Name: Christmas Cake Pops: Festive, Bite-Sized
Prep time: 60 min
Total time: 120 min
Ingredients: 1 box cake mix + ingredients; ¾ –1 cup frosting; 24 –32 oz candy melts; Lollipop sticks; Sprinkles & decorations

Introduction

Table of Contents

Christmas Cake Pops are pure holiday magic on a stick — moist cake crumbs mixed with frosting, dipped in candy melts, and decorated like tiny edible ornaments. They look bakery-fancy but are secretly easy and completely customizable. Presented on a white ceramic tiered stand or arranged in a wreath shape, optionally garnished with extra sprinkles and ribbon-tied sticks, these Christmas Cake Pops offer vibrant colours and pure joy that disappear faster than cookies left for Santa.

Ingredients

For the Cake Pops (makes 40–50 pops): • 1 box cake mix (red velvet, chocolate, vanilla, or funfetti) + ingredients on box
• ¾–1 cup prepared frosting (store-bought or homemade)
• 24–32 oz candy melts (white, red, green, or dark chocolate)
• 2 tbsp coconut oil or shortening (for smooth dipping)
• Lollipop sticks
• Sprinkles, edible glitter, crushed candy canes, mini M&Ms

For Decoration Ideas: • Christmas trees, ornaments, snowmen, reindeer, Santa hats

Step-by-Step Process

Bake & crumble
Bake the cake according to the box directions in a 9×13-inch pan. Cool completely. Crumble into fine crumbs in a large bowl (no big chunks).
Mix with frosting
Start with ¾ cup frosting. Mix with hands or spoon until it feels like firm Play-Doh (add more frosting 1 tbsp at a time if too dry).
Shape
Roll into 1½-inch balls (use a cookie scoop for uniformity). Place on parchment-lined tray. Chill 30 minutes.
Insert sticks
Melt ½ cup candy melts. Dip the stick tip ½ inch into melted candy, then insert halfway into each ball. Freeze 15–20 minutes (locks sticks in place).
Dip
Melt remaining candy melts + oil in a tall, narrow container. Dip each pop fully, let excess drip off, and tap gently. Stand on a foam block or upside-down colander.
Decorate immediately
Add sprinkles, drizzle contrasting colour, or attach candy details while the coating is wet.
Set
Let harden at room temp 30 minutes or fridge 10 minutes.

Tips for Perfect Christmas Cake Pops

• Slightly under-bake cake—keeps pops moist
• Don’t over-mix frosting—too much makes them fall off sticks
• Freeze after inserting sticks—prevents cracking when dipping
• Tall, narrow container = easiest dipping with less waste
• Tap gently but firmly—removes excess coating
• Work in small batches—coating stays melted longer
• Store at room temp—fridge makes coating sweat

Variations and Customisation

• Red Velvet Christmas Trees: red velvet cake + green coating + star sprinkle
• Peppermint Bark: chocolate cake + white coating + crushed candy canes
• Gingerbread: spice cake + white coating + gingerbread man sprinkles
• Snowman: white coating + pretzel arms + mini Reese’s hat
• Ornament: any flavor + colorful drizzles + metallic sprinkles
• Eggnog: vanilla cake + eggnog frosting + nutmeg dusting

Storage and Serving Tips

• Room temp up to 1 week in an airtight container
• Fridge up to 2 weeks (bring to room temp before serving)
• Freezes up to 3 months (wrap individually)
• Reheat 5 seconds in microwave for fresh-baked softness
• Quick refresh: re-dip the tip if it cracks
• Serve on tiered stands or in mugs filled with sugar

Nutritional Information

Based on 50 pops:
• Calories: 140 kcal per pop
• Total Fat: 7g
• Carbohydrates: 19g (Sugars 16g)

FAQ

1. My pops crack after dipping—what happened?
Temperature shock. Let the pops come to room temperature before dipping.

2. No cake mix—what can I use?
Any 9×13 baked cake—store-bought works great.

3. Can I make ahead?
Yes—up to 1 week at room temp or 3 months frozen.

4. My coating is too thick.
Add more shortening 1 tsp at a time.

5. Best way to display?A
A Styrofoam block covered in wrapping paper or a colander upside-down.

Conclusion

These Christmas Cake Pops are pure holiday joy on a stick—cute, delicious, and so much fun to make (and eat) that you’ll find yourself baking extra cake just to have an excuse to whip up another batch. One bite and suddenly everyone’s grinning, kids are stealing “just one more,” and your tree is missing half its ornaments. Keep cake and candy melts stocked all December, because once people taste these, you’ll be the official Christmas dessert hero from now until New Year’s.