Save to Pins A festive and eye-catching dessert featuring cake pops decorated as colorful holiday ornaments, perfect for parties and celebrations.
This recipe has become a family favorite each holiday season. We enjoy making the colorful cake pops together and watching the delight on everyone's faces.
Ingredients
- Cake: 1 box (about 400 g) vanilla or chocolate cake mix (plus ingredients per package)
- Frosting: 1/2 cup (120 g) cream cheese frosting or vanilla buttercream
- Decoration & Coating: 500 g white chocolate or candy melts (assorted colors)
- Decoration & Coating: 2 tbsp (25 g) vegetable shortening (optional, for smoother coating)
- Decoration & Coating: Assorted sprinkles, edible glitter, and small candies
- Decoration & Coating: 24 mini pretzel loops or candy-coated chocolate pieces (for ornament tops)
- Decoration & Coating: Edible gold or silver luster dust (optional)
Instructions
- Bake the cake:
- Bake the cake according to package instructions. Allow to cool completely.
- Crumble cake:
- Crumble the cooled cake into fine crumbs in a large mixing bowl.
- Add frosting:
- Add frosting gradually, mixing until the mixture holds together and can be shaped.
- Shape cake balls:
- Scoop out tablespoon-sized portions and roll into smooth balls. Place on a parchment-lined tray.
- Chill:
- Chill the cake balls in the refrigerator for at least 30 minutes.
- Melt coating:
- Melt the chocolate or candy melts in a microwave-safe bowl, stirring until smooth. Stir in shortening if needed for a thinner consistency.
- Insert sticks:
- Dip one end of a lollipop stick into the melted coating, then insert halfway into a cake ball. Repeat for all balls and chill again for 10 minutes to set.
- Coat cake pops:
- Dip each cake pop fully into the melted coating, gently tapping off excess.
- Decorate:
- Before the coating sets, decorate each pop with sprinkles, glitter, or candies to resemble ornament balls. Attach a mini pretzel loop or candy at the top for the ornament hook.
- Set upright:
- Stand pops upright in a foam block or cake pop stand to set fully.
- Dust with luster dust:
- Dust with edible luster dust for a shimmering effect, if desired.
Save to Pins Our family enjoys gathering around the kitchen making these cake pops while sharing stories and laughter. It's a joyful tradition we look forward to each year.
Required Tools
Stand mixer or large mixing bowl, baking pan, parchment paper, microwave-safe bowls, lollipop sticks, styrofoam block or cake pop stand.
Allergen Information
Contains wheat (gluten), eggs, milk, soy (in candy melts), and possibly nuts (depending on decorations). Check all labels carefully if serving to those with allergies.
Nutritional Information
Per serving: Calories 180, Total Fat 7 g, Carbohydrates 27 g, Protein 2 g.
Save to Pins This recipe adds a magical touch to any holiday party with its colorful and festive presentation.
Frequently Asked Questions
- → How can I achieve a smooth coating on each ball?
Melting white chocolate or candy melts with a bit of vegetable shortening helps create a thinner, smoother coating. Stir gently to avoid lumps before dipping.
- → What is the best way to keep the balls from crumbling during shaping?
Adding cream cheese frosting or buttercream gradually until the mixture holds together ensures the balls stay intact and easy to mold.
- → Can I prepare the ornament balls ahead of time?
Yes, chilling the shaped balls for at least 30 minutes before coating helps them firm up. Once decorated, store in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 3 days.
- → How do I create the ornament hooks on top?
Attach mini pretzel loops or candy-coated chocolate pieces at the top before the coating fully sets to resemble ornament hooks.
- → What decorations work best for a festive look?
Use assorted colorful sprinkles, edible glitter, and small candies to mimic holiday ornaments and add sparkle to each ball.
- → Are there alternatives to white chocolate for coating?
Candy melts in assorted colors provide a vibrant coating option and are easier to work with for decorating purposes.