St. Patrick’s Day Cake Pops

Looking for a fun and festive treat that’s perfect for St. Patrick’s Day? These St. Patrick’s Day Cake Pops are an absolute must-try! They’re bite-sized, packed with flavor, and dressed in vibrant green, making them the perfect way to celebrate the holiday. Plus, they’re super easy to customize with all sorts of colorful decorations to make them even more eye-catching! These cake pops are moist, sweet, and full of that delicious, familiar cake flavor we all know and love, all dipped in a rich coating of white chocolate. Trust me, they’re as fun to make as they are to eat, and they’re sure to be the hit of any St. Patrick’s Day gathering!

Why You’ll Love St. Patrick’s Day Cake Pops

Perfect for a Crowd

Cake pops are the ultimate crowd-pleaser. They’re the perfect bite-sized treat for parties, gatherings, or as a fun activity to make with the kids. You can make a large batch in no time and watch everyone dig in!

Customizable

The beauty of cake pops is that you can get as creative as you like! You can roll them in green sprinkles, top them with gold dust for that pot of gold effect, or even drizzle them with melted chocolate for added flavor and texture. The possibilities are endless, and they’re sure to be a hit with both kids and adults.

Easy to Make

These cake pops may look intricate, but they’re surprisingly simple to make! Using a store-bought cake mix and frosting keeps the process quick and easy, and the decorating is where the fun comes in.

St. Patrick’s Day Themed

With their green color and festive vibe, these cake pops are perfect for St. Patrick’s Day celebrations. Whether you’re making them for a classroom party, family gathering, or a St. Patty’s Day get-together, they’ll bring a cheerful and sweet touch to your holiday festivities.

Ingredients

For the Cake Pops

Cake Mix
Use a box of cake mix to save time (and the results are still delicious)! You can choose any flavor, but vanilla or chocolate works best for these pops. You’ll be adding some green food coloring later, so the cake itself doesn’t need to be green.

Eggs
To bind the cake together and give it structure.

Oil
Adds moisture to the cake to make it soft and tender.

Water
Helps mix the ingredients together.

Green Food Coloring
A little green food coloring goes a long way! This will turn your cake pops that festive St. Patrick’s Day green color.

Frosting
A generous scoop of frosting helps bind the cake crumbs together and adds that creamy sweetness. You can use store-bought frosting for convenience or homemade frosting if you prefer.

White Chocolate or Candy Melts
For dipping and coating your cake pops. You can use either white chocolate or candy melts to give them a smooth, sweet finish.

Sprinkles or Decorations
Green sprinkles, gold dust, or even little shamrock decorations can be used to make these cake pops sparkle and shine!

(Note: Full ingredient measurements are provided in the recipe card directly below.)

Instructions

Step 1: Bake the Cake

Preheat your oven according to the instructions on the cake mix box. Prepare the cake mix as directed, adding the eggs, oil, and water. Once combined, mix in a few drops of green food coloring to get a bright, festive shade of green.

Bake the cake in a 9×13-inch baking pan according to the package instructions. Once baked, let it cool completely.

Step 2: Crumble the Cake

Once the cake has cooled, use your hands or a fork to crumble the cake into small pieces. You want to break it down into fine crumbs, so it’s easy to mold into cake pops later.

Step 3: Add Frosting

In a large bowl, combine the cake crumbs with frosting. Start with about half a cup and mix it in. Add more frosting if needed, a little at a time, until the mixture holds together when pressed but isn’t too sticky.

Step 4: Form the Cake Balls

Roll the cake mixture into small, even-sized balls. Use your hands to shape them so they’re nice and round. Place the formed cake balls on a parchment-lined baking sheet.

Step 5: Insert the Sticks

Melt a small amount of the white chocolate or candy melts in the microwave. Dip the tip of a lollipop stick into the melted chocolate and then insert it about halfway into each cake ball. This helps secure the stick so it doesn’t slip out of the cake pop later.

Step 6: Coat the Cake Pops

Once all the sticks are in, dip each cake pop into the melted white chocolate (or candy melts), making sure to coat the cake pop completely. Tap off any excess chocolate gently to avoid drips.

Step 7: Decorate the Cake Pops

Before the chocolate coating hardens, decorate your cake pops! You can roll them in green sprinkles, gold dust, or place little edible decorations like shamrock shapes or glitter. Let the cake pops set by standing them upright in a styrofoam block or cake pop stand to allow the chocolate to harden completely.

Step 8: Serve and Enjoy

Once the chocolate coating is set, your cake pops are ready to serve! They make a fun, festive addition to any St. Patrick’s Day celebration.

Nutrition Facts

Servings: 12
Calories per serving: 220
Total Fat: 12g
Saturated Fat: 7g
Cholesterol: 25mg
Sodium: 50mg
Carbohydrates: 28g
Fiber: 1g
Sugars: 20g
Protein: 2g

Preparation Time

  • Prep Time: 20 minutes
  • Cook Time: 25 minutes
  • Total Time: 45 minutes

How to Serve St. Patrick’s Day Cake Pops

Perfect for Parties

These cake pops are the ultimate party treat. They’re easy to serve, eat, and are guaranteed to bring smiles to everyone’s face. Serve them on a platter or in a cake pop stand for a festive display.

Pack in Goodie Bags

These cake pops are also great for party favors! Pack them individually in little treat bags and hand them out at the end of your St. Patrick’s Day celebration.

As a Fun Dessert

For a fun dessert, serve these cake pops alongside other St. Patrick’s Day-themed treats. They go perfectly with green cupcakes, mint chocolate desserts, or even Irish soda bread!

Additional Tips

Make Them Gluten-Free

You can make these cake pops gluten-free by using a gluten-free cake mix and ensuring the frosting is gluten-free as well. It’s an easy way to accommodate those with dietary restrictions.

Customize the Flavor

While the green color is fun, you can also experiment with different flavors. Try using a chocolate cake mix for a twist, or add a little peppermint extract to the frosting for a minty touch!

Storage Tips

Store leftover cake pops in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 3 days. You can also freeze them for longer storage. Just place them in an airtight container or freezer-safe bag, and when you’re ready, let them thaw for a few hours before serving.

Use Dark Chocolate

If you prefer something less sweet than white chocolate, dark chocolate or milk chocolate can also be used for dipping. It gives a rich, decadent flavor that contrasts beautifully with the cake.

FAQ Section

Q1: Can I make these cake pops in advance?

A1: Absolutely! You can make them a day or two ahead of time and store them in an airtight container. They’ll stay fresh and delicious!

Q2: Can I use store-bought frosting?

A2: Yes, store-bought frosting works perfectly in this recipe. It saves time and still gives the cake pops that creamy, sweet flavor.

Q3: How can I keep the cake pops from falling off the sticks?

A3: Make sure you dip the sticks in melted chocolate before inserting them into the cake balls. This creates a “glue” effect that helps keep them secure.

Q4: Can I use candy melts instead of white chocolate?

A4: Yes! Candy melts are an excellent alternative to white chocolate. They come in a variety of colors and melt easily, making them perfect for dipping.

Q5: How do I store leftover cake pops?

A5: Store leftover cake pops in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 3 days. You can also freeze them for up to 2 months.

Q6: Can I make mini cake pops?

A6: Yes, you can make mini cake pops by forming smaller cake balls and using shorter sticks. Just be sure to adjust the dipping time as needed.

Q7: Can I use a different color for the cake pops?

A7: Of course! You can use any color of food coloring to match the theme of your party or event. Pink, blue, or purple could make them fun for other occasions!

Q8: Can I add flavors to the cake batter?

A8: Yes! You can mix in flavorings like vanilla extract, almond extract, or even cocoa powder to change the flavor of the cake before baking.

Q9: How do I prevent the chocolate from cracking?

A9: To avoid cracking, make sure the chocolate is completely melted and smooth before dipping the cake pops. Don’t dip them in cold chocolate, as it can cause cracking.

Q10: Can I use a different coating instead of chocolate?

A10: Yes! You can coat your cake pops with colorful frosting, sprinkles, or even crushed cookies for a fun texture and look.

Conclusion

These St. Patrick’s Day Cake Pops are a fun and festive way to celebrate the holiday with a sweet treat. With their colorful, playful appearance and delicious flavor, they’re sure to be a hit at any St. Patrick’s Day gathering. So grab your ingredients, get creative with the decorations, and enjoy making and sharing these adorable cake pops with friends and family!

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St. Patrick’s Day Cake Pops


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  • Author: Olivia
  • Total Time: 1 hour
  • Yield: 1215 servings 1x

Description

These St. Patrick’s Day Cake Pops are a fun and festive way to celebrate the holiday! With moist cake covered in colorful green frosting and sprinkles, these cake pops are perfect for parties, treats, or as a St. Patrick’s Day gift.


Ingredients

Scale

For the cake:

  • 1 box of cake mix (any flavor, but vanilla or chocolate works well)
  • Ingredients required for cake mix (usually water, eggs, and oil)

For the frosting:

  • ½ cup unsalted butter, softened
  • 1 ½ cups powdered sugar
  • 1 tsp vanilla extract
  • 23 tbsp heavy cream (or milk)
  • Green food coloring (gel or liquid)

For coating:

  • 1 ½ cups white chocolate chips or candy melts (for coating)
  • 1 tbsp coconut oil (to thin the coating)
  • Green sprinkles or rainbow-colored sprinkles for decorating

For cake pop sticks:

  • 1215 cake pop sticks (or lollipop sticks)

Instructions

  1. Bake the cake:
    Preheat the oven to 350°F (175°C) and prepare a 9×13-inch baking pan by greasing it or lining it with parchment paper. Follow the instructions on the box to bake the cake, usually by mixing the cake mix with the required water, eggs, and oil. Bake for the time specified on the box (usually around 25-30 minutes), and then allow the cake to cool completely.
  2. Make the frosting:
    While the cake is cooling, prepare the frosting. In a mixing bowl, beat the softened butter and powdered sugar until smooth and fluffy. Add the vanilla extract and heavy cream, and mix until you have a creamy consistency. Add green food coloring until you achieve your desired shade of green.
  3. Crumble the cake:
    Once the cake has cooled, crumble it into fine crumbs using your hands or a fork. Transfer the cake crumbs to a large bowl.
  4. Combine the cake and frosting:
    Add the green frosting to the cake crumbs a little at a time, mixing it in until the mixture sticks together and has a dough-like consistency. You may not need all the frosting, so add it gradually until you reach the right texture.
  5. Shape the cake pops:
    Roll the cake and frosting mixture into 1-inch balls and place them on a baking sheet lined with parchment paper. This recipe should yield around 12-15 cake pops, depending on size.
  6. Prepare the sticks:
    Melt a little bit of white chocolate or candy melts. Dip the end of each cake pop stick into the melted chocolate and then insert it about halfway into the center of each cake ball. This helps the stick stay in place.
  7. Coat the cake pops:
    Melt the white chocolate or candy melts in a microwave-safe bowl, adding a tablespoon of coconut oil to help thin the coating. Dip each cake pop into the melted chocolate, covering it completely. Allow any excess chocolate to drip off, then place the cake pop on a piece of parchment paper or a Styrofoam block to set.
  8. Decorate the cake pops:
    While the coating is still wet, sprinkle your St. Patrick’s Day decorations, such as green sprinkles, rainbow sprinkles, or even edible gold dust, onto each cake pop. You can also use colored sugar or tiny shamrock decorations for an extra touch of festivity.
  9. Let them set:
    Allow the cake pops to cool completely and let the coating harden. This should take about 30 minutes at room temperature.
  10. Serve and enjoy:
    Once the cake pops are fully set, they are ready to be served! Enjoy these fun and delicious St. Patrick’s Day treats.

Notes

  • If you want to make these cake pops ahead of time, you can prepare the cake balls and refrigerate them for up to 1-2 days before coating them.
  • You can customize these cake pops by using different cake flavors or adding a filling such as chocolate chips or crushed candy inside the cake balls.
  • If you prefer to make them extra festive, you can drizzle a little melted chocolate in a different color over the pops for added decoration.
  • Prep Time: 30 minutes
  • Cook Time: 30 minutes
  • Category: Dessert
  • Method: Baking
  • Cuisine: American

Nutrition

  • Serving Size: 1 cake pop
  • Calories: 180
  • Sugar: 20g
  • Sodium: 35mg
  • Fat: 10g
  • Saturated Fat: 6g
  • Unsaturated Fat: 3g
  • Trans Fat: 0g
  • Carbohydrates: 22g
  • Fiber: 1g
  • Protein: 2g
  • Cholesterol: 25mg

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