These Skinny Cake Pops are made lighter by using a boxed cake mix along with egg whites and fat-free Greek yogurt—no oil or butter required. They bake quickly in a cake pop pan and are an easy, lower-calorie alternative to traditional cake pops that are mixed with frosting.
Skinny Cake Pops
Skinny Cake PopsIf you like seasonal variations, try ideas such as Rainbow St. Patrick’s Day cake pops, mummy-themed Halloween cake balls, or Easter egg-shaped cake balls. These lighter cake balls hold up well to creative decorations and are great for parties where you want to limit mess and excess frosting.
Today I’m celebrating my daughter Madison’s third birthday. For her school party I wanted to bring something that wouldn’t be too messy for little hands. Cake pops seemed ideal, but as I thought about lollipop sticks and very young children, I decided to make cake balls that look like tiny cupcakes instead. They are portable, tidy, and still festive.
Cake pops became widely popular thanks to talented bakers who turned them into fun shapes and seasonal treats. The original method—crumbling baked cake and mixing it with frosting—makes rich, dense pops but adds a lot of calories. To keep these lighter, I use a boxed cake mix reworked with egg whites and fat-free Greek yogurt and bake the batter in a cake pop pan. This method is quicker, cleaner, and results in a tender, less-fattening bite.
Not all cake pop pans are the same. After trying several, I found the NordicWare cake pop pan to be reliable and easy to use; it produces even, well-shaped balls. It’s an affordable pan that makes the process straightforward when you want consistent results.
For my daughter’s party I decorated the cake balls with melted candy coating for color—white candy melts made piping and color-matching easy. Keep in mind that while the cake itself is lighter, dipping or coating the balls in chocolate or candy melts adds calories, so portion control is still helpful. Dark chocolate is a better choice for those seeking a slightly healthier option, but candy melts are convenient and come in many colors for decorating.
Skinny Cake Pops
Ingredients
- 16.5 oz package yellow cake mix
- 6 oz plain fat-free Greek yogurt
- 1 cup water
- 2 large egg whites
- 1 tsp vanilla extract
- Baking spray (for the pan)
- About 48 oz Baker’s white chocolate or candy melts (note: you will not use all of it; see notes)
- Sprinkles (optional)
- 48–50 lollipop sticks (if making pops)
- Styrofoam block or other holder for drying
Instructions
- Preheat the oven to 350°F (175°C).
- Lightly spray the cake pop pan with baking spray to prevent sticking.
- Combine the cake mix, fat-free Greek yogurt, water, egg whites, and vanilla extract in a large bowl. Beat until the batter is smooth and well combined.
- Transfer the batter to a pastry bag or a large zip-top bag and cut off the tip to create an opening for piping.
- Pipe the batter into the prepared cake pop pan cavities, filling each about three-quarters full. Bake about 18 minutes, rotating the pan after about 10 minutes to ensure even baking.
- Allow the pan to rest for 5 minutes before carefully opening it and removing the cake balls.
- Place finished cake balls on a wire rack. Repeat baking with remaining batter as needed.
- Trim any seam or excess with kitchen scissors to create a smooth surface on each ball.
- Refrigerate the cake balls for about 45 minutes. Chilled cake balls are easier to coat because the coating adheres better.
- Melt some of the coating (chocolate or candy melts) in the microwave according to package directions, taking care not to overheat or burn it.
- If using sticks, dip the tip of the stick into melted coating, then insert it partway into each cake ball to help secure it.
- Dip each cake pop into the remaining melted coating, let excess drip off, then place the stick upright in a styrofoam block to set. Add sprinkles before the coating sets if desired.
Final Note:
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Notes
Makes 48–50 balls.
Although the recipe lists 48 oz of chocolate or candy coating, you will not use the entire amount on the cake balls themselves. Buy extra to ensure you have enough for coating and decoration. Nutritional information is calculated assuming approximately 0.4 oz of coating per cake ball.
For color and decorative convenience, candy melts are a popular choice, while dark chocolate provides a slightly healthier coating option.
Nutrition
Serving: 1 cake pop
Calories: 102.5 kcal
Carbohydrates: 15 g | Protein: 1.4 g | Fat: 4 g | Saturated Fat: 2 g
Cholesterol: 2 mg | Sodium: 68 mg | Sugar: 7 g
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