Description
These Easy Christmas Cake Pops are a fun and festive holiday treat made from moist vanilla cake mixed with creamy vanilla icing, coated in colorful candy melts, and decorated with festive sprinkles. Perfect for parties, holiday gift-giving, or a delightful seasonal dessert that is simple to prepare and sure to impress.
Ingredients
Scale
Cake and Frosting
- 1 box vanilla cake mix (e.g., Betty Crocker)
- Ingredients required by cake mix (water, vegetable oil, eggs) as per package directions
- 1/3 cup vanilla icing (e.g., Betty Crocker)
Coating and Decoration
- 1/2 bag white candy melts (12 oz)
- 1/2 bag red candy melts (12 oz)
- Festive sprinkles
- Lollipop sticks
Instructions
- Prepare the Cake Batter: Follow the package directions to prepare the vanilla cake batter by beating the cake mix with water, vegetable oil, and eggs in a large mixing bowl until smooth.
- Bake the Cake: Pour the batter into a greased 9×9-inch baking dish or two 8×8-inch round cake pans. Bake at 350°F (175°C) until a toothpick inserted in the center comes out clean, about 25-30 minutes. Let the cake cool completely.
- Crumble and Mix: Once cooled, crumble the cake thoroughly using a fork into a large bowl or the baking dish itself. Stir in the 1/3 cup vanilla icing until evenly combined. Cover with plastic wrap and freeze until chilled and firm.
- Form Cake Balls: Using a cookie scoop and your hands, portion and roll the chilled mixture into even balls about the size of a ping pong ball. Place them on a large baking sheet.
- Freeze Cake Balls: Freeze the cake balls until they are very firm, which will make them easier to dip and shape.
- Refine Shape: Give the frozen balls a second gentle roll by hand to smooth out any imperfections, then arrange them back on the baking sheet.
- Prepare Candy Melts: Melt the white and red candy melts separately in the microwave or using a double boiler until smooth.
- Insert Sticks: Dip the tip of each lollipop stick into melted candy, then insert it into each frozen cake ball to secure. Place the sticks with cake balls back into the freezer to set.
- Coat Cake Pops: Dip each cake pop into the melted candy coating, or spoon the candy over the balls and twirl to evenly coat, allowing excess to drip off onto parchment paper.
- Decorate and Set: Immediately decorate the coated cake pops with festive sprinkles. Stand them upright in a styrofoam block or a sturdy cardboard box to allow the coating to harden completely. Once set, your festive cake pops are ready to serve or gift!
Notes
- Freezing the cake mixture and formed balls is key to shaping and coating the pops easily without crumbling.
- Using a cookie scoop helps ensure uniform size for even baking and consistent cake pops.
- If candy melts become too thick, add a small amount of vegetable oil or shortening to thin them for easier dipping.
- Store finished cake pops in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 5 days.
- Allow cake pops to come to room temperature before serving for the best flavor and texture.
