Save A playful twist on classic cake pops, these treats feature a fluffy cake base infused with soda and coated in a vibrant soda-flavored candy shell. Perfect for parties and celebrations, these cake pops boast festive colors and fun flavors inspired by favorite sodas.
I first made these for my kid's birthday party, and they were an instant hit. The soda flavors added a nostalgic twist everyone loved, and decorating them became a fun family activity.
Ingredients
- Cake: 1 1½ cups (190 g) all-purpose flour, 1 cup (200 g) granulated sugar, 1½ tsp baking powder, ½ cup (115 g) unsalted butter (softened), ½ cup (120 ml) lemon-lime soda (e.g. Sprite or 7UP), 2 large eggs, ¼ tsp salt, 1 tsp vanilla extract
- Frosting: ⅓ cup (75 g) unsalted butter (softened), 1½ cups (180 g) powdered sugar, 2 tbsp lemon-lime soda, ½ tsp vanilla extract
- Coating & Decoration: 2 cups (340 g) white candy melts or white chocolate, ½ packet (20 g) soda-flavored powdered drink mix (e.g. orange, cherry, or grape), 2 tbsp soda-flavored hard candies (crushed, optional), 24 lollipop sticks, sprinkles or edible glitter (optional)
Instructions
- Prepare cake pan:
- Preheat oven to 350°F (175°C). Grease and flour an 8-inch (20 cm) round cake pan.
- Mix wet ingredients:
- In a large bowl, beat butter and granulated sugar until fluffy. Add eggs one at a time, mixing well after each. Stir in vanilla.
- Combine dry ingredients:
- In a separate bowl, whisk flour, baking powder, and salt.
- Make batter:
- Add dry ingredients to wet mixture alternately with lemon-lime soda, beginning and ending with dry ingredients. Mix until just combined.
- Bake the cake:
- Pour batter into prepared pan. Bake for 30 to 35 minutes or until a toothpick inserted comes out clean.
- Cool and crumble:
- Let cake cool completely, then crumble into fine crumbs in a large bowl.
- Make frosting:
- Beat butter until creamy. Gradually add powdered sugar, soda, and vanilla. Beat until smooth.
- Mix and shape:
- Mix frosting into cake crumbs a few spoonfuls at a time until mixture holds together when pressed; you might not need all the frosting.
- Form balls:
- Roll mixture into 1-inch (2.5 cm) balls. Place on lined baking sheet. Freeze for 20 minutes.
- Melt coating:
- Melt candy melts or white chocolate in microwave-safe bowl, stirring every 30 seconds until smooth. Stir in soda-flavored drink powder until vibrant in color.
- Insert sticks:
- Dip the tip of each lollipop stick into melted coating, then insert halfway into each cake ball. Freeze for 10 minutes to secure.
- Coat cake pops:
- Dip each cake pop into coating, swirling to cover. Tap off excess. Immediately sprinkle with crushed soda candies or sprinkles, if using.
- Set and serve:
- Place cake pops upright in a styrofoam block or cake pop stand until set.
Save Decorating the cake pops has become a cheerful tradition in our family. My kids love picking out the soda flavors and colorful sprinkles for each batch we make together.
Required Tools
Mixing bowls, electric mixer, 8-inch round cake pan, baking sheet, microwave-safe bowl, lollipop sticks, styrofoam block or cake pop stand are needed for this recipe.
Nutritional Information (per serving)
Calories: 170, Total Fat: 7 g, Carbohydrates: 26 g, Protein: 2 g
Pairing Ideas
Pair these sweet treats with sparkling lemonade or citrusy mocktails to enhance the soda theme and bring refreshing balance to your dessert spread.
Save Enjoy these joyful cake pops at your next celebration for a delicious and colorful treat that brings smiles every time.
Kitchen Help
- → How does soda affect the cake texture?
Soda adds lightness and moisture, resulting in a tender, airy cake base for the pops.
- → Can I use other soda flavors?
Yes, experiment with different soda types to create unique colors and flavor profiles in the cake and coating.
- → What type of candy melts work best for coating?
White candy melts or white chocolate work well, allowing the soda drink powder to shine in both color and taste.
- → How do I keep cake pops from falling off sticks?
Dip each stick in the melted coating before inserting; freeze briefly to secure pops for easy dipping.
- → Can I make these ahead of time?
Yes, prepare and decorate pops in advance; store in an airtight container at room temperature up to 3 days.
- → Are these suitable for vegetarians?
Yes, the cake pops are vegetarian; just check all candy ingredients for potential animal-derived additives.