Reindeer Cake Pops (Christmas Recipe)

These adorable Reindeer Cake Pops are a fun, easy holiday treat made with chocolate cake, pretzel antlers, and candy eyes. Perfect for Christmas parties or festive snacking!

Alright, my festive friends, it’s time to whip up something extra adorable for the holiday season—Reindeer Cake Pops!

 These little cuties are here to sleigh (pun totally intended) your dessert table, and the best part? They’re super easy to make, even if you don’t have your own North Pole workshop.

We’re talking rich, moist chocolate cake on the inside, covered in smooth chocolate candy melts on the outside, and decked out with pretzel antlers, candy eyes, and a bright red M&M nose. 

If you’re looking for a holiday treat that’s as fun to make as it is to eat, these reindeer cake pops are your new BFF. Let’s get baking, shall we?

If you love Christmas cake pop recipes you may enjoy my Easy Snowman Cake Pops or my Easy Christmas Vanilla Cake Pops.

WHY YOU’LL LOVE THESE REINDEER CAKE POPS

• Festive & Fun: These cake pops are the ultimate holiday treat, bringing all the Christmas cheer with their cute reindeer faces. Plus, they’re a blast to decorate, whether you’re baking solo or with the family.
• Easy to Make: With a box of cake mix and store-bought candy melts, these cake pops come together super easily. No need to be a pro baker to nail this recipe!
• Kid-Friendly & Party-Perfect: Got a holiday party coming up or some little helpers in the kitchen? These reindeer cake pops are the perfect fun treat for kids and adults alike. Plus, they’re totally Instagram-worthy for your holiday feed.
• Customizable: Feel like getting creative? Use white candy melts for a winter wonderland theme, or swap the red M&M for other colored noses if you want to mix up the reindeer crew!

SIMPLE INGREDIENTS YOU NEED FOR THIS FESTIVE CHRISTMAS RECIPE

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

• Box chocolate cake mix – can also use yellow cake or white cake if preferred
• Chocolate frosting – or white frosting
• Bag chocolate candy melts
• Pretzels
• Mini red M&M’s – can also use red smarties or red sprinkles
• Candy eyes
• Cake pop sticks – also known as a lollipop stick

HOW TO MAKE THE LITTLE REINDEERS

1. Start by preparing your cake batter by package directions. Beat cake mix, water, vegetable oil, and eggs in a large mixing bowl.
2. 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.
3. 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.
4. 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.
5. Freeze again until balls are hard.
6. Once they have been frozen, I give them another little roll to smooth out the sides. Then place on a cookie sheet. 
7. 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.
8. Do this with all of them and put back in freezer till they are solidified.
9. 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.
10. Before the chocolate sets, add your pretzel antlers, candy eyes, and the iconic red M&M nose to bring your little reindeer to life. Place them upright in a styrofoam block, or a cardboard box to harden.
11. Once the chocolate is set, your reindeer cake pops are ready to prance their way into everyone’s hearts (and stomachs)!

TIPS AND TRICKS FOR BEST RESULTS

• Chill the Cake Balls: After rolling the cake balls, freeze them for at least 30 minutes. This makes dipping them in the melted chocolate easier and keeps them from falling apart.
• Work Quickly: Once dipped in chocolate, add the pretzel antlers, candy eyes, and red M&M nose before the chocolate sets. This ensures your decorations stick perfectly.
• Use a Cake Pop Stand: To keep your pops round and picture-perfect, stand them up in a cake pop stand or styrofoam block while they dry.
• Prevent Cracks: Let your cake balls return to room temperature for a few minutes before dipping them in the warm chocolate to avoid cracks in the coating.
• Practice Patience: If the chocolate begins to harden while decorating, pop the cake pops into the fridge to let everything set nicely before serving.

STORING LEFTOVER REINDEER CAKE POPS

To store leftover Reindeer Cake Pops, place them in an airtight container. You can keep them at room temperature for up to 3 days, or store them in the fridge for up to 1 week to keep them fresh.

 If you want to save them for later, you can also freeze the cake pops for up to 1 month—just wrap each one in plastic wrap before freezing. When you’re ready to eat, let them thaw in the fridge for a few hours or at room temperature for 30 minutes.

FAQS

CAN I USE CHOCOLATE CHIPS AND COCONUT OIL INSTEAD OF CANDY MELTS FOR THE COATING?

Yes! You can melt chocolate chips as a substitute for candy coating. Just add a bit of coconut oil or vegetable oil to smooth out the texture for easier dipping.

HOW DO I GET THE PERFECT CAKE BALL SHAPES?

Roll the mixture between your palms until smooth. If the cake balls are too soft, pop them in the freezer for a couple of times to firm up and help hold their shape better.

HOW DO I AVOID SMALL HOLES OR CRACKS IN THE CANDY COATING?

Make sure your cake balls are chilled but not frozen solid. If the cake pop center is too cold, the difference in temperature can cause small holes or cracks as the coating sets.

CAN I USE STORE-BOUGHT CAKE TO MAKE THESE REINDEER CAKE POPS?

Yes! If you’re short on time, you can use a store-bought cake to crumble and mix with frosting. Just make sure the texture is sticky enough to form cake ball shapes.

HOW DO I MAKE SURE THE CAKE POPS STAY ON THE STICK?

Dip the stick into a little bit of melted chocolate or candy coating before inserting it into the cake ball. This helps anchor the stick to the cake ball as the coating hardens, making them less likely to fall off.

Other Classic Treats For The Christmas Holidays You May Like To Try!

• No Bake Peanut Butter Balls (5 Ingredients)
• 30 Easy Christmas Cookie Recipes With Few Ingredients
• Christmas Chocolate Peppermint Truffles
• Heart Shaped Jam Thumbprint Cookies
• Gluten Free Dairy Free Chocolate Chip Cookies
• Sugar Free Sugar Cookies
• Brown Butter Rice Krispie Treats
• Gluten-Free Chocolate Crinkle Cookies
• Easy Peanut Butter Marshmallow Squares
• Christmas Trees Gluten-Free Brownies
• Gluten-Free Santa Hat Brownies
• Chocolate Covered Pretzel Wreaths
• Oreo Cookie Christmas Ornaments
• Chocolate Caramel Shortbread Bars

IF YOU TRIED THESE EASY TREATS PLEASE LEAVE IT A COMMENT AND STAR RATING. I LOOK FORWARD TO SEEING YOUR CREATIONS! YOU CAN PIN THIS PERFECT CAKE POP ON PINTEREST OR SHARE ON INSTAGRAM BY TAGGING @basicswithbails and #basicswithbails