Have you ever seen those super cute holiday treats online and thought, “I can make that!”? Then, a few hours later, your kitchen is a mess, and your creation looks like a horror movie monster. I’ve been there.
These Easter Chick Cake Pops look tricky, but they’re not. I’m going to walk you through every single step. We’ll make something that looks just as good as it tastes, without any of the usual kitchen drama.
The Cutest Easter Chick Cake Pops You’ll Ever Make
These little chicks are the perfect treat for any Easter get-together. They are fun to make, and even more fun to eat. Plus, kids go absolutely wild for them.
Don’t worry if you’re not a baking expert. This guide is for everyone.
What You’ll Need
- 1 box of cake mix (vanilla or lemon works great), baked as directed in a 9×13 inch pan
- 1/2 to 3/4 cup of your favorite frosting (canned or homemade)
- 1 bag (12 ounces) of yellow candy melts
- 1/4 cup of orange candy melts
- Black edible ink pen or a tube of black decorating icing
- 2 tablespoons shortening or coconut oil, divided
- Lollipop sticks (about 30-40)
Tools for the Job
- Large mixing bowl
- Baking sheet
- Parchment paper
- Microwave-safe bowls (at least two)
- Spoons or spatulas
- Styrofoam block or a tall, sturdy glass
Step-by-Step Guide to Your Easter Chicks
Step 1: Make the Cake Guts
Once your cake is completely cool, crumble it into a large bowl. You can use your hands, a fork, or a mixer. Get it down to fine crumbs with no big chunks left. This is a great step for kids to help with.
Step 2: Mix It Up
Add about 1/2 cup of frosting to the cake crumbs. Mix it all together until it feels like a soft dough. If it’s still too crumbly, add a little more frosting, one tablespoon at a time. Be careful not to add too much, or your cake pops will be greasy.
Step 3: Roll and Chill
Roll the cake mixture into small, oval-shaped balls, a little bigger than a golf ball. Place them on a baking sheet lined with parchment paper. Pop the whole tray in the freezer for about 20 minutes or the fridge for an hour. This step is key, so don’t skip it.
Step 4: Get the Sticks Ready
While the cake balls are chilling, melt about 1/4 cup of the yellow candy melts. Follow the package directions. Dip the tip of a lollipop stick into the melted candy, then push it about halfway into a chilled cake ball. This candy “glue” holds the cake pop on the stick.
Step 5: The Final Chill
Place the cake pops back on the baking sheet and put them in the fridge for another 15 minutes. This makes sure the sticks are locked in tight. If they aren’t secure, they’ll fall off when you dip them.
Step 6: The Yellow Bath
Melt the rest of the yellow candy melts in a tall glass or microwave-safe bowl. Add about 1 1/2 tablespoons of shortening or coconut oil to thin it out. This makes dipping so much easier. Dip each cake pop straight down into the yellow coating until it’s covered.
Step 7: Tap, Tap, Tap
Gently lift the cake pop out of the coating. Hold it over the bowl and softly tap your wrist to let the extra coating drip off. Don’t swirl it around. Stick the finished pop in a styrofoam block to dry completely.
Step 8: Add the Details
Once the yellow coating is hard, it’s time to decorate. Use your black edible marker to draw on two little eyes. Melt the orange candy melts and use a toothpick to dab on a tiny beak. Let them dry, and you’re done!
Pro Tips From My Kitchen
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Don’t Over-Frost: The biggest mistake people make is adding too much frosting. The cake balls become oily and won’t hold their shape. Start with less and only add more if the mixture is too dry to roll.
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Chilling is Not Optional: Cold cake balls are firm and much less likely to fall apart during dipping. If your kitchen is warm, you might need to chill them even longer.
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Thin Your Candy Melts: Candy melts right out of the bag are often too thick for a smooth coating. Adding a little shortening or coconut oil makes a huge difference. Never use water; it will ruin the candy.
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Work in Small Batches: Keep the cake pops you aren’t working with in the fridge. This keeps them firm and ready for dipping.
Fun Twists and Easy Swaps
Don’t be afraid to change things up. This recipe is very forgiving.
| Original Ingredient | Fun Substitution | Dietary Swap |
|---|---|---|
| Vanilla Cake | Lemon, Strawberry, Funfetti | Gluten-Free Cake Mix |
| Vanilla Frosting | Cream Cheese Frosting | Dairy-Free Frosting |
| Yellow Candy Melts | White Chocolate + Yellow Coloring | Vegan White Chocolate |
You can also roll the wet cake pops in yellow sanding sugar for a sparkly look. Or, add a tiny bit of shredded coconut on top for a “feathery” texture.
Planning Ahead
You can make parts of this recipe ahead of time to make your life easier.
| Make Ahead Task | Instructions |
|---|---|
| Bake the Cake | Up to 2 days ahead |
| Roll Cake Balls | Up to 1 day ahead (store in fridge) |
| Assemble Pops | Up to 1 day ahead (store in fridge) |
Just wait to dip and decorate them until the day you plan to serve them for the best look.
Leftovers and Storage
If you have any cake pops left, store them in an airtight container. They can stay on the counter for a day or two. For longer storage, put them in the fridge for up to a week.
Just let them sit at room temperature for about 20 minutes before eating so the coating can soften a little.
Frequently Asked Questions
Q1. Why did my cake pops fall off the stick?
Ans: This usually happens for two reasons. The cake balls weren’t cold enough, or you skipped the step of dipping the stick in candy melt “glue” before putting it in the cake ball.
Q2. My candy coating is too thick and clumpy. What did I do wrong?
Ans: You probably overheated it or got a drop of water in it. Melt it slowly in the microwave at half power, stirring every 30 seconds. And always add a little shortening to make it smooth.
Q3. Can I use chocolate instead of candy melts?
Ans: Yes, but it’s a bit harder. You’ll need to use white chocolate and add oil-based yellow food coloring. You also might need to temper the chocolate for it to set properly, which can be fussy. Candy melts are way easier for beginners.
Wrapping Up
See? You can totally make these adorable Easter Chick Cake Pops. Don’t let the cute little faces fool you; the steps are simple.
Give this recipe a try this Easter. I’d love to hear how it goes for you. Leave a comment below and tell me about your cake pop adventure or ask any questions you have
