Starbucks Drinks

Starbucks Copycat Cookies & Cream Cake Pops

Millie Pham

Hey friend! If your kids (or let’s be honest—you) are obsessed with those cookies & cream cake pops at Starbucks, you’ve gotta try this copycat recipe at home. They taste just like the real thing but are way more fun to make. Plus, you only need a few basic ingredients and some time to chill (literally). They’re perfect for birthdays, school parties, or a little weekend treat.

Why I Love This Recipe

cookies & cream cake pops on white sticks, the outside coated in smooth white chocolate with Oreo cookie crumbles sprinkled on top, one cake pop with a bite taken out to reveal the soft, dark cookies & cream center

Making these cake pops at home has turned into a fun little tradition at our house. The kids love crumbling up the cake and rolling the balls—it gets messy, but that’s half the fun.

  • They taste just like the Starbucks ones (but fresher!)
  • Only need 5 ingredients
  • Kid-friendly and easy to decorate
  • Freezer-friendly, so you can save extras
  • Fun to make as a family

🍫 What You’ll Need

  • 1 box chocolate cake mix (plus ingredients to bake it—usually eggs, oil, and water)
  • 1 cup chocolate or vanilla frosting
  • 12 Oreo cookies (crushed)
  • 12 oz white chocolate melting wafers or white candy melts
  • Cake pop sticks
ingredients for cookies & cream cake pops

👩‍🍳 Tools You’ll Need

  • Large mixing bowl
  • Rubber spatula or spoon
  • Baking sheet
  • Parchment paper
  • Microwave-safe bowl
  • Cake pop sticks
  • Optional: cake pop stand or styrofoam block

🔁 Substitutions & Variations

  • Use vanilla cake instead of chocolate if your kids prefer it lighter.
  • Swap vanilla frosting if you want a more classic Oreo cream taste.
  • Use milk chocolate coating instead of white for a double chocolate version.
  • Add sprinkles before the coating dries for extra fun.

🕒 Make-Ahead Tips

  • You can make the cake balls a day in advance and store them in the fridge.
  • You can even freeze the undipped balls for up to a month—just thaw and coat later!

🍰 How to Make Cookies & Cream Cake Pops

Step 1: Bake the Cake

Bake your chocolate cake as directed on the box. Let it cool completely.

 freshly baked chocolate cake in a rectangular pan, the top cracked slightly and rich brown, just cooled

Step 2: Crumble the Cake

Once cooled, crumble the cake into fine crumbs in a large mixing bowl.

soft chocolate cake into a large white mixing bowl, the cake now in small, fluffy crumbs

Step 3: Add Frosting & Oreos

Add 1 cup of frosting and the crushed Oreos to the cake crumbs. Mix until everything sticks together like cookie dough.

bowl filled with chocolate cake crumbs, creamy frosting being folded in with a spatula, and specks of crushed Oreos throughout

Step 4: Roll Into Balls

Scoop out the mixture and roll into 1-inch balls. Place on a parchment-lined baking sheet.

hands rolling rich, dark cookies & cream dough into round cake balls on a parchment-lined baking sheet

Step 5: Chill the Balls

Pop them in the fridge or freezer for about 20–30 minutes so they firm up.

perfectly round cake balls spaced out on a baking sheet inside a stainless steel refrigerator, beginning to firm up

Step 6: Melt the Chocolate

Melt the white chocolate wafers in a microwave-safe bowl, stirring every 30 seconds until smooth.

white chocolate melting wafers halfway melted in a clear glass bowl, being stirred with a spoon until silky

Step 7: Dip & Decorate

Dip the cake pop stick into melted chocolate, then insert into a cake ball. Let it set for a minute. Then dip the whole ball into chocolate and top with crushed Oreos.

a cake pop being dipped into silky melted white chocolate, a few already dipped and sprinkled with Oreo crumbs drying nearby

Step 8: Let Them Set

Stand the dipped cake pops upright in a block or cake pop stand and let them set until the coating hardens.

cake pops standing upright, the white chocolate coating smooth and shiny, with crushed Oreo topping just set

💡 Pro Tips

  • Chill the cake balls before dipping so they don’t fall apart in the melted chocolate.
  • Only dip a few cake pops at a time—leave the rest in the fridge.
  • Add a little coconut oil to the melted chocolate if it’s too thick.
  • Use a cookie scoop to keep the sizes even.
  • Want less mess? Lay parchment under everything!

🍪 What to Serve With

  • A big glass of cold milk (classic!)
  • Iced coffee or frappuccino for a true Starbucks vibe
  • Fresh fruit for balance
  • Birthday party? Serve with ice cream and sprinkles

🧊 Leftovers & Storage

  • Store in the fridge for up to 5 days
  • Freeze in a zip-top bag for up to 1 month
  • Let frozen cake pops sit at room temp for 15–20 minutes before eating

❓ FAQ

Can I use homemade cake instead of boxed?
Absolutely! Just make sure it’s a moist cake so it mixes well with frosting.

Can I use cream cheese frosting?
Yes—and it’s delicious! Just keep them refrigerated.

Do I have to use a cake pop stick?
Nope! You can make these into truffles and skip the stick.

What if my coating cracks?
That usually happens if the cake balls are too cold. Let them sit out for a few minutes before dipping.

🎉 You’ve Got This!

I hope you give these cookies & cream cake pops a try! They’re super fun to make, especially with kids, and they taste just like the real deal (maybe even better). Let me know in the comments how yours turned out or if you have any questions. I love hearing from you!

Happy baking! 🍫🍡

Hi there! I'm Millie Pham, a devoted brewer and tea lover at heart. As the founder of Bean Leaf Cup, my mission is to share my tea and coffee expertise with you all. I firmly believe that creating a fantastic cup of tea or coffee should be easy for everyone. No matter if you're already a coffee or tea expert or just beginning your journey, I'm here to help you navigate the world of brewing. Welcome aboard!