Bring some holiday magic to your dessert table when you make adorable Reindeer Cake Pops with this step-by-step tutorial!
This easy recipe combines a boxed cake mix with a dash of creativity to create the cutest treats. With pretzel antlers, bright red M&M noses, and popsicle sticks for easy snacking, these Christmas Snacks are as fun to make as they are to eat.
Don't stop with this recipe! Find even more Reindeer Desserts to make your holiday season extra sweet and festive!
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These reindeer cake pops are adorable making them perfect for Christmas parties or as homemade gifts. This recipe is easy to adapt with your favorite cake flavor and guaranteed to impress both kids and adults alike.
Whether you’re hosting a festive gathering or looking for a fun family baking project, this recipe will help you spread cheer, one bite at a time!
Looking for more easy desserts for the holidays? Try my Strawberry Reindeer, Reindeer Cakes, and even my chocolate covered Oreo Reindeer Treats. Yum!
Table of Contents
- Looking for MORE treats to make for Santa and his reindeer?
- Recipe Notes
- 🛒Helpful Kitchen Tools
- Main Ingredients Needed
- Substitutions and Variations
- Step-by-Step Instructions
- Quick Tip
- Kitchen Tool Spotlight
- LOVE this recipe? SAVE it for Later!
- Recipe FAQ's
- Storage and Reheating Instructions
- More Recipes You'll Love!
- 📖 Recipe Card
- 💬 Comments
Looking for MORE treats to make for Santa and his reindeer?
Check out my Santa's Treats Digital Cookbook. It's filled with 10 deliciously simple recipes for reindeer treats, cupcakes, pretzels, candies, and hot cocoa. They're perfect for spreading the joy of FOOD this holiday season!
Recipe Notes
- Heat the melting wafers in a microwave safe bowl in 30-second intervals, stirring well between each interval. This prevents overheating, which can cause the chocolate to seize.
- If you prefer to use the stovetop, use a double boiler to maintain consistent, gentle heat to keep the chocolate smooth.
- If the melted wafers are too thick, stir in 1–2 teaspoons of vegetable shortening (Crisco) or coconut oil. This thins the chocolate for easier dipping without affecting the flavor.
- If the chocolate begins to harden while you're working, microwave it for 10–15 seconds and stir to restore its smooth consistency.
🛒Helpful Kitchen Tools
Tress Wellness Craft Sticks for Hair Removal, Premium Splinter-Free Wooden Sticks for Waxing, Wax Stick for Body and Face Waxing, 140 Craft Sticks
FLOFARE Pack of 3 Floral Foam Blocks Each (5.52 Pack Cake Pop Stand with Sticks Kit, Acrylic Lollipop Hold Stand, Clear Cake Pop Display Holder, 15 Holes Candy Pop Holder with 100 Pcs Sticks, 100 Pcs Clear Wrappers, 100 Pcs Gold Twist TiesWilton Cookie Icing - Quick, Easy-To-Use and Ready for Cake and Cookie Decorations, 9 Ounce, BlackWilton Dark Cocoa Candy Melts® Candy, 12 oz.
Main Ingredients Needed
Below is a quick preview of the ingredients you’ll need. For exact amounts, check the recipe card below. You can also use the "Shopping List button" to create a printable shopping list, or the "Get Ingredients button" in the recipe card to order groceries online.
Substitutions and Variations
- You can use any cake and frosting combo you like!
- Red candy pearls, Red Hot Candy or confetti sprinkles could also be used for the nose. Or even pipe it on with red icing like the eyes.
- If you don't have popsicle sticks, you could use traditional lollipop sticks.
This recipe has not been tested with other substitutions or variations. If you replace or add any ingredients, please let us know how it turned out in the comments below!
Step-by-Step Instructions
Step 1: Bake the cake according the package instructions. Allow the cake to completely cool.
Step 2: Crumble the cake into a large mixing bowl.
Step 3: Add the chocolate frosting to the cake crumbs.
Step 4: Mix until fully combined and thick enough to hold its shape.
Step 5: Scoop 2-3 tablespoons of the mixture and roll into a ball.
Step 6: Place on a parchment lined baking sheet and freeze for 30 minutes.
Step 7: Melt the chocolate wafers in 30 second increments in the microwave. Stir in between each interval until melted.
Step 8: Dip the sticks into the melted chocolate.
Quick Tip
If the melted almond bark or candy melts are too thick, thin it out with a small amount of coconut oil or shortening.
Step 9: Then insert into the cake ball.
Step 10: Dip the cake pop into the melted chocolate then place into a styrofoam brick to hold it upright.
Kitchen Tool Spotlight
A styrofoam block provides the perfect stand for your cake pops as they dry, preventing them from rolling around or getting smudged. This simple tool keeps your workspace organized and ensures your cake pops set beautifully with a smooth, even coating.
Step 11: Place a pretzel twist that has been cut in half into the top of the reindeer cake pop to create the antlers.
Step 12: Use the black icing to pipe 2 eyes onto the cake pop.
Step 13: Pipe a small amount of black icing onto a mini M&M and place beneath the eyes to create the reindeer's nose. Lay the cake pops down so the mini M&M can set without sliding off.
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Recipe FAQ's
To view the answers, simply click on the down arrow (⬇) next to each question. If you have any other questions not answered here, please leave a comment!
You can use an inverted colander, a cardboard box with small holes, or lay the cake pops on parchment paper for a flat finish.
Cake pops often crack due to temperature differences between the cold pop and hot coating, so let them warm up slightly before dipping. Also, ensure a thick enough coating, a moist cake mixture, and minimal handling to prevent cracks.
Storage and Reheating Instructions
Refrigerate: Store the finished cake pops in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 5 days.
Freezer: You can freeze cake pops up to 6 weeks stored in a zip top freezer bag or airtight container. They're best frozen without the decorations.
Thaw: Thaw overnight in the refrigerator. Then decorate according to the recipe card directions below.
More Recipes You'll Love!
Check out my other recipe for Reindeer Oreo Truffles. Or you might like this recipe for Elf on the Shelf Oreo Cookie Balls.
📖 Recipe Card
Reindeer Cake Pops
Video
Ingredients
- 1 box chocolate cake mix (including the ingredients on the box)
- 16 ounce can chocolate frosting
- 20 ounces dark chocolate melting wafers
- black decorating icing
- 20 red mini M&M's
- 20 mini pretzel twists
- 20 popsicle sticks
Method
- Prepare and bake the chocolate cake according to the instructions on the box. Bake time may vary. Let the cake cool completely before proceeding.
- Line a baking sheet with parchment paper.
- Crumble the cooled cake into a large mixing bowl. Add the frosting and mix with your hands until fully combined. The mixture should be thick enough to hold its shape.
- Scoop 2 to 3 tablespoons of the mixture into your hands and roll into a ball. Place on the baking sheet. Repeat with the remaining mixture to form 18 to 20 cake pops.
- Once all the cake balls are formed, place them in the freezer for 30 minutes.
- Prepare the pretzels by breaking or cutting each one in half.
- Melt the chocolate wafers in a microwave-safe bowl in 30-second intervals, stirring between intervals, until melted and smooth.
- Remove the cake pops from the freezer. Dip one end of a popsicle stick into the melted chocolate and insert it into a cake pop. Then dip the entire cake pop into the melted chocolate, swirling to ensure it's fully coated.
- Insert the other end of the popsicle stick into the styrofoam brick to hold the cake pop upright. Before the chocolate hardens, insert two pretzel halves into the top of the cake pop to create the antlers. Repeat with the remaining cake pops.
- Allow the cake pops to set for about 15 minutes, until the chocolate hardens.
- To decorate the face, use black decorating icing to draw two eyes on each cake pop. Pipe a small amount of icing onto a red M&M and press it onto the face beneath the eyes to create the nose. Lay the cake pops on their backs for 10 minutes so the M&M's can set without sliding off.
- Once the M&M's set on the cake pops, enjoy!
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