If you make a purchase using our provided links, we may receive a commission. Learn more here.
Starbucks is mostly known for coffee and drinks, but I have always had a soft spot for the cake pops too.
They’re easy to overlook until you actually pick one up.
Watching my coworker show up with one most afternoons made me curious about what Starbucks cake pops actually cost.
I looked into the prices below, along with why some flavors run higher, which versions show up on the menu, and a few other basics.
How much do Starbucks cake pops usually cost?
With a noticeable trend in the consumption of cake pops, it’s no surprise that Starbucks cake pops typically cost between $30 to $40 per dozen.
Flavor plays a big part in the price. The classic cake pops usually stay lower, while seasonal or limited-edition versions tend to cost more.
The three classic flavors of cake pops are Birthday Cake, Cookies and Cream, and Chocolate.
Pricing can also vary by U.S. state, which is the same kind of location-based difference you see with coffee prices.
Here’s a quick table showing some of the differences.
Flavor | Los Angeles | New York | Miami | Austin | Phoenix |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Birthday Cake | $2.95 | $3.55 | $2.75 | $2.95 | $2.95 |
Chocolate | $2.95 | $3.55 | $2.75 | $2.95 | $2.95 |
Cookies and Cream | $2.95 | $3.55 | $2.75 | $2.95 | $2.95 |
Reindeer | $3.25 | $3.75 | $2.95 | $3.25 | $3.25 |
Unicorn | $3.25 | $3.75 | $2.95 | $3.25 | $3.25 |
Even the lower-priced ones still sit above what I’d call an everyday bakery snack, so they feel more like a small splurge.
With the cake pops being $2.95 for one, two cake pops would set me back $5.90.
Birthday Cake Pop
The Starbucks Birthday Cake Pop is one of the classic flavors and stays on the menu year-round. It’s the one I usually notice first because it feels the most familiar, and it is the one I tend to buy when I want something simple.
It is made with vanilla cake and vanilla icing, then dipped in a pink coating and finished with white sprinkles.
This one pairs really well with Starbucks vanilla drinks for an amazing treat.
Cookies & Cream Cake Pop
Cookies & Cream is another regular-menu cake pop at Starbucks.
It uses chocolate cake mixed with sandwich-cookie icing and cookie bits, so it tastes a little richer and more dessert-like than the Birthday Cake Pop.
It is coated in white chocolate frosting and topped with dark chocolate cookie crumbs.
This cake pop is perfect for enjoying with a sweet Starbucks drink.
Peppermint Brownie Cake Pop
The Peppermint Brownie Cake Pop is a seasonal Starbucks option, and it leans much more holiday-heavy than the classic flavors. I only buy it when I’m in the mood for peppermint, not just chocolate.
It has chocolate peppermint cake coated in white chocolate icing and candy cane pieces.
I usually reach for this one when I already have a hot cocoa in hand.
Chocolate Cake Pop
The Chocolate Cake Pop is another classic flavor. It is basically chocolate cake mixed with icing, then covered in a coating and topped with small white candy pieces.
This one is the perfect match for Starbucks chocolate drinks or another type of Starbucks Frappuccino. If you’re not sure which cake pop to try first, this is the one!
Owl Cake Pop
The Unicorn Cake Pop was discontinued, and the Owl Cake Pop has a similar playful, kid-friendly feel.
It uses vanilla cake, white frosting, and chocolate purple icing. The little owl face does a lot of the work here, and kids usually notice it fast.
Strawberry Cake Pop
The Strawberry Cake Pop is a seasonal Starbucks treat that tends to show up in summer.
It is an easy way to scratch a sweet craving, and the strawberry flavor gives it a lighter, fruitier finish than the chocolate-based options. It also feels a little easier to eat when the weather is warm.
Pair this cake pop with a Starbucks strawberry drink for even more refreshing summer flavors.
Special Flavors
Starbucks also rolls out special cake pops from time to time, usually tied to a season or a theme.
The exact lineup changes, so the selection can look different depending on when you visit.
Some previous flavors include:
Why are Cake Pops so expensive? (Real reasons explained)
Cost of labor
Even though they are small, making cake pops does require a good amount of effort.
Someone has to crumble the cake, roll it, freeze it, fill it, ice it, dip it, decorate it, and handle the rest of the finishing steps.
Since they are not made in-house at Starbucks, packaging and shipping are part of the process too.
Cost of ingredients
Depending on the flavor, the ingredient list can include things like fruit, cocoa, and other bakery staples. I usually notice the coating and finish more than the crumb itself.
That extra handling and the ingredient mix help explain why the price is higher than you might expect for something this small.
They taste great!
Compared with the cake pops I’ve tried from other places, Starbucks tends to taste a little richer to me, especially in the chocolate flavors.
Some versions also come decorated, while others use a signature fudge batter recipe.
Marketing & advertising
When I take my toddler along on a morning coffee run, the display case is usually the first thing they notice.
That kind of handling adds to the final price.
The designs help too, especially for kids who spot the bright colors before they ever read the flavor name. They’re the kind of display item that gets attention before anyone has decided what they want.
Design
Most Starbucks cake pops are the standard ball shape, though some, like the Owl Cake Pop, have a more specific design.
I like that the look of each one makes it easier to tell what I am ordering at a glance.
Are Cake Pops healthy? (Nutritional facts breakdown)
I would not call these a health food. They are still cake, just in a smaller portion.
That said, the size makes them feel like a reasonable treat when I want something sweet without committing to a full dessert.
Ingredients
The ingredients in a Starbucks cake pop vary by flavor. For a Birthday Cake Pop, the main ingredients are:
Barista HQ Note
- While Starbucks does use high quality ingredients, various artificial ingredients are necessary to preserve the cake pops, which are flash frozen before shipped to stores. This could include salt, vanilla extract, natural flavor, palm oil, vegetable juice, emulsifier, and more.
Calories
All Starbucks Cake Pops have between 140 and 160 calories.
Sugar
The cake pops on the regular menu contain between 15 and 19 grams of sugar, depending on the flavor.
The sugar level was lower than I expected, though I’d still treat any comparison like that as rough rather than exact.
Fat
For fat content, one cake pop at Starbucks has between 6 to 8g of fat – depending on the flavors, of course!
FAQs
Can you buy Starbucks cake pops in bulk?
Starbucks cake pops may be available in bulk, although the local store policy can change.
How do cake pop prices compare to other bakery goods?
Most Starbucks bakery items sit somewhere between $1.95 and $3.95, so cake pop pricing usually lands somewhere in the middle of that range.
What is the cheapest cake pop at Starbucks?
The lowest-priced options are usually the classic Birthday, Cookies and Cream, and Chocolate cake pops.
How long do Starbucks cake pops last?
Cake pops from Starbucks can usually hold up for a short while at room temperature. For longer storage, an airtight container in the fridge can help, although the shape may soften if they are not held upright.
Conclusion - Try this delicious treat!
A Starbucks cake pop can feel a little pricey, but if I’m already there for coffee, I don’t mind turning it into a small treat.
There are also plenty of copycat Starbucks cake pop recipes online.
