Looking for an easy cake pop recipe for kids? You’ve come to the right place. If you’ve ever seen beautifully decorated cake pops and wondered, “Can I make these at home?”—the answer is yes! This quick guide walks you through how to make vanilla cake pops with white chocolate and sprinkles, even if you’re a complete beginner. With just cake, frosting or butter icing, chocolate, and sprinkles, you’ll have fun making these party-ready treats in no time. They’re also a clever way to turn leftover cake into a fun dessert for birthdays or a sweet, bite-sized gift.
For these vanilla cake pops, I used my Vanilla Yoghurt Cake recipe but you can also use my go-to Cupcake Recipe, which makes a light and fluffy cake perfect for crumbling. Instead of a cupcake tin, use a round or square tin and adjust the baking time. Paired with my creamy Butter Icing Recipe, the cake mixture forms a smooth, moist filling that holds its shape. Check out the links to both recipes and easily whip up cake pops that are delicious and super simple!
Why You’ll Love this Cake Pop Recipe for Kids
- Easy to make: No special skills required!
- Fun to decorate: Let your creativity shine with colourful sprinkles and themes.
- Perfect for any celebration: Cake pops make a great addition to birthday parties, weddings, or baby showers.
- Make ahead-friendly: Prepare these treats up to a week in advance!
Fun, Colourful & Easy to Make Cake Pop Recipe for Kids
Ingredients
- Vanilla Cake / Cupcakes crumbled A rough guide ratio is approx 20ml butter icing / frosting for 1 cup cake crumbs.
- Butter Icing
- White Chocolate Callebaut Belgium chocolate is my favourite
- Sprinkles of your choice
- Lollipop Sticks
Instructions
Crumble the cake into fine crumbs:
- Take your cooled vanilla cake and crumble it with your hands into fine crumbs. This step ensures the smooth texture needed for rolling the cake into balls.
Mix in butter icing / frosting gradually:
- Add the butter icing to the cake crumbs, a little at a time. You’re aiming for a texture that holds its shape when rolled but isn’t too wet. Start with about 20ml of butter icing for every cup of cake crumbs and adjust if needed.
Combine thoroughly using your hands:
- Use your hands to mix the butter icing/ frosting with the cake crumbs until fully combined. The mixture should be smooth with no visible icing / frosting streaks.To check for the proper texture of your cake pop filling, roll the mixture into a small ball and squeeze it slightly; if cracks appear, you need to add more butter icing.
Portion and roll cake balls:
- Use a scale to measure 30g (1oz) portions of the mixture for even cake pops.
- Roll them into smooth balls and place them on a lined baking sheet.
Chill the cake balls:
- Pop the tray in the fridge while you prepare the chocolate.
Melt the white chocolate carefully:
- Use a microwave on medium power for 30 seconds to melt the white chocolate then stir. Continue heating it on medium power for 10-second intervals, stirring after each session to distribute the heat. Make sure not to overheat, or it may seize. The chocolate is sufficiently melted when the mixture is free of lumps.
Dip the sticks in chocolate and insert:
- Dip the tip of each lollipop stick into the melted chocolate before inserting it halfway into a chilled cake ball. This helps secure the cake to the stick. After inserting a stick into each cake ball, you'll need to thoroughly chill them in the refrigerator for at least an hour before dipping them in chocolate.
Dip the cake pops in white chocolate
- Dip each cake pop into the melted chocolate, fully submerging it. Tap off the excess gently while rotating the pop.
Decorate with sprinkles:
- While the coating is still wet, hold the cake pop over a bowl and sprinkle generously with your favourite sprinkles.
Let them set:
- Stand the cake pops upright in a styrofoam block or an egg tray to dry completely.
Variations of Cake Pop Recipe for Kids
- Chocolate Cake Pops: Swap vanilla cake for chocolate cake and use dark or milk chocolate for dipping.
- Themed Sprinkles: Customise the sprinkles to match any event theme, such as pale blue and white sprinkles with snowflakes for Christmas or red, pink and white for Valentines Day.
- Decorate with Nuts : Chopped almonds, pistachios, or macadamias can add a delightful crunch and balance to the creaminess of white chocolate.
Frequently Asked Questions:
Can I use store-bought butter icing / frosting for cake pops?
Yes, you can! Store-bought butter icing / frosting works just as well as homemade, just make sure to adjust the amount as needed for the right consistency.
Why are my cake pops falling off the sticks?
If your cake pops are sliding off, make sure to chill them well and use the melted chocolate trick when inserting the sticks.
Can I use any cake for these cake pops?
Yes! I used a homemade yogurt cake for extra moisture and flavour, but you can also use a simple vanilla sponge or even a box cake mix if you’re in a hurry.
How do I get the blue colour inside the cake pops?
Just add a few drops of blue gel food colouring to your cake batter before baking. It creates a fun surprise when kids take a bite!
Can kids help make these cake pops?
Absolutely! Kids love rolling the cake into balls and decorating with sprinkles. Just be sure an adult handles the chocolate melting and dipping.
I Would Love to Hear From You:
Have you tried making cake pops before? Don’t forget to leave a comment below and let me know how your cake pops turned out!
Trusted Brands I Recommend for Making Cake Pops
When it comes to decorating cake pops, having the right tools and supplies makes all the difference — especially when baking with kids. I trust brands like Wilton for their wide range of reliable baking accessories like fun sprinkle mixes. While I may not use every single product they offer, I’ve had excellent experiences with Wilton and happily recommend their products for anyone looking to make cake pops with ease and creativity.
Baking Essentials for this Cake Pop recipe
Elevate your baked creations with this Blue & Silver Sprinkle Mix! This 6-cell container features a variety of sprinkles in different shapes and textures, perfect for decorating cupcakes, cakes, cookies, and more. Whether you're celebrating a winter wonderland, birthdays, baby showers, or festive occasions, this mix adds the perfect finishing touch.
Upgrade your baking game with Sweet Creations 100 Count Reusable Plastic Cake Pop Sticks! These durable, food-safe sticks are perfect for cake pops, chocolate-dipped treats, candy-making, and more. Unlike paper sticks, they won’t bend or dissolve, ensuring a mess-free and sturdy hold for your sweet creations. Ideal for parties, celebrations, or gifting, these reusable sticks make decorating and serving effortless.
Add a touch of love to your treats with this Red, Pink & White Micro Hearts Sprinkle Mix! These tiny heart-shaped sprinkles are perfect for decorating cupcakes, cookies, cakes, cake pops, and more. Whether you're baking for Valentine’s Day, birthdays, anniversaries, or just because, this sprinkle mix brings a fun and festive touch to any treat.
You Might Also Like These Kid-Friendly Recipes
Crumpets Kids Will Love – Light and fluffy crumpets, perfect for little hands to toast and top with butter and syrup.
• Easy Fudge for Kids – A smooth and creamy treat that’s simple to make and always a hit at parties or in lunchboxes.
Love Cake Pops? Don’t Forget to Pin It!
Recipe Inspiration
This cake pops recipe is inspired by several recipes I found online. I’ve combined the steps and techniques that worked best for me to create a version I love.
