Starbucks cake pops are a popular treat option at the famous coffee chain. The cake pops come in different flavors like chocolate, vanilla and birthday cake. But many customers wonder just how many calories are in the sweet treats, especially for those trying to watch their calorie intake. This article will focus specifically on the nutrition information for the Starbucks birthday cake cake pop to help answer the question: how many calories does a Starbucks birthday cake cake pop contain?
What is a Starbucks Birthday Cake Pop?
The Starbucks birthday cake cake pop is a handheld cake treat on a stick that is meant to taste like birthday cake. The cake pop is made with real cake crumbs mixed with icing to create a sweet, dense cake pop coated in colorful sprinkles or confetti candy pieces to resemble a mini birthday cake.
Starbucks cake pops come in just two standard flavors – chocolate and birthday cake. So if you opt for the birthday cake version, you are getting a cake pop made to mimic the flavor profile of birthday cake with a colorful funfetti coating.
Starbucks Cake Pop Nutrition Facts
Many Starbucks menu items now come with detailed nutrition information provided by the company to help consumers make informed choices. Here are the nutrition facts for a Starbucks birthday cake cake pop:
Serving Size:
– 1 cake pop (approx. 38g)
Calories:
– 180 calories
Fat:
– 9g total fat (4g saturated fat)
Carbohydrates:
– 24g total carbs (16g sugar)
Protein:
– 2g
Sodium:
– 80mg
So a single Starbucks birthday cake cake pop contains around 180 calories. It also provides 9g of fat, 24g of carbs, 2g of protein and 80mg of sodium.
How Many Calories in Other Starbucks Cake Pop Flavors?
While this article is focused on the birthday cake version, you may wonder how the calories compare for other Starbucks cake pop flavors.
Here is a breakdown of the calorie count for all Starbucks cake pop varieties:
| Cake Pop Flavor | Calories |
|---|---|
| Birthday Cake | 180 calories |
| Chocolate | 200 calories |
| Cookies & Cream | 180 calories |
| Red Velvet | 180 calories |
| Salted Caramel | 180 calories |
As you can see, the chocolate cake pop from Starbucks contains 200 calories, making it slightly higher in calories than the 180 calories found in all other standard cake pop flavors.
Comparing Starbucks Cake Pop Calories to Other Desserts
To put the 180 calories for a Starbucks birthday cake cake pop into perspective, let’s compare it to the calorie counts for some other popular sweet treats and desserts:
– 1 slice birthday cake (1/8th of cake) = 180-350 calories
– 1 slice chocolate fudge cake = 210-320 calories
– 1 slice cheesecake = 250-360 calories
– 1 glazed donut = 190-260 calories
– 1 chocolate chip cookie = 75-140 calories
– 1 chocolate chip muffin = 330-500 calories
– 1 slice pecan pie = 320-470 calories
– 1 slice pumpkin pie = 300-320 calories
– 1 slice apple pie = 410-590 calories
As you can see from the comparisons, a Starbucks cake pop is on the lower end for calories when looking at other dessert options. The birthday cake pop has less calories than a big slice of birthday cake, muffin or pie. But it has slightly more calories than a small cookie.
Ways to Make Your Starbucks Cake Pop Lower in Calories
While Starbucks cake pops are already reasonable treat options at around 180 calories each, there are some ways you can save a few calories with your cake pop order:
– Choose chocolate over birthday cake flavor – saves 20 calories
– Order a cake pop instead of a slice of cake, muffin or donut – saves 100-300 calories
– Share your cake pop with a friend to divide the calories
– Opt for a cake pop instead of a higher calorie Frappuccino as a sweet treat
– Order it with nonfat milk instead of whole milk
– Skip whipped cream as a topping if added
As you can see, there are many ways you can customize or swap out items to make your cake pop order a bit lighter.
Nutritional Benefits of Starbucks Cake Pops
While cake pops should still be consumed in moderation as a sweet treat, the Starbucks versions do provide some nutritional benefits:
– Real cake provides more nutrients than cake-flavored snacks
– Contain fiber from whole wheat flour
– Provide antioxidants from cocoa
– No artificial dyes or flavors
– Trans fat free
– Low sodium
– Small portion control built-in
So while sugary, you are getting nutrients from real cake ingredients like wheat flour, cocoa and dairy compared to artificial cake snacks high in additives. The small size also makes portion control easier than cutting yourself a slice of cake.
Are Starbucks Cake Pops Healthy?
Starbucks cake pops make a convenient portable sweet treat, but are they actually healthy? Here is a quick rundown:
– Contain real cake and icing, not artificial fillers, but real cake and icing are still high in sugar and low in nutrients
– Have less calories, fat, and sugar compared to giant slices of cake, muffins, pies or donuts
– Provide some fiber, antioxidants and protein from real ingredients like whole wheat flour and cocoa
– Are made without artificial colors, flavors or additives
– Offer built-in portion control
The Verdict:
While Starbucks cake pops are lower in calories than many other dessert options, they are still a sweet treat high in sugar. But they make a better choice than heavily processed snacks. Overall, consuming cake pops only occasionally in moderation is best. They can be enjoyed as a fun portable dessert, just not daily or in large quantities.
Tips for Enjoying Starbucks Cake Pops in Moderation
Here are some tips to keep your cake pop consumption in check:
– Treat yourself to a cake pop just 1-2 times per week at most
– Split a cake pop with a friend or save half for later
– Pair your cake pop with a lower calorie drink or water instead of a Frappuccino
– Avoid buying multiple cake pops in one visit. Stop at just one.
– Choose cake pops over higher calorie bakery items like giant muffins or slices of cake
– Be mindful of your portion sizes for the rest of the day when enjoying a cake pop
– Continue to focus on getting plenty of fruits, vegetables, lean protein, whole grains and healthy fats in your daily diet
– Avoid mindless snacking on cake pops while working or walking around. Sit down and savor it.
Should You Eat Starbucks Cake Pops If Trying to Lose Weight?
If you are trying to manage your weight, you can likely still enjoy the occasional Starbucks cake pop in moderation as part of an overall healthy diet, by following these guidelines:
– Account for the 180 calories by making adjustments to your other meals and snacks for the day
– Stick to just 1 standard sized cake pop at a time
– Avoid doubling up on cake pops or getting jumbo sizes
– Steer clear of frequent cake pop runs throughout the week. Enjoy them only as occasional treats.
– Be cautious about cake pops if you have food sensitivities to ingredients like gluten, dairy or soy
– Avoid drizzling, dipping or topping your cake pop in high calorie sauces or whipped creams
– Slowly savor your cake pop to make it feel more indulgent
– Continue focusing on getting lean proteins, fruits, veggies, whole grains and healthy fats from nutrient-dense foods
The Bottom Line:
An occasional cake pop when craving something sweet is unlikely to sabotage your weight loss efforts. But overdoing cake pops or going on daily cake pop runs could easily add excess calories and sugar and throw you off track. Enjoy them in moderation as part of balanced eating for weight management.
Healthy Snack Alternatives to Starbucks Cake Pops
If you visit Starbucks often, you may want to swap your cake pop order for a healthier light snack on some visits. Here are better-for-you snack options under 200 calories to order instead:
Fruit Options:
– Starbucks Fruit & Cheese Protein Box (170 calories)
– Petite Berry Trio with yogurt dipping sauce (45 calories)
– Petite Apple Pieces (50 calories)
– Strawberry & Blueberry Oatmeal Fruit Cup (160 calories)
Savory Snacks:
– Ham & Swiss Breakfast Sandwich – Mini (170 calories)
– Protein Bistro Box (170 calories)
– Petite Turkey Rustico (170 calories)
– Egg White & Roasted Red Pepper Wrap – Mini (170 calories)
Yogurt Parfaits:
– Plain Nonfat Greek Yogurt with fruit (80-140 calories)
– Oatmeal with Fresh Blueberries Yogurt Parfait (140 calories)
Beverage Swaps:
– Brewed Hot Coffee or Iced Coffee instead of Latte (5-15 calories)
– Refreshers made with water instead of lemonade (100 calories)
– Cold Brew with splash of milk instead of Frappuccino (60-100 calories)
Conclusion
Starbucks birthday cake cake pops contain around 180 calories per piece. While not the healthiest choice, they make a decent lighter option compared to a giant slice of cake or muffin. Enjoying the occasional cake pop as a portable treat is fine for most people. Just be mindful of eating too many too often or going overboard on size upgrades. Savor your cake pop slowly in a size and flavor you love and feel good about the moderation and portion control!
