Chocolate Cake Pops
These Chocolate Cake Pops will surely sweeten up your day and leave you wanting more. This bite-sized dessert has a smooth outer layer and a rich, moist, and decadent center. Quick and easy to make, you can whip this recipe up in no time. These cake pops are the perfect treats for birthday parties, homemade gifts, or a fun activity with kids!
Why You Will Love This Recipe
- These homemade cake pops are bite-sized and packed in individual servings.
- They are convenient and easy to make at home.
- This chocolate cake pops recipe uses only ingredients that are easy to find in grocery stores.
- This recipe is easy to make in advance and stored easily.
- It is a fun weekend project to do with kids and the whole family. Or, serve for the holidays and Christmas time.
- Try making Vanilla Cake Pops too!
- Everyone loves chocolate cake pops at parties!
- You can use leftover cake from birthday parties to make this recipe.
- It is the perfect homemade gift for special occasions.
- It is easy to customize with different flavors, toppings, and decorations making it perfect for any occasion!
- If needed, use gluten-free cake to make this recipe gluten-free.
- Check out these Homemade Brownies or this Chocolate Mousse for another dessert favorite!
Ingredients & Substitutions
These are the main ingredients and substitutions for chocolate cake pops. Scroll down to the recipe card for the full ingredients list and instructions.
Use chocolate cake that has been baked and cooled. Use leftover chocolate cake for this recipe or bake one ideally one day in advance. Or, use leftover Chocolate Cupcakes!
Choose chocolate frosting to mix and crumble the chocolate cake with. Feel free to also use vanilla frosting or other frosting flavors of your choice.
Use chocolate candy melts for the dipping sauce. Substitute with chocolate chips if not available. If using chocolate chips, add a tablespoon of coconut oil as well. This provides a glossy finish.
Lollipop sticks are for holding the cake pops into place. If not available, substitute with toothpicks or plastic spoons.
For decorating the cake pop, use sprinkles, chopped nuts, or other desired toppings. These are optional but fun and festive.
What are Cake Pops?
Cake pops are bite-sized treats that are served like a lollipop.
It is made with any flavor of cake crumbled with frosting. Then, mold them into cake balls and dip them in a melted chocolate coating.
Cake pops are a fun dessert that is very popular for birthday parties and other special occasions.
They became popular at Starbucks! Every Starbucks location carries cake pops.
Taste & Texture
These chocolate cake pops have a smooth and crunchy outer layer, while the inside is soft, moist, and fudgy. This treat will satisfy your chocolate cravings all in one bite!
Cake pops taste like classic cake in every bite! They give you both the cake and frosting flavors at the same time. The overall flavor is dependent upon the flavor of the cake, frosting, and coating.
How to Make
Step 1
Crumble the cooled chocolate cake into a large mixing bowl using your hands or a fork.
Step 2
Add the chocolate frosting to the crumbled cake and mix until well combined.
Step 3
Take small portions of the cake mixture and roll them into smooth balls, about 1 inch in diameter. Place the cake balls on a baking sheet lined with parchment paper.
Step 4
Insert a lollipop stick into each cake ball, pushing it about halfway through. Place the baking sheet with the cake pops in the refrigerator for about 1 hour to firm up.
Step 5
While the cake pops are firming up, melt the chocolate candy melts or chocolate chips in a microwave-safe bowl. Stir until smooth and fully melted.
Step 6
Remove the cake pops from the refrigerator. Dip each cake pop into the melted chocolate, gently swirling around and tapping off any excess chocolate. If desired, decorate the cake pops with sprinkles, chopped nuts, or other decorations while the chocolate is still melted.
Step 7
Stick the cake pops upright into a foam block or a cake pop stand to allow the chocolate to set completely.
Step 8
Repeat the dipping and decorating process with the remaining cake pops.
Tips & Tricks for Success
Start with a cool and moist chocolate cake. If the cake is too warm or dry, it will be difficult to form into balls.
Use good quality chocolate candy melts for dipping to ensure a smooth and glossy finish. Or, melt chocolate chips with a little bit of coconut oil. This allows the coating to harden and firm up.
Refrigerate the cake pops before dipping into the melted chocolate. This will help the chocolate set faster and prevent the cake pops from falling apart.
Poke small holes in a Styrofoam block or an upside-down egg carton to create a stand for your cake pops. Alternatively, you can also use a colander.
Flavor Variations & Add-Ins
The best thing about chocolate cake pops is how easy it is to make your own version!
You can add peanut butter, Nutella, marshmallows, coffee, and chopped nuts to your cake pops.
Feel free to add different extracts such as vanilla, almond, or peppermint to give your cake pops a unique flavor.
Decorate your cake pops creatively to suit the occasion!
How to Serve & Store
Serve these cake pops as a snack or bite-sized dessert on their own. If you are serving them at a party, arrange them creatively on a decorative platter for display.
These are so fun for a birthday party! Kids also enjoy this Funfetti Cake with Frosting!
These little Pots de Crème are fun too.
Store these cake pops at room temperature for up to a week. If you plan to store them longer than that, wrap them individually with plastic wrap or arrange them in flat layers in an airtight container. Then, store them in the fridge for up to two weeks or in the freezer for up to six weeks.
When ready to serve, simply thaw them until they are at room temperature. You can also thaw them overnight in the fridge.
Frequently Asked Questions
Use chocolate candy melts or chocolate chips for cake pops.
Yes. Add in a tablespoon of coconut oil to the melted chocolate chips. This yields a smooth look.
Use lollipop sticks to help dip the cake pops.
The best cake for cake pops is a moist and flavorful cake. Vanilla, chocolate, lemon and marble cake are great options.
Use a smooth and creamy frosting.
Yes! Freeze for up to 1 month. Ideally, freeze before dipping in the melted chocolate mixture.
Yes, use gluten-free cake. The frosting is naturally gluten-free. Check that the candy melts are gluten-free as well.
Equipment Needed
Hand Mixer: Use an electric mixer if needed to easily mix the cake and frosting.
USA Pan 3 Piece Cookie Sheet Set: These cookie sheets can be used for cake pops too.
Pre-Cut Parchment Paper Sheets: If using a baking pan, line it with parchment paper.
Pyrex 3 Glass Mixing Bowls: Add the cake and frosting to a large mixing bowl.
Cake Pop Kit: This has everything you need to make homemade cake pops!
You May Also Enjoy
- Oreo Ice Cream Cake
- Donut Cake
- Chocolate Pound Cake
- Funfetti Cupcakes with Cream Cheese Frosting
- Strawberry Shortcake Cupcakes
If you enjoy this chocolate cake pop recipe, please leave a rating and review! You can find more great recipes on Facebook, Instagram, and Pinterest. Check out these Cakes & Cupcakes for more recipes!
Print
Chocolate Cake Pops
- Prep Time: 10
- Chill Time: 1 hour
- Total Time: 1 hour, 10 minutes
- Yield: 25 cake pops 1x
- Category: Dessert
- Cuisine: American
Description
These homemade chocolate cake pops are so fun! They taste like cake and frosting in every bite. These bite-sized treats are perfect for any occasion. Make them for birthdays, holidays, Christmas, Valentine’s Day, and more!
Ingredients
- 1 chocolate cake (9×13-inch size), baked and cooled
- 1 cup chocolate frosting
- 1 package (12 ounces) chocolate candy melts or chocolate chips
- Lollipop sticks
- Sprinkles, chopped nuts, or other desired decorations (optional)
Instructions
- Crumble the cooled chocolate cake into a large mixing bowl using your hands or a fork, ensuring there are no large chunks remaining.
- Add the chocolate frosting to the crumbled cake. Mix until well combined. The mixture should be moist and able to hold its shape when rolled into balls.
- Take small portions of the cake mixture and roll them into smooth balls, about 1 inch in diameter. Place the cake balls on a baking sheet lined with parchment paper.
- Insert a lollipop stick into each cake ball, pushing it about halfway through. Place the baking sheet with the cake pops in the refrigerator for about 1 hour to firm up.
- While the cake pops are chilling, melt the chocolate candy melts or chocolate chips in a microwave-safe bowl. Stir until smooth and fully melted.
- Remove the cake pops from the refrigerator. Then, dip each cake pop into the melted chocolate, gently swirling and tapping off any excess chocolate. If desired, decorate the cake pops with sprinkles, chopped nuts, or other decorations while the chocolate is still wet.
- Stick the cake pops upright into a foam block or a cake pop stand to allow the chocolate to set completely. Or, place the cake pops back on the parchment-lined baking sheet.
- Repeat the dipping and decorating process with the remaining cake pops.
Notes
- Feel free to use any flavor of cake. Vanilla, marbled, lemon, and red velvet are great for this recipe.
- Likewise, use any flavor frosting. These double chocolate cake pops use both chocolate cake and chocolate frosting.
- Feel free to experiment with the flavors.
- Allow the cake pops to firm up before dipping in melted chocolate coating.
- The sprinkles and other decorations are totally optional.
- Store cake pops in the fridge for up to 5 days.
- Freeze for up to 1 month.
- Use this Cake Pop Kit!
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I love the rich and moist chocolate cake pops! My kids love them too.
I made these Chocolate Cake Pops yesterday, and I have to say, I absolutely loved them! The combination of the smooth outer layer and the rich, moist center was simply divine. My kids loved this recipe!
So fun and easy to make! These are so perfect to serve at a party. I love that you gave suggestions for other cakes, I might try the red velvet cake next!
Such a fun treat. Love making these for my niece and nephew when they visit, perfect size for kids and always a favorite!
This bite-sized dessert is fun to make! The kids love joining me in making them. I let them be creative in decorating their own chocolate cake pops.
Ohh these chocolate cake pops are the perfect way to indulge. No party needed, I whip them up just for me!
I’m so lucky I found this recipe! My family loves these cake balls, and they’re so easy to make. The chocolate flavor is rich and decadent, and the cake is moist and full of flavor. This recipe is a winner every time!
These were so deliciously rich and moist. Perfect for a party, all the kids loved them!
Kids helped me in making these adorable chocolate cake pops and they turned out incredibly decadent and delightful. We had so much fun!
The best bite-sized treat! I love the frosting flavor and could totally eat them all but kids made me share hehe.
Ohh!! This chocolate cake pop is what my kids are always requesting! I love how delicious it turns out every time. This recipe is a must-try!
Made these pops with the kids on a rainy day. They were fun to make and eat. The kids had a blast.