Hey friend! You’ve seen those cute little raccoon cake pops at Starbucks, right? Adorable, fuzzy-faced little guys with the chocolate shell and sweet cake center? Well, we’re making those at home today—and I promise, they’re just as tasty (and more fun) to make! These are perfect for kids’ birthday parties, bake sales, or just a rainy day project. And yes, they’re as cute as they are yummy.
💖 Why I Love This Recipe
This one’s special in our house. My daughter is obsessed with raccoons (don’t ask why 😂), so when she saw these at Starbucks, she lost her mind. Now we make them together every few months and honestly, it’s the sweetest little tradition.
- The cutest cake pop design ever
- Tastes better than the store-bought version
- Fun to decorate as a family
- Kids love shaping and dipping them
- Easy to freeze and make ahead
🛒 What You’ll Need
- 1 box chocolate cake mix (plus ingredients to bake: eggs, oil, water)
- 1 cup chocolate frosting
- 12 oz milk chocolate melting wafers
- ½ cup white candy melts
- Black decorating gel or icing
- Mini chocolate chips (for ears)
- Candy eyeballs (optional, or you can use white melts + gel)
- Cake pop sticks
🧁 How to Make Raccoon Cake Pops
Step 1: Bake and Cool the Cake
Bake the chocolate cake according to the box instructions. Let it cool completely.
Step 2: Crumble the Cake
Once the cake is cool, crumble it into fine crumbs in a large bowl.
Step 3: Mix in Frosting
Add 1 cup of chocolate frosting and mix until the texture is thick like cookie dough.
Step 4: Shape Into Balls
Roll the mixture into 1-inch balls and place on a parchment-lined baking sheet.
Step 5: Chill the Balls
Refrigerate or freeze the cake balls for 30 minutes until firm.
Step 6: Melt the Chocolate
Melt the milk chocolate wafers in a microwave-safe bowl, stirring every 30 seconds until smooth.
Step 7: Dip the Sticks, Then the Pops
Dip each stick into melted chocolate, then insert into cake ball. Let set. Then dip the full cake ball into melted chocolate.
Step 8: Decorate the Raccoon Face
Before the chocolate sets fully, add two mini chocolate chips for ears. Use white candy melts for eyes (or candy eyeballs), and pipe black icing for the raccoon mask and nose.
🎯 Pro Tips
- Chill your cake balls before dipping so they stay on the stick.
- Don’t rush the decorating—use tweezers for tiny pieces if needed!
- If the chocolate gets too thick, stir in ½ tsp coconut oil to smooth it out.
- Use a cake pop stand or foam block to keep them upright while drying.
- Want them extra cute? Add a pink candy heart for a little raccoon nose.
🥤 What to Serve With
- A glass of cold milk or hot cocoa
- Chocolate-dipped pretzels or fresh berries
- Perfect for themed parties with animal-themed snacks
- Add to a birthday dessert board for instant cuteness
🧊 Leftovers & Storage
- Store in the fridge for up to 5 days in an airtight container
- Freeze before decorating and coat when ready to serve
- Don’t store at room temp too long—chocolate may melt or smudge
❓ FAQ
Can I use a different cake flavor?
Sure! Vanilla or red velvet work too, but you’ll need to tweak the face colors.
Do I need candy eyeballs?
Nope, you can use white candy melts and pipe black dots for the eyes!
How do I keep the coating smooth?
Make sure your cake balls are chilled but not frozen solid before dipping.
Can I make these ahead of time?
Yes! You can shape and freeze the cake balls for up to a month. Decorate later.
🎉 That’s It!
Now you’ve got your very own Starbucks copycat raccoon cake pops—cuter and tastier than the original! I’d love to hear how yours turned out. Leave a comment if you tried it, have questions, or just want to say hi. 💬
Happy baking, friend! 🦝💗
