Easy Peppermint Mocha Cake Pops (Christmas Recipe)

Indulge in winter bliss with our Peppermint Mocha Cake Pops – a perfect harmony of rich chocolate, aromatic coffee, and cool peppermint, dipped in chocolate and sprinkled with festive candy canes. These delightful treats are the epitome of seasonal joy, adding a pop of flavor to your holiday festivities.

If you’re searching for a delightful and festive treat to elevate your winter gatherings, look no further. 

Today, we’re diving into the irresistible world of Peppermint Mocha Cake Pops. They’re a delightful fusion of rich chocolate, aromatic coffee, and cool peppermint that’s guaranteed to add a touch of winter magic to your taste buds.

These are inspired from the Starbucks Peppermint Mocha beverage. Cake pops are perfect for the holiday season, and we guarantee the whole family will love these.

If you love these cake bites you may also want to try my Candy Cane Cake Pops or my Christmas Cake Pops Recipe.

WHY YOU’LL LOVE THESE PEPPERMINT MOCHA CAKE POPS

1. Winter Wonderland Flavor:The combination of rich chocolate, aromatic coffee, and cool peppermint creates a flavor symphony that perfectly captures the essence of the winter season.
2. Perfectly Portable Treats:These cake pops are not just delicious but also easy to handle and share, making them ideal for holiday parties, gift exchanges, or a cozy night by the fireplace.
3. Festive Presentation:Adorned with a chocolate coating and crushed candy canes, these cake pops double as festive decorations, adding a touch of holiday charm to your dessert spread.
4. Customizable Creativity:Feel free to experiment with the coatings and decorations. Whether you prefer dark or milk chocolate or want to try different toppings, these cake pops are a canvas for your culinary creativity.

INGREDIENTS YOU NEED FOR THE CHOCOLATE PEPPERMINT CAKE POPS

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

• Box chocolate cake mix: Yep, we’re going for the easy route here. Using a boxed cake mix makes your life so much more easy, and they turn out just as deliciois. Can also make a homemade cake if desired, but not necessary.
• Brewed coffee – strongly brewed. This will replace the water it calls for in the cake batter mix.
• Peppermint extract – a little bit of peppermint extract goes a long ways, so you don’t need much to achieve a strong peppermint flavor.
• Frosting: This is the glue that holds our cake pops together. Rich chocolate frosting adds that extra layer of richness.
• Christmas-themed decorations: Crushed candy canes, or festive-colored chocolate melts. The more Christmassy, the better!
• Lollipop stick/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. Milk chocolate candy melts is what we used but can also use white chocolate candy melts, red candy melts, or use food coloring to get desired colors.
• Optional – cream cheese, chocolate chips, melted coconut butter, extra frosting, cocoa powder, etc. 

HOW TO MAKE

Start by preparing your cake batter by package directions. 

You will be substituting your brewed cool coffee in place of the water, and adding peppermint extract to the cake batter. Beat cake mix, cooled coffee, vegetable oil, eggs, and peppermint extract in a large mixing bowl. 

Pour the batter into a greased 9×13 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 cake 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 crushed candy canes.

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

HOW TO STORE

1. Room Temperature: If you plan to enjoy them within a day or two, store the cake pops at room temperature in an airtight container. Ensure they are placed away from direct sunlight and heat sources.
2. Refrigeration: For longer storage, especially in warmer climates, refrigerate the cake pops. Place them in a sealed container to prevent any absorption of odors from the fridge.
3. Freezing: If you want to savor the sweetness over an extended period, freeze the cake pops individually on a tray, then transfer them to a freezer-safe bag. Thaw in the refrigerator when ready to enjoy.

Remember to store them away from strong odors to maintain the delightful peppermint mocha flavor. Enjoy your winter treats whenever the craving strikes!

FAQS

CAN I MAKE THESE MINTY CHOCOLATE CAKE POPS AHEAD OF TIME?

Absolutely! These cake pops can be made in advance and stored in the refrigerator or freezer. Just ensure they are well-sealed to maintain their freshness.

HOW LONG DOES THIS CAKE RECIPE STAY FRESH?

When stored properly, these cake pops can stay fresh for up to a week at room temperature, longer in the refrigerator, and even longer in the freezer. The key is airtight storage.

CAN I USE A DIFFERENT TYPE OF CHOCOLATE FOR COATING?

Certainly! Feel free to experiment with your favorite chocolate types – whether it’s dark, milk, or white chocolate, the choice is yours to customize the flavor.

CAN I SKIP THE COFFEE IN THIS CAKE MIXTURE?

While coffee enhances the mocha flavor, you can omit it if you prefer. You may replace it with an equal amount of water or milk for moisture in the cake, however this will be more like chocolate cake pops vs mocha.

HOW DO I PREVENT THE CAKE POPS FROM CRACKING?

Gently tap off excess chocolate to avoid a thick coating, reducing the risk of cracking.

CAN I MAKE THESE PEPPERMINT CANDY CAKE POPS GLUTEN-FREE?

Certainly! Choose a gluten-free cake mix for the base, and ensure all other ingredients are gluten-free. This adaptation allows those with dietary restrictions to indulge in the joy of Peppermint Mocha Cake Pops.

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
• 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

HAPPY HOLIDAYS! IF YOU TRIED THESE DELICIOUS TREATS 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