Festive Christmas Cake Pops are my secret weapon when the holiday rush hits, and I still want something adorable for the dessert table. They check all the boxes: easy to make, cute enough for photos, and tasty enough to disappear fast. If you have kids around, they love dipping and decorating, so it becomes a fun little project. And here is the best part: you can use a boxed cake or leftover cake to get the job done without stress. I adore making Deliciously Festive Christmas Cake Pops because they always turn a hectic week into a cozy moment in the kitchen.
The Story Behind This Recipe
Here’s why I love this Deliciously Festive Christmas Cake Pops: it bakes up beautifully and it tastes like a weekend dinner. Festive Christmas Cake Pops are my secret weapon when the holiday rush hits, and I still want something adorable for the dessert table. They check all…
Ingredients You Need
Let’s keep it simple and flexible. You can use homemade cake or boxed mix. You can switch up the frosting. You can keep the coating smooth or go all in with sprinkles. Here’s what I use and recommend.
- Cake: One 9 by 13 inch cake, fully cooled. Vanilla, chocolate, red velvet, or funfetti are all great. If you have slightly dry leftover cake, it works perfectly because you will add moisture with frosting.
- Binding: 4 to 6 tablespoons frosting. Buttercream, cream cheese frosting, or chocolate frosting all work. Start small, then add more as needed, so the mixture does not get mushy.
- Coating: Candy melts or almond bark in white, red, and green. Add 1 teaspoon coconut oil or shortening if the coating feels too thick.
- Sticks: Lollipop sticks or paper straws. The straws look cute for parties.
- Decorations: Holiday sprinkles, crushed candy canes, mini chocolate chips, edible glitter, or a drizzle of contrasting chocolate.
- Helpful tools: A cookie scoop for even balls, a foam block or an upside down egg carton for drying, and parchment paper.
Pro tip: You will be tempted to add more frosting than you need. Add a little at a time, and stop when the cake holds together like a soft truffle.
How to Make Cake Pops
If you can crumble cake and stir, you are already halfway there. These steps walk you through the basics and how to keep the coating smooth and shiny for that bakery look.
- Crumble the cake into fine crumbs.
- Mash with frosting until the mix feels like play dough.
- Roll into balls, chill, and dip the stick tips in melted coating to anchor.
- Coat each pop, decorate, and let them set upright.
Mix and Crumble
Scrape your cooled cake into a bowl and crumble it with clean hands until there are no big chunks. Add 4 tablespoons of frosting to start and mix well. You want the texture to feel like soft modeling clay. Add more frosting one spoon at a time if needed. If it’s sticky and messy, it is too wet. Sprinkle a bit more cake crumbs to balance it back out. This step helps your Deliciously Festive Christmas Cake Pops hold shape without cracking later.
Chill and Shape
Use a small cookie scoop for even balls. Roll them gently between your hands until smooth. Arrange them on a parchment lined tray and chill for 20 to 30 minutes. Cold cake balls dunk easier and stay on the stick better. If you want a quick flavor switch, mix in a pinch of cinnamon or crushed candy cane dust right into the crumbs.
Dip and Decorate
Melt candy melts in a microwave safe bowl in short bursts, stirring often. If it feels thick, stir in a teaspoon of coconut oil. Dip just the tip of each stick into the melted coating, then insert halfway into a chilled cake ball. This glue step matters.
Now dip the pop straight down into the coating and lift straight out. Gently tap the wrist of the hand holding the stick so extra coating drips off smoothly. Spin slightly for an even finish. While it’s still wet, add sprinkles, candy cane pieces, or a drizzle of contrasting color. Set the stick into a foam block to dry upright. If you prefer flat bottoms, lay them down on parchment.
Want another festive dessert to pair with your pops? Check out this bright and bouncy Festive Christmas Poke Cake that slices like a dream.
My sister said, I always thought cake pops were complicated, but your step by step method made them foolproof. The texture was perfect, and the kids went wild for the sparkly sprinkles.
Storage Tips for Cake Pops
Once decorated, let your pops fully set before storing. If the coating is still soft, they will smudge and stick to each other.
Room temperature: If your house is cool and dry, keep them in an airtight container for up to 2 days. Avoid direct sunlight or warmth because it softens the coating and can cause sweating.
Refrigerator: Store for up to 1 week in a container. If you notice condensation forming after you pull them out, let them come to room temp without touching them. The moisture will dry up on its own. Your Deliciously Festive Christmas Cake Pops will stay fresh and pretty.
Freezer: You can freeze undipped cake balls for up to 2 months. Thaw in the fridge before dipping so you do not shock the coating. I avoid freezing fully decorated pops, since condensation can blur the sprinkles, but if you must, wrap each pop and store in a sturdy freezer container.
Transporting: For parties, a tall shoe box with holes punched for sticks works great, or a foam block lined in a cake carrier. If you are bringing a cookie tray, these look awesome next to classic treats like Christmas Butter Cookies.
Variations of Cake Pops
The beauty of this dessert is how well it adapts to your mood, your pantry, and what the party theme calls for. Here are some tasty directions you can go.
Peppermint bark pops: Use chocolate cake and chocolate frosting. Dip in white coating, then top with crushed candy cane. The sweet mint snap is perfect for holiday nights by the tree.
Gingerbread spice pops: Add ginger, cinnamon, and nutmeg to vanilla cake crumbs, then coat with white candy melts and drizzle with caramel. Cozy, warm, and very giftable.
Red velvet classic: Red velvet cake with cream cheese frosting, white coating, and gold sprinkles. Elegant and festive without being fussy.
Eggnog lovers: Stir a pinch of nutmeg into the crumbs and a splash of vanilla into the coating. If eggnog treats are your thing, you’ll love this creamy Eggnog Blondie Cheesecake for the same holiday comfort vibe.
Gluten friendly: Use your favorite gluten free cake mix and double check your coating is safe. The method stays the same, so no guesswork.
Color splash pops: Split the melted coating into bowls and tint with oil based candy colors. Red, green, and white swirls scream holiday cheer.
Whatever you choose, Deliciously Festive Christmas Cake Pops play well with flavors and styles. Keep the base simple, then get creative with topping combos.
Tips for Decorating and Presentation
You do not need fancy skills to make these look professional. A few smart moves will help every pop come out clean and party ready.
Quick Fixes for Dipping
Thin the coating: A spoon of coconut oil or shortening makes dips smoother and prevents thick clumps. If the coating cools down, warm in short bursts and stir well.
Anchor before dipping: Dipping the stick tip in melted coating before inserting creates a glue that keeps the cake from falling off mid dip.
Avoid cracks: If your cake balls are ice cold and your coating is very hot, the layer can crack. Let the balls sit out for a few minutes so the temperature difference is smaller.
Make It Festive for Parties
Holiday sprinkle mixes: Pick a mix that adds texture and sparkle without overwhelming the pop. A few stars or pearls go a long way.
Display ideas: Stand pops in a foam block wrapped in gift paper, or poke holes in a decorated box lid. Ribbon tied around the sticks is cute and easy. Set them beside more holiday bakes from the Christmas Holiday Treats collection to fill out your dessert table.
Drizzle trick: Use a zip top bag with a tiny snip in the corner. Fill with a contrasting color and drizzle in zigzags. It looks fancy but takes seconds.
Make ahead: Dip and decorate a day early, then keep them in a cool spot. The coating actually protects the cake and keeps it moist.
With these tips, your display will look bright and inviting, and your Deliciously Festive Christmas Cake Pops will taste as good as they look.
Common Questions
Why are my cake pops falling off the stick?
They probably need more chilling or a glue step. Dip the stick tip in melted coating, insert halfway, and chill again before dipping the whole pop.
Why is my coating too thick?
Stir in 1 teaspoon coconut oil or shortening and rewarm in short bursts. Always stir well between bursts.
Can I use candy bars or cookies inside the mix?
Yes. Crush a small handful of cookies or add mini chocolate chips to the crumbs. Just do not add too much or the mix will crumble.
How do I avoid flat spots on the pops?
Dry them standing up in a foam block. If you prefer flat bottoms, set them on parchment and embrace the look.
How long do they last?
At room temp, 2 days. In the fridge, up to a week. Undipped balls can be frozen for 2 months.
A Sweet Little Wrap Up
Holiday baking does not need to be stressful. With a simple cake, a bit of frosting, and some colorful coating, you can make Deliciously Festive Christmas Cake Pops that look special and taste like a celebration. If you want more inspo for bite sized treats, take a peek at these practical guides that I love referring to, like Moist Christmas Cake Balls and this step by step tutorial for perfect dipping in Easy Christmas Cake Pops Recipe. You have everything you need to get started, so put on your coziest playlist and let the sprinkles fly. Ready to make your own Deliciously Festive Christmas Cake Pops and share them with the people you love?
Deliciously Festive Christmas Cake Pops
Ingredients Â
MethodÂ
- Crumble the cake into fine crumbs in a bowl.
- Mash with 4 tablespoons of frosting until it feels like soft modeling clay.
- Add more frosting one spoon at a time if needed, or sprinkle more cake crumbs if it becomes too wet.
- Use a cookie scoop for even balls and roll them smooth.
- Arrange on a parchment lined tray and chill for 20-30 minutes.
- Melt candy melts, adding coconut oil if too thick.
- Dip stick tips in coating, insert into chilled cake balls, and then dip the whole pop.
- Add sprinkles or decorations while wet and let them set upright.
