Cake pops have become the biggest dessert craze, ever since a blogger named Bakerella gave this treat a memorable name. The rest is history. Starbucks has them and they are just about everywhere you can get desserts or baked goods. Making cake pops can be a bit time-consuming but I have a great short cut for you.
After making cake pops the longer way, I experimented with just using doughnut holes (Dunkin Donuts or Entenmann’s will both do just fine). This way of making them lets you spend all of your time on the fun part. Decorating them! Here is my video of how to do cake pops the easy way along with a few secret tips. Below the video are the recipe details.
Ingredients
- 1 box of 25 doughnut holes (any flavor)
- 1 (14 oz) bag candy melts, of your choice
- 1/2 teaspoon shortening
- Popsicle sticks
- A flat piece of Styrofoam
Directions
When ready to assemble heat candy melts in a small bowl in the microwave according to the directions on package. Mix in the shortening until you have a smooth texture that runs off a spoon.
Dip the tip of a Popsicle stick into the melted candy . . .
then halfway into the doughnut hole. Lay them down on a wax paper coated cookie sheet until all the balls have the sticks attached.
Place them in the refrigerator of the freezer for a minute or two so that the candy sets on the stick. Then remove them and swirl the pops gently into the melted candy and coat well.
Allow them to drip for a moment and then dip into or sprinkle on colored sprinkles. Set into Styrofoam to harden.
Tips
Cake pops do not need to be refrigerated.
For a ton of photos of the various cake pops I have been making, please visit my Facebook page and view the gallery there entitled “Sugar’s Cake Pops.” (Please be sure to LIKE the page to see all the photos).
{ 74 comments… read them below or add one }
What a great shortcut. Thank you. I am planning a surprise 16th birthday pool party in June for 25 kids. Much easier than cake to serve and eat. Plus table decoration is the added plus. I forsee about 75 of them situated around the pool. How well will they keep in the sun, so I know how to arrange them.
Skipper
Skipper,
I think they will be fine for a while if they are in the shade. The candy melts dry pretty firm and give them a good thick coating. I made some for a pool party I had a few weeks ago and they were fine. They were outside out of direct sun for about 1 hour. They don’t last long because once the kids know they can eat them they disappear very quickly. I actually think the regular cake pops are a little too sweet, so I prefer the doughnut holes. Enjoy and be sure to send me a photo and some feedback on how they turn out.
Sugar
Will do Sugar….. Party is the 16th of June, so we will know sooner than later…..Can they be made and frozen ahead of time?
I have never froze them before but I know people do it. My only concern is the condensation when they defrost. I make mine two or three days before a party and they last just fine.
my party is june 16th too
Oh how fun. Have a great time.
Thanks for sharing.
Sugar
I’ve tried to make this twice and now I know the secret is in the shortening! I plan on making some next week for my daughter’s graduation Open House. I feel more comfortable doing them now. The Bakers wanted $1 per pop and I figure I’ll spend about $25 for approx. 9 dozen, so that will work Thanks for the tip.
Izzy
I know they are so expensive. I think it cost me about $15 to make 50 of them. I already had extra lollipop stick and cookie sprinkles so it was a big savings. Have fun with yours and be sure to send me some photos.
thanks for the great video. My 11 year old is the cake pop maker around here and she loved your ideas.
Joy, I’m so glad she liked it. Thanks for the feedback.
I want to make these for my daughter’s birthday; I was wondering if one could use unsalted butter instead of crisco? Thanks!
I don’t think the butter will work. If you don’t want to use the crisco you can use the candy melts without it but it is harder to coat the pops. You may want to use a spoon to help coat the pops.
Great Video. I am going to a 4th of July party today and will be making a fancy cake for the adults, but also will be taking these cute pops for the kids.
Thanks for such a great short cut.
Great! Sounds like fun. Thanks for the feedback. I love sharing my tips with others. Enjoy!
Hope it was a fun time.
GREAT TIPS I MADE THE HOMEMADE CAKE POPS TODAY LOVE THE IDEA OF USING DONUT HOLES!! THANKS
Janet they are fun to make but the best part for me in decorating them.
What a great idea, can’t wait to try. Always looking for short- cuts, good short-cuts!
I’m so glad you like it. Give it a try and let me know how it works out.
Hi,
I was just wondering how long these last? how far in advance could i make them?
thank you
Carla
Carla I have made then 2 or 3 days in advance, covered them in plastic bags and kept them in a cool dry place and they were fine. Have fun making them.
Thanks for the advice! I started my own little cake business and the cake pops def sell the fastest! i am def going to try the crisco and donut holes
Glad you like it. I have to make a few hundred for my son’s Lacrosse team this winter for a fundraiser. It makes the job so much easier. Good luck with your business.
Oh, post some photos if and when you make them.
Wow, you saved me lots of time! I will definitely make these! My almost 3 yo daughter keeps asking me to make her “cake pops” for her birthday. Now I will for sure and share these with her classmates! Thanks for the wonderful “no bake” idea! Love it!
Charissa,
I’m glad you like them. They are fun to make. I make the real ones too but if I have to make a ton of them I make them this way.
Enjoy!
I am having a babyshower I want to make soo cake pops but I don’t have ideas to how make them lookcan u help me
Hi,
You can just use pink, baby blue, and yellow candy melts. depending on the sex of the baby and colored sprinkles to match. That is a simple way. If you want to get very creative you can decorate them to look like baby heads with cake pens and candies. I say just keep it simple and make them colorful. It will save you a lot of time.
Enjoy!
omg what an excellent tip for busy moms. I work full time as a fashion designer and I have 2 kids under 2 so time is non existent . but I love decorating and making fun things for parties and this tip I can not wait to do!!!!! I have a awesome table scape I wanna do
Linda,
I’m so glad you like my idea. I think all the fun is in decorating them anyway. It sounds like you are one busy momma! Have fun making them and send me some photos if you can.
Enjoy!
Sugar
I wanted to make cake pops a few months back but did not have enough time. I am famous for saving time so I thought why not use donut holes. I bought the Entenmann’s donut holes because I liked the size. Other than not making the cake myself I followed all other directions.
My pops were a big success and everyone loved them! Honestly they were not as sweet and I found that a big plus. I have had the cake mixed with frosting type of cake pops and find them almost sickenly sweet.
So glad to see that you actually have a website showing the cheating technique, now I feel so much better about not making the pops totally from scratch!
Deb,
I hear you. It’s nice to save time now and then. After all I think the decorating is the best part.
Thanks for the feedback.
Be sure to try some of my other videos.
Hugs,
Sugar
what do i put the crisco in?
Hi, you put it into the melted candy melts. It helps make it smoother so you can easily dip the pops.
Have fun with it.
Sugar
Sugar…. I allready love you!!
So glad to see your video!! I was always asking to myself.. what´s the matter with the candy coating?? Nowww.. I know!!!
Fer,
You are so funny. I wanted to freak out the first time I made them because I made such a mess and had to throw everything away. I’m a pretty competent experienced cook so I was so angry that silly cake pops were giving me such a hard time. LOL! Thanks for your feedback. I am happy to help.
Sugar
I made cake pops the “hard way” and they came out fine. This idea is much better because I honestly think they will actually taste better….regular cake pops taste too sweet and mushy. what has your feedback been on the taste of these vs the normal cake pops?
Janton,
I am so glad you said that because I think they taste so much better. I think the regular way is way too sweet too. Give it a try and let me know what you think.
Sugar
I see that everyone keeps saying the real cake pops are to sweet. Would they be to sweet if you use candy melts instead of the icing? Or will that even work?
Ashley,
No I think that would be tto sweet too. It is just a matter of taste. I don’t think the cake melts will work for that part of the recipe. The frosting makes it more litke play dough so you can roll them.
Sugar
Sugar
I just came across your site and I want to say that it rocks! We actually did this for my baby shower in August. We were going to try the traditional way of making the cake pops, but were under a serious time crunch. I was going to give up on the whole idea but my mom suggested that we get the doughnut holes. It was one of those times where the solution to a problem is so simple that you don’t think about it. We got some plain doughnut holes (I was worried about using the sour cream glazed kind because I didn’t know how they’d look with the candy melts) and used candy melts (not sure if my mom used the Crisco or what) and they came out great! Everyone loved them and kept asking for the recipe (which tickled my mom).
Thank you so much for the great feedback. It makes my day to hear it!
You Rock!
Sugar
I love this idea, I’m going to make these for my daughter’s 5th birthday party next week! My only question is, do you need the full bag of candy melts to coat the pops? I have about half a bag of purple candy melts I plan to use, but I don’t know if it’s enough or not. Thanks! =)
Emily,
I don’t think that will be enough. To play it safe get another bag so you won’t be in the middle of making them and run out.
Happy Birthday to her.
Sugar
hi sugar how do you make the candy melts melt where i tried it just turned into hard crums and kind of powder please respond! thanks
rosalia
Rosalia,
I know those candy melts can be tricky. If you melt them in the microwave do it in a microwave safe bowl and melt them on high for 30 seconds at a time stirring in between. I like to add a 1/2 teaspoon of vegetable shortening (Crisco) in every small bag of candy melts to give it a smooth consistency.
Try that and it should be perfect.
Sugar
I absolutely LOVED this shortcut! I plan to use them for a small family gathering and think it’ll be a blast! Thank you!
I’m so glad you like it. Have fun making them and let me know how it goes.
Sugar
I was looking up how to do a donut hole cake, b/c we are serving breakfast for my 10-year’s birthday party, and came across your website/video! I am sooooo excited now! I’ve always loved to make my kids cakes, etc and this will allow me to do something super different & go with my theme of breakfast! Good to know about the melts tip b/c I would not have been happy if I had to be the one throwing all it out! Thanks again!
I am so glad you found my site. Have fun making them and let me know how it goes.
Thanks for the feedback.
Sugar
I am going make these for a nurses lunch at work, thanks for the donut idea I really did not want to pay $20.00 for a pan.
Oh how sweet. I am sure all the nurses will love them. Have a great time and have fun making thses. Be sure to let me know how they turn out and check out some of my other videos. I have some simple yummy recipes.
Sugar
Haven’t tried them, but was reading the posts and want to try making them. Was just wandering if Almond Bark would work to dip them in. I use it a lot during the holidays making chocolate pretzels, peanut clusters, etc. Any thoughts?
Kathy,
Hi, Yes that will work just fine. Have fun making them and let me know how it goes.
Sugar
I took the cookie pops for the nurses luncheon and everybody loved them. The only problem I had my sticks came off even when I left in the fridge for awhile.
I’m so glad they liked them.
If you dip the tip in the chocolate then into the pop, let it set and then again into the chocolate they should stay very secure. I’m still glad they were a hit.
Hugs,
Sugar
I like making them look like baby rattles (shaker toy). I decorate according to the theme of the shower. Some are a little more detailed than others, but the great part is that they’re small, so a little decorating goes a long way! I used to do a lot of cake decorating, so I like to pipe the decorations in frosting most of the time. My favorite are chocolate dipped with light pink scrolls.
Wendy what a cute idea. Thanks so much for the feedback. Maybe you can post some photos to my Facebook fan page so we can all see them.
Sugar
Hello Sugar!! I love yoour videos and your cakepops… unfortunately I live in Italy and I don’t have candy melts or Crisco… what is crisco?? how can I replace those things? thank you so much!
Annalisa
Check my blog if you want!
Annalisa,
No problem. You can use chocolate and some vegtable oil to make it smooth. It won’t harden as much as the candy will but it will taste great.
I will be sure to check out your blog.
Have fun!
Sugar
I’ve become quite ‘domesticated’ since we’ve moved and I’m about to venture into “Cake Pop Land!” I like the idea of donut holes as a shortcut. I will say too, that the tips you gave on the candy melts is great too for when donut holes don’t come in red velvet or confetti cake flavors. LOL! Thank you!
Momma, You are so right they don’t come in those flavors and for that reason I do make them in the regular cake pop fashion too but in a pinch this way is just fine.
Have fun making them and keep me posted.
Sugar
Hi, so I was wondering what can I use instead of lollipop sticks? Are toothpicks or straws (not the bendy ones ahaha) ok? I’m making them tomorrow (: thanks.
Alina,
You can’t use toothpicks they will be too thin and small and the straws will be too soft. You don’t need to make them into pops if you don’t have the sticks. You can dip them and place them in paper cupcake liners and they look just like cake balls or truffles.
Thanks Sugar! I’m 10 and me and my mom are starting to make the cake pops all the time!
Your recipe is so quick, fast, and easy. There is also another idea in case you can’t find candy melts. you can use almond bark and it works just the same! I’m loving all, and i mean ALL of your recipes!
Jack
Jack,
How sweet of you to write to me. Yes the almond bark is great too. I will have to add that to this section.
Keep cooking and maybe you can send me some photos of your cake pops or post them on my facebook page.
Hugs,
Sugar
Hi Sugar,
I absolutely LOVE this quick way of making the cake pops. I am getting married soon and I love this idea as a wedding favor. I am expecting about 80 guests and my question is… If I made these 2 days before the wedding would they still be ok by the wedding? Should I refrigerate them before taking them over to the reception site. I have to take everything to the reception site the day before, what should I tell the people to do with them until the next day? Thank you so much!
Alexa
Hi,
I’m so glad you like this method. No do not refrigerate them. I make them days ahead of time and just cover them individually with the little plastic bars you can buy at Michaels. Good luck and congrats to you.
God bless and let me know how it works out.
Sugar
Hi,
I don’t have a microwave–how would I melt the choc wafers over the stove? I purchased the wilton pink, purple, white and yellow. I think the white is real choc vs the candy melt. Also can you only use the cake donut holes or can you use the powdered donut holes as well? I really liked your tip about the shortening!:)
You can melt them over the stove by using a double boiler method. If your not sure how to do it just google it. Yes you can use any of the donut holes but the cake ones work best. Have fun making them.
Sugar
Great idea! But I don’t Have a dunkin donut where I live. Could I Just buy donut holes anywhere or does it Have to be at a specific place?
Sure any type will do.
Wonderful thanks for sharing, I was looking high and low for an EAZY way to make these and viola!!!! I cant wait to try these for my baby shower!
Joyce,
Thanks for posting. It is a great short cut. Have fun making them and best of luck to you and your little one.
Glad you like my easy tips.
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