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Lemon Cake Pops Recipe

5 Stars 4 Stars 3 Stars 2 Stars 1 Star 4 from 70 reviews
  • Author: Deborah
  • Prep Time: 40 minutes
  • Cook Time: 30 minutes
  • Total Time: 3 hours 10 minutes (includes chilling time)
  • Yield: 24 cake pops
  • Category: Dessert
  • Method: Baking
  • Cuisine: American

Description

Delightfully tangy and sweet, these Lemon Cake Pops combine moist lemon cake with creamy lemon frosting, all coated in a smooth white chocolate shell. Perfectly portioned and easy to eat, they make a fun and elegant treat for parties, special occasions, or simply a refreshing dessert to brighten your day.


Ingredients

Scale

Cake

  • 15.25 oz. lemon cake mix (432 grams, 1 box, such as Betty Crocker)
  • 1 cup water (227 grams)
  • ½ cup vegetable oil (100 grams)
  • 3 large eggs (150 grams)

Frosting Mixture

  • 12 oz. ready-made lemon frosting (340 grams, ¾ of a 16-oz. container)
  • 1 tbsp fresh lemon juice (14 grams, from ½ lemon)

Coating

  • 48 oz. white chocolate melting wafers (1,361 grams, 4 12-oz. bags; Wilton or Ghirardelli recommended)
  • 1 tbsp vegetable oil (13 grams)


Instructions

  1. Prepare and Bake Cake: Combine the lemon cake mix, water, vegetable oil, and eggs thoroughly. Pour the batter into a greased 9×13-inch baking dish and bake at 350℉ for about 30 minutes or until a toothpick inserted comes out clean. Let the cake cool for at least 2 hours, ideally overnight, to ensure it’s firm enough to work with.
  2. Crumble the Cake: In a large bowl, use your hands to break the cooled cake into the smallest crumbs possible, creating a fine and even texture for easier mixing.
  3. Mix Frosting and Lemon Juice: Add ¾ of the ready-made lemon frosting and fresh lemon juice to the crumbled cake. Stir with a large spoon until the mixture is uniformly combined and forms a dense batter that holds together when rolled.
  4. Form Cake Balls: Roll the batter into 24 evenly sized balls. Place them on a baking sheet lined with wax paper or parchment. Chill in the refrigerator for 2 hours, or alternatively in the freezer for about 20 minutes to firm them up without freezing.
  5. Melt White Chocolate Coating: Place the white chocolate melting wafers in a deep microwave-safe bowl. Melt them in 30-second intervals, stirring between each until smooth. Stir in 1 tablespoon of vegetable oil to thin the chocolate for easier dipping.
  6. Prepare Cake Pops for Coating: Keep the cake balls chilled in the refrigerator while preparing to coat. If they were frozen, transfer them to the fridge to thaw slightly before dipping.
  7. Insert Sticks and Dip: Dip each lollipop stick or straw into the melted chocolate about ½ inch, then insert it into the center of a cake ball to secure it. Immediately dip the cake pop fully into the melted chocolate, carefully lifting it out to let excess drip off. Place on a wax paper-lined baking sheet.
  8. Set Cake Pops to Dry: Lay the cake pops cake ball side down on the sheet to set. For a traditional lollipop look, stand them upright in a Styrofoam block so the coating can dry evenly.
  9. Decorate and Serve: While the chocolate coating is still wet, decorate as desired or leave plain. Allow the coating to dry completely, about 5 minutes, before serving for the best presentation and texture.

Notes

  • Chilling the cake balls is crucial to help them hold their shape during dipping.
  • Use high-quality white chocolate melting wafers for optimal smoothness and flavor.
  • Do not freeze cake balls solid, or the sticks may not adhere well; refrigerate instead.
  • You can customize decorations by adding sprinkles or edible glitter before chocolate dries.
  • If the chocolate thickens while dipping, reheat gently in the microwave at 15-second bursts.