• Skip to primary navigation
  • Skip to main content
  • Skip to primary sidebar
Best Dessert Recipes
  • Home
  • Recipes
    • Bars
    • Brownies
    • Cake
    • Dessert Dips
    • Candy
    • Cookies
    • Cake
    • Cupcakes
    • Frozen
  • Contact
  • Privacy
  • Shop!
  • Get the Emails
menu icon
go to homepage
  • Home
  • Recipes
    • Bars
    • Brownies
    • Cake
    • Dessert Dips
    • Candy
    • Cookies
    • Cake
    • Cupcakes
    • Frozen
  • Contact
  • Privacy
  • Shop!
  • Get the Emails
subscribe
search icon
Homepage link
  • Home
  • Recipes
    • Bars
    • Brownies
    • Cake
    • Dessert Dips
    • Candy
    • Cookies
    • Cake
    • Cupcakes
    • Frozen
  • Contact
  • Privacy
  • Shop!
  • Get the Emails
×

Donut Hole Cake Pops

October 30, 2022 by tayler 6 Comments

Sharing is caring!

27 shares
  • Facebook
  • Email
  • Yummly
Jump to Recipe

Have you ever made homemade cake pops? Like from scratch? Bakers make it look so easy, BUT IT ISN’T. These Donut Hole Cake Pops are my easy hack for the delicious treat.

bite taken out of cake pop with text overlay for facebook

To make cake pops the old fashioned way, first you have to bake a cake, then manually destroy it to blend with homemade frosting. Some folks have cake pop molds which make it slightly easier and use a boxed cake mix, but still. Then put them on cake pop sticks and hope the texture of your cake blend is just right so they don’t fall off. Perfect cake pops are hard to make!

But they are so cute and perfect for so many events like a baby shower, bridal showers, birthday parties and any other event you can dream up. They are also great for a gift basket and hostess gifts.

So the next time you have to make dessert for a special occasion and cake pop recipes come to mind, remember this is the best way to make them. And so easy!

three cake pops in jar

Secret Ingredient

Table of Contents

  • Secret Ingredient
  • Donut Hole Cake Pops Ingredients
  • How to Make Donut Hole Cake Pops
  • Donut Hole Cake Pops Variations
  • Tips for Melting Chocolate
  • Storage and Freezing
  • More Easy Dessert Recipes
  • Donut Hole Cake Pops
    • Ingredients
    • Instructions
    • Nutrition

So what’s our secret to making them so easily? We use donut holes. Yep, handy little pieces of cake that are already in the exact shape you need them. No need to use a cookie scoop or destroy your beautiful vanilla cake.

Donut holes come in two varieties, cake and yeast forms. The cake have the texture of cake while yeast are more of a light pastry. Look for unglazed donut holes because the chocolate coating won’t stick if they are. I’ve had to call the bakery (or Dunkin’ Donuts) to ask for a special order of unglazed, but it is totally worth it.

They naturally have some uneven shape, but the dip in chocolate will help to smooth and even, as will the decorations.

close up of one cake pop

Donut Hole Cake Pops Ingredients

The ingredient list is short, and that’s what makes these cake pops so simple and easy!

  • Unglazed donut holes – Make sure they are unglazed; this allows the chocolate to be able to stick to the donut holes better. Otherwise it will just slide right off.
  • Melting chocolate wafers (candy melts) – we like using a base of white chocolate for more decorating ideas, but milk and dark chocolate work well too, as does colored chocolate options
  • Treat sticks – These are easily found at any local grocery store or craft store. They are usually down the baking or treat aisle. They are most commonly white, but feel free to use fun colors if you can find them!
donut hole cake pops laying

How to Make Donut Hole Cake Pops

The process is relatively easy, but make sure you read our tips so they turn out perfect!

  1. This optional and might not be required of all your donuts. Donut holes tend to be irregular in size and shape; so using the heat from your hands, gently roll them between your palms will help to smooth out any unsightly bumps or dents. If you coat the pop in sprinkles, this won’t be necessary as they will cover up any flaws.
  2. Melt the chocolate wafers according to the package directions. We prefer a double boiler, but microwave works too. If not using melting wafers, use semi-sweet chocolate chips with 1 teaspoon of vegetable shortening or coconut oil. This helps it melt smooth and shiny.
  3. Stick a treat stick into the melted chocolate and then into the donut hole. The small amount of chocolate acts like glue to help the stick stay secure. Make sure the chocolate fully cools before you dip the whole donut so it stays secure.
  4. Carefully dip the whole cake pop into the melted chocolate and either swirl or spoon it over so it is fully covered. Allow the excess chocolate to drip upside down for about 1 minute, this gives it time to set up and create the best coating.
  5. Transfer it to your cake pop stand, homemade or purchased and allow to fully set… unless you plan to cover the whole thing in sprinkles. In that case, very gently roll it in a shallow bowl or dish. Do not press down to hard, just enough for the tacky chocolate to pick up the sprinkles and attach.
  6. If you intend to drizzle more chocolate, allow them to dry fully, then melt second chocolate color in a microwave-safe candy piping bag. Snip the end and drizzle as desired. Sprinkle can be applied to tacky drizzle as well.
collage of how to make donut hole cake pops

Donut Hole Cake Pops Variations

The other option is to ditch the treat sticks together and just make cake balls. These are similar to Oreo Truffles or Buckeyes in that they are round, except for the flat part that will hit parchment to let them dry.

Follow the same instructions, just skip the part about adding a stick. Use a fork to dip the whole ball into the chocolate and then tap any excess off. Set it on parchment or wax paper to set. Same rules apply for decorating.

overhead shot of cake pops

Tips for Melting Chocolate

  • Melting chocolate, like many other things in the kitchen, is chemistry and science.
  • You need the optimal temperature to make sure your chocolate melts to a silky-smooth consistency, don’t do it over high heat, keep it at medium.
  • Skip the microwave and use a double boiler. The microwave heats too fast and too hot.
  • If you do need to use the microwave, use it at 50% power or defrost mode and go slow, 15 second intervals.
  • Don’t fully boil the water in your double boiler. Get it hot enough to melt the chocolate, but not to a rolling boil.
  • Put the top pot on with chocolate after the water has come to temperature.
  • Stir constantly while melting. It should only take a minute or so.
  • Use immediately and while shiny.
  • If chocolate gets too hot, it gets clumpy and matte.
  • You can try to revive it by adding 2 teaspoons of vegetable shortening, but sometimes you are better off just starting over.
bite taken out of donut hole cake pop

Storage and Freezing

Storage: You can purchase a cake pop stand or use a piece of styrofoam from the local craft store. Cakes pops can also be laid in an airtight container separated by sheets of parchment paper or wax paper. They stay good for about 3-5 days.

Freezing: Cake pops can be frozen, but be mindful that chocolate, while still safe to eat, can thaw looking chalky and could crack. Thaw at room temperature.

collage of donut hole cake pops for pinterest

More Easy Dessert Recipes

  • 4 Ingredient Chocolate Fudge
  • Easy Pineapple Upside Down Cake
  • Caramel Apple Dip
  • Chocolate Turtles
Chewy Butterscotch Blondies Recipe
Moist and delicious, these bars are the perfect flavor of butterscotch using dark brown sugar and butterscotch chips.
Check out this recipe
stack of butterscotch blondies
Copycat Star Crunch
Just like the childhood Little Debbie's treat, this no bake Copycat Star Crunch recipe is simple to make with less than 10 ingredients!
Check out this recipe
tray of copycat star crunch
Birthday Cheesecake
Perfect for any celebration, this Birthday Cheesecake recipe is sure to become a favorite with it's fun sprinkles and decadent flavor!
Check out this recipe
slice of confetti cheesecake
one cake pop with text overlay for pinterest
three cake pops in jar

Donut Hole Cake Pops

Check out our SECRET ingredient for making cake pops EASY! These Donut Hole Cake Pops only require 3 ingredients and 35 minutes!
5 from 6 votes
Print Pin Rate
Course: Dessert
Cuisine: American
Keyword: donut hole cake pops
Prep Time: 15 minutes
Setting/Chilling Time: 20 minutes
Total Time: 35 minutes
Servings: 18
Calories: 114kcal

Ingredients

  • 18 unglazed donut holes
  • 2 cups chocolate melting wafers
  • Sprinkles or additional chocolate for decorating

Instructions

  • Roll each donut hole in your palms to try and smooth it into the best perfect ball possible.
  • Melt the chocolate wafers according to the package directions, we prefer a double boiler, but microwave works too.
  • Stick a treat stick into the melted chocolate and then into the donut hole. Allow the chocolate to dry/set and then carefully dip the whole cake pop into the melted chocolate. Allow to drip upside down for about 1 minute, then transfer to your cake pop stand, homemade or purchased.
  • If you are planning to use sprinkles, roll in a shallow plate of desired sprinkles while chocolate is still tacky. If you intend to drizzle more chocolate, allow them to dry fully, then melt second chocolate color in a microwave-safe candy piping bag. Snip the end and drizzle as desired. Sprinkle can be applied to tacky drizzle as well.
  • If you’ve tried this recipe, come back and let us know how it was in the comments or ratings.

Nutrition

Calories: 114kcal | Carbohydrates: 19g | Protein: 2g | Fat: 4g | Saturated Fat: 1g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 1g | Monounsaturated Fat: 1g | Cholesterol: 1mg | Sodium: 152mg | Potassium: 55mg | Fiber: 1g | Sugar: 10g | Vitamin A: 3IU | Calcium: 8mg | Iron: 1mg

Filed Under: Sweet Snacks Tagged With: No Bake

Reader Interactions

Comments

  1. Mirlene

    November 1, 2022 at 5:32 pm

    5 stars
    These cake pops are the cutest! I’ll be making these for my kids. I’m sure theyll love the sprinkles over the donut holes!

  2. Catherine

    November 1, 2022 at 5:49 pm

    5 stars
    Cake pops are always such a fun treat and brighten up the table no matter the occasion. These look so yummy! I love the idea of using donut holes for this too…so easy!

  3. Michelle

    November 1, 2022 at 5:51 pm

    5 stars
    These make cake pops way easier!

  4. Beth

    November 1, 2022 at 6:30 pm

    5 stars
    These are super cute! I thin they’d be great birthday party snacks or gifts. Love it.

  5. Jayne

    November 1, 2022 at 6:47 pm

    5 stars
    This recipe was fun and easy. We made it with the kids. They love cake pops. It was a big hit.

  6. Heather

    November 2, 2022 at 1:30 pm

    5 stars
    These are so clever and cute!! What a great easy dessert idea. Can’t wait to try these donut pops.

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

Recipe Rating




Primary Sidebar

Meet Jessica

Best dessert recipes is a central place for easy dessert recipes featuring semi-homemade, one step and easy dessert making hacks guaranteed for all culinary levels. Jessica is a cookbook author and Le Cordon Bleu Culinary School certified recipe developer. See her work in Parade Magazine, Better Homes & Gardens, Mashed, AllRecipes AllStars and The Daily Meal Food + Travel and more!

jessica eating a cheesecake

Visit Our Sister Sites

For all things savory, make sure to visit our sister sites, SavoryExperiments.com and MySauceRecipes.com.

savory experiments logo

Trending Now

overhead shot of pile of brownies on a plate

Applesauce Brownies

slice taken out of s'mores layer cake

S’mores Layer Cake

collage of dump cake recipes

20+ Delicious Dump Cake Recipes

overhead shot of one brownie with sprinkles

Cosmic Brownies

Footer

About

  • Privacy Policy
  • Disclaimer
  • Accessibility Policy

Newsletter

  • Sign Up! for emails and updates

Contact

  • Contact
  • About

As an Amazon Associate, I earn from qualifying purchases. Exclusive Member of Mediavine Food.

Copyright © 2022 Best Dessert Recipes

↑ back to top