Starbucks welcomes its customers with a delightful array of fall-themed treats. Among the pumpkin spice lattes and maple pecan muffins, a new, cheeky contender has scampered onto the scene – the Starbucks Raccoon Cake Pop. This adorable addition not only captures the essence of the cozy season with its whimsical design but also offers a melt-in-your-mouth combination of vanilla cake and buttercream that is hard to resist.

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How to make Starbucks Raccoon Cake Pop

The Starbucks Raccoon Cake Pop is a seasonal treat that Starbucks offers during certain times of the year. It’s a fun, cute, and tasty cake pop designed to look like a raccoon, complete with adorable detailing. It’s made with a cake center (typically chocolate or vanilla) that’s coated in a layer of candy coating decorated to resemble a raccoon’s face.

Ingredients:

For the Cake:

1 cup all-purpose flour
1 cup granulated sugar
1/2 cup butter, softened
1/2 cup whole milk
2 large eggs
2 teaspoons vanilla extract
1 1/2 teaspoons baking powder
A pinch of salt

For the Buttercream:

1/2 cup butter, softened
2 cups powdered sugar
1-2 tablespoons heavy cream (adjust for desired consistency)
1 teaspoon vanilla extract

For Decoration:

Grey, black, and white candy melts or chocolate
Small edible eyes
Lollipop sticks

Instructions:

Making the Cake:

Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Grease and flour a 9-inch round cake pan.
In a large bowl, cream together the butter and sugar until light and fluffy. Add in the eggs, one at a time, then stir in the vanilla extract.
Combine the flour, baking powder, and salt in another bowl. Gradually add this to the creamed mixture alternately with the milk, starting and ending with the flour mixture.
Pour the batter into the prepared cake pan and smooth the top with a spatula.
Bake for 25-30 minutes or until a toothpick inserted into the center comes out clean. Allow to cool completely.

Making the Buttercream:

In a medium bowl, beat the softened butter until smooth and creamy.
Gradually add powdered sugar, 1 cup at a time, beating on low until blended. Increase speed to high, and beat until fluffy.
Add vanilla and 1 tablespoon of heavy cream at a time until you reach your desired consistency.

Forming the Cake Pops:

Once the cake has cooled, crumble it into a large bowl, ensuring there are no large pieces.
Mix in the buttercream frosting until the mixture is moist and can hold a ball shape.
Roll the mixture into balls, shaping them to resemble raccoon heads. Place them on a baking sheet lined with parchment paper.
Melt a small amount of the grey candy melts. Dip the tip of each lollipop stick into the melted candy, then insert into the cake balls. Chill in the refrigerator for at least 2 hours.

Decorating:

Once chilled, dip each cake pop into the grey candy melts, ensuring it’s fully coated. Allow the excess to drip off, then insert the sticks into a styrofoam block to stand upright.
Before the coating sets completely, add the edible eyes. Use the black and white candy melts to add details like the ears, nose, and facial markings. A toothpick can help with precision.
Let the cake pops set completely, either at room temperature or in the refrigerator for a quick set.

Tips:

Ensure the cake and buttercream are fully combined without being too moist; otherwise, the cake pops might not hold their shape.
If you’re new to candy melting, practice the tempering process to get smooth, glossy coatings.
Personalize! Don’t be afraid to add your own creative twist to your raccoon cake pops.

What to serve with

Pairing your delightful Starbucks Raccoon Cake Pops with complementary beverages and snacks can elevate your treat time to a memorable café-style experience right at home.

Beverages:

Hot Beverages:

Pumpkin Spice Latte: The quintessential fall beverage, this warm and spicy coffee drink pairs wonderfully with the sweet vanilla flavor of the Starbucks Raccoon Cake Pops.
Chai Tea: The aromatic spices in chai such as cinnamon, cardamom, and ginger complement the buttery sweetness of the cake.
Hot Chocolate: For those who prefer a non-caffeinated option, a creamy hot chocolate makes a cozy and comforting pairing.

Cold Beverages:

Iced Vanilla Latte: The coolness and rich coffee flavor of an iced vanilla latte balance the sweet richness of the cake pops.
Cold Brew Coffee: The smooth and strong profile of cold brew can cut through the sweetness of the cake pops, making for a refreshing pairing.
Milkshakes or Smoothies: A thick vanilla or caramel milkshake, or even a fruit smoothie, could go well with the cake pops, offering a decadent pairing.

Snacks:

Savory Options:

Cheese and Crackers: Offer a platter of assorted cheeses and artisan crackers to complement the sweetness of the cake pops with some savory notes.
Fruit and Nut Plate: Freshly sliced seasonal fruits and a selection of nuts provide a fresh and slightly tart contrast to the sweetness of the cake pop, balancing flavors and textures.

Sweet Options:

Biscotti: A selection of biscotti in various flavors like almond, chocolate, or pistachio offers a crunchy counterpart to the moist cake pops. Dip them in your hot beverage of choice for a textural delight.
Assorted Pastries: Mini pastries such as croissants, Danishes, or scones can accompany the cake pops for a more varied pastry spread.

Seasonal Pairings:

Autumnal Treats:

Apple Cider: Serve warm or chilled apple cider to enhance the coziness factor—the apple flavor pairs well with the vanilla and buttercream of the cake pops.
Pumpkin Bread: A slice of spiced pumpkin bread alongside your raccoon cake pop brings together classic flavors of the season.

Ingredients Substitutes

Making Starbucks Raccoon Cake Pops at home allows for personalization and the use of substitute ingredients in case you don’t have the original ingredients on hand or wish to cater to specific dietary needs. Here are some common substitutes for ingredients that might be used in the making of cake pops:

Cake Base:

Flour: If the recipe calls for all-purpose flour and you need a gluten-free option, you can use a gluten-free all-purpose flour blend. To enhance the nutrition profile, you can also use whole wheat flour, but it may make the cake denser.
Sugar: If you want to reduce refined sugar, try coconut sugar or a sugar substitute like Stevia or Splenda. Remember that the sweetness level and the measure might differ from traditional sugar.
Butter: For those who are dairy-free or vegan, you can use margarine or plant-based butter alternatives. Coconut oil or applesauce are also popular in baking for adding moisture without butter.
Eggs: To make it vegan, substitute each egg with a flax egg (1 tablespoon of ground flaxseed mixed with 3 tablespoons of water, set aside for 15 minutes) or a commercial egg replacement product.

Frosting:

Buttercream Frosting: A standard buttercream includes butter, which can be substituted with vegan butter for a dairy-free or vegan option. Likewise, for a lower-fat option, some might use part Greek yogurt though this will affect the taste and texture.
Cream Cheese: If you’re using cream cheese frosting and need a non-dairy version, look for vegan cream cheese alternatives. Some use Neufchatel cheese, which has a similar texture but less fat content, to reduce fat.

Decoration:

Chocolate Coating: If the recipe calls for melting chocolate for decoration and you need a dairy-free option, ensure that you use dairy-free dark, semi-sweet, or milk-style chocolate. White chocolate can be replaced with vegan white chocolate.
Food Coloring: For those avoiding artificial colors, use natural food colorings derived from plants and vegetables, like beet juice for red or spirulina for blue.

Cake Pop Stick:

Lollipop Sticks: If you do not have lollipop sticks, you can use coffee stirrers, paper straws, or even small skewers as substitutes.

Final Thoughts

By following these steps and tips, you can enjoy your very own homemade rendition of the Starbucks Raccoon Cake Pop, perfect for fall festivities or any day you crave a whimsical treat.

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