First and foremost please know this article is my opinion and mine alone. I make homemade handrolled Cake Pops and put a lot of time and energy into them. I believe this is a great attempt at Cake Pops for Starbucks, but I do believe for a corporation there is room for much improvement.With that said, here we go…………..
It was only a matter of time until the coffee giant jumped on the Cake Pop band wagon. So of course as a Cake Pop perfectionist and an old Starbucks employee. I had to try them out. At this time they only have 3 flavors available Rocky road, Birthday Cake and Tiramisu .
I would say they are about the size of a normal cake pop (1 tbsp). The problem for me comes with the flavor and texture of these Cake Pops. Starting with the basic eye appeal. As with anything you mass produce and don’t spend time on you will have many imperfections. First the Cake ball itself was not completely round (more like if you turned it upside down, it would look like a golf club), nor was the chocolate coating even. I paid $2.00 for one Tiramisu Cake Pop, and could only stomach one bite. As I bit into it, I quickly noticed how thick the coating was. They must double to triple dip these pops (Which also makes it hard to bite into). The cake themselves are extremely doughy. It taste as if they use a spice cake and mix in alittle coffee flavoring. I truly believe that the best part of these pops was the chocolate covered espresso bean they put on top.
As for the other two flavors, Birthday Cake and Rocky Road….. Birthday Cake very cute, it is simply yellow cake with pink chocolate coating. Also double dipped and overly mixed with frosting, far too moist. I found more white sprinkles on the bottom of my bag then I did on top of the Cake Pop
Rocky Road is probably the best flavored one out of the three. It seems as though they use just plain chocolate cake and frosting. It’s not as sweet or flavorful as I would have expected for a “Rocky Road” Cake Pop. It wasn’t overly done with frosting, and had good texture. I think if they would have used a devils foods cake or a fudge frosting it would have given them the sweetness I was expecting. Also if they would have mixed the miniature marshmallows into the cake and rolled them. That would have been better then putting them on the outside, where it is hard to keep them from falling off. Lastly I would have liked to see them clean off the sticks from the excess coating. This would have given them a more professional look. The whole thing looks messy and rushed. When I think of something hand made, this is not it. For $2.00 each (They do offer a discount if you by two) I want to be able to bring something home and have it still intact. Thank you for taking the time to read my review. If you have questions or comments, please feel free to leave them.
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Brittney
March 10th, 2011 at 8:15 pm
Very well said. I think you and I probably make them about the same. I have not tried them yet but I am going to this weekend. I have been making them since 2007 and hear so many complaints of other peoples tasting too doughy or no flavor. Maybe we should start selling ours to Starbucks =)
Lainey
March 12th, 2011 at 2:07 pm
I tried the cake pops at Starbucks too and I would agree with you but I would take it a step further and say they are gross! Way too mushy! I threw away the Birthday Cake and Tiramisu cake pops after one small bite. I liked the Rocky Road better but still not great.
I have a Cake Pop business and run into people all of the time that have never heard of or tried a cake pop and it kills me to think someone will try one from Starbucks and think that’s really what they taste like!!!
Thank you for posting your review, it was spot on!
Stephanie
March 13th, 2011 at 1:12 am
You said that the tiramisu cake pop had a chocolate covered espresso bean on it… I thought the same thing but mine was just a coffee-bean shaped ball of chocolate. I was disappointed
Cindy
March 21st, 2011 at 9:23 pm
I tried the rocky road and tiramisu and thought they were awesome! I liked that the frosting was thick – that’s the best part of cake! I can’t wait to get the rocky road again! My kids love them too!
Leilani
March 23rd, 2011 at 6:18 am
Cindy-
I’m really glad you liked them. They were just not for me. I’m glad someone left this comment though. Its great for the readers to hear it from both sides. Thanks again for stopping by and hope you check in again.
Leilani
Krisstinna
March 27th, 2011 at 9:48 pm
I have also tried all 3 flavors at Startbucks. The birthday cake being my least faveorite. I like both the Tirmasu and Rocky Road. They were very mushy. We have started making them too. You definately have to make them alot to get the right mix of frosting and cake. Also because we are in a higher alltitude most recipes have to be tweeked. But we sure love them!
Jenny
April 8th, 2011 at 8:38 pm
I had 2 tiramisu pops last week & have been craving more. I actually bought 1 for self & 1 for a friend, but couldn’t help eating both. Yummy!
And I don’t usually like cake pops.
Lindsey in the STL
April 24th, 2011 at 2:19 am
I agree, I wasn’t in love with the ones from Starbucks. I just started making them and selling them to friends and family and they are a bit hit! I think too that they must have dipped them a couple of times, as the exterior “candy coating” (not frosting, frosting is used on the inside) was super thick!! It didn’t totally shock me, as Starbucks is known for their coffee and their food has always been less than par if you ask me!
Carrie
May 4th, 2011 at 1:48 am
I absolutely LOVE the birthday cake pops at our Starbucks, but wasn’t impressed with the tiramisu. Starbucks uses local bakeries to make their cake pops, so it’s not likely they will always taste the same in every Starbucks across the country.
Diana
May 19th, 2011 at 10:31 pm
Bought the birthday cake one for my son today. He loved it and so did I. The Coating was thick – I liked that, but it was hard for my little guy (2.5 yo) to bite into to. I think ours was $1.50 and $2.50 for two.
Aine Cuddihy
May 24th, 2011 at 12:30 am
I bought the cake pops in Starbucks for the first time today. They looked like they had been made by a child. I thought they were not a bit enticing looking. Gave me great confidence to try and market mine that look and taste way better.
Anaid
May 27th, 2011 at 4:07 am
I ate a Starbucks tiramisu cake pop as I read this post.
It. Was. Delicious.
They are cute little balls with a tasty THICK but smooth coating. I have to go get more ASAP.
And it’s 2.50 for TWO. Worth it.
jenna
July 15th, 2011 at 6:47 pm
Actually, the “doughy” texture is what I like about their cake pops. In fact, I’d venture to say that is what makes them so appealing. Otherwise, it would nothing but a doughnut hole with a sucker stick in it.
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