Turn leftover cake into delicious homemade pistachio cake pops with this easy recipe! Perfect for holidays, Valentine’s Day, or Christmas, these treats are a hit.

Cake pops are one of those treats that always feel special but are surprisingly easy to make. Whether you’re prepping for Valentine’s Day, Christmas, or just looking for a fun activity with the kids, these cake pops are a guaranteed crowd-pleaser. The best part? You can make them with leftover cake—yes, even that slightly dry cake that’s been sitting on the counter can shine in this recipe!
Looking for more easy and delicious ideas? Check out these 10 reader favourites! From a high-protein mayo that’s perfect for sandwiches to a quick potato and tuna dish, these recipes are simple and satisfying. Try the creamy spinach and pepper chicken or bake up a moist apple cake.
The simple cabbage frittata with eggs is a low-calorie breakfast win for a healthy start, while baked gorgonzola pears offer a sweet and savoury treat. Enjoy a hearty potato frittata or crispy turkey wontons. For dessert, Morello cherry sponge cake and the soft yoghurt cake are both hits.
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💭Expert Tip
Use room-temperature ingredients for the smoothest mixture. Softened butter and coconut oil mix easily with the cake crumbs, creating a cohesive texture.
💕Why You’ll Love This Recipe
- It’s a great way to use leftover cake.
- You don’t need frosting for the mixture.
- Perfect for holidays, birthday parties, or gifting.
- Fun to make and customise with kids.
- No waste—even small cake scraps are enough!
🥘Ingredients
Cake Base
Frosting
*See the recipe card for full information on ingredients and quantities.
♻️Substitutions
- Pistachio paste: Use almond butter instead for a nutty twist.
- Use white chocolate for coating instead of dark or milk chocolate.
- Swap coconut oil with vegetable shortening if needed.
🔪How to make Pistachio Cake Pops
Making pistachio pops at home is easier than you think! Just like my Dubai Chocolate Bar Recipe (Pistachio, Tahini & Kataifi Crunch). Follow these simple step-by-step instructions to create delicious, bite-sized treats for any occasion.
Step 1: Prepare the Cake Base: Bake your favourite pistachio-flavoured cake and let it cool completely before moving on to the next step.
Step 2: Mix the Frosting: In a bowl, combine butter, pistachio paste, and other frosting ingredients until smooth and creamy.
Step 3: Crumble the Cake: Break the cake into fine crumbs using your hands or a food processor. Finer crumbs make smoother cake pops.
Step 4: Combine and Roll: Mix the frosting with the cake crumbs until it holds together. Roll into small balls and place on parchment paper.
Step 5: Chill the Cake Balls: Refrigerate the cake balls until firm, making them easier to coat.
Step 6: Coat and Decorate: Dip the balls into melted chocolate, decorate with sprinkles, and let them set before serving or packaging.
📖Variations
- Holiday party cake snacks: Add red and green sprinkles for Christmas or pink and red for Valentine’s Day.
- Themed pastry balls on sticks: Use coloured candy melts to match a party theme.
- Nut-Free: Skip pistachio paste and use extra confectioners’ sugar in the frosting.
🧺Storage Tips
- Store in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 3 days.
- Refrigerate for longer storage, up to one week.
- Freeze uncoated cake balls for up to 2 months. Thaw before decorating.
🥗Serving Suggestions
- Pair them with a cup of hot chocolate for a cosy treat.
- Arrange them in a decorative jar for a holiday centrepiece.
- Pack them as party favours or gifts.
💭Tips and Tricks
- Don’t skip chilling the cake balls—it helps them hold their shape during dipping.
- Use a spoon to coat the cake balls evenly in chocolate.
- Work quickly when decorating to ensure the sprinkles stick before the chocolate hardens.
❓Pistachio Cake Pops FAQs
Crumble the leftover cake into small pieces, then mix it with frosting until it sticks together but isn’t too wet. Roll the mixture into small balls and dip each into melted chocolate or candy melts. Let them set and enjoy your easy homemade dessert!
If you don’t have frosting, you can use softened butter, cream cheese, or nut butter (like peanut or almond butter) as a binder. Just mix them into the cake crumbs until you get a sticky consistency that can hold the shape given.
Dip them in melted chocolate or candy melts, then add sprinkles, crushed nuts, or drizzle with contrasting chocolate to enhance their appearance.
Absolutely! Customise with themed decorations to suit any holiday, such as Christmas, Valentine's Day, or Easter.
No, you can easily make them by hand using cake crumbs and a binding agent like frosting or nut butter.
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Claudia Ciorteanu says
My family loved this!
Lathiya says
WE absolutely loved these pistachio cake pops. I sent some along with my kids for their class year end party.
Tisha says
My family loved this! They turned out so good! Thank you!
Diane says
This worked exactly as written, thanks!
Criss says
My family loved this!
Juyali says
I am a Pistachio lover so when I saw this recipe I had to make it. They were a total hit with my friends.
So easy and delicious, I’ll be making them again! Thanks for the yummy recipe.
Sonja says
I didn't realise cake pops are so easy to make! Made these for a friends kids birthday and they were a huge hit!