Introduction

Chocolate cake pops are delightful bite-sized treats that combine rich cake with a smooth chocolate coating. Perfect for parties or a sweet snack, these pops are fun to make and even more fun to eat.

Chocolate Cake Pops Recipe - Recipe Image

Ingredients

1 box chocolate cake mix (plus ingredients as per box instructions)
1 cup frosting (chocolate or vanilla)
2 cups melting chocolate or candy coating
Sprinkles for decoration (optional)
Lollipop sticks

Instructions

Step 1: Bake the chocolate cake according to the package instructions. Allow it to cool completely.
Step 2: Crumble the cooled cake into a large bowl and add the frosting. Mix until the texture is uniform and sticky enough to hold shapes.
Step 3: Roll the mixture into small 1-inch balls and place them on a baking sheet lined with parchment paper. Refrigerate for at least 2 hours until firm.
Step 4: Melt the chocolate coating according to package directions. Let it cool slightly to avoid cracking when dipping.
Step 5: Dip the tip of a lollipop stick into the melted coating about 1/2 inch, then insert it halfway through a cake ball. This helps secure the ball onto the stick.
Step 6: Dip the entire cake ball into the melted coating to cover. Gently tap off any excess and add sprinkles if desired.
Step 7: Stick the cake pop upright into a styrofoam block or a similar holder. Repeat with a few cake balls at a time, keeping the rest refrigerated to maintain firmness.
Step 8: Allow the coating to set completely, about one hour, before serving or storing.

Tips & Variations

Use vanilla or cream cheese frosting for a different flavor profile.
Try white chocolate or colored candy melts for a festive look.
Keep cake balls very cold to ensure smooth dipping and prevent cracking.
Decorate with crushed nuts, cocoa powder, or edible glitter instead of sprinkles.

Storage

Store cake pops in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 5 days. Allow them to come to room temperature before serving for the best texture. They can also be frozen for up to 2 months; thaw in the refrigerator overnight.

How to Serve

Serve this delicious recipe with your favorite sides.

FAQs

Can I use homemade cake instead of a box mix?

Absolutely! Any moist cake recipe will work well—just be sure it is fully cooled before crumbling and mixing with frosting.

What’s the best way to prevent the chocolate coating from cracking?

Allow the melted coating to cool slightly before dipping, and make sure the cake balls are cold. Working with a few cake balls at a time and keeping the others refrigerated also helps maintain firmness and prevents cracking.

Chocolate Cake Pops Recipe

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4.5 from 125 reviews

Delicious and fun-to-make Chocolate Cake Pops are a perfect bite-sized dessert for parties and celebrations. Made from moist chocolate cake crumbled and mixed with creamy frosting, then dipped in a smooth chocolate coating and decorated with sprinkles, these cake pops deliver rich chocolate flavor in a fun and easy-to-eat form.

Author: Bella
Prep Time: 30 minutes
Cook Time: 30 minutes
Total Time: 3 hours (including chilling/drying time)
Yield: 24 cake pops 1x
Category: Dessert
Method: No-Cook
Cuisine: American

Ingredients

Scale

Cake

1 box chocolate cake mix (plus ingredients to prepare as directed: eggs, oil, water)

Frosting

1/2 cup chocolate frosting

Coating and Decoration

2 cups chocolate melting coating or candy melts
Sprinkles for decoration
Lollipop sticks
Styrofoam block or box for drying

Instructions

Prepare the Cake: Bake the chocolate cake as directed on the box instructions. Let it cool completely, preferably overnight, to ensure it is firm enough to work with.
Crumble the Cake: Once cooled, crumble the cake into a large bowl using your hands or a fork until it resembles fine crumbs.
Add Frosting: Mix the chocolate frosting into the cake crumbs. Use just enough frosting to make a dough-like consistency that holds together when pressed.
Form Cake Balls: Roll the mixture into small balls about 1 inch in diameter. Place them on a baking sheet lined with parchment paper.
Chill Cake Balls: Refrigerate the cake balls for at least 2 hours or until firm. This helps them hold their shape during dipping.
Melt the Coating: Gently melt the chocolate melting coating or candy melts in a microwave-safe bowl in 30-second intervals, stirring in between until smooth. Let cool briefly but do not let it harden.
Prepare for Dipping: Remove 2-3 cake balls from the refrigerator at a time to keep the rest cold. Insert a lollipop stick halfway through each cake ball after dipping the stick end about 1/2 inch into the melted coating to help it adhere.
Dip Cake Pops: Dip each cake ball into the melted coating, covering it completely and making sure the coating reaches the base where the stick meets the cake. Gently tap the stick against the edge of the bowl to remove excess coating.
Decorate: Immediately sprinkle decorations over the coated cake pops before the coating sets.
Dry and Set: Place the cake pops upright in a styrofoam block or box to allow the coating to harden completely. This usually takes about an hour.
Store: Store cake pops in an airtight container at room temperature or refrigerate to keep fresh.

Notes

Keep the cake balls very cold during the dipping process to prevent them from falling apart.
Do not over-melt the coating; it should be smooth but not hot to avoid cracking when dipped.
Work with only a few cake balls at a time to maintain their firmness.
Use a styrofoam block or similar holder to keep cake pops upright while drying.
Decorate immediately after dipping to ensure sprinkles stick well.

Keywords: chocolate cake pops, cake pops recipe, chocolate dessert, party treats, bite-sized cake