These Easy Strawberry Cake Pops with Crunch Topping are made from a simple box cake with buttercream filling and chocolate coating. With a quick strawberry crunch topping, these cake pops are simple to make and downright delicious!
If you like this recipe, you will love these Valentine's Inspired Cake Pops!
These strawberry cake pops are perfect for beginner bakers. Using a box cake mix cuts out prep and baking time. Let us face it, sometimes we just do not have the time to build recipes from scratch and that is ok!
ARE CAKE POPS HARD TO MAKE?
As a beginner baker, it can be daunting to attempt recipes that “look” hard to prepare. As mentioned, this recipe is made with box cake therefore, most of the steps are fairly easy if followed by the detailed instructions listed.
So no, cake pops are in fact, not hard to make and for this reason, I hope you give this Valentine’s Day Cake Pop recipe a try too!
To explain, the recipe starts with box cake that is prepared according to instructions. The trick is adding cream cheese frosting to the baked cake (after it has cooled) and forming the cake into dough like balls.
It really is that simple and “looks” harder than it seems.
THE BEST STAND FOR CAKE POPS
This set was helpful as it came with lollipop sticks, ties, the stand and clear bags for sharing!
In this case, you don’t have to use a stand to make cake pops. You can prepare them as cake balls and lay them on parchment paper or a flat surface to dry. However, if you’d like to make traditional cake pops with a lollipop stick, you can purchase this set that I found on Amazon.
HOW LONG WILL CAKE POPS LAST?
This is one of the top questions I perceive a reader to have. With that said, you are in luck that these cake pops can last up to one week. Simply store them in an airtight container or as I did, in a twist-tie sealed bag and enjoy them when you are ready to devour them.
It is also important to note, the baked cake batter freezes well too. Be sure to wrap the baked cake batter into a freezer safe wrap such this brand and thaw until room temperature when you are ready to form the batter into cake balls!
As I prepare these more, storing the cake pops in the fridge will certainly be your best option!
STRAWBERRY CAKE POP INGREDIENTS
With just a handful of pantry staple items, you will have cake pops in hand in no time. In detail, here is what you will need:
- Strawberry Cake Box Cake Mix
- Fresh Strawberries (optional)
- Eggs
- Water
- Oil (for box cake)
- Coconut Oil (for melting chocolate)
- Cooking Spray
- Cream Cheese Frosting
- White Melting Chocolate
- Lollipop Sticks
STRAWBERRY CRUNCH TOPPING INGREDIENTS
It is important to note that this step in the recipe is certainly optional but if you have the time, I suggest creating the fun topping. It adds extra texture and additional strawberry flavor that is pleasing to the palate.
Here is what you will need:
- Vanilla Flavored Cookies
- Strawberry Emulsion
- Meat Pounder, Cooking Malate or "Hammer" (to crunch the cookies)
HOW TO MAKE CRUNCH TOPPING
First, add the vanilla flavored cookies to a Ziploc bag and using a meat pounder or hard surface, crush the cookies. Once the cookies are crumbled, pour into a small to medium sized bowl.
Next, add ¼ teaspoon of strawberry emulsion to the bowl and stir until thoroughly combined. The finished product should look like the image below.
SUBSTITUTES FOR STRAWBERRY CRUNCH TOPPING
Depending on your region, it may be difficult to find strawberry emulsion. In the event that you cannot find this product, there are substitutions that will work!
- Strawberry flavored Gelatin
- Flour
- Butter
- Vanilla Pudding Mix
Here is an approachable recipe video that is easy to follow!
BEST CHOCOLATE FOR CAKE POPS
To explain, identifying a good chocolate will make the dipping process a breeze. The best chocolate for melting and dipping is called “couverture” chocolate. This chocolate is high quality and has a higher percentage of cocoa butter than baking or eating chocolate. In the event that you can’t find couverture chocolate, here are a few chocolates selections that will work.
- Candy Melts
- Chocolate Chips
- Chocolate Bark (this is what I used)
STRAWBERRY CAKE POP RECIPE VIDEO
STRAWBERRY CAKE POP RECIPE
First, prepare the strawberry box cake per the recipe instructions. It is important to note that for best results, less oil is required than what is listed on the recipe instructions. To clarify, only use one tablespoon of oil.
You can even omit the oil entirely. This will ensure for a spongy or doughy like texture similar to Starbuck’s Cake Pops!
Then, if you are adding the fresh strawberries, pour them in during the mixing stage.
Next, after the cake is baked, allow time for the cake to cool. After the cake has cooled, crumble the cake by using a hand or stand mixer.
HOW TO MAKE CAKE POP BALLS
Crumble the cake until crumbled and broken down. At this instant, add in the cream cheese. It is important to note, begin adding up to two tablespoons at a time.
Mix until the texture of the cake is doughy and spongy like playdough.
Now, it is time to prepare the cake balls. It is helpful to use a cookie scoop or tablespoon and a half to keep the balls relatively the same size. After forming the cake balls, place on lined flat surface and freeze for 10-15 minutes.
While, the cake balls freeze, now is a good time to melt the chocolate.
WHY ARE MY CAKE POPS FALLING APART?
If you find that your cake pops are crumbly, this simply means you need to add more cream cheese to the cake batter.
Add up to two tablespoons at a time until the cake batter is a spongy and consistency similar to playdough.
HOW TO MELT CHOCOLATE FOR CAKE POPS
Now it’s time to melt the chocolate. Begin by placing the chocolate in a microwave safe bowl and add up to two teaspoons of oil at a time.
Microwave the chocolate in thirty second intervals and stir thoroughly between each increment. Continue this process until the chocolate is smooth and slightly runny.
TIPS FOR MELTING CHOCOLATE FOR CAKE POPS
- Use “a lot” of chocolate. This helps to keep the chocolate smooth, warm and dippable. For this recipe, I used about one pound.
- Use a quality oil when melting the chocolate. I used coconut oil.
- When tempering the chocolate, be sure to heat/melt the chocolate slowly. If you are using a microwave, melt in thirty second increments stirring thoroughly.
- Add oil while melting chocolate. For this recipe, I added one to two teaspoons at a time. This ensures the chocolate stays smooth.
HOW TO DIP CAKE POPS IN CHOCOLATE
Now it is time to dip the cake pops into the melted chocolate. Begin by taking the lollipop stick and slightly dipping the stick into chocolate.
This will help with adhering the cake pop to the lollipop stick. After dipping the lollipop stick, slowly insert the stick into the cake pop, about halfway through the cake pop.
Now, slowly dip the chocolate into the chocolate and use a spoon or spatula to ladle chocolate over the cake ball until thoroughly coated. Hold the cake pops upside down and allow all the excess chocolate to drip from the cake pop.
HOW TO ADD CRUNCH TOPPING TO STRAWBERRY CAKE POPS
After the chocolate on the cake pop no longer drips, add the crunch topping to the top of the cake pop. There are two options to add the crunch. Simply dip the top of the cake pop with melted chocolate into the bowl of crunch topping.
Or use your hand to sprinkle the top of the cake pop as if you are "seasoning" it.
Lastly, place the cake pop on the stand and allow the cake pops to dry. This step will take 15-20 minutes.
WHY I LOVE THIS RECIPE!
This recipe is perfect for beginner bakers. Preparing the strawberry cake pops using store-bought cake mix makes this recipe extremely approachable.
Strawberry Cake Pops with Crunch Topping are perfect for your kid's school activities or for your guests. Lastly, it is always fun to add a twist to recipes and the crunch topping really takes the strawberry cake pops to the next level. You will certainly note similarities to a strawberry eclair ice cream bar!
If you like this recipe, you will love:
Valentine's Inspired Cake Pops
Easy Strawberry Cake Pops with Crunch Topping
Equipment
- 1 Hand or Stand Mixer
Ingredients
Strawberry Cake Pops
Crunch Topping
- 1 cup Vanilla Cookies
- ¼ teaspoon Strawberry Emulsion
Instructions
Strawberry Cake Pops
- Prepare the strawberry box cake per the recipe instructions. For best results, less oil is required than what is listed on the recipe instructions. Only use one tablespoon of oil.
- If you are adding the fresh strawberries, pour them in during the mixing stage.
- Bake the cake according to package instructions and all cake to cool.
- After the cake has cooled, crumble the cake by using a hand or stand mixer.
- Crumble the cake until all of the cake is crumbled and broken down.
- Add in the cream cheese up to two tablespoons at a time and mix until the texture of the cake is doughy and spongy like playdough.
- Using a cookie scoop form the cake balls and place on a lined flat surface and freeze for 10-15 minutes.
- While, the cake balls freeze, now is a good time to melt the chocolate and prepare the crunch topping.
How to Melt Chocolate
- Begin by placing the chocolate in a microwave safe bowl and add up to two teaspoons of oil at a time.
- Microwave the chocolate in thirty second intervals and stir thoroughly between each increment. Continue this process until the chocolate is smooth and slightly runny.
How to Make Crunch Topping
- Add the vanilla flavored cookies to a Ziploc bag and using a meat pounder or hard surface, crush the cookies.
- Once the cookies are crumbled, pour into a small to medium sized bowl.
- Add ¼ teaspoon of strawberry emulsion to the crumbled cookies and stir until combined.
How to Dip Strawberry Cake Pops
- Take the lollipop stick and slightly dipping the stick into chocolate.
- After dipping the lollipop stick, slowly insert the stick into the cake pop, about halfway through the cake pop.
- Slowly dip the cake pops into the chocolate and use a spoon or spatula to ladle chocolate over the cake ball until thoroughly coated.
- Hold the cake pops upside down and allow all the excess chocolate to drip from the cake pop.
How to Dip Strawberry Cake Pops in Crunch Topping
- After the chocolate on the cake pop no longer drips, add the crunch topping to the top of the cake pop.
- Simply dip the top of the cake pop with melted chocolate into the bowl of crunch topping.
- Lastly, place the cake pop on the stand and allow the cake pops to dry. This step will take 15-20 minutes.
Wilma says
Cake Pops are fun! I followed your steps and didn’t panic. It worked well!! My friends really enjoyed chomping on each pop! Thanks for your helpful guides through this process!! Can’t wait to make them again!
Carita says
Yay! So happy they worked out for you. They are so much fun to make!!!