Cupcake Push Pops

Learn how to make cupcake push pops with kids using simple layers of cake, frosting, fruit, sprinkles, or candy pieces. These colorful layered desserts are fun because each child can build a custom treat in an individual push pop container, almost like a cupcake parfait.

cupcake push pops layered with cake frosting and fruit

These push up cake pops work well for birthday parties, classroom treats, cupcake decorating activities, cooking camps, bake sales, and kids cooking parties. If you are starting from scratch, first visit how to make cupcakes with kids and how to frost cupcakes.

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Cupcake Push Pop Supplies

Gather everything before kids start layering. Push pops are easiest when the cake is already baked and cooled.

You can use disposable push pop containers for parties or reusable containers if you plan to make this activity more than once.

  • Plastic push pop containers
  • Baked mini cupcakes or small cupcake rounds
  • Buttercream frosting
  • Fresh strawberry slices, raspberries, or blueberries
  • Sprinkles, mini chocolate chips, crushed cookies, or small candies
  • Piping bag, zip-top bag, or small spoon for frosting
  • Small round cutter, biscuit cutter, or knife for trimming cake pieces

How to Make Cupcake Push Pops

Cupcake push pops are made by stacking small layers of cake and frosting inside the container. You can use mini cupcakes, leftover cake scraps, or thin cake layers cut into circles.

  1. Bake mini cupcakes or a thin sheet cake and let it cool completely.
  2. If needed, cut small cake circles that fit inside the push pop containers.
  3. Place one cake layer in the bottom of each container.
  4. Pipe or spoon a layer of frosting over the cake.
  5. Add fruit, sprinkles, crushed cookies, or small candy pieces.
  6. Repeat with another cake layer and frosting layer.
  7. Finish with frosting and a small topping on top.
  8. Chill until serving time if the frosting is soft.

cupcake push pops layered with frosting and raspberries

Helpful tip: Do not overfill the containers. Leave enough room at the top so the lid can fit if you are making them ahead of time.

Best toppings for cupcake push pops: Try sprinkles, mini chocolate chips, crushed cookies, sliced strawberries, blueberries, raspberries, coconut, mini marshmallows, or small candy pieces.

Kid-Friendly Jobs

Cupcake push pops are a good hands-on activity because kids can choose flavors and build their own layers.

Younger Kids

  • Add sprinkles
  • Choose fruit
  • Place cake pieces in containers
  • Count layers
  • Choose frosting colors

Older Kids

  • Help bake cupcakes
  • Cut cake circles with supervision
  • Pipe frosting layers
  • Create flavor combinations
  • Label party flavors

Push Pop Combination Ideas

Here are some different cupcake push pop combinations kids can create. You can keep the flavors simple or let each child design a custom dessert.

Chocolate Ideas

  • Chocolate cake with chocolate frosting
  • Chocolate cake with buttercream
  • Chocolate cake with mint frosting
  • Chocolate cake with peanut butter frosting
  • Chocolate cake with caramel frosting
  • Chocolate cake with strawberry frosting

Vanilla Ideas

  • Vanilla cake with vanilla frosting
  • Vanilla cake with chocolate frosting
  • Vanilla cake with strawberry frosting
  • Vanilla cake with lemon frosting
  • Vanilla cake with berries and buttercream
  • Vanilla cake with crushed cookies

Fruit Ideas

  • Lemon cake with lemon frosting
  • Strawberry cake with white frosting
  • Strawberry cake with strawberry frosting
  • Strawberry cake with marshmallow frosting
  • Coconut cake with coconut filling
  • Berry cake with whipped frosting

Party and Classroom Tips

Cupcake push pops are easy to turn into a party station. Set out cake pieces, frosting bags, fruit, and toppings, then let kids build their own layered dessert.

  • Use name labels so kids can keep track of their push pops.
  • Set toppings in small bowls for easy sharing.
  • Offer two or three frosting colors instead of too many choices.
  • Use fruit right before serving so the cake does not get soggy.
  • For classroom activities, use pre-baked cake pieces and disposable spoons.
  • For younger kids, make the first layer for them so the container is easier to handle.

Cooking party idea: Add cupcake push pops to a kids cooking birthday party as a build-your-own dessert station.

Cupcake Push Pops Video

This video gives another look at layering cake and frosting in push pop containers.

More Cupcake Decorating Pages

Use these pages to keep building the cupcake decorating cluster:

how to make cupcakes with kids How to Make Cupcakes

Start with the basic cupcake baking lesson before making cupcake push pops.

how to frost cupcakes with kids How to Frost Cupcakes

Practice spreading frosting, round swirls, star swirls, and rose swirls.

pull apart cupcake cakes for kids Pull-Apart Cupcake Cakes

Arrange cupcakes into flowers, butterflies, numbers, animals, and party shapes.

cupcake bouquet gift made with decorated cupcakes Cupcake Bouquet

Turn decorated cupcakes into a flower bouquet gift or party centerpiece.

ecorated cake pops for kids Cake Pops

Make cake pops and arrange them with cupcakes for a colorful dessert bouquet or party centerpiece.

kids cake decorating ideas Kids Cake Decorating Ideas

Explore more frosting, cake decorating, and creative dessert projects for kids.

Cupcake Push Pops FAQ

What are cupcake push pops?

Cupcake push pops are layered desserts made in push pop containers. They usually include small cake pieces, frosting, fruit, sprinkles, or candy.

Can kids make cupcake push pops?

Yes. Kids can help layer cake, frosting, fruit, and sprinkles into the containers. Adults should help with baking, cutting cake rounds, and any sharp tools.

Can you make cupcake push pops ahead of time?

Yes. Cupcake push pops can be made several hours ahead and chilled. For best texture, add juicy fruit close to serving time so the cake does not become soggy.

Do cupcake push pops need to be refrigerated?

Cupcake push pops should be refrigerated if they include whipped topping, cream cheese frosting, fresh fruit, or any filling that needs to stay cold. If they are made with regular cake and buttercream, keep them cool and serve the same day for best texture.

What can you put inside cupcake push pops?

You can layer mini cupcakes, cake rounds, frosting, whipped topping, berries, sprinkles, chocolate chips, crushed cookies, or small candy pieces.

More Cake & Cupcake Decorating Ideas

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Back to How to Make Cupcakes
Learn How to Frost Cupcakes
See Pull-Apart Cupcake Cakes
Make a Cupcake Bouquet
Back to Kids Cake Decorating Ideas

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