Save A festive and eye-catching dessert featuring cake pops decorated as colorful holiday ornaments, perfect for parties and celebrations.
I love making these cake pops because they bring a festive spirit to any gathering and are fun to decorate with family and friends
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), 2 tbsp (25 g) vegetable shortening (optional for smoother coating), assorted sprinkles, edible glitter, and small candies, 24 mini pretzel loops or candy-coated chocolate pieces (for ornament tops), edible gold or silver luster dust (optional)
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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.
- Roll balls:
- Scoop out tablespoon-sized portions and roll into smooth balls. Place on a parchment-lined tray.
- Chill cake balls:
- 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.
- Dip 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.
- Add luster dust:
- Dust with edible luster dust for a shimmering effect, if desired.
Save Making these cake pops has become a cherished holiday tradition that brings my whole family together for decorating and joyful moments
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
Calories: 180, Total Fat: 7 g, Carbohydrates: 27 g, Protein: 2 g per serving
Save These ornament ball cake pops add a delightful festive touch to any celebration and are sure to impress your guests
Recipe FAQ
- → How do I make the coating smooth and shiny?
Adding a small amount of vegetable shortening to melted chocolate helps to thin the coating, making it smoother and shinier when it sets.
- → What is the best way to keep cake balls from crumbling?
Mixing the cake crumbs gradually with frosting until the mixture holds together firmly makes shaping easier and prevents crumbling.
- → Can I prepare these in advance?
Yes, these can be chilled after shaping and decorated later. Store in airtight containers at room temperature for up to three days to maintain freshness.
- → How do I create the ornament hooks on top?
Using mini pretzel loops or candy-coated pieces attached before the coating fully sets mimics ornament hooks effectively.
- → What decorations work best for a festive look?
Assorted sprinkles, edible glitter, and small candies add vibrant colors and sparkle to complete a celebratory appearance.
