These Reindeer Cake Pops are the cutest and easiest Christmas treat you can make! They are filled with gingerbread cake and cream cheese frosting and then coated in creamy chocolate candy coating.
Why I Love These Reindeer Cake Pops
I love these Christmas Reindeer Cake Pops because not only are they delicious, but they are guaranteed to make you smile. They are also super fun to make and perfect for any celebration.
They are also kid-friendly and fun to make with kids. I'm also slightly obsessed with cake pops so of course I had to make a Christmas-themed one!
Ingredients Needed to Make These Christmas Cake Pops
Gingerbread Cake Mix- The Betty Crocker Gingerbread Cake mix is easy to find during the holidays. I have also seen it in grocery stores in the off-season and, of course, you can buy it online.
Cream Cheese Frosting- Cream Cheese frosting pairs perfectly with gingerbread, however, you can use vanilla instead if desired.
Chocolate Almond Bark/Candy Coating- Chocolate Almond Bark is also easier to find during the holidays but I always have good luck finding it at Walmart. And, if all else fails, order it online!
Mini Pretzel Twists- You can use any mini twisted pretzel you can find. You will need 48 halves but will most likely break a few making the antlers. No need to worry, they still taste good even when broken!
Red Chocolate Coated Candy- Yes, M&Ms work perfectly for this decoration and I love the oversized red nose look! You could also use cinnamon red hots or gumdrops.
Candy Eyeballs- Individual candy eyeballs are easy to find nowadays at the grocery store or online. The fun eyeballs I used are made by the company Guenthart but are sadly harder to find. Use the larger candy eyeballs here so they look well-proportioned with the candy nose.
How to Make Reindeer Cake Bites
- Make a boxed gingerbread cake as directed on the box and allow the cake to cool completely. Add the cake to a bowl and break it up into pieces by hand or with a spoon to get small crumbles.
- Take each twisted pretzel and carefully cut it in half with a knife. Some may break, but don't worry, they make a great snack!
- Mix ½-3/4 of the can of frosting into the crumble mixture (you don't want to add all of the frosting or your mixture will be too greasy). The mixture will be similar to dough.
- Prepare a cookie sheet with a silicone mat or wax paper. Scoop out some of the cake mixture and roll it into a ball between your hands. Place each ball on the silicone mat and continue to make balls with the rest of the mixture.
- Melt the chocolate candy coating in a microwave-safe bowl for 45 seconds. Stir the coating and continue to melt at 20-second intervals until fully melted. Add 1 tablespoon oil to the chocolate coating and stir to combine.
- Using a long-handled spoon or dipping stick, dip each ball into the melted chocolate and coat it completely. Tap off the excess coating and place the ball back on the cookie sheet.
- Immediately place 2 pretzel "antlers" on top of the ball followed by the candy eyeballs and a red nose.
Expert Tips for Making Christmas Cake Bites
- I found that putting both antlers in at the same time made it easier to leverage and get them to push into the cake call.
- I also like the coating to set just slightly before adding the eyes and nose so they don't slide down. Don't be afraid to push them in slightly to get a good grip on the coating.
- If your candy coating starts to get too thick while you are assembling the cake pops, just pop it in the microwave for 20 seconds and stir.
- If the cake mixture is sticking to your hands while forming the balls, spray them with non-stick spray or place a little vegetable oil on your hands.
- These Reindeer Cake Bites will last in the fridge in a covered container for 3-4 days.
Recipe FAQs
While this recipe calls for gingerbread cake for its color and festive flavor, you can choose any cake flavor you prefer, such as vanilla, chocolate, or even red velvet.
Yes, using store-bought cake or leftover cake works well and saves time. Crumble the cake and mix it with frosting to form the cake pop mixture.
Certainly! You can make the cake balls and shape them into pops ahead of time. Store them in an airtight container in the refrigerator or freezer. Dip and decorate them closer to when you plan to serve or gift them.
After decorating, store the cake pops in an airtight container in a cool place or in the fridge.
Reindeer Cake Bites
Equipment
- silicone spatula (or mixing spoon)
- 9x9 baking pan (or any pan to make a cake)
- silicone liner (or wax paper)
Ingredients
- 1 box gingerbread cake mix
- eggs (to make cake)
- water (to make cake)
- 1 can cream cheese frosting
- 1 package chocolate candy coating (bark)
- 1 tablespoon oil (canola, vegetable, or coconut)
- candy eye sprinkles
- 48 mini twisted pretzels, cut in half (will probably need more as some break when cutting)
- 24 red chocolate coated candy (I used M&Ms)
Instructions
- Make a boxed gingerbread cake as directed on the box and allow the cake to cool completely. Once the cake has cooled, cut it into small pieces and place them in a large mixing bowl. Break up the pieces by hand or with a spoon to get small crumbles.
- While the cake is baking, prepare the decorating ingredients. Take each twisted pretzel and carefully cut it in half with a knife. Some may break, but you want to end up with 48 usable halves.
- Mix ½-3/4 of the can of frosting into the crumble mixture (you don't want to add all of the frosting or your mixture will be too greasy). The mixture will be similar to dough.
- Prepare a cookie sheet with a silicone mat or wax paper. Scoop out some of the cake mixture and roll it into a ball between your hands. Place each ball on the silicone mat and continue to make balls with the rest of the mixture.
- Melt the chocolate candy coating in a microwave-safe bowl for 45 seconds. Stir the coating and continue to melt at 20-second intervals until fully melted. Add 1 tablespoon oil to the chocolate coating and stir to combine.
- Using a long-handled spoon or dipping stick, dip each ball into the melted chocolate and coat it completely. Tap off the excess coating and place the ball back on the cookie sheet.
- Immediately place 2 pretzel "antlers" on top of the ball followed by the candy eyeballs and a red nose.
- Allow the reindeer to set completely before enjoying them (you can speed up the process in the fridge).
Notes
- My version does not have a lollipop stick on the bottom. I find it easier to make, store and serve. Of course, you can add sticks if you want to, just make sure to do it before dipping in the chocolate.
- I found that putting both antlers in at the same time made it easier to leverage and get them to push into the cake call.
- I also like the coating to set just slightly before adding the eyes and nose so they don't slide down. Don't be afraid to push them in slightly to get a good grip on the coating.
- If your candy coating starts to get too thick while you are assembling the cake pops, just pop it in the microwave for 20 seconds and stir.
- I used a gingerbread cake mix for these cake balls and a cream cheese frosting. You can use any flavor combination that you like including chocolate, spice, and yellow cake, to name a few, or vanilla or chocolate frosting.
- If the cake mixture is sticking to your hands while forming the balls, spray them with non-stick spray or place a little vegetable oil on your hands.
- These Reindeer Cake Bites will last in the fridge in a covered container for 3-4 days.
Nutrition
Any nutrition calculations are only estimates using online calculators. Please verify using your own data.
Did you Make This Recipe?
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Nicola says
These are SO adorable! the perfect christmas treat
Elena says
Such a cute idea. We had lots of fun making them with my boys. They taste delicious too.
Emily says
I'm so glad to hear it! Happy Holidays!
Jess says
So cute and delicious! A must make for the holiday season
Jacqui says
These are so adorable and perfect for around Christmas!
Emily says
Thanks, Jacqui!
Carrie says
Oh my goodness... those eyeballs! These cake pops are adorable!