Easy Christmas Cake Pops Recipe (For The Holidays)

Dive into the festive fun with our Christmas Cake Pops recipe – a holiday dance of boxed cake magic, frosting dreams, and edible joy! Roll, dip, decorate, and watch these bites of happiness steal the show at your holiday shindigs.

Hey there, fellow festive soul. As the holiday season wraps us in its warm embrace, I recently found myself on a sweet adventure in the kitchen that I just had to share with you. This Christmas Cake Pops recipe! 

Picture this: the scent of freshly baked cake mingling with the aroma of melting chocolate, all while holiday tunes play softly in the background. Yep, it was that kind of cozy day.

These are perfect to bring to a dessert table at any Christmas party. The best part is, you can make them at home for the whole family too and the kids will love them.

They have always been one of my favorite Christmas desserts.

If you love homemade cake pops you may also want to try my Red Velvet Cake Pops and my Starbucks Cake Pop Recipe.

INGREDIENTS YOU NEED FOR THE EASY CHRISTMAS CAKE POPS RECIPE

You will need the following ingredients listed below to make the festive Christmas cake pops (the exact measurements, nutritional information and full recipe are in the printable recipe card at the bottom of the post):

• Box of your favorite cake mix: Yep, we’re going for the easy route here. Choose a flavor that screams Christmas – maybe red velvet, chocolate, or classic vanilla. Can also make a homemade cake if desired, but not necessary.
• Frosting: This is the glue that holds our cake pops together. Cream cheese frosting, anyone? It adds that extra layer of richness.
• Christmas-themed decorations: Think red and green festive sprinkles, crushed candy canes, or festive-colored chocolate melts. The more Christmassy, the better!
• Lollipop sticks/cake pop sticks: Because what’s a cake pop without a stick? It’s like the Christmas tree without ornaments – necessary for the full effect.
• Melted chocolate or candy melts: This will be our candy coating, and trust me, it’s where the magic happens. Can use white chocolate candy melts, red candy melts, or use food coloring to get desired colors.

HOW TO MAKE

Start by preparing your cake batter by package directions. Beat cake mix, water, vegetable oil, and eggs in a large mixing bowl.

Pour the batter into a greased 9×9-inch baking dish or two 8×8-inch round cake dishes and bake in a 350 degree F oven until a toothpick inserted into the center comes out clean.

Let the cake cool completely, then crumble it with a fork in a large bowl or in the baking dish. Stir the frosting into the crumbled cake, cover with plastic wrap, and freeze until chilled.

Use a cookie scoop and your hands to roll the mixture into evenly sized small balls and place on large baking sheet. You want to try make them all a consistent size – aim for the size of a ping pong ball.

Freeze again until balls are hard.

It’s easier to roll the cake & frosting mixture into perfectly round balls if it’s cold. The cake & frosting mixture is super moist, and at room temperature it makes it extremely difficult to shape them perfectly.

Once they have been frozen, I give them another little roll to smooth out the sides. Then place on a cookie sheet. 

Melt candy melts in the microwave or in a double boiler. Dip lollipop sticks into the melted chocolate, then stick into one of the frozen cake balls.

Do this with all of them and put back in freezer till they are solidified.

Gently dip balls into the melted chocolate or spoon the chocolate onto balls and twirl to coat, letting the excess chocolate drizzle off onto parchment paper. Decorate with festive coloured sprinkles.

Place them upright in a styrofoam block, or a cardboard box to harden. There you have it, you have easy bite-sized treats!

STORAGE

Room Temperature:

• If you plan to devour these beauties within a day or two, storing them at room temperature is absolutely fine. Just place them in an airtight container, and voila! Quick and easy access whenever the holiday cravings kick in.

Refrigeration:

• For a slightly longer lifespan, pop those cake pops in the fridge. The cool environment helps preserve the freshness of both the cake and the chocolate coating. Again, an airtight container is your best friend here.

Freezing for Future Fun:

• If you want to extend the festive joy, cake pops are freezer-friendly! Place them on a tray, ensuring they’re not touching, and freeze until firm. Then transfer them to a freezer-safe container or a zip-top bag. When the urge for a Christmas treat strikes, just thaw them in the fridge or at room temperature.

Layering with Parchment Paper:

• Whether in the fridge or the freezer, consider layering the cake pops with parchment paper. This prevents them from sticking together and preserves the individual charm of each pop.

Avoid Strong Odors:

• Keep in mind that cake pops can absorb odors from the fridge or freezer, so make sure to store them away from anything with a strong scent. We want the aroma of cake and chocolate to dominate, not the leftovers from last night’s garlic-infused dinner.

Thawing Gracefully:

• When it’s time to enjoy your stored cake pops, allow them to thaw gradually in the fridge or at room temperature. This helps maintain their texture and flavor.

FAQS

HOW DO I PREVENT THE CAKE POPS FROM FALLING OFF THE STICKS?

Make sure the cake balls are chilled before inserting the lollipop sticks. This helps them adhere better. If you’re still having trouble, dipping the stick into melted chocolate before inserting can act as extra “glue.”

CAN I USE DIFFERENT FLAVORED FROSTING?

Certainly! Feel free to experiment with different frosting flavors. Cream cheese, chocolate, or even a hint of peppermint can add a delightful twist to your cake pops.

CAN I MAKE THESE FESTIVE TREATS IN ADVANCE?

Absolutely. These pops are great for preparing ahead. Store them in an airtight container in the fridge or freezer, and you’ll be ready to spread the Christmas joy whenever you want.

CAN I USE DIFFERENT DECORATIONS FOR THE CAKE POPS?

Certainly! Get creative with your decorations. Try crushed nuts, coconut flakes, green sprinkles, or even edible glitter for an extra festive touch.

CAN I USE DARK CHOCOLATE OR MILK CHOCOLATE INSTEAD OF THE WHITE COATING?

Absolutely. Dark chocolate works wonderfully, and you can even mix it up with various chocolate coatings for a diverse batch of Christmas Cake Pops.

HOW CAN I AVOID THE CAKE POPS FROM CRACKING WHEN DIPPING THEM IN THE CHOCOLATE MIXTURE?

Make sure your cake balls are well-chilled before dipping. Additionally, gently tap off any excess chocolate to avoid extra weight that may cause cracking.

CAN I TRY DIFFERENT CAKE POP DESIGNS ON THE WHITE CANDY COATING?

Absolutely. If you want to get creative you could try snowman cake pops, christmas tree cake pops, reindeer cake pops with pretzel antlers and red candy nose, or little gingerbread houses. After the coating sets, use different color chocolate to drizzle over top, or use gel colors.

CAN I USE POPSICLE STICKS INSTEAD OF THE CAKE POP STICKS?

Yes, absolutely. Any type of lolly stick will work just fine.

Other Festive Christmas Recipes You May Like To Try!

• Soft and Chewy Chocolate Chip Cookies
• Christmas Chocolate Peppermint Truffles
• Vegan Classic Rice Krispie Treats
• Heart Shaped Jam Thumbprint Cookies
• Classic Rice Krispies With Added Protein
• Vegan & Gluten Free Chocolate Chip Cookies
• Double Chocolate Peppermint Cookies
• Gluten Free Vegan Peanut Butter Cookies
• Easy Christmas Sugar Cookie Fudge
• Easy Chocolate Marshmallow Squares With Rice Krispies

IF YOU TRIED THE CUTEST HOLIDAY CAKE POPS PLEASE LEAVE THEM A COMMENT AND STAR RATING. I LOOK FORWARD TO SEEING YOUR CREATIONS! YOU CAN PIN THIS RECIPE ON PINTEREST OR SHARE ON INSTAGRAM BY TAGGING @basicswithbails and #basicswithbails