These cake pops are healthy, easy, no-bake and taste amazing! In the mood for a Starbucks cake pop? Make your own better version!
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Why This Recipe Works
- This easy cake pop recipe is no bake!
- Healthier version of a the super awesome Starbucks cake pop.
- Great snack or dessert for kids or adults.
How do you make Starbucks Cake Pops?
While this recipe is arguably healthier in terms of whole food ingredients and less processed sugars, I cannot deny that the Starbucks cake pops are pretty awesome! Starbucks cake pop flavors include birthday cake pop (vanilla cake pop), chocolate cake pop, lemon cake pop, valentine cake pop, frosted donut cake pop and chocolate chip cookie dough cake pop. Starbucks cake pop calories range from around 140-180 depending on the flavor.
To make the starbucks recipe, you will bake a cake (from scratch or using boxed cake mix) and crumble up the cake. You then mix it with a little bit of frosting, form into balls, insert cake pop sticks and coat in chocolate. Some recipes will use a cake pop maker to form the cake into balls and a cake pop stand to hold the pops upright.
What type of chocolate is best for melting?
You can use candy melts or chocolate baking chips. Ghirardelli white chocolate baking chips are a nice option as they are made with cocoa butter which provides for a nice melting texture. Wilton candy melts are also an excellent choice as this product is made specifically for dipping and coating desserts. If you are vegan, there are also vegan chocolate chip options available.
Do I need a cake pop stand?
No. If you plan on making these on a regular basis, a cake pop stand is not a bad investment. However, you can definitely get away with using a sturdy box or a piece of Styrofoam. Make sure you pre-poke the holes and make sure cake pop sticks fit.
What is blanched almond flour?
Blanched almond flour is a flour alternative is made from ground almonds. Blanches means that the almond skin has been removed from the nut. Anthony’s Premium Blanched Almond Flour is a good option. Trader Joe’s also sells an excellent blanched almond flour.
How to make this recipe
Ingredients
- 1 cup blanched almond flour
- 1 tablespoon + 2 teaspoon cashew butter
- 8 pitted medjool dates
- 2 tablespoon rainbow sprinkles (or color of choice)
- dash salt
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 6-8 oz white chocolate baking chips (Ghirardelli), white chocolate candy melts (Wilton) or vegan chocolate chips (or chocolate flavor of choice).
Instructions
- In food processor, combine almond flour, cashew butter, medjool dates, salt and vanilla extract.
- Process until thoroughly combined.
- Mixture should look evenly crumbled but will stick together when you form it in your hands.
- Transfer mixture into a bowl and fluff around with a fork tomake sure everything is evenly mixed.
- Form into 7-10 balls (about the size of a golf ball) and place on a baking sheet in refrigerator while you prepare the chocolate and next steps.
- Before melting the chocolate, set up your cake stand and sprinkles.
- Set up your cake stand (or box or Styrofoam). Poke your holes ahead of time and make sure your cake pop sticks fit.
- Get your sprinkles set up in a small dish so you can sprinkle each pop after coating with chocolate.
- In a double boiler, melt chocolate.
- Dip a cake pop stick about ½ inch into the chocolate coating and then into the center of the cake ball about halfway (the chocolate will help anchor the cake pop).
- Dip the cake pop into the chocolate to coat.
- Another method is to hold the cake pop over the chocolate and spoon the chocolate over while rotating the cake pop.
- While chocolate is still wet, add sprinkles.
- Place in cake pop stand.
- Once the chocolate has had time to harden, you can keep the cake pops in the refridgerator or freezer.
Looking for other delicious dessert ideas?
- Carrot Cake Truffles
- Nice Cream (Vegan Healthy Ice Cream!)
- Rum Balls (No Bake)
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Cake Pops (Healthy + Easy No Bake)
Equipment
- Food processor, double boiler, cake pop stand (or box or styrofoam stand), cake pop sticks
Ingredients
- 1 cup blanched almond flour
- 1 tbsp + 2 tsp cashew butter
- 8 pitted medjool dates
- 2 tablespoon rainbow sprinkles (or color of choice)
- dash salt
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 6-8 oz white chocolate baking chips (Ghirardelli), white chocolate candy melts (Wilton) or Vegan Chocolate Chips (or chocolate flavor of choice)
Instructions
- In food processor, combine almond flour, cashew butter, medjool dates, salt and vanilla extract.
- Process until thoroughly combined.
- Mixture should look evenly crumbled but will stick together when you form it in your hands.
- Transfer mixture into a bowl and fluff around with a fork tomake sure everything is evenly mixed.
- Form into 7-10 balls (about the size of a golf ball) and place on a baking sheet in refrigerator while you prepare the chocolate and next steps.
- Before melting the chocolate, set up your cake stand and sprinkles.
- Set up your cake stand (or box or Styrofoam). Poke your holes ahead of time and make sure your cake pop sticks fit.
- Get your sprinkles set up in a small dish so you can sprinkle each pop after coating with chocolate.
- In a double boiler, melt chocolate.
- Dip a cake pop stick about ½ inch into the chocolate coating and then into the center of the cake ball about halfway (the chocolate will help anchor the cake pop).
- Dip the cake pop into the chocolate to coat.
- Another method is to hold the cake pop over the chocolate and spoon the chocolate over while rotating the cake pop.
- While chocolate is still wet, add sprinkles.
- Place in cake pop stand.
- Once the chocolate has had time to harden, you can keep the cake pops in the refridgerator or freezer.
Mich
Hi Aubrey, I’m wondering if you think I could use date paste instead of whole dates? Thanks!
Aubrey
Hey Mich! Yes, I think that would work. Some date paste has added water and/or sugar so I would start by adding a small amount and blend and see how the consistency is. I hope that helps and let me know how it turns out! 🙂
Nikki
Could I use a different kind of date?
Aubrey
Yes, other dates should work. Medjool dates are pretty large so you might need a few more depending on the type you use.
Yasmine
Hi. Can I use monk fruit sweetener instead of the Medjool dates? If so, how much should I use?
Thanks in advance.
Aubrey
Hello Yasmine, the medjool dates are important because they not only add sweetened but they bind the mixture together. Unfortunately, I don’t think it would work without that ingredient.
Lisa
I was looking for a recipe like Starbucks cake pops and I found these. Since they were healthy and no bake, I thought I would try them and they were amazing! My toddler loves them too. Bonus points. Lol
Aubrey
Thanks Lisa! I am so glad you enjoyed! Cake pops are definitely one of my favs as well!
Kate
I love this cake pop recipe. Healthy, easy and my toddler loves them.
Aubrey
Thanks Kate! My little one loves them too! I like to make these instead of Starbucks cake pops for a little healthy treat. 🙂