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Starbucks may be known for its coffee and drinks, but I also love their famous cake pops.
You know, those delicious ball-shaped cakes that are placed on sticks!
Seeing my coworker come in every afternoon with one in hand got me to wondering just how much Starbucks cake pops cost.
I've done the research, and here I'll talk about how much cake pops cost in greater detail, why they're more expensive, the different versions available, and more.
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.[1]
What determines the pricing of the cake pops is its flavor. While the more classic cake pops cost less, the more expensive cake pops are usually special limited edition flavors or seasonal.
The three classic flavors of cake pops are Birthday Cake, Cookies and Cream, and Chocolate.
Interestingly, the US state you reside in can also affect the cost of your cake pops - the same is true of their coffee!
Here's a table to illustrate some 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 |
As seen from the table, Starbucks cake pops aren't exactly the cheapest cake pops out there!
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 Pops are one of their classic flavors that's always on the menu. It's my favorite, and not just for birthdays!
It's made of vanilla cake mixed with vanilla icing and is dipped in a tasty pink coating before being topped with white sprinkles.
This one pairs really well with Starbucks vanilla drinks for an amazing treat.
Cookies & Cream Cake Pop
Cookies & Cream is another classic cake pop that is on Starbucks regular menu.
It's pure deliciousness and is made with chocolate cake that's blended with sandwich-cookie icing along with cookie bits.
It's then dipped in a white chocolate frosting and finished with a dark chocolate cookie crumb.
This cake pop is perfect for enjoying with a sweet Starbucks drink.
Peppermint Brownie Cake Pop
The Peppermint Brownie Cake Pop is available seasonally on the Starbucks menu and this decadent treat looks like it came straight from the North Pole!
It consists of chocolate peppermint cake coated with a delicious icing pf white chocolate and candy cane pieces.
I recommend getting this one alongside a hot cocoa!
Chocolate Cake Pop
Another classic flavor, this delicious dessert is essentially chocolate cake mixed with icing before being covered in a coating and topped with fun white sprinkly balls.
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
Many cake pop fans were disappointed when the Unicorn Cake Pop was discontinued, but its flavors live on in the Owl Cake Pop.
It consists of vanilla cake, a white frosting, and chocolate purple icing. It's adorable little owl face makes it a favorite for little ones!
Strawberry Cake Pop
The Strawberry Cake Pop is a seasonal cake pop at Starbucks that pops up in summer.
It is a popular treat that will satisfy my sweet tooth. It's made with fresh strawberries that certainly add a burst of fresh flavor.
Pair this cake pop with a Starbucks strawberry drink for even more refreshing summer flavors.
Special Flavors
Occasionally, Starbucks does have special cake pops that they create with special ingredients.
This will vary depending on the season and theme!
Some of the previous flavors that they have created 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.[2]
Not only do individuals need to crumble the cake and roll it out, but there's also the need to freeze it, fill it, ice it, dip it, decorate it, and more.
The cake pops are not made in-house at Starbucks, so they must also be carefully packaged and shipped to locations.
Cost of Ingredients
Starbucks cake pops are made with high-quality ingredients such as real butter instead of vegetable oil, fresh fruit, high-quality cocoa powder, and more.
With these high-quality ingredients, it's no wonder the cake pops at Starbucks can cost more.
They Taste Great!
I've had my fair share of cake pops from various places, and Starbucks' high quality ingredients make their product taste better than competitors.
Some of the cake pops also come decorated, while others are made with a signature fudge batter recipe.
Marketing & Advertising
It's not an accident that when I take my toddler with me on my morning coffee run, they immediately see the big glass case featuring all of Starbucks cake pops.
Shipping, storing, and displaying snacks all play a part in their price.
Luckily for Starbucks, the cute designs market themselves to little ones (and ok, their moms too).
Design
While most Starbucks cake pops are the standard ball shape, some have variations, like the Owl Cake Pop.
I appreciate that all the flavors have their own unique look so I don't have to question what I'm ordering.
Are Cake Pops Healthy? (Nutritional Facts Breakdown)
Generally, these treats aren't considered healthy. After all, they are cake.
However, I like that their size makes them a reasonable treat.
Ingredients
The ingredients within a cake pop at Starbucks can vary depending on the flavor. When looking at a Starbucks birthday cake pop, however, 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.
This actually wasn't as much as I was expecting, and is about half of the sugar that is in one of my kid's yogurt cups.
Fat
For fat content, one cake pop at Starbucks has between 6 to 8g of fat - depending on the flavors, of course!
Common Starbucks Cake Pop Questions
Can you buy Starbucks cake pops in bulk?
Yes, Starbucks cake pops can be purchased in bulk. Contact your local store for more details.
How do cake pop prices compare to other bakery goods?
Most of the bakery items at Starbucks are between $1.95 and $3.95, so the cake pop prices, on average, fall somewhere in the middle.
What is the cheapest cake pop at Starbucks?
The cheapest cake pops would be the three classic ones of Birthday, Cookies and Cream, and Chocolate.
How long do Starbucks cake pops last?
Cake pops from your local Starbucks can last for about one week at room temperature. If you want them to last longer, you can place them in an airtight container in the fridge. Of course, they might lose some of their shape if you don’t have them in a stand.
Conclusion - Try This Delicious Treat!
A Starbucks cake pop can be on the more expensive side of things, but if I'm already at Starbucks grabbing coffee, it's ok to treat myself once in awhile!
Additionally, there are plenty of copycat Starbucks cake pops recipes online so you can make cake pops on your own.
References:
1. https://www.databridgemarketresearch.com/reports/global-cake-pops-market
2. https://www.foodbeast.com/news/recipe-cake-pops/
Hi Paula! I recommend contacting your local Starbucks and asking them if you can buy cake pops in bulk. They may be able to help you!
How can I order them? I am having a rehearsal dinner in Lake Geneva, Wisc 9/22/2023.