Pin to Board A festive and eye-catching dessert featuring cake pops decorated as colorful holiday ornaments, perfect for parties and celebrations.
I first made these ornament ball cake pops for a holiday party and they were the star of the dessert table. Guests loved the festive look and delicious taste.
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)
Instructions
- Bake 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 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 Stick:
- 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 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 Pops:
- Stand pops upright in a foam block or cake pop stand to set fully.
- Dust:
- Dust with edible luster dust for a shimmering effect if desired.
Pin to Board Our family loved gathering to decorate these cake pops together; it became a fun holiday tradition full of laughter and creativity.
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
Pin to Board 
These charming ornament cake pops bring festive joy to any gathering and are sure to impress your guests.
Common Questions
- → How do I achieve a smooth coating on the ornament balls?
Melting the candy melts gently and adding a small amount of vegetable shortening can create a thinner, smoother coating that adheres better to the cake balls.
- → What are some decorative ideas for the ornament balls?
Use assorted sprinkles, edible glitter, mini candies, and edible luster dust to mimic the look of holiday ornaments. Edible markers can also add intricate designs.
- → Can I prepare the ornament balls in advance?
Yes, once coated and decorated, store the pops in an airtight container at room temperature for up to three days without losing freshness.
- → What alternatives can I use if I don't have cream cheese frosting?
Vanilla buttercream works well as a binding frosting to hold the crumbled cake together for shaping into balls.
- → How do I attach the mini pretzel loops to the pops?
Insert a lollipop stick into each cake ball, dip in coating, then before the coating sets, attach the mini pretzel loop or candy to form the ornament hook.