Cake On a Stick
Let’s just say I walked into Starbucks one morning last week.
Better yet, let’s just say I never wrote this post bragging about how I gave up coffee. (Sometimes I should really keep my mouth shut.)
So after getting up at 5 am to do a radio interview with someone in the Midwest who had unfairly already been up for hours and even more unfairly asked me on-air for a good gravy recipe, I needed a real cup of coffee. None of this weak sauce that Pea Daddy brews every morning and pours into his mug at a 50/50 soy creamer to weak sauce ratio.
I needed something that would put hair on my chest, or would at least help me find the ambition to get the girls dressed. Starbucks saw a little Disney princess “loungewear” action that morning.
And then we spotted them: cake pops.
The decks were stacked against me in that scenario: a guilty, gravy-less mom, disheveled deserving children and pretty pink candy-coated cake on a stick.
Ever since I heard of cake pops, I was morally opposed to rolling mashed up cake and frosting into balls and dipping them into chocolate or candy. But, dang, they are cute.
Someone must have been watching over me that day. The “tall” coffee was accidently made a “grande.” A man with a puppy walked in as the perfect distraction. And the promise to make our own cake pops at home was enough to get me out of Starbucks alive. With a few heart palpitations and a lofty mission, but alive.
Mission accomplished.
Better Cake Pops
Makes 24 large or 36 smaller cake pops
Cake:
- 1 c. whole wheat pastry flour
- 1/2 c. unbleached all purpose flour
- 1/4 c. cocoa powder
- 1/2 c. organic sugar
- 1 t. baking soda
- 1 1/2 t. baking powder
- 1/2 t. salt
- 1 c. water
- 1/2 c. unsweetened applesauce
- 1 T. vinegar (white or apple cider)
- 1 t. vanilla extract
Frosting:
- 1/2 c. vegan margarine (i.e. Earth Balance)
- 2 T. coconut flour
- 1 1/2 c. organic powdered sugar
- 1 t. vanilla extract
Coating:
- 1 1/2 c. dark chocolate chips
- 1 1/2 T. coconut oil
Other: 24-36 candy sticks, 1 Styrofoam disc (both found at Michaels), naturally colored sprinkles (found at Whole Foods)
Notes:
*You can make these cake pops gluten free by subbing in 1 1/2 c. gluten-free all purpose flour (such as Bob’s Red Mill) and adding 1/2 t. xanthan gum
*You can make these cake pops soy-free by using soy-free Earth Balance or coconut oil in the frosting
*You can make these cake pops lower in sugar by reducing the amount of powdered sugar in the frosting and subbing in powdered stevia instead, working by taste. The frosting may be a bit wetter in consistency, but it will still work.
*You can make these. And you should. Without any modifications, they are already much lower in sugar and fat than the standard cake pop, they are made with whole grains and they are vegan!
Preheat oven to 350.
For the cake, take a large bowl and combine flours, cocoa powder, sugar, baking soda and powder, salt, water, applesauce, vinegar and vanilla. No need for care here. Save your energy. This cake is going to be destroyed soon.
Spread batter into an 8×8 pan that has been lightly spritzed with oil or cooking spray. Bake for 25-30 minutes until firm.
Allow cake to cool completely.
We went about our day, while the cake cooled. Yet Gigi still asked me every five minutes, “What’s the cake doing now?” She didn’t believe me when I said, “Singing karaoke.” “Parasailing.” And “Spelunking.”
Meanwhile, make the frosting by beating together margarine, coconut flour, powdered sugar and vanilla.
The frosting may seem a bit dry, but resist the urge to add liquid, and just keep beating. The thicker the frosting is, the better your cake balls will hold together.
When the cake is done cooling (and spelunking), crumble the cake into small pieces in a large bowl.
Add frosting to the bowl and mix completely into the cake.
Use your hands. You washed them, right?
When the frosting is completely incorporated into the cake, roll cake into balls and set them on waxed paper.
I got a little out of hand with the size of mine. I’ve got better things to do than roll tiny balls all day. For example, removing that nail polish.
At this point, transfer the balls to the freezer for about 30 minutes. I don’t know that this step is totally necessary, but it made me feel better.
To prepare coating, place chocolate chips and coconut oil in a microwave-safe bowl or a double boiler. Melt chocolate completely over medium heat or by microwaving and stirring in 40 second increments.
Remove cake balls from freezer and one at a time, insert a stick into the bottom,
dip in chocolate,
and add sprinkles.
Transfer cake pops to the fridge to set up, after placing them, stick-end first, into the Styrofoam disc.
The coating will harden in as little as 10-15 minutes and then the cake pops can be packaged in cellophane or arranged in a cake pop bouquet.
If you get totally lazy or have a non-refundable parasailing appointment, you can easily make cake balls out of the remaining cake, simply dipping and placing them on waxed paper.
But as I said, those cake pops…dang, are they cute.
And the girls loved them. So did Pea Daddy. He’s owning up to eating three, in about fifteen minutes.
I have great visions for these cake pops of mine.
New flavors and new coatings.
And a certain little girl has her fourth birthday next week and is already requesting “Cake Pups.”
Good gravy.
I’m going to need some coffee.
Adorable!! But not cuter than those little reocrder-playing-tutu-wearing-pickle-eating rascals you’ve got.
When can you come babysit? Because I think Gigi wrote a song for you.
Eeeeps! Like, tomorrow?!
I could definitely use you tomorrow.
I confess, the Starbucks cake pops are really good. BUT it’s nice to know that you made up this more wholesome version — when I have time, I’ll definitely give it a go.
Also: there’s definitely a TWSS joke somewhere in the sentence “the thicker the frosting is, the better your cake balls will hold together.” I commend you for your self-restraint for not pointing this out in the post. I, on the other hand, am super immature and felt a need to say something.
There was a lot of self-restraint in the construction of this post. A lot.
I love cake pops! My sister-in-law made a ton of them last Christmas…like 5 different flavors. Yum! They are definitely cute, too
Super cute! I love the accommodations at the end- and if you want an easy non mix sub for the g-free cake mix- do ratio of 2:1 rice flour to tapioca starch. That is what i tend to do at least then add the xanthum gum at the end. I will have to try these as Arydona (middle dd) is begging and begging for them!!!
Thank you for the gluten free tips! Not an issue for us, but I know your suggestion will help others.
Also, I don’t know if I am allowed to say this on here and if not.. please delete, we use Gluten Free Flour from Julesglutenfree.com. She has the Xanthum gum in hers and it is a 1:1 ratio for flour. I have used it multiple times and it has never let me down. And you know this mama loves her some good desserts
I will surely be making these – and soon 
Thanks for the suggestion! I’ll leave it up so others can benefit from your wisdom!
These are so cute! I’ve yet to try a cake pop, but now that I have a vegan recipe, I might have to get on that bandwagon. And we all need coffee every once and a while, I never hold it against anyone for needing some Starbucks!
Thanks for your compassion
I have made cake pops before, & you have to be careful…people love them & request them. A lot! In fact, I’ve been asked to make them for a birthday party this weekend. Think I’ll make them with your recipe this time, they look delicious, & I love the way they hold together. Also, I love that they are healthier. Thanks again for another winner
My pleasure…I’m already gearing up for my second batch too.
Oh my… Thank you for this recipe! And also thank you for not making me feel as bad about “giving up coffee” for like three months and then being lured back in by that tasty crack in a cup
Yeah, I’ve had a full blown relapse. I blame book promotion. When this all slows down, it’s back to herbal tea. That being said, I have an interview at 5:10 am tomorrow. Frickin’ Eastern Standard Time.
Thankyouthankyouthankyou! These cute, sneaky balls of goodness tempt me every morning at Starbucks (I am weak)…and often get the best of my husband! Can’t wait for more flavors! Also…LOVE the book!
Thank YOU! I hope you try these!
I most certainly will. Perhaps for Labor Day. My husband is stoked!
No wonder your kids look so happy! I am so impressed at how easily you whip up vegan recipe alternatives, and how you also provide gluten-free, soy-free and low-sugar options. These look absolutely delicious.
Yesterday had it’s hairy moments as we were putting these together, but Pea Daddy ate some leftovers tonight and said they were “the best thing” I ever made. I’ve heard that before, though.
My daughter thanks you… as do I. I’ll fess up to buying her a cake pop at Starbucks. They’re pink! On a stick! With sprinkles! It would take more than a cute dog to distract her from that list….
How could I do a pink frosting? Maybe white chocolate chips and beet powder?
Thanks for this recipe! It’s way better than gravy….
The problem is, dairy-free white chocolate chips are very hard to come by. If it’s not an issue for you, go for it. I’m going to play around with coconut butter and coconut oil and some natural dye based coloring. You know, in my free time.
Maybe you could do something incorporating vegan Marshmallow Fluff? Although that might be too sticky…
Yeah, that gets kind of thin when you beat it. I was going to use Tofutti at first, but it also gets a bit “watery.” I wouldn’t want these pops to fall off the stick!
What about a fondant? May be a tad more work in assembling, but could certainly work. I’ve made my own fondant before and it was vegan (my kiddos have dairy and egg allergies so those are out in our house). And, you could make fondant any colour! Not sure if you could get sprinkles to stick to it, but if anyone could figure it out – it would be you Mama Pea!
I will have to search out a vegan fondant recipe. Frankly, I’m not a big fan of the flavor of fondant icing…but beauty hurts, right?
try checking out the babycakes frosting….it’s white, or dark, gluten free and vegan…
there’s a marshmallow fluff fondant recipe on allrecipes.com. I just used it for my son’s birthday cupcakes and it TASTES GOOD!
You could try a simple buttercream icing using vegan butter or shortening, powdered sugar, and soy milk to get the right consistency. I would use a red gel to get the pink color. I don’t know how well dipping would work, but if you don’t mind a little mess you could make it thinner than necessary and spoon the icing over the top of the balls on wax paper, and then put the sticks in after they’ve set.
these are so adorable I definitely need to try them!
My daughter is turning 3 next month, be sure to let us know if you think of an awesome way to display cake pops for the party! (Although cake pops seem like so much more work than making a regular cake)
I’m going to try to make these…http://www.bakerella.com/puppy-pops/
There’s no way they are going to look half that good.
These are so cute! I have definitely had some spiked cake balls in the past… just saying
.
What do you spike them with? Hypothetically speaking…
Do you think that you could use regular (or whole wheat) flour instead of coconut flour? That’s the only thing I don’t actually have on hand…
I’d be inclined to leave it out altogether and maybe just add a tad more powdered sugar. I just wanted to add it to give the frosting a little more body, but the balls held together nicely and I think they would without it too.
Cool, thanks
Maybe I’ll go make some RIGHT NOW. Okay, I just looked at the clock and decided against, considering that a reasonable bedtime might have been 20 minutes ago…
OMG – four? How long have I been reading you?! Happy Birthday, lil Lu.
I know. I don’t want her to grow up
you are a genius!! i’ve been eyeing these ever since they came out, but i can never bring myself to buy them. making your healthier version is going on my to-do list immediately! thank you for sharing
Hope you try it and let me know what you think!
I was at a bakery last week that called the pop-less cake pops , truffles. Sounds totally official and fancy!
Yes, cake truffles sounds much better.
drool! beautiful!!! cake pops have been on our list to make for a long time now, ever since we saw Starbucks caring them, we thought what a cute idea we need to recreate that…. well still has not happened yet LOL
oh maybe one day it will get added to our recipe list
Very. Impressive.
Just what I needed! I was supposed to work tomorrow afternoon, but I can see I’ve got a date with a double boiler. Seriously, just what I needed though! Thanks for the GF information straight up!
Wow these look yummy. I’ve never seen cake pops before. These would be so cute at my nephew’s next birthday party (bookmarks page
)
I love your cake pups. They are adorable. They are a completely understandable trend…every time I walk past them in the Starbucks case I just look at them for their cuteness. My 8-year-old little sister is addicted to them!
Those are too cute! I’ve seen em at starbucks, but I can only imagine yours really are better!
I kind of want to do a side-by-side tasting, but that would require buying the Starbucks ones. I’m just going to assume mine are better.
Amazing! We have 5 family birthdays coming up so these WILL be made (if it’s my birthday, can I eat the whole batch?) Could you substitute anything for the coconut flour? And/or where would one get coconut flour?
I get coconut flour at Whole Foods, and I just added that to give the frosting a little more stability. But I think you would probably be just fine if you left it out and subbed in a bit more powdered sugar.
Hahahaha “good gravy.” Too funny that he asked you that. This post had me cracking up, although I was a bit sad you didn’t make a joke about tiny balls… Man, these are so cute and don’t sprinkles just make things THAT much cuter??? They look like little donut holes to me!
mmmm The crunchy shell is my favorite part!
Pea Daddy said they reminded him of donut holes too!
i am sooo excited to try these. thanks for another wonderful substitute so my kids can enjoy our new way of eating!! my sister and I love your recipes.
(don’t know if you have this problem with the vegan kind but with the super sugar ones, if you dip the sticks in a bit of chocolate first before you stick them in the ball, they never fall off the sticks when dipping)
can’t wait to try!
I didn’t have any issues, but that’s a great tip! Thank you!
That’s amazing!! I can’t believe you pulled off vegan cake pops. I’ve made non-vegan-totally-loaded-with-artificial-crap cake pops a few times…but will definitely have to try this recipe!
It’s really not that much harder to make the cake from scratch than from a mix. And the frosting comes together in a cinch. You can do it!!!
Gotta admit, I did have a cake pop when I was preggo. They’re disgusting. I’m making yours asap. Heart you as always.
Well that’s a big let down if they are disgusting to start with! <3 you too!
I have never in my life seen these “other” cake pops. But yours look so super yummy! FYI… 29ish birthday is in February I am requesting them also…. hopefully my other half will have learned how to boil water by then.
This look fantastic. I’m so going to try these for my son’s bday in October. He’ll love them. I think they might freeze well too – I always end up sending him Oreos to school when classmates bring “treats” because i never get enough notice to bake him something. This would solve that problem…unless of course I know they are in the freezer and eat them!
So hoping my book is waiting at my doorstep when I return from my holidays. Had hoped it would arrive before so that I could bond with your book during the TWENTY FOUR hours (divided into 3 unequal parts) of driving time!!
Brilliant!! I bought a Starbucks cake pop for my son a few weeks ago and literally felt sick to my stomach as he ate that tiny ball of sugar-filled, artificially colored, processed cake. Now I can make him something he’ll enjoy and I’ll feel good about giving to him. Of course, I’ll enjoy several myself.
Can’t wait to see what other flavors you come up with!!! I would love to see Christmas cake pops with some kind of pepperminty chocolate coating. Yes, I’m skipping over Halloween and Thanksgiving 
Hi! Bought your cookbook yesterday (long over-due BTW!)!!! I cannot wait to make everything cover to cover. And drool over the photos haha. I made these cake pops before, minus the actual pop part. But they are to die for! Going to steal your icing idea rather than use tofutti cream cheese like I did. Thanks! And so happy for your success!!
The Tofutti worked? I was going to try it, but was scared to try.
Thanks for the love, Kate…and for picking up the book!
Yessss it worked, and those little truffles were incredible!
Wow! I’m thoroughly impressed with your much-more-wholesome cake pop recipe. Little girl has a birthday coming up and I’m tempted to put these on the menu.
I’ll let you know how they go over at Lu’s party next weekend.
Definitely making these!! And PLEASE be sure to post additional flavors. : D
Will do!
YES, PLEASE.
I’ll be honest – every time I eat a cake pop from Starbucks, I’m completely underwhelmed by it (I say this like i eat them on a daily basis – I think I’ve had 3 in my life). Something about them is completely meh. I think it’s the whole smashed-up-cake-with-frosting thing. But you are right, they sure are cute!
Ha ha ha…I love the “3 in my life” disclaimer
I know, in my heart, that cake pops and adorable and loved and yadda yadda, but for some reason I simply can’t muster up any motivation to make or try them! Perhaps it’s because I’ve never been big on cake, and I’d really just prefer an enourmous spoonful of nut butter to a fiddly cake creation…
That said, I’d totally eat these if you made me some.
Ok, I am just going to do it…I have had all of the supplies for months now and you make it look so simple, so I am going to do it this weekend as a special treat. I will post photos of the finished product, hope they are as cute as yours.
Pea Daddy will come sniff them out if you do! (he ate three more tonight…)
You are my savior tonight!! My kid JUST asked me tonight when can we make Cake Pops!?? Thank you!! And thank you for the gluten free option/suggestion!
Is the coconut flour necessary? Could another flour be used like almond or oat? Just curious as that is the one ingredient I am missing! Nevermind, I just saw you said it could be omitted.
I’m excited to get your feedback!
Cake pops are so dangerous. I think I ate six in one sitting the first time I tried them. Have you seen the cashew truffle version this danish couple did for their blog? They had beautiful ideas for natural ‘sprinkles’.
http://www.greenkitchenstories.com/frozen-chocolate-lemon-strawberry-pops/
No, I haven’t seen that blog…I’m excited to see their ideas, though. Thanks!
Oh my goodness! These look wonderful! And I love how you visually show the steps! We all can use
A good visual now and again! I meet with a dietician once a week and have inspired her
To go vegetarian….oh and she was so inspired that she bought your book!!!
That’s great! Thanks for sharing the love.
I told the girls I babysit that Mama Pea is making a cake pop recipe…and they got VERY excited. Whenever we go to Starbucks, it’s the same routine. I get an iced americano with soy milk and the girls get either a rocky road cake pop or a mini vanilla bean scone. Now I have to convince them that with your recipes, I can make them better!!! Always an inspiration
well…. im reading away and my bf whos sitting next to me on his computer looks over and is like.. ummm whats that!??!?!?…. me: oh ummmm cake balls.. vegan cake balls. him: umm your making those right?
oh geez.. thanks mama pea! ive never had cake balls and looks like im gonna have to make some now.
ill letcha know how it goes.
Do let me know! I just love that your BF was interested. (that sounds kind of wrong, but you know what I mean)
OMG. this post.made.my.night.period.thank u!!
So much good stuff in this post!!
But I still havent made cake pops.
“I was morally opposed to rolling mashed up cake and frosting into balls and dipping them into chocolate or candy.”– I never was
I have made nobake cake batter truffles though. Cake batter + sweetened condensed milk (thus negating the need to actually bake a cake) and then dipping them in chocolate. I didn’t put them on a stick, either. Because I was cheap and in a hurry and had no idea where to find white sticks. I am sure I could if I tried but I didnt try that hard…ha!
And no one actually *only* drinks a tall coffee. I think the coffee gods were smiling down on you with the grande. And a man with a puppy as perfect distraction…love those random acts of kindness smiling down!
Rolling small balls. The story of my life. God I spend far too much time doing it but if you dont roll them small you end up with a golf ball sized truffle or cake pop by the time the coating dries. Not that that’s a bad thing.
You totally outdid yourself. These are gorgeous!!!!
This will be our weekend treat. Yum.
Holy cute yumminess.
These just look amazing. 
So glad you went to Starbucks for this inspiration and good thing you gave the lazy option because I see a nonrefundable parasailing appointment in my near future (as well as making these cake pops ASAP). ha ha! PS- coffee is fabulous! 
Amen. Downing a vat right now.
They are cute. I like the little pink sprinkles. It is also nice that you make your own frosting instead of using store bought.
Frosting from a can is just sad
Hi Mamma Pea … just wondering when your book will be available to buy in Australia?? I have made cake pops and my balls were too big for the sticks … i really don’t have alot of patience!
Still working on getting those international rights sold! I’ll keep you posted!
Please do! I’ve been talking your book up here in Bangkok (I brought a copy home to BKK with me in August) and my friends are now itching to get their hands on a copy!
You are genius! These look so great and I am sure my boys will love them as usual.
P.s.—the lulus mac and cheese was a hit ( my boys had no clue there was tofu in them)
Nice! I’m so glad they liked it!
Yay! finally!!! All i need are some sticks and im totally making these:):):)
And wow i cant believe that she is turning 4!!!
I know
I know what I’m making this weekend – these look delicious! I’m glad you went to Starbucks and were inspired. Now we just need to finish eating all the yummy peanut butter cookie dough balls, so we can fit more dessert in our diet.
Ha ha…yes, get those dough balls eaten up–stat!
It is 5am in Nashville and I’m making my shopping list…so I can make Cake Pops this weekend. Thank you!!!! Again, here in Nashville we LOVE YOU!! Pea Mama!!!
I want to come to Nashville and visit you all!!!
Starbucks cake pops are way too sweet! i think you should sell them your GF recipe! So much better anyways!
I deliberately cut back on the sugar in the cake to make up for the sugar in the frosting, if that makes sense…
Yummm! I’m glad you found something that could put a whole slue of hair on your chest!
They look great!
I saw these in S-Bux the other day too! So happy you are 1000 steps ahead and already on that vegan version! Like I doubted you.
I’ve never had the Starbucks cake pops, but I did have one at a wedding! (ok 3… they didn’t have any real cake!). My sister-in-law’s sister (??) actually has a whole book about them! But not vegan ones! they look great!
Is you sister-in-law’s sister Bakerella???
haha no, when I say “has a book” I mean owns one… didn’t write one! I wish though!
See how whacked my frame of reference is? It’s 5 a.m. here. Forgive me.
Nearly spit my coffee out when I got to the “spelunking” part! I use that word too! : )
My 4 year old turns 5 in a month….he says he wants these….but with manly sprinkles. Done!
“Man sprinkles” just doesn’t sound right…
Yeah, maybe “boy sprinkles” would be better. I asked him what color he was thinking and after some thought, he said that pink would be fine anyway. Works for me!
OH and Google is spying on me….I just opened my email to find recommendations from Amazon. First book on the list – Cake Pops.
Shoot, I was hoping it would have been Peas and Thank You!
Well since they are spying on me, I’m sure they know that I already have Peas and Thank You!
Ha ha!
VERY cute! I have been sort of opposed to trendy desserts too, but after seeing how easy these are to make, I want them for MY birthday too! Vanilla cake and butterscotch chip coating? YUMM
Mama Pea, these are beautiful!!! I’m totally going to make them as a present for someone I know the next time someone needs a present! Oh, and on an unrelated note, I was at Chapters on the weekend looking at cookbooks (because that’s just what I DO when I go there), and two women were debating which vegan cookbook to buy. They were reading the back of a few, and I noticed yours was one of the ones under consideration. Rest assured that I helped them make a very good choice!
That’s awesome! I think I owe you a cake pop.
Cake pops are my favourite thing to make! All though making 200 in one go was not fun!!!
Yeah, those would have been 200 sloppy cake balls if it were me.
Coffee is such a wonderful thing. I’m fairly certain my life would be half as pleasant without it……..and probably half as productive too.
I take it strong, black and chest hair inducing.
I’m finishing a large, black tarrish cup right now. And I’m not sorry.
I cant wait to make this version of cake pops!
I made cake pops using a boxed mix a few weeks ago, and I must say the freezing step is absolutely necessary (either that or refrigerating overnight). I made the pops in a hurry and i was impatient in waiting for the balls to cool – lets just say there were some not so pretty, split cake balls that resulted.
Also I think that the more dry the batter is the better. That may also have contributed to my crumbling cake pops. Dont worry, they didnt go to waste – baker’s treat
Oh that’s good advice. I did think maybe I baked the cake a bit too long and maybe the frosting was a little too thick, but turns out those were keys to my success. Thanks for the tips!
I’m in the process of making a batch and am having difficulties with the cake + frosting being too wet. Perhaps the cake wasn’t dry enough… But, I don’t know what was/is wrong with the frosting. 1/2 cup earth balance + 1.5 cups powdered sugar = pretty wet icing, so I added more sugar but couldn’t get it dry like in your picture.
I’m inclined to blame the weather (it’s 90 degrees here and I have an outdoor, but covered, kitchen). I have the balls in the freezer right now. Fingers crossed a good freeze saves the day! Thanks so much for the recipe! 
[It's been a Peas and Thank you cooking day--peanut butter chocolate chip dough balls (for a vegan dinner party), cake pops (for my birthday later this week), broiled tofu, and Mmmmm sauce (both for the dinner party)!]
This post is received with much excitement at my house, because the Starbucks cake pops taste like wet gym socks covered in candle wax – looking forward to seeing how they taste via this makeover! P.S. Every time we are in Starbucks and see the vanilla bean scones my daughter makes reference to how the Mama Pea recipe is much better
I can’t decide which sentence you just said that I like better. Awesome!
I’m going to thinking all day of what situation I want to bust this recipe out for.
These look amazing! i would love to say I am jumping into the kitchen with my baking hat on but my daughter and I have been living on “soyball” sandwiches for 2 days so I think I will have to wait a bit to try these bad boys out. They are a contender for the fourth birthday party because it is a thing with me that I always make the cake, never buy. I think it is because I love that store frosting that they use and I will eat all four corners of store cakes without blinking.
I with you…store cakes are cheating!
I go to Starbucks every day (it’s the only way I convince myself to come to work each morning) and their cake balls look dry and unappetizing. Yours look incredible….maybe I’ll make these with my nephews over Christmas. (although last year I made cut out cookies thinking they would have fun frosting them…one of them looked at me, sighed and said “I don’t know how you can expect little kids to frost ALL OF THESE COOKIES. I’ll do my best but I’m not promising anything.”)
Also, Lulu is FOUR?!!! She is growing up too fast! Seems like she was teething not THAT long ago…but I guess it has been years!
These would be great for Christmas! I want to do a peppermint version and maybe put crushed candy canes on the outside.
i have to be REALLY careful about when i wander into starbucks these days because i do LOVE their cake pops! i tried my hand at cake pops before, but i’m thinking i’m going to make yours next…heck, they’re chocolate! feed me!
Awesome! We have tried these at starbuck’s and they were too sweet, I bet these will be better. My little girl turns 2 on Sunday and these will be perfect, thanks!!
Happy Birthday to your little one! Lulu’s birthday is Monday
I was expecting more ball jokes
But the cake “pups” look great!
Sorry to disappoint…
I’m sure they’ll show up some other time
Somehow they always do. It’s kind of a package deal.
package – there we go!
Hope you and the girls have a good and wacky Wednesday!
Coffee is a pleasure that shall not be denied! I love my morning coffee, I would never voluntarily give it up
No shame!
I agree with Christine above, Starbucks cake pops always look dry. Actually, most of their baked goods ARE dry. They bring their baked goods in frozen and defrost them before setting them out – I think that’s why they are so dry and unappetizing.
Agreed! On both counts
Love these! We may have eaten a cake pop or two from Starbucks. In fact they were my inspiration for teachers gifts last year when I made brownie pops. They were so cute and covered in white chocolate with sprinkles.
Good work!
Brownie pops? That’s brilliant!
It was very hard to refrain from making an inappropriate ball joke
Who the heck ever thought to make cake pops…pups sorry?! It’s like they knew they could come up with this cool idea for children that would make it MORE work for the parent to make (especially if you try to attempt the next new thing – cake pup), and make the parents love it too. Gosh, they’re brilliant.
I’m so requesting some in other flavours. Let’s start with vanilla
I’m on it!
I wanted to make these for my sister-in-laws baby shower but completely botched the cake/ball part so I have like 4 packs of lollipop sticks just begging to have balls attached to them.
Yes I have the humor of a 12 year old boy.
I’m a pretty firm believer that any food on a stick is awesome – but CAKE on a stick just tops it. Especially “BETTER cake on a stick”!
My list of “Mama Pea recipes to make” just grows and grows
Haha Spelunking! Did that totally just come out of your head? Will eating cake pops give me a vocabulary like that? Those are so absolutely stinking adorable. I’m getting excited about Lulu’s birthday just to see what kind of goodies you’re going to make! Oh to be four again…
It’s going to be kind of a low key shindig this year, because of some family health issues (not ours) but there will be cake pups for sure…
They asked you for a gravy recipe? Wow. LOVE the cake pops. I too have been eyeing them at Starbucks. Hmm … my husband’s birthday is coming up. Maybe I can make some manly cake pups for him.
Lulu is too stinkin’ cute. P.S. finished your entire cookbook while our power was out after Hurricane Irene. The part about Lulu’s vocabulary cracked me up as I read by an oil lantern …
So sorry you had to deal with the storm…but happy you all are safe!
Wow these look awesome! I see that you already told someone that you get the coconut four at Whole Foods, but where do you get the coconut oil? I’ve never worked with either of these before so I’m not sure where to find them! Thanks!
You can also find coconut oil at Whole Foods, but a lot of conventional grocery stores carry it now too.
So THAT’s how they do it. I’m so throwing out my cake pop silicone pan. Well, not throwing it out, but definitely not going to use it for that purpose anymore. Too much relying on crossed fingers that the little cakes wouldn’t fall apart.
They make cake pop pans? Crazy!
I was off coffee and caffinated tea for like 6 months or so and then finals hit. It started out as just a little cup in the morning at work (s’bux) and then a larger coffee in the morning, and then a little bit more for the ride home. . .coffee is one of the sneakiest addictions I know. Finals are over (LICENSED MASSAGE THERAPIST HERE!!! WOOT!), and I am back down to a couple cups of black tea. I could not imagine your current schedual with out coffee however, so enjoy the devil’s juice while you can. Cake pops will definetly be on my Christmas cookie tray this year. Mmmm. By the way, you are awesome, I loved all of your reader appreciation posts, thanks for sharing your life with us.
Thanks for the empathy. Good for you for shaking the coffee off again. I was up at 4:45 this morning for radio again…so now I’m just shaking.
Thank you for the love…this is all my absolute pleasure–thank you for reading!
4:45 is early, I am an opener I have to be at work at 5, so I feel your pain, and your desire for java.
You need to go to starbucks and replace the other cakepops with yours, they will never know ; )
You are amazing! These look yummy and I of course would like your version better than original cakepops!
I totally typed ‘ cakepoops’ lol! Caught myself though!
Have a great day!
xoxo <3
I am allergic to casein and have been avoiding any butter substitutes because I just can’t stand the thought of fake anything. Your book and all your web recipes call for Earth Balance. Can you help me feel better about this “butter” because I can’t get past the fact that it is “fake”. Do you know what I mean? If you were to put a label on our eating it would be “real” food so Earth Balance scares me. I am sure I am wrong thus the question for you
I think it’s a little unfair to say that our book and “all” our web recipes call for Earth Balance. I have lots and lots of recipes that don’t include Earth Balance, and even this recipe says you can use coconut oil, if you prefer. Not trying to be defensive…just wanted to point that out.
That being said, Earth Balance is plant-based and dairy free, which is key to those who are on a vegan/dairy-free diet. It also has no hydrogenated oils and is trans-fat free. Plus I think the cows would probably tell the difference too.
Everyone has to make their own dietary choices. I’m here just to provide a dairy-free option for those who are interested. I don’t feel it has to be all our nothing…our diet is not 100% “perfect”–we balance about 85% “real” foods with 15% fun foods–and cake pops are definitely a fun food.
Hope that helps, thanks for your question!!!
Sorry didn’t mean all as in all so probably should not have used all!haha Thank you for your help.
You are so right: cake pops are adorable! I’ve tried making oreo balls (same idea, just crushed up oreos instead of cake) and it was a huge pain dipping them. Did I mention I didn’t use sticks so I was just rolling them in chocolate? They looked horrible and I was covered in chocolate. At least they tasted good!
These could have been prettier too. I wasn’t as meticulous as I could have been.
I’ve been waiting for this recipe! Thanks SO much!
YUM!!! Those look so delicious, I must try them. i can’t believe Pea Daddy only ate 3 in 15 minutes though! I think I would’ve eaten a good 10 in that amount of time, haha.
That’s what he owned up to. I suspect it was more than that.
Those ARE so stinkin’ cute! I’m going to have to try to make them for my dad while i’m (still) in Ohio
He needs to make his diet healthier (i.e. I am trying to incorporate some P&T recipes into his week)… Cake pops seem like the perfect transition food, right?! ;-D
Sure! I’m giving some to my dad tonight! (PS I owe you an email)
Let me know how he likes them! No worries… I know you have been a busy busy pea
Hope you are having a great week!
Thanks for sharing! I always stare at these too.. you always make cooking look so easy!!
You are my new favorite person.
I was also opposed to them. My sister gave me a recipe and asked me to make them. I had to refuse because I didn’t know how to make them healthy. Now I can surprise her at Thanksgiving with this version.
Thank you!
Hope you love ‘em!
Whenever I go into Starbucks I’m always intrigued by the cake pops. I have yet to try one from there, but I think I’d much rather try one from you!
& I recently stopped drinking coffee (all of the sudden the smell made me want to get sick..and the taste- no way jose- can’t do it- I have no idea what happened- it was literally overnight) and now I LOVE the black iced tea from Starbucks. So good!
Uh oh…now you are making me think I need an black iced tea…
I think cake pops are SO pretty. Everything’s better on a pop, right? I recently made chocolate dipped fruit pops. Not so sure the marshmallow dip would appeal to you, but just the fruit pops themselves came out fantastically!
http://www.theavidappetite.com/home/2011/8/30/chocolate-dipped-fruit-pops-marshmallow-sauce.html
I made these with white cake, pb icing & chocolate coating…they tasted like buckeye balls or pb cups. I thought the chocolate would be my favorite, but those were the ultimate. It was the best mix of the cake pop and candy world!
My daughter is 5, she just said “Mama Pee from Peas and Thank you made cake pops I LOVE HER can we make some right now do you have all this stuff?” uh I think I’m seeing some cake pops in our near future and deep breathing cause she said all that without taking a breath
Ha ha ha..love it! (and sorry)
I can’t believe that she is already four!!!!! Those will be a hit at the party.
I recently read an article about how Starbucks (and many chains) are getting more involved in “tiny treats”, meaning something cheap that they strategically put near the cash register, that people don’t feel bad about adding to their bill. They usually cost under $1.25 or so.
All that to say, I’d add one of your cake pops onto my bill anyday! Totally worth like $1.75!
I’ve never had a cake pop…. and I hope my little sister never sees this post, otherwise I’d never get a free moment until I made them. I fully intend on avoiding the subject until her birthday
YAAAY I am so happy!! I was just Googling a recipe for vegan cake pops yesterday, and NOTHING was coming up!! My birthday is in two days, and I am SO making these for myself…cool I know
Do it…you deserve it!
So cute! I have a question though…how do you get the cake balls to not come off the stick when you dip them in the chocolate? Mine got stuck in the chocolate and I pulled the stick and it came right out…
I’m not sure…I think they are just so dense that the stick sticks in ‘em!
I was wondering when you were going to reveil these! YAY! And you also solved the mystery for me of how they did it! I am sorry to hear about your heart though, but I think the circumstances you were in, you and coffee had no choice but to team up. And yeah, you better do something about that nail polish :p
It’s still there! I need a shellac manicure again.
haha, oh man! I must tell you, you are my favorite Sarah.
Stillll…..there….
I love cake pops. My friends used to own a business just selling cake pops. I wish I had joined them on many nights destroying cakes
Thanks for this recipe. Making them healthier is much appreciated. I really love that the icing is just choc chips and coconut oil. There are so many things I want to put icing on.
Me too.
Oh you made my dreams come true!! I cannot wait to make these delicious morsels!
WOW!! these look amazing and so cute. Love the idea to make these for a birthday party… yet in all different flavors!! YUM!
Besides the fact that I’m sure these are super tasty and I could eat about 20, these pictures are gorgeous!
Thank you!
Your version looks and sounds much more appealing than the Starbucks cake pops!
I’ll just stick to my iced coffee when I head there.
These are WAY too cute and the absolute perfect thing to make for my office on the first day of school next week, but I’ll admit I’m a little intimidated! I’m usually the “mix it in a bowl, throw it in the pan and bake it” kinda girl! We’ll see if I can work up the courage…
If you want an easy out, just make Double Chocolate, Single Chin brownies instead
I could kiss you! My kids will be *thrilled* with this (and me too!). I confess to getting them cake pops @Starbuck’s. I call it “Kid Crack on a Stick”. These sound so much better. I will be making them this weekend.
I hope you do…make them, I mean. Not kiss me. Although that might be okay too.
Perfection! Mom made me make these “great little (not vegan) dessert balls from a recipe I found” for Christmas, but yours are clearly better!
I’d really like to see a cake spelunk. Can you videotape next time?
Will do. It was hard to find a harness that fit, but we managed.
My husband has been begging for these ever since he learned they were a real thing, but I’ve never seen a recipe that didn’t call for boxed cake! You’ve made him a very happy man. I’m a little jealous
You can take credit! I won’t tell
Ah, I remembered your little one’s bday is coming up!!! Since I stole you away for a race that day last year…hehehe. She is gonna have one awesome foodie bday for sure! Btw…favorite princess of the moment?
Sleeping Beauty
Oh my goodness… thank you thank you for making cake pops accessible! And look easier than I thought. Would it be weird if I made these for my own birthday?
Not weird at all!
YAY for CAKE BALLS!!! I love yours! So much better than a cake mix, and so much better for you!
They look so pretty! And I bet they are delicious too. I know leaving the gums out when baking gluten-free is tempting fate, but I can’t handle them. I’ll have to do some experiments now
It might work anyway…especially since we are just mashing the cake up anyway. Let me know!
Ok, seriously just got done making these with gluten-free flour and NO xanthan gum. They rock! Although I wasn’t exactly patient enough to allow them to set up in the fridge. But melted chocolate all over my fingers was certainly fine by me! I bet they’ll be even better later when I give them a chance to set.
You are SOOOOO fast. And awesome. I love it! And I’m so happy that they worked out for you. Enjoy!
lol. Insane, awesome, whatever
Oh and they are just as good after allowing them to actually set up.
Can I ask what mix of GF flours you used? I had another reader who tried to make a GF version and had trouble with them holding together. Thanks!
Sure, I just used the Bod’s Red Mill blend. Freezing before coating was definitely essential, but worked well!
These are extremely cute, Mama Pea! I think I should make them. It’s a way better alternative to making a whole cake and scarfing it down in two or three sittings. At least I can limit myself with these!
So, I don’t like cake (obviously), but I have to say, those things are pretty darn cute!
LOL!
Hey Mama Pea, this really doesn’t have anything to do with this post (although the cake pops ARE cute!) but my ghetto library finally got its copy of your book in and although I was sort of hoping that there would be pictures of every recipe (maybe a thought for a future project?!), you mentioned in the pantry section that white whole wheat and whole wheat pastry flour are the same. I thought that www was a totally separate variety of wheat and could be used the same as all purpose flour, and that ww pastry was just milled/processed differently that regular whole wheat– is there a really a difference between the two?
Also (unrelated) I am curious to know how you feel about fish since it tends to be a prickly issue with some vegetarians. I have been a vegetarian for years but have started incorporating (sustainable) fish into my diet, and I assume that you as a vegan don’t eat ANY animal products, but wondered what you thought about things like fish and honey.
Anyways, I love, love, love your book! It has catapulted to the top of my birthday wishlist!
Emma,
(sorry in advance for the numbered list…just want to make sure and hit all your very specific questions)
1. There are pictures of maybe 95% of the recipes…only a few not-so-photogenic recipes slipped by like the tofu scrambles or the balsamic vinegar dressing?
2. Here’s a good explanation between the types of whole wheat flour:
http://chowhound.chow.com/topics/340680
They aren’t exactly the same, but I use them interchangeably.
3. I do not eat fish. Everyone is free to do what they like with their own diets, but I choose not to consume the flesh of animals and fish are animals. I just can’t get past that in my own mind. I don’t personally eat honey (partly because I just don’t care for it), but my girls do…but they aren’t vegan. I personally haven’t researched the honey issue but I know there is lots of good info out there.
Hope that helps!
these look awesome! thanks for the gluten free option.
these look like the best bribe ever
Mama Pea, these are great and just in time to take to my Labor Day cookout. Thank you!
You know I bet these would go great with your chocolate covered frozen banana recipe.
But I don’t know… with the nuts from the banana recipe and the balls from this recipe, it just might be too much!
Oh my.
I want to make these ASAP! I don’t have coconut flour. Is there anything I can substitute? Also don’t have coconut oil. Maybe these will have to wait if there aren’t good substitutes….
Mina
You can try leaving both out. You might need to add a bit more powdered sugar to the frosting and melt the chocolate a bit longer, but both still should work.
These look yummy. However, what I don’t like about making cake pops is baking a cake only to have to crumble it all up! I’d rather make something like brownie pops. This is a good way to use up cake trimmings though.
So… if you had to use a non-chocolate coating, because you wanted to make them different colors, what vegan coating would you use? From what i’ve seen online, Wilton candy melts are used to coat cake pops, but they’re not vegan.
I’m playing with the idea of using coconut butter and natural food colorings, but I haven’t tried it yet.
Coconut butter – what is it?
When you do figure it out, please let me know!
http://www.katheats.com/favorite-foods/all-about-coconut-butter
Thanks and look what I found: how to make your own coconut butter!
http://ohsheglows.com/2010/06/22/homemade-coconut-butter/
You have sticks and styrofoam discs laying around? You are amazing, just for that. I won’t let my children see this post, or they’ll want to move in with you. Thanks for creating and explaining. I’ve wondered how to make these things.
i love that you have the will power to roll cake+icing into balls and make cute cake pops.
i’m not ashamed to say that i would simply eat cake+icing out of the bowl, cover with saran wrap, and go back in a couple hours for more.
i do the same thing with dough balls.
Your writing and wit always make my day. Thank you! After receiving a, let’s just say crappy, cover direction for my next book from my publisher, I’ve been in a bad mood. You just lightened it considerably.
Send me an email if you need to vent! I’m happy to lend an ear
Portable cake?
Um, yes, please.
I am SO excited to try these! I will definitely let you know how they turn out
They look absolutely amazing. I have had the unfortunate experience of trying to consume a “Birthday Cake” cake pop from Starbucks, (which tasted NOTHING like birthday cake) and let me tell you.. It was awful. Just plain awful. On a more positive note, I just made a crack wrap for the first time, with crazy good hummas (of which i may be just a little obsessed with..) and I absolutely LOVE it 
Mama Pea, you are a genius! Your recipeas are amazingly delicious, and the stories on your blog brighten my day. I am so happy to have found your book when i did!
Awww…wonderful. Thank you so much Amanda Mae!
Cake pops are amazing! I was so skeptical when I first heard of them but oh my, they are wonderful. I can eat way too many. I’ve never tried making them but perhaps I will give them a go now. Chocolate mint seems particularly nice.
I’ve been wanting to try the cake pops for weeks, only the ones at Sbux scare me. Who knows what they put in them!?! I am so glad you made an au natural version!
Also, do you have an estimate on the nutrition informaton for these?
No idea. They’re cake pops.
So cute! I can’t wait to see what else you come up with (after you have your coffee, of course.)
Pea Mama,
This isn’t about the cake pops but I just have to tell you what just happened in my house. I made your Noodle Salad with Peanut Mmmmm Sauce tonight for dinner. After dinner my husband surprised me with a copy of your book. I’ve been sitting here looking through the book while my husband washes dishes. He just walked in with the blender in his hand. He was drinking the leftover Mmmm Sauce. I guess this recipe is a keeper =)
Aww, that’s so sweet! What a good man.
I have been wanted to make cake pops for a long time. Now, I don’t have any excuses with this great recipe
These look wonderful, Mama Pea!! And cake pops are really difficult to make sure they get the right consistency anyway, so right on for making such good looking balls that stick (ok, now come on…TWSS)
I just made the box cake mix + frosting mushed together in a candy/chocolate kind the other day.
These look great! i found this blog from veganspoonful and have been sitting on my butt all day going through tons of pages and copying all of the recipes that i wanted to try… needless to say, i now have a LOT of recipes! Thank you from a vegan-for-less-than-a-month looking for some good, substantial FOOD to make and eat…and to help convince my family that i am not crazy!
You are welcome! You’ll have to pick up our book too
I did! And I’m so excited!
Wow. These look awesome! I’ve always wanted to make them, too. Thanks for the healthier recipe!
So glad you posted this since I’ve always wondered how to make those suckers. Can’t to try my hand at them!
you’re a good mom. point blank
I was at Whole Foods today and all they had was a little box of multi colored sprinkley things. I bought them, but I was wondering where you found the big container of your sprinkles. Perhaps, they are not at my WF, do you know if they have them at TJ’s? Thanks.
They don’t.
I usually buy the multi colored ones too, but then I saw these, read the label and was excited that they were all natural. They had all different colors too. The brand is India Tree/Nature’s Colors.http://www.indiatree.com/products/decorative/index.html
OMG I wanna make these immediately!! Maybe with peanut butter chip ganache. YUMMERS!!! By the way I got your book today…it’s beautiful! I made the lemon rosemary chickpeas and they are delish. Thanks Sarah!
Thanks for getting the book. I’m happy you are enjoying it!
Oh thank you so very much for this recipe (and the humor!). These are going to be made for my soon to be 4 yo’s birthday celebration at school. (and omg I need to make 50).
Thank you!!
I can’t wait to try this recipe. I know my kids will absolutely love them!
Cake pops are yummy! My girlfriends and I got together last fall (and again before Christmas) and made a ton of cake pops together! Someone baked two cakes, someone brought the chocolate, someone brought the wine, etc. It was a fun day and we all had amazing treats to take home with us and share with the family (or hoard for ourselves at home)
I love the idea of a cake pop making party–great idea!
Fabulous! Can’t wait to try these. I have to admit, I have made the ‘full leaded’ kind before. Thank you so much for making a Better recipea:)
Sarah, there are many times I have laughed out loud reading your blog. even snorted once or twice (this would be far less embarrassing if I wasn’t reading at work)… but this really brought tears to my eyes. You have such a beautiful way with words and such profound appreciation for everything in your life – people like you really do make the world a better place. Best wishes and a big hug and I hope everything goes well for your dad
Always love a post to remind me to love my family/life! I had to stop by and say I made Pea Daddy’s Jambalaya. It was a huge hit and a keeper, and I can’t wait to make the Pumpkin Latte. <3 my cook book!
Sarah, your blog brightens so many lives each day. I will pray for your dad. I bought you book today…looking forward to a 3-day holiday to try your recipes. The pics of the girls & Pea Daddy are so adorable.
Made these yesterday, my frosting came out more “frosting-like” than your picture and my “balls” didn’t want to stay on their sticks. I think next time I need to compress tha “balls” more when I make them. LOVE the coconut flour I had never used it before.
This is why I asked. Livi is a starbucks cake pop addict. But she only eats vanilla cake. Sigh.
I’ve made a few things from your book but most recently made these cake pops for my girls 1st day of school. Do I even have to tell you they were a big hit? Super yum, thanks!
Wonderful! I’m so thrilled to hear this!
i need to have a reason to make super cute desserts like these cake pops. for some reason i don’t think my bosses would appreciate their cuteness. maybe for M’s birthday!
I can’t wait to try these! I’ve been looking for a great cakepop recipe- I feel like cake is a hard thing to get the right consistency on.
Thanks!