Summer is officially here and I hope you guys will have the chance to do something fun, fun, fun!
These beach ball cake pops are a great way to get in the right mindset. I made them a while ago for Target’s blog (A Bullseye View) at the time, but it appears the instructions have since been removed in their site reorganization. So I thought I would update this post I made back then to include the complete how-to instructions. Now they‘ll be handy here if you want to give these cute pops a go.
They are so sweet and simple, and have such strong and graphic visual appeal. They just sing summer. And sunshine. And they make me smile. And they make me wish I was at the pool right now. P.S., if you love summer, you might like these Sunshine Cake Pops, too.
Now, let’s make some beach balls. The full instructions are at the end of this post, but first, here’s a photo play-by-play.
To make cake pops, start with crumbled cake and then mix it with frosting. Easy and so tasty.
The texture will be something like this. You can scoop amounts of the the cake and frosting mixture for even size balls.
And then just roll them by hand. If your cake crumbs are fine, you’ll get rounder, smoother balls which will make for smoother pops when dipped.
This is a good consistency of cake to frosting. The mixture should be moist but shouldn’t feel wet. Once they are scooped you can easily roll them into a smooth ball.
Speaking of consistency, you want your candy coating to be fluid and smooth so that it pours off the spoon instead of plopping. : ) I know. Nice visual, but this is what you want. Not too thick and perfect for dipping.
Once rolled, chill them and then dip them in white candy coating.
To decorate you’ll need some colorful sanding sugar in bright happy colors.
A helpful way to divide the pops into eight equal sections is to use a toothpick to draw or “etch” lines right on the surface.
Use a small brush to apply a thin layer of corn syrup to one of the sections.
Then dip that section in one of the sanding sugar colors.
Use a toothpick to clean up any edges for a more finished look.
Repeat, with each color of sanding sugar.
Add a blue confetti sprinkle to the top and voila – Beach Balls!
You can even display them in a dish filled with light brown sugar or cookie crumbs for sand.
So super cute for a party presentation.
Have a ball this summer and enjoy the perfect bite-size treat. 
Beach Ball Cake Pops
Ingredients
Instructions
What are you doing fun this summer? I’d love to know what you guys are looking forward to in your summer plans because I haven’t done anything fun yet. I’m longing for the pool and rest and adventure and rest and rest. What to do and where to go?
Hope you have a ball this summer!
A version of this post was originally posted on July 9, 2012.
Hi, Angie, my kid is sitting next to me he loves this and I often try these at home. but your recipe looks more tasty and attractive. I m gonna try it tonight.
It so cuuute))
The kids must love them.
This looks so pretty!! Thank you for the recipe!! I will definitely make this cake pop!
These beach ball cake pops are so fun!! How cute. They will be perfect for a summer pool party.
Love the colors! It seems taking a lot of patience to finish the colors :)
Oh, they look so good and taste even better. A truly amazing suggestion. Loved the suggestion. Thanks a lot!!
I remember when these first came out and I made them! They were super cute. I remember my colors being different as I was matching a party theme. Everyone loved them, as they do all your cake pops! Much love from France.
Adorbs!! Could you please tell me what you used for the little top piece of the beach ball that”s blue?
Thanks a bunch, Kari
These look perfect for our b- day swim party!! My daughter’s friend has a corn allergy. Any ideas what to use instead?
I can’t make a perfectly round cake pop to save my life, but a customer wanted these as party favors. Your technique for adding the sugar was amazing!!! And so much easier and quicker than I anticipated. You are a lifrsaver. While not perfect, mom and the little birthday girl loved them. Thank you so much!!!
The cake pop instruction link takes me to the target website. Does anyone have the correct link?
Nice discussion . For what it’s worth if people a IL CAR Rider 19 , my wife came across a blank version here
https://goo.gl/HTNO2i.I have both of your cake pop books.????????Love them.I do a lot of parties. Your ideas are fabulous. Happy New Year 2015 Joy From Orange County California
I can’t wait to try these! Every time I bring cake pops to a function, people go crazy over them. Until now I have only done basic styles. But this looks so easy. Love the idea of using brown sugar as the sand base too.
These are amazing! I’m having a Summer-Party with a few friends this weekend, and these are utterly perfekt! Thank you so much for posting this Incredible idea!!! Can’t wait to try it out =D
My beach ball pops looked amazing. Tasted delicious but really got sticky and gooey after being in the fridge/freezer before serving!! The sugars almost dissolves. Any suggestions??
Thank you so much for the recipe! Your work is amazing!!!
Do you have any in pool (billiards) pool cake pops?
Hi, I’m planning my sons bday party with beach as the theme. This is perfect! I just wanted to know how many days in advance can I make these cake pops before they start to go bad or crack. Thanks!
Amazing!!!!
I love these cake pops! I did a tutorial on beach cake pops on my blog, and I posted a link to these beach ball cake pops. So cute!
Hi there!
I just wanted to pop over and let you know that I’ve shared this post in an inspiration board for an End of Summer Beach Themed {Poolside} Birthday Party on my blog.
Here is the direct link to the post if you want to check it out:
http://uniquepasticheevents.com/2013/08/07/beach-themed-poolside-birthday-party/
Thanks for sharing this post! I may have never found what I was looking for :)
im going to make this tomorrow
I made my 2st cake pops yesterday for my Son’s 1st birthday from your very first book (I got it for Christmas from my sister). I LOVE all your ideas and know I’ll make cakepops all the time as I love to throw partys. I have one question though…. When I mixed the cake and frosting up, I was unable to roll the dough in my hand. It would just fall apart. I had to shape it with my fingers and lay it down gently. Did I have too much or too little frosting??
i like your pretty tastes :)
Bakerella!!! I know I’m late to this post, but I have to ask where you got those little white square containers you put the sanding sugar in. I love those types of containers I see in blogs but I cant seem to find them anywhere!! Please, help!!
Wow, this is just great.. I will test :-) Have a nice day
EVERYTHING you do is just SO doggone CUTE, I almost can’t stand it!!!!!
I honestly cannot get over how CUTE you are and your creations!!!!
You are one extremely CREATIVE and talented lady….and so sweet, to boot.
Everytime I come here I see something cuter than the last time and I just don’t see how that is possible!!!
Popcorns Box cake pops? Owls? Christmas Stockings!!!??
Oh My….you are just the cutest, most clever baker…..EVER!!!!
Be blessed….stay well…and cute!! :)
these are adorable my baby girls loved them, for their first bday i made ur cupcake themed pops they were adorable :)
I loved these so much I had to blog about them! Thank you for sharing!
http://www.muddyingthewaters.com/2012/07/25/cake-pops-and-push-up-pops-2-cookbook-reviews/
Love these beach balls! Just wondering how big your scoop is?
I’m spending my summer out of country and trying to bake
Btw, I love these!
those beach balls are AMAZING–so colorful and fun!!!
Hey Bakerella :) I love cake pops. On my blog (just getting started) I posted my European version of the recipe. Check it out if you want to^^
I love your cake pops! Those beach balls are simply precious! I reviewed your Cake Pops cookbook on my blog and you can read about it here:
http://www.muddyingthewaters.com/2012/07/25/cake-pops-and-push-up-pops-2-cookbook-reviews/
Looking forward to your Holidays Cake pops! : )
These are amazing. But Bakerella how do you get the merkens candy melts so runny? Mine always seems to be too thick, I add crystals and it’s still thick.
We just moved back from Costa Rica and I saw your book in the local bookstore there and had to snap a photo of it. So exciting!
OMG, these are sooo cute!! I love making cake pops and can’t wait to get your newest book so I’ll be ready for Christmas. I love the tip about using a cookie scoop to make the pops come out the same size. I can’t wait to get some of the candy you recommended, it sure does look easy to work with! As far as my summer plans, I just got back from a trip to Dallas, TX for a Close to My Heart scrapbooking convention. I had a blast! I have to go back to work (at a school) on August 1, so my summr is pretty much over now. :(
These are adorable.
My major summer fun is my ice cream party for National Ice Cream Day (this past Sunday). This year was 18 flavors of ice cream, sorbet and granita. If I up the total next year I will need more tupperware!
These are so cute! Great idea for my son’s swim birthday party. Our summer fun was a family reunion on Sylamore Creek in Mtn. View Arkansas. Lots of fun in the water with all the kiddoes.
Very Cute! You are so creative!
I can’t believe how cute your cake pops are. I tried to make some with my Niece this weekend and we are both quite fustrated, since they did not turn out nice at all. :-(
At least, with all the nice Cake Pops Photos, that we saw, I got inspired to illustrate some, I guess something good came out of it. Thank you for sharing!
These are so cute. I must give these a try as soon as it turns warm down here. We’re really like it if you’d give up summer pretty soon. Sick of winter already.
cute balls i want to make cake pop like that :P
http://beforewehungry.blogspot.com
Thank u
Wow! How fun! My girls will love this!
I am making these. everything okay…they aren’t as smooth as yours but you are the Cake Ball queen…but some of them are splitting as if the inside is “expanding”. I am trying to score and put sugar over the worst part of the split. Do you know what caused this and how to prevent it?
Oh my gosh — how fun! This is my first time stopping by your blog, and I can’t wait to see more! :-)
looks so cute and simple to make! but i bet i can’t achieve a clean looking beach ball pops as yours :P
Oh these are too cute. TOO CUTE!
This summer we are recuperating from a move overseas that was harder than we anticipated. We are reveling in family, friends, sailing, sleepovers, and great food.
I hope you find some time for fun soon!
LOVE these – but I think it would take me too much time!
1. I like Candy Melts better than white chocolate disks b/c they are so fluid BUT I have a hard time finding them – Only Michaels has them and they are $$$.
2. How do you get such a round ball – I always have a flat spot from the tray
3. Cracks – I am getting Cracks – I have to double dip any tips??
Summer – perfecting cake pops lol
Linda
Merckens!! You have saved my life. I couldn’t stand using Wiltons anymore so I started exploring with Fondant and Chocolate Molding Clay but they never turned out right. I just bought two bags on Amazon and I can’t wait to try it!
These balls are so cute! Thanks for the step by step instructions.
These pops are the perfect way to get in that Sizzlin’ Summer mindset!!
Lovely!
I just wanted to let you know (and I’m sure you heard it before) that you are flippin’ awesome! I absolutely LOVE these!!
These are so cute and creative! My only plans are to stay indoors out of the sweltering heat and humidity.
Sooo adorable! I love it. Made me sit and think back to when I was younger and would go to outdoor concerts and someone would toss one of those balls into the crowd…I
What cake pop recipe is this? it looks so yummy!
I have followed your tips and recently made cake pops for a wedding. They turned out wonderful! Thank you!
Is that corn syrup you are painting on or melted chocolate? I ask because the year I made the eggs and tried to use corn syrup the syrup beaded up and did NOT paint on. Have you ever had this happen? Any ideas why? The eggs still looked cute unsugared.
How clever! I agree with you, Merckens is the best. I’m lucky enough to have a few bake supply stores nearby that stock it.
We are going camping as a family! I’m excited to be out of cell phone range for a few days. I’m in desperate need of a break.
Like I said a few comments ago,
I made your Peanut butter Fudge,
I turned out great and It was yummy too!
Thanks alot Bakerella.
So cute and colorful! I love seeing you making more cakepops!
My family loves going to the lake during the summer, and down to the pool. Baseball games and BBQ’s are also so much fun. I haven’t been out camping since I was a kid, but nothing would make me happier than to go again. Last year we went to the State Fair, a bit overrated for me now. I love summer food best, smores, watermelon, corn on the cob, homemade ice cream, and anything with strawberries, like my famous strawberry shortcake!
Whatever you end up doing this summer, Bakerella, I hope you have lots of fun and relaxation. :)
My summer plans consist of nothing too big. I am only getting married in 10 days.
They look awesome,
Not Summer down here in Australia, but I am still enjoying the last few days of my school holidays.
But exicting.. I am going to try and make you peanut butter fudge today. I Hope it works out.
Thanks, Have fun enjoying your hot Summer.
That is too fun! You always amaze me with your creative ideas!
oops…I mean road trip
I haven’t done anything either…I am hoping to go on a short road…maybe
These just scream summer! How fun. Hoping we can make it up to the lake for a few days before summer slips by. Thank you for sharing.
These are so much fun, Angie!! I am looking forward to more pool time and grilling with family & friends this summer :)
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Oh my goodness!! They are sooooo cute that I can’t think of eating them. They look very real. I can’t wait to try to make ’em.
These look amazing. I admire your patience! I would never be able to make these but can only imagine how tedious it can be!
You are so talented.
OMG one day and already 86 comments. so much for my dream of being first…
My “summer” is almost over. In 3 weeks I will go back to work after 5 1/2 months home with my sweet baby boy. I’m not looking forward to it.
They look awesome! Love the texture of the coating you used. Must try it.
We are staying near home this summer, but lots of fun plans, $1 movies during the week, kids are going to do some day camps, I am training for my first triathlon, a camping night in the park, Birthday parties, hitting the pool as often as possible, attempting the beach (the ocean scares me – way more than a pool), lots of volunteering for crafting for VBS at church, and trying a new baking recipe each week. Oh, and scrapping, trying to keep my blog updated and see some summer blockbusters. I may even get to my yard. Hope you get some great ideas and enjoy your summer!
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I LOVE THESE!!!!!!!!
Thank you for sharing these! My cake is in the oven and the white chocolate candies are waiting to be melted. :-) I also want to thank you for making it so easy to pin it for pinterest. I definitely want to remember this for next year.
You’re a genius! and your cake pops put always a smile on my face.
i love your ideas
These were so cute, I had to make a batch right away! And they turned out great – thanks for the awesome inspiration! :)
I love those pops! It’s a little too warm right now in OR to play with melting candy. :) Heading to Yellowstone soon for some camping and Moose watching! Hmmm, I’ve been wondering how I could make a moose cake pop. Any ideas from you lovely folks?? That would be amazing!
Pi?kne s?!:)
My summer plans include having a baby next month. :)
These are so cute! There is no way mine would come out looking like that…maybe more like one of those marbled glass ornaments.
Our family is going to Charleston in a couple of weeks! I can’t wait for eating and beach time! Flying with four kids…hmm. Not looking forward to that part, but eating! Yay!
You are so awesome, Angie! Many nights I can barely put a decent dinner on the table for my family (hello, recycled leftovers!) and you manage to come up with such artistic creations.
Cute cake pops! My daughter is so in love with your book. lol She’s my little chef in training (she’s 11 years old).
For summer activities, I’ve spent a week at Boy Scout summer camp which was very fun. Horseback riding, camping, rock wall climbing, hiking. Totally excellent. I’m planning to go to Branson with my kids and parents in a couple of weeks which should be fun. I haven’t been there except for many, many years ago to see the Precious Moments Chapel. I’m also going to a scrapping retreat in August. VERY excited about that. :)
so cute!! you are amazing
Oh, just havin’ some MAJOR FUN! Holiday world, Indiana state fair, the county fair, and baking even more! Can I get a WhoopWhoop!?
It is so hot in your area right now – I would head away! I am in Victoria BC right now and it is beautiful! Loving the escape from the heat back home in Nebraska.
these are soooo cute. i’ve been having trouble melting chocolate lately! even melting in a double boiler on the lowest heat the chocolate is still seizing. help!
but as far as summer plans go, i’m not only super pumped for the new batman movie in a couple weeks, but i’m 22 and going on my very first plane ride! my boyfriend and i are going to visit his family in north carolina.. i’m really excited! :)
Fantastic, and so very cute!
ADORABLE! Those are the cutest beach balls I have ever seen! I love your work, you are amazing!!
How cute! My kids would love these cake balls. We are just trying to stay cool in southeast Texas. But my hubby and I were able to get away for a week (no kids!) to a resort in Utah…ah…it was great!
They are so stinkin’ cute! I’m going to try to make some for my niece’s birthday this weekend.
My husband and his family have a cabin on a private lake and we like to go there. Our vacation is in 2 weeks yay!
These are really cute. Great idea for a beach themed party. Since I live by the water this is an excuse to throw a party. My summer so far has been spent traveling and eating lol.
Sooo cute!! I’m part fish so I love all things pool! That’s the best part of summer but what I love to do is visit a farm and pick lots of fresh fruits and vegetables to use in the kitchen. (you feel so healthy) Also fun is a family road trip to Williamsburg, Va or beautiful Rhode Island.
These are just adorable. I picture them sitting on top of cupcakes, and putting crumbled graham crackers instead of brown sugar as the sand… Maybe on top of s’more flavored cupcakes for added summer fun. Yum! Btw bakerella, i’ve been wondering how you feel about those cake pop pans i see in stores? It seems to skip the best part- the frosting inside!
I will definitely give the Merckens a try… I kind of walked away from cake balls because of Wilton’s candy melts always clumping on me – my awkward cake balls looked more like creations by Picasso – fun looking, but not when I’m trying to make a round smooth ball! Now I’m excited to try again. THANKS BAKERELLA!
My summer plans involve moving back home to Georgia! I moved to Tennessee when I got married in April but my husband and I have decided we miss home!
The beach balls are so cute! They make me wish we were going back to the beach this year.
Oh my goodness, how cute are these beach balls!! Love them!! You are so creative girl. Always love your fab photos! :)
After one week of a cruise to the Bahamas, I’m going to prep school. Haha, high school’s so much work.
Oh my goodness…. I love these adorable guys!!!
Adorable! I’ve had your book forever but must have missed this technique with the corn syrup. Great idea!
They look fantastic, yummy and like something I would love to make!
Love these…so cute. My husband and I are going to visit our daughter in Colorado Springs, Co. Fires are contained thank goodness. She just scored a job with the US Olympic Committee there. Cant wait to visit ! She and I love cake popping together !
Such a cute idea, Bakerella! They are beautiful!
Awesome! Cake pop madness @ dhr E.R. Nurses are going crazy making cake pops for everyone (except for patients lol) I like visiting your website for creativity and inspirational moments :)
So cute!
Corn syrup question: I have tried numerous times to use corn syrup to adhere sanding sugar to my pops. At first it works (being careful to use a thin layer of corn syrup), but slowly the sanding sugar always starts to slide off. :( Any hints to make it stay in place?
Thanks!
It is summer in Bakerella’s world (and mine) after all, so that’s when beach ball cake pops are the best!
We just finished our summer trip to WDW to celebrate our 14th anniversary. =D Man, was it ever hot! LOL!
What about Cancun, Mexico? or Puerto Vallarta? I hope you get a well deserved vacation and you get the chance to RELAX!
Those are seriously adorable! I live in Michigan so all I would like to do right now is head up to Traverse City for the Cherry Festival. Sit back on the shoreline and drink some cherry wine with delight. :) It’s possibly my favorite place to go with my family for down time. Since we live in metro Detroit, we don’t get there as often as we want. Enjoy your summer!
Wow, you are amazing. you just keep making these spectacular things!
Perfection and adorably cute!
These just scream summer fun!
These are so freaking cute! Awesome idea!
These look so cute! I really want to be at the beach in the sunshine now, but I’m in rainy London instead.
Not much of summer weather here in London…but we’re going to be following the Olympics!
these are so cute! haven’t seen this kind of beach balls in a long while ^^|| anyways, it’s summer all year round where i live.. and the weather is hot (not super-hot) and kinda nice (?!) right now ^^ hope you get to rest and have fun soon ^^
You make me wish that we had a pool! For summer fun, we are heading out to Cedar Point today for a bit of a vacation. I’ll think of these pops when we are at the hotel pool.
I LOVE IT !!!… SOOO WONDERFUL !… SO MUCH TALENT !…
oh and how we’re spending our summer? We’re getting marries August 31st and then off on our honeymoon to Egypt. so excited!
oh how cute are these! And I’m about to throw a beach party so your timing is just perfect!! thanks again for all your great ideas..
By the way I was just wondering if you eat all of the treats you make?? I would be the size of a beached whale if I’d bake as much as you do – and then eat all of it ;-)
love from Holland xx
Oh, they are just wonderful – so fun! :-)
These are so amazingly cute!!! I thought I was looking at actual beach balls for a second! I would love to make these :) so fun!!! I am looking forward to being in summer in two weeks! I’m in New Zealand right now so it’s winter but moving back in two weeks. I can’t wait to feel summer heat!!!!
Sooo cute !
Very cute!!
They look amazing!!!
Great idea! Summer at work, dreamind about sea and laying on the beach :)
Maybe you’ll come to visit Israel this summer? We will be glad to have you
Summer here in England has been a total washout so far. Its been cold, wet and generally unpleasant! I’m hoping it will change soon so I can go with my friends.
Its winter where I am. Please don’t assume all of your readers are in the northern hemisphere. Oh, oops, the world doesn’t exist beyond the USA does it????
Wow Bakerella! You really out did yourself..again! :) you are my inspiration! I always have trouble making them a perfect circle! I can barely put them on a stick without having it slip. Any tips?
So cute!!! :) They look so fun!
These are so adorable! I can’t wait to try them out! :)
These are amazing! I have to make them soon, once I have time. Mostly this summer I’m studying, but when I take breaks, my son and I are going to the movies. The A/C of the theater can’t be underrated, plus the cheap movie theater by our house has $2.50 tickets before 6pm.
You make it look so easy! I have the darnedest time with my candy melt consistency and white is the worst culprit. And the cracking! These look so cute!
Looking forward to downtime with the kids. And once my 4-yo gets her cast off we’ll do the water fun!
I am a weirdo. My idea of fun is go out and pull weeds. :) I do also take the dogs hiking, and I signed up both dogs for nose work classes. I highly recommend this for any dog. My dogs love it and all the dogs in our class love it. And bless the person who thought of it – I live in a place where it rains a whole lot so it is nice to have a fun game to play that you can do inside!
One thing for Aug is my Sister-In-Law’s wedding! Luckily it will be small cause I am helping her make Cake Balls for favors…eek! Neither of us are pros but both have fun with cake pops…any one specific link to the best advice for smooth, simple decorating/handling? I always make pops so I am used to the stick…so nervous about dipping and setting them to dry and keeping them smooth and fully encased in coating (no cake “bald spot” underneath) and not getting a blob under them…etc. ;)
You have perfect timing!
We are having a pool party this Sunday and today I have started the cleaning and de-cluttering of our home and have been trying to come up with a menu and something sweet for Dessert.
Thank You Bakerella! (and I have a beautiful wooden cake pop stand that my sweet husband made me for my friend’s baby shower, which I filled full of Rainbow– inside and out–) that I will now fill with Beach Ball Cake Pops!!
you are so creative!! We’re just hangin out at the house.
We’re going to 5 events at the Olympics and were sneaking off to Paris for a few days while we’re there too…sans my 2 year old…very excited!! Get to the pool already :) These are beautiful and adorable!
A couple of my friends are getting married this summer! So that’s going to be my fun (OPEN BAR!!) as right now it’s busy season at work and lots of overtime.
Also PAX Prime will be happening Labor Day Weekend. Always excited for that.
What a great little treat! I will probably have to wait till next summer to make them, though (or have a summer in winter sort of party) since all my cake stuff is packed up so we can move in a couple of weeks. I’m trying to get to the pool as often as possible to escape the chaos of our house.
Fun! I love the technique for adding the “glitter”
This is so cute!! I want to make it now.
Mindy1 – ok, maybe I did do something fun already. Saw MM. Pretty entertaining.
Jakki – I make a mess too. Just work with one color at a time over a baking sheet and you can collect the sprinkles to reuse.
Jessie C – not melting is going to be hard this summer. A scorcher.
Kaila – YAY!
Carlene – I like it.
Kendra – You’re outnumbered.
Alexis – Agreed!
Super fun! I was at the grocery store the other day, and I saw some pre-packaged Duff Goldman cake pops at the bakery section. They were all cracked and crumbled and melty…and not to mention, expensive! It’s so much easier (and prettier) to do it yourself.
Super fun looking and absolutely yummers!!!
We’ve hit the water in our boat a few times and this weekend we are heading camping with 5 other families. 12 adults and 18 kids! Should be fun, interesting and LOUD!
My plans for the summer are to make it through my classes! And when I have time, spend time with friends that I don’t get to see too often because of school.
SO CUTE!!!!!
I know what to make while I’m at the beach next week! :D
those look so cool!
I love it!
so cute! I did something similar but made Christmas ball ornaments. plans for the summer are mainly to not melt! and make yummy foods!
Ooh, so cute! I know some kids who will /love/ to have these at their birthday next month! :D
Man your creations are all so freakin PERFECT. If this were me I’d get sprinkles everywhere and mess up the pattern lol.
Oh, my goodness, they are really cute!!!
: )
Julie M.
How darling and cheery :D they make me smile. No big plans, see some movies (Magic Mike hehe) family bbbqs, the beach
How fun!
I love them!