The 5 Best Cake Pop Makers [Ranked]
In this post, we examined 5 of the best-selling cake pop makers.
These specialized baking machines are used to make cake pops, which are small, round pieces of cake that are coated with icing and mounted on a stick much like a lollipop (Source).
Contents
How do they work?
These baking presses work like waffle or pizzelle makers in that you place batter in the bottom tray and then close the upper tray, and the batter bakes into tiny, ball-sized cakes (Source).
Making the pops is time-consuming, but it can be a fun activity, and most people say the result is worth the effort. They’re great for parties and things like wedding showers and birthdays.
To make them, experts say that you can get away with using a simple cake mold or rolling crumbled cake and frosting into balls if you’re only making a few, but for bigger jobs, you’re going to want to use a dedicated tool. (Source).
Comparing The Options
| The Makers | Our Rating | Price ($) | |
|---|---|---|---|
 | The Babycakes CP 12 Cake Pop Maker | 3.9 | $$ |
 | The Holstein Housewares Cake Pop Maker | 3.4 | $$$ |
 | The Brentwood TS-254 Cake Pop Maker | 4.1 | $ |
 | The Disney DCM-8 Cake Pop Maker | 3.9 | $ |
How Do They Compare
Following are five cake pop makers and their features.
- The VonShef 12 machine (which is out of stock at the time of this writing) makes 12 pops at a time. This machine includes a 12 hole cake stand to allow your pops to dry if you’re using a liquid icing or need to apply sprinkles. Nonstick plates on both the top and bottom ensure easy cleaning. Buyers praised this machine for being ready out of the box to make pops.
- The Disney DCM-8 is a mini pop making machine featuring Mickey Mouse on the top, making it fun for kids to use. This machine makes four cake pops at a time and also features non-stick top and bottom plates for easy cleaning. While users liked the ease of use, some said you’re better off buying a machine that makes more pops at a time.
- The Brentwood TS-254 is a purple pop machine that makes both pops and donut holes. It also has a non-stick coating for easy cleaning. If you’re new to the cake pop making game, this is an easy to use and inexpensive machine to get you started.
- The Holstein Housewares cake pop making machine is geared toward the person who needs to make pops in large quantities as it makes up to 35 at a time. This machine is ideal for professional bakers and party planners. This unit features non-stick plates for easy cleanup, a power on and ready indicator light and carry handle for easy transporting.
- The last machine is the Babycakes CP 12 and is the one most people think of when they think of cake pops. This machine, like the Brentwood is also purple. The Babycakes machine makes 12 cake pops at a time and includes a plastic stand, for tool and 50 sticks. Like the other machines we looked at, this one also has non-stick
The Best Cake Pop Makers For 2023
Effectiveness
Price
Ease Of Use
This baking machine offered by Baby Cakes is well-made, pre-heated, and an excellent choice for birthday parties. Users love the price and the cute purple color, but some do note that it gets too hot.
The Baby Cakes maker measures 8.1” x 9.8” x 4.7”, and it features non-stick baking plates, which is great because you can clean it in seconds. What’s more, you can bake 12 of the pops or doughnut holes in a couple of minutes and decorate them to your liking. It comes with accessories – a plastic stand, a fork, recipes, and 50 sticks. It is also available in a 9-pop cake model.
In general, users are satisfied with the design and performance of the Baby Cakes pop maker, and they highly recommend it. A reviewer shares that the mini cake pop maker saves her a lot of time because it cooks a batch in 3-5 minutes. She suggests that you buy boxed mix for better results. Another buyer comments that the maker cooks evenly and that she hasn’t had issues with the treats getting stick to the plates. A purchaser also observes that her 9-year-old granddaughter enjoys using it and that it’s well-made.
However, some customers have noted that the pop maker is hard to use and that the cake pops are not completely round. Some also note that the treats are too small and that the hinges broke quickly.
Video Overview
Pros
- Available in two models
- Cake pop accessories
- Non-stick surface
- Easy to use
Cons
- Gets hot according to some users
- Small cake pops
Effectiveness
Price
Ease Of Use
If you want to surprise your guests with delicious pop cakes, you might try this cake pop maker offered by Holstein Housewares. Users love that they can bake up to 35 mini cakes in minutes, but some do note that it’s expensive.
The Holstein Housewares cake pop machine measures 13.3” x 13.2” x 5.2”, and it features non-stick coated cooking surfaces, power-on light, a ready indication, and upright design which saves you storage space. Another great thing about this product is that it has a safety lock to keep it close while in use in addition to a non-slip base. What’s more, you get a cake pop recipe book.
A satisfied user comments that the Holstein cake pop maker is easy to use and that it makes great cake pops quickly. She highly recommends it as one of the best cake pop makers because it saves a lot of time. Another buyer comments that she loves the pop maker and that the recipe book is very useful for those who might not know how to make cake pops.
A purchaser also observes that the maker works great and that it takes no more than 10 minutes to cook a batch. She suggests that you don’t fill the holes all the way or they’ll overflow. However, some customers have noted that the cake pop maker doesn’t cook perfectly round cake pops and that it’s not what they expected. Some also complain that the cakes crumble when they take them out.
Video Overview
Pros
- 35 cake pops
- Non-stick surface
- Power-on indicator
- A ready light
- A non-slip base
- A safety lock
- A recipe book
Cons
- Not the cheapest option
- Cakes are not round according to some users
Effectiveness
Price
Ease Of Use
This cake pop baker offered by Brentwood is affordable, easy to use, well-design, and an excellent idea for a Christmas gift. Users love the design and the color, but some do note that they received a damaged unit.
The Brentwood cake pop maker measures 11.1” x 5.6” x 8.9”, and it features non-stick coating surfaces, which is great because you’ll be able to pop the cakes quickly. Another excellent thing about this product is that you can use it to make donut holes, mini cinnamon, buns – 12 at a time, and you clean the maker in minutes.
In general, users have a favorable opinion of the Brentwood cake pop baker, and they are satisfied with its design and performance. A reviewer comments that the maker works wonderfully and that she doesn’t have any issues with it. She also states that the maker comes with cake pop recipe, but she recommends using a cake mix for more flavor. Another purchaser shares that the cake pop baker makes perfect cake pops every time and that she highly recommends it.
A user also comments that you can make a batch of cake pops in four-five minutes and that you can use it for pancake balls.
However, one customer has noted that the cake pops are too delicate and that they fall apart. Another user also warns that the cake pop maker is not suitable for kids.
Pros
- Affordable
- Well-made
- Non-stick plates
- Easy to clean
Cons
- Delicate cake pops according to some users
Effectiveness
Price
Ease Of Use
If you want to surprise your daughter, who loves these pops, you might consider this Mickey cake pop maker offered by Disney. Users love the cute red color, but some do note that the cake pops are not what they expected.
The Disney baker measures 4.2” x 6.9” x 9.5”, and you can make Mickey-shaped pops. It features a non-stick baking plate so that you don’t have to worry about sticking, non-skid rubber feet, latching handles, and illuminated power light. Another great thing about this product is that cord wrap so that you won’t be tripping over it.
In general, users have a favorable opinion of the Mickey press, and they are satisfied with its design, performance, and functionality. A reviewer comments that it takes three minutes to bake a batch of Mickey treats and that the maker comes with sticks and a piping bag with a tip for the batter.
Another buyer mentions that you might need a few attempts until you get the right amount of filling but the maker works perfectly. A user also observes that the pops are well-cooked and that they are round and smooth.
However, some customers have noted that the description is inaccurate and that the cake pop maker bakes four, not nine pops and that it’s hard to make the cake pops round. Some also warn that the baker stopped working after a couple of months.
Pros
- Cute design
- Mickey-shaped treats
- Non-stick plates
- Non-slip rubber feet
- A power light
- Cord wrap
Cons
- Some quality complaints
- Makes four not nine cake treats
5. The VonShef
Effectiveness
Price
Ease Of Use
This baking machine offered by VonShef is well-designed, affordable, and an excellent choice for cake lovers. Users love that the machine is easy to use, but some do note that the treats are somewhat too small for them.
The VonShef maker measures 9.4” x 5.8” x 13.2”, and you can cook up to 12 at a time and decorate them as you like. It features non-stick plates, which is great because the mine cakes pop out easily, and it comes with 50 paper sticks and a 12-hole cake stand.
A reviewer comments that once you learn not to overfill the plates, the VonShef 12 maker is very easy to use. She adds that the cakes are always well baked and that they don’t stick to the surface at all. Another purchaser mentions that you can clean the baker easily and that you can prepare 60 mini cakes in less than half an hour.
She highly recommends it as one of the best machines in a market crowded by junk. A user advises that you don’t fill the plate holes all the way and that it’s perfect for baby showers. However, some customers have noted that the maker set doesn’t cook the batter evenly and that the resulting treats are a bit too fragile.
Pros
- Easy to use
- Affordable
- Non-stick surface
- Cake pops accessories
Cons
- Small cake pops
- Doesn’t cook evenly according to some users
What's Reddit saying?
- One Reddit user submitted a recipe for a watermelon variation. The top response said that the muffin tins that were used might be an extraneous step. They suggested baking it as you would normal sheet cake. Others said that the flavor of watermelon combined with chocolate cake doesn't sound appetizing though the notion of a candy melt dip would make it a bit more appealing visually.
- Another user surfaced the recipe and it includes watermelon extract as well as vanilla frosting. Interestingly there is actually an entire subreddit for these cake creations. A recent post shared an image of these baked goods- the home chef created googly eyed bat creatures from the chocolate coating and Oreo cookie halves. A stay-at-home mother created Halloween themed options- they were supposed to be ghouls but ended up looking pretty comical stuck into a bagel.
- In the Starbucks subreddit there was a post detailing an exchange between the counter person and a customer who was looking to purchase some that were popular with kids. The service person was literally clueless about which the customer wanted- whether it was cookie dough, chocolate, birthday or some other holiday-themed confection.
- One of the more popular posts was from the baking subreddit- it shows an image of a disastrous baking outcome where the pops are malformed, poorly glazed, and generally just look awful.
A helpful user said that if you want to improve the outcome, your best bet is to use a binder that is actually store-purchased frosting. You've also got to be careful to put them in the freezer for at least 15 minutes after you rolled the balls.
In terms of coating, they advise to employ melting wafers while simultaneously maintaining a somewhat high temperature. Another user chimed in regarding how to prevent crumbling- they say that in order to get the consistency right make sure that when you roll them with your hands that there are not any cracks on the outside. It's also pretty important that you get the icing quantity just right- it does require some experimentation to strike a balance between too little and too much. Some other useful advice includes supplementing with shortening, which can flesh it out somewhat and does prevent the creation of two thick a shell which can make it difficult to pull the stick out.
Another user concurred regarding shortening supplementation so that the coating would thin out- they say you actually want it to be a little bit runny and then let the runoff drip off a bit.
Finally, it's advised that after they've dried off your want to very gently remove the stick and even avoid dipping the stick itself into the candy melt, which makes it easier to later remove the stick. That means that the bottom of the balls are not as attractive but the cupcake liners themselves actually hide it. A professional baker chimed in and said that making these confections can be difficult and somewhat irritating.
One bit of advice that she offered is that there's actually no optimal way of accurately measuring the amount of icing ratio to cake. She also suggests using coffee mugs for melting chocolate, touching it up in the microwave for half a minute or so, repeating as needed, to keep the chocolate melt the right consistency as you work. Another baker chimed in saying that instead of using store-bought frosting, they actually suggest creating a buttercream from a sugar and butter mix that you make yourself with a dash of milk.
- Another post was actually pretty funny- it showed two images side one another. One with brussel sprouts stuck with sticks and in the next chocolate covered creations. The implication is that the chocolate lollipops are actually brussels sprouts. So whoever decides to bite into one of these will get a vegetable surprise. Users were amused saying that it was a fun and sinister prank- something great to trick your kids with. The conversation ultimately devolved into the best method to cook brussels sprouts- in typical Reddit fashion, people thought that cooking them in bacon was the best, while others favored browning them in a mixture of brown sugar, caramelized onions and butter.
- Another Starbucks poster solicited the community for their favorite flavor variation- there was a huge list of submissions. Some of them included tiramisu, lemon, brownie, salted caramel, cookie dough and rocky road.
