate melting wafers
- Sprinkles for topping
Cream Cheese Frosting:
- ½ cup salted butter, softened
- 8 oz cream cheese, softened
- 2 tsp vanilla extract
- 3 cups powdered sugar
Instructions
- Bake cake per package instructions. Cool completely.
- Make frosting: beat butter, cream cheese, and vanilla. Add powdered sugar gradually until smooth.
- Crumble cooled cake into a bowl, mix with frosting until fudgy. Chill 30–45 minutes.
- Roll into 24 balls. Insert sticks dipped in chocolate. Chill again.
- Dip each pop in melted chocolate, add sprinkles. Let set at room temp or in fridge.
Enjoy your homemade chocolate cake pops with their perfect mix of fudgy center and crunchy chocolate shell!