Don’t get me wrong, I love frosting. Who doesn’t?
But if you want to try a different flavor, texture, or even a healthier alternative, I’ve got your back.
The frosting is the binding agent that holds the cake crumbs together to create your perfectly shaped cake pops. But it isn’t the only option.
Remember that cooking and baking are all about trying new alternatives, so maybe it’s time you come up with your signature cake pops recipe.
If you want to know how to make cake pops without frosting, keep reading.
13 Alternatives to Frosting to Make Cake Pops
Preparing cake pops is an excellent way to use leftover cake, adding a sweet addition to every party or gathering.
Typically, you use frosting to bind the cake crumbs, roll them into balls, stick them into sticks, and dip them in your favorite coating. It’s as simple as that.
But some people don’t like the overly sweet taste of frosting.
Frosting is mainly made of butter, sugar, and water, but you can change its flavor by adding other ingredients.
Yet, some people might not be into the extra sweetness of frosting. It’s also not the healthiest option out there.
If you want to prepare more versatile and guilt-free cake pops, you can try one of these options.
1- Nut Butter
Want to add richness to your cake pops? Nut butters will work for you.
Whether it’s peanut, almond, or hazelnut butter, these binding options will hold the cake crumbs in place and give your pops a tastier flavor. You can even use a mix of butter kinds for a unique flavor.
If you’re not satisfied with the options on the market, you can prepare nut butter at home.
Smooth nut butter types will help you create smooth pops enriched with healthy fats, but you can also use crunchy peanut butter for a little twist. If you’re preparing cake pops from chocolate or spicy cake, these buttery choices will be an amazing addition.
2- Condensed Milk
Baking mistakes happen, and if the cake you’re using for the pops isn’t sweet enough or too dry, condensed milk will be an excellent binder.
Condensed milk is typically sweet and blends well with spicy cake pops. Moreover, it adds moisture and gives your cake crumbs a smooth and rich texture.
When you keep your cake pops in the fridge, condensed milk will firm, allowing the pops to hold their shape.
With condensed milk, you want to be careful because a little goes a long way.
Just add your condensed milk slowly until you can shape the crumbs into balls, and use your favorite coating or sprinkles to decorate your mouthwatering dessert.
3- Applesauce
Did your cake turn out too dry or dense? Using applesauce can fix this issue, giving you fluffy and sweet cake pops without your good old frosting.
Applesauce adds tart, sweet, and aromatic flavors to elevate the taste of spicy and vanilla pops.
The best part is that your cake pops won’t crumble and will hold their shape, impressing your family and friends with your culinary skills. Try adding some crushed nuts to each cake pop for a unique texture.
4- Melted Chocolate
If you have chocolate cake pops, chocolate melts will intensify the taste and make them richer.
This binder will be an excellent choice for spiced cake pops and hardens to maintain the shape of your pops.
Fold the melted chocolate into the cake crumbs until perfectly combined, and shape your pops as usual.
You can use milk chocolate as a binder and dip your cake pops in white chocolate for an intense taste.
5- Ricotta Cheese
The slightly salty and sweet ricotta cheese will be a healthier addition to your cake pops. Instead of the sticky frosting, ricotta cheese will keep your cake balls light and fluffy.
With its firm yet slightly fluffy consistency, your cake pops will hold their shape well. You can mix some shredded dried fruits into the cheese before using it to bind your cake crumbs.
Try adding some honey for some extra sweetness.
6- Mascarpone Cheese
Is ricotta cheese too tangy for your taste? Use mascarpone cheese instead.
It’s sweeter with a slight hint of acidity and will blend well with vanilla and chocolate pops.
Thanks to the rich and velvety texture, your cake pops won’t be sticky and won’t fall out.
7- Candy Melts
In a hurry and want to skip decorating your cake pops? Candy melts will work for you.
Candy melts can be used for dipping your cake pops, but did you know you can also use them as a binding agent?
Melt them in the microwave or a water bath without overcooking them, and you’ll be good to go.
Use different flavored candy melts like caramel, peppermint, fruit, and butterscotch for a blend of delicious flavors. Mix your cake crumbs with the candy melts, and they will quickly harden when you shape the pops and put them in the fridge.
Even if you skip the sprinkles, your cake pops will have a delicious flavor.
8- Coconut Cream
Coconut cream is thicker than coconut milk and has a rich coconutty flavor and a fluffy and light texture. The natural fats in the cream will hold the crumbs together when you place the shaped pops in the fridge.
This cream is usually unsweetened, so you can add some honey to make it sweeter and tastier.
Be careful because cream of coconut is another ingredient, and it’s sweetened and has a slightly thinner consistency. They aren’t used interchangeably.
9- Canned Pureed Fruits
Canned pureed cherries or pineapples will help moisten a dry cake while adding more nutrients to your delicious dessert.
Ideally, you should choose fruit kept in thick or heavy syrup because it will help you shape your cake pops easily. Just mash your canned cherries or pineapples until smooth, and you’ll have a fruity binder for your cake pops.
You can also add some mashed bananas for a new flavor.
10- Soft Silken Tofu
Soft silken tofu will add more nutrients to your cake pops while holding them together. It has a smooth and custardy texture without much flavor, so it will work for you if you don’t want your binder’s flavor to take over.
All you have to do is whip your silken tofu well before adding it to the cake crumbs. You can even use it in the cake recipe instead of eggs.
Blended silken tofu will be an excellent choice if you’re preparing vegan cake pops and will offer extra proteins without being too sweet.
11- Honey
Honey is another sweet choice for those who want a sweet and rich binder for their cake pops. Different types of honey will add various flavors to your cake pops, and they blend well with chocolate, vanilla, fruit, and spice cake pops.
This binder is adhesive, but it’s still a liquid, so you want to be careful while adding it to your cake pops.
Pour a little honey into the crumbled cake mix and shape your cake pops. The honey’s stickiness will allow you to roll them directly into the sprinkles without any extra coating.
12- Jam
Using jam to bind cake pops adds moisture and sweetness. You can choose smooth jam or a version with some fruit chunks to add a unique flavor and texture to your plain cake pops.
Raspberry and cherry jam pair well with vanilla and chocolate cake pops. If you’re preparing pops from carrot cake, you can use carrot jam for an intense flavor.
But you should refrigerate your pops or keep them in the freezer for at least 30 minutes.
13- Marshmallow Fluff
Marshmallow fluff is basically whipped marshmallow. It’s fluffy, lightweight, and slightly sweet, so it will be the perfect addition to your cake pops.
This pillowy spread acts as a lightweight binder if you don’t want your cake pops to be too sticky, as it makes them soft.
Marshmallow fluff has a mild vanilla flavor, so it’s not too overpowering. But while mixing it, you want to be careful to avoid making your cake pops too dense.
Final Thoughts
Frosting is a popular binder for cake pops, but it’s not the only option. There are several alternatives you can use to add more flavor to your dessert or even help fix a taste or consistency issue.
Why not try a new option to see which one works best for your cake pops? You’ll be amazed at how they’ll turn out.
Sarah is the founder of Baking Kneads, LLC, a blog sharing guides, tips, and recipes for those learning how to bake. Growing up as the daughter of a baker, she spent much of her childhood learning the basics in a local bakery.