Every Christmas, my kitchen in Crete turns into a little winter wonderland. I can still remember the first time I made chocolate cake pops with my grandmother. She loved using festive flavors, and one year she added tart cranberries to the chocolate. The aroma of chocolate and cranberry filled the house, and we couldn’t stop sneaking bites before the treats even set! That memory inspired my own version of Chocolate Cranberry Christmas Cake Pops, a dessert that’s perfect for holiday gatherings or cozy nights at home.
These cake pops are not just a dessert they’re a little festive ritual. I love making them with friends or family, each pop carefully dipped in chocolate and decorated with crushed cranberries or sprinkles. There’s something so satisfying about the process: crumbling the cake, mixing it with frosting, shaping it into balls, and finally dipping them into glossy chocolate. The result is both delicious and beautiful, and it never fails to bring smiles.
Whether you’re new to baking or a seasoned pro, this recipe is approachable, fun, and guaranteed to impress. Plus, it’s versatile you can adjust decorations and flavors to match your holiday style.
Ingredients You’ll Need 🍫🍒
Before we get started, gather these simple ingredients for your festive cake pops:
- 1 box chocolate cake mix (plus ingredients listed on the box)
- 1 cup cream cheese or chocolate frosting
- 12 oz dark or milk chocolate, melted
- ½ cup dried cranberries, finely chopped
- 20–25 lollipop sticks
- Optional: white chocolate, sprinkles, or extra cranberries for decoration
Step-by-Step Instructions 🥄
1. Bake the Chocolate Cake
Preheat your oven according to the cake mix instructions. Prepare the batter and bake it in a 9×13-inch pan. Once baked, let it cool completely. Pro tip: Cooling is key warm cake won’t hold together when forming balls.
2. Crumble the Cake
Break the cooled chocolate cake into fine crumbs in a large mixing bowl. The texture should be consistent without large chunks, which helps the pops hold their shape.
3. Mix in Frosting
Add the frosting to the crumbled cake. Start with ½ cup, then gradually add more if needed. Mix gently with a spatula until you have a sticky, moldable mixture.
4. Add Cranberries
Fold in the finely chopped dried cranberries. This adds a tart bite to balance the sweetness of the chocolate and creates a festive touch in every bite.
5. Shape the Cake Balls
Using a tablespoon or small cookie scoop, form the mixture into 1–1.5 inch balls. Place them on a parchment-lined baking sheet. Chill in the fridge for at least 30 minutes so they firm up.
6. Insert Lollipop Sticks
Dip the tip of each stick into melted chocolate, then insert it halfway into each cake ball. This ensures the sticks stay secure. Return the pops to the fridge for 15–20 minutes.
7. Dip in Chocolate
Melt your chocolate in a microwave-safe bowl or double boiler. Carefully dip each cake pop into the chocolate, letting excess drip off. Sprinkle extra cranberries or holiday sprinkles immediately before the chocolate sets.
8. Let Them Set
Place the cake pops upright in a styrofoam block or cake pop stand. Chill for at least an hour or until fully set. Now your Chocolate Cranberry Christmas Cake Pops are ready to enjoy or gift!
Serving & Storage Tips 🎁
These cake pops make excellent holiday gifts or party treats. Store them in an airtight container in the fridge for up to a week, or freeze them for up to a month. For presentation, try using festive wrappers, ribbons, or a decorative stand. They also pair beautifully with hot cocoa or coffee for cozy winter moments.
Quick 100-Word Recipe Summary 📌
These Chocolate Cranberry Christmas Cake Pops are rich, festive, and fun to make! Start by baking a chocolate cake and crumbling it into a bowl. Mix in frosting until sticky, then fold in finely chopped cranberries. Shape the mixture into balls and chill. Insert lollipop sticks dipped in chocolate, then dip each pop into melted chocolate. Decorate with extra cranberries or sprinkles before the chocolate sets. Chill until firm. Perfect for holiday gatherings, gifts, or cozy winter treats, these cake pops bring chocolatey sweetness and a festive vibe to any kitchen, creating joyful memories with family and friends.
Recipe Card 🎄🍫🍒
⏱️ Time: 1 hr 30 min (including chilling)
📝 Ingredients: Chocolate cake mix, cream cheese or chocolate frosting, chocolate, dried cranberries, lollipop sticks
👩🍳 Instructions:
- Bake and cool chocolate cake
- Crumble cake and mix with frosting
- Fold in chopped cranberries
- Shape into balls, chill
- Insert sticks dipped in chocolate
- Dip in chocolate, decorate, chill until set
💡 Note: Chill cake balls before and after inserting sticks for best results.
🥗 Nutrition: Approx. 210 calories per pop, 11g fat, 27g carbs
Conclusion ✨
These Chocolate Cranberry Christmas Cake Pops are the perfect festive treat. They’re rich, chocolatey, and bursting with cranberries making them both beautiful and delicious. Whether you’re baking with kids, friends, or for a holiday gathering, this recipe is easy to follow and guarantees a show-stopping dessert. Celebrate the holidays with homemade sweetness, fun, and the warmth of memories shared in the kitchen. Every bite is a little piece of holiday magic!