Ice Cream Cone Cake Pops

Why You’ll Love This Recipe

These cake pops are not only visually appealing but also incredibly delicious. The moist cake center, combined with a colorful candy coating and topped with fun decorations, makes each bite a delightful experience. They’re easy to customize with different colors and toppings, allowing you to match them to any theme or personal preference. Plus, they’re a no-bake treat, making the preparation process both simple and enjoyable.

this Recipe

Ingredients

• 1 prepared cake (any flavour – chocolate, vanilla, funfetti, etc.)

• ⅓ to ½ cup frosting (buttercream, cream cheese, or canned frosting)

• 20 mini flat-bottomed ice cream cones

• 1½ cups white or milk chocolate melts (or candy melts/chips)

• Gel food colouring (optional – pink, mint green, blue, etc.)

• Sprinkles, crushed nuts, or mini candies (for decorating)

• Wax paper or a foam block (for drying pops upright)

(Tip: You’ll find the full list of ingredients and measurements in the recipe card below.)

Directions

1. Bake and Cool Your Cake
   Use a boxed cake mix or your favourite homemade recipe. Let it cool completely before handling — warm cake will melt the frosting and make the mixture sticky.

2. Crumble the Cake
   Once cooled, break the cake into large chunks and place in a large mixing bowl. Use clean hands or a fork to crumble the cake into fine, even crumbs.

3. Add Frosting and Mix
   Add ⅓ cup frosting to the crumbled cake and mix thoroughly using a spoon or clean hands. Add more frosting 1 tablespoon at a time until the mixture holds together and forms a firm dough (like cookie dough). Be careful not to add too much — too much frosting makes the pops too soft.

4. Form Cake Balls
   Scoop tablespoon-sized portions and roll them into balls. Each ball should be slightly smaller than a golf ball — about 1 to 1¼ inches wide. Place the rolled cake balls onto a wax paper–lined tray. Refrigerate for 1 hour, or freeze for 15–20 minutes, until firm but not frozen.

5. Attach Cake Balls to Cones
   Carefully place each chilled cake ball onto a mini flat-bottomed cone. Press down gently so the ball sits snugly inside the cone. If needed, dip the base of each cake ball in a little melted chocolate before placing on the cone to secure it.

6. Melt the Chocolate Coating
   In a microwave-safe bowl, melt 1½ cups chocolate melts or candy melts in 30-second intervals, stirring between each, until smooth. If using white chocolate, you may add a few drops of gel food colouring to create fun “ice cream” colours like mint green, strawberry pink, or blue raspberry. Avoid adding water-based colourings to chocolate – use oil-based or gel colours to prevent seizing.

7. Dip and Decorate
   Holding the cone, dip the top (cake ball part) of each pop into the melted chocolate, rotating to coat evenly. Let excess drip off, then immediately add sprinkles, mini candies, or crushed nuts. For a more realistic look, drip extra coating slightly down the sides to mimic melting ice cream. Stand the dipped cone upright in a foam block or an inverted egg carton.

8. Let Set and Serve
   Allow the pops to set at room temperature for 15–30 minutes, or place in the fridge for faster results. Once fully set, your Ice Cream Cone Cake Pops are ready to impress and enjoy!

Servings and Timing

• Servings: Approximately 20 cake pops

• Prep Time: 1 hour

• Total Time: 1 hour 30 minutes

Variations

• Unicorn Cones: Use pastel-coloured candy melts and top with edible glitter, rainbow sprinkles, or star confetti. Add mini fondant ears or horns for an enchanted finish.

• Cotton Candy Pops: Flavour the cake with cotton candy essence and use baby pink and blue coatings. Decorate with spun sugar or mini marshmallows.

• Strawberry Sundae Style: Use pink-coloured coating and drizzle with chocolate to mimic syrup. Top with a red candy “cherry” and white sprinkles.

• Halloween-Inspired: Make orange-coated cake pops and draw jack-o’-lantern faces with black icing gel. Use crushed Oreos instead of nuts for a dirt effect.

Storage/Reheating

Store the cake pops in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 3 days. For longer storage, refrigerate them for up to a week. If you prefer a firmer texture, you can freeze the pops for up to 3 months. To serve, allow them to come to room temperature before enjoying.

FAQs

How do I prevent the candy coating from cracking?

Ensure the cake balls are completely chilled before dipping. Dipping them into slightly cooled melted candy melts can also help prevent cracking.

Can I use regular-sized ice cream cones?

Yes, but mini cones are recommended for better portion control and presentation. If using regular-sized cones, you may need to adjust the amount of cake mixture accordingly.

How can I make these cake pops vegan?

Use a vegan cake mix and substitute the eggs and dairy in the frosting with plant-based alternatives. Ensure the candy melts are dairy-free.

Can I use homemade cake instead of a boxed mix?

Absolutely! Homemade cake can add a personal touch and unique flavor to your cake pops.

How do I add flavor to the cake mixture?

You can mix in extracts like vanilla, almond, or lemon zest to the cake batter before baking. For added texture, consider incorporating mini chocolate chips or chopped nuts.

Is it necessary to use gel food coloring?

Gel food coloring is preferred as it doesn’t alter the consistency of the melted chocolate. Avoid using liquid food coloring as it can cause the chocolate to seize.

How do I make the cake balls uniform in size?

Using a cookie scoop ensures consistent sizing, making the cake pops look more uniform and professional.

Can I make these cake pops ahead of time?

Yes, you can prepare the cake pops up to the decorating stage and store them in the refrigerator until you’re ready to dip and decorate.

How do I prevent the cake pops from tipping over?

Ensure the cake balls are firmly attached to the cones. Placing the cones in a foam block or an inverted egg carton while they set can help keep them upright.

Can I ship these cake pops?

Yes, but ensure they are well-packaged to prevent damage during transit. Use sturdy boxes and consider adding padding to protect the cake pops.

Conclusion

Ice Cream Cone Cake Pops are a delightful and creative treat that combines the best of both worlds: cake and ice cream. Their customizable nature makes them suitable for various occasions, and their no-bake preparation ensures they are accessible to bakers of all skill levels. Whether you’re hosting a party or looking for a fun baking project, these cake pops are sure to be a hit.