I’ve tested these pumpkin cake pops more times than I can count to make sure they’re as easy to make as they are cute and delicious. As a pastry chef who’s spent years in both professional kitchens and my own home kitchen, I know that success comes down to nailing the little details, like rolling the cake just right or getting that smooth chocolate dip.
I’m all about simplifying bakery level techniques so home bakers like you can create something that looks impressive without feeling stressful. These pops are my go-to for fall parties and family get togethers because they always get rave reviews, and I promise you’ll feel just as confident pulling them together.
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Why You'll Love These Pumpkin Cake Balls
- Bursting with Warming Spices, Pumpkin, and Rich Dark Chocolate: These pumpkin cake pops are a perfect fall treat, combining the rich flavors of pumpkin with aromatic spices and indulgent dark chocolate.
- Shortcut Recipe Using Box Cake Mix: Simplify your baking with a convenient box cake mix, which forms the base of this delicious treat and speeds up the preparation process.
- Mix with Frosting for a Truffle Like Texture: After baking, the cake is combined with frosting to create a decadently moist and truffle-like consistency.
- Perfect for Sharing or Gifting: These cake pops are ideal for parties, thoughtful gifts, or simply enjoying as a special treat.
Pumpkin Cake Pop Ingredients
- Pumpkin Puree: Use pure canned pumpkin with nothing added—no sugar or spices. This ensures the cake pops have a rich, authentic pumpkin flavor without any extra sweetness or preservatives.
- Spice Cake Mix: Opt for a 15.25 oz box of spice cake mix. This convenient base provides a blend of spices that complements the pumpkin and simplifies the baking process.
- Pumpkin Pie Spice: This is a blend of cinnamon, nutmeg, ginger, clove, and allspice. It adds a warm, aromatic flavor that enhances the pumpkin and spices in the cake mix.
- Eggs: Use eggs at room temperature for the best baking results. They blend more evenly into the batter, helping achieve a smoother texture and better rise.
- Frosting: Canned frosting simplifies the process and is available in flavors like vanilla or cream cheese. You can also use homemade vanilla frosting if you prefer a more personalized touch.
- Chocolate: Dark chocolate is ideal for coating the cake pops. Its rich, slightly bitter flavor provides a perfect contrast to the sweet and spiced cake interior.
See recipe card for quantities.
Equipment
A 9X13 baking pan is a must for baking, you will use it often for a number of different recipes!
Cookie scoop for portioning out the pumpkin cake balls.
A whisk for mixing the cake ingredients together.
How to Make Pumpkin Cake Pops
Let's make fall cake pops!
Step 1. Combine the spice cake mix, eggs, pumpkin, spices, oil, and water. Beat until smooth.
Step 2. Pour into a parchment lined 9X13 pan, smoothing it out evenly. Bake at 350F for 25-30 minutes until a toothpick comes out clean. Set aside until cooled down.
Step 3. Break down the cake in a bowl until crumbs form.
Step 4. Add the frosting and mix until completely combined.
Step 5. Form into a ball, any size works.
Step 6. Dip the pumpkin cake pop in the melted chocolate, place on a parchment lined plate, place in the refrigerator until set.
Hint: Use a fork when dipping the pumpkin balls, it's easier to release the balls onto parchment paper with a fork. Drizzle with extra chocolate and sprinkle with cinnamon to make them look extra pretty.
Pumpkin Cake Pop Recipe Substitutions
- Chocolate: If you don't like dark chocolate, white chocolate would be just as delicious. If you're worried about the chocolate melting, candy melts are a great option, they set up quickly and are very easy to work with.
- Balls: Instead you could press the cake mixture into a pan and cut them into squares if you want to save time.
- Pumpkin shaped cake: You could make these look like pumpkins! Use a toothpick to make indents around the ball to create a pumpkin look.
- Walnuts: Roll the balls into toasted walnuts for a nutty touch!
This recipe has not been tested with other substitutions. These are just suggestions.
Tips For Making Pumpkin Spice Cake Balls
- Cut Slits into the Cake to Speed Up Cooling: Once the cake is baked and removed from the oven, use a serrated knife or a cake tester to cut slits or vents into the surface of the cake. This technique helps to release steam and allows the heat to escape more quickly, significantly speeding up the cooling process.
- Do Not Mix Hot Cake with Frosting: It’s essential to let the cake cool completely before mixing it with frosting. Combining hot or warm cake with frosting can result in a runny, inconsistent mixture that lacks the desired texture. The heat from the cake can melt the frosting, making it difficult to achieve the truffle-like consistency that is ideal for cake pops.
- Chill Cake Balls Before Dipping in Chocolate: If you find that the pumpkin cake balls are difficult to dip or if they tend to fall apart when coated, place them in the refrigerator or freezer to chill before dipping. Chilling the cake balls firms them up, making them more stable and easier to handle. Aim to chill them for at least 30 minutes in the refrigerator or about 15 minutes in the freezer. This cooling step ensures a smoother dipping experience.
FAQ
How do I store these?
Place in the refrigerator for up to one week in an airtight container. Place in an airtight container for up to 2 months in the freezer.
Can I place sticks in these?
Yes! Dip the end of a lollipop stick in a little melted chocolate and push it half way into the cake ball and then coat in chocolate.
Why are my cake pops cracking?
Usually because the cake calls are too cold and the chocolate is too hot. I recommend waiting a few minutes after melting the chocolate.
How long is pumpkin puree good for in the fridge?
3-4 days. Do not store the pumpkin puree in the can, transfer it to a Tupperware container or something that can be sealed tightly.
How to Store Pumpkin Cake Pops
Refrigerator: Store the pumpkin cake pops in an airtight container for up to one week in the refrigerator.
Freezer: Store in an airtight container for up to 2 months.
Related
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📖 Recipe
Pumpkin Spice Cake Balls
Equipment
- Whisk, handheld, or stand mixer
- Measuring bowls
- Measuring Cups
- Measuring Spoons
Ingredients
- 1 box Spice Cake Mix 15.25oz
- 1 teaspoon cinnamon
- ½ teaspoon ground ginger
- ½ teaspoon nutmeg
- ¼ teaspoon cloves
- 3 large eggs
- ¼ cup vegetable oil
- ⅓ cup water
- 1 cup pumpkin puree 100% pure pumpkin, nothing added
- ⅓ cup (heaping) frosting vanilla or cream cheese (for after the cake is baked) store bought or homemade
- 8 oz dark chocolate melted
Instructions
- Preheat the oven to 350°F. Place the cake mix, eggs, oil, water, spices, and pumpkin puree in a medium bowl, beat or whisk until smooth.
- Line a 9X13 baking pan with parchment paper, pour the cake batter into the pan, spreading it out evenly. Bake for 25-30 minutes or until a toothpick comes out clean.
- Place the cake on the counter until completely cooled down, you can cut slits on top of the cake to speed up the process.
- Break up the cooled down cake in a large bowl until fine crumbs form.
- Add the frosting, mix until throughly combined.
- Portion out balls (whatever size you like)
- Once the cake balls are rolled, place them on a parchment lined baking sheet and refrigerate until firm.
- To melt the chocolate, melt it in the microwave in 30 second intervals, stirring in between, until smooth. The chocolate shouldn’t be piping hot, just melted. If it seems too thick, stir in 1 teaspoon of vegetable oil to help it thin out so it coats evenly and slides off instead of creating a heavy layer.
- For cake balls, dip each chilled ball into the chocolate using a fork, gently tap off the excess on the side of the bowl, then place back on the parchment paper to set.
- For traditional cake pops, dip the tip of a lollipop stick into the melted chocolate, then insert it halfway into a chilled cake ball. Dip the whole pop into the chocolate, lightly tap off the excess, and place upright in a foam block or shoebox with holes to dry. You can also place upside down on parchment paper to create a foot so they stand up.
- Place in the refrigerator until cold and set.
Matt says
These were easy and amazing!!