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    Home » Holiday Recipes » Christmas

    Reindeer Cake Pops

    Published: Dec 19, 2022 · Modified: Jan 27, 2023 by Emily · This post may contain affiliate links · 7 Comments

    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.

    reindeer cake pops on a cake stand
    Jump to Recipe

    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!

    reindeer cake bite with pretzel antlers

    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!

    ingredients for reindeer cake pops

    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.
    gingerbread cake pop mixture
    cake crumbles and frosting
    • 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.
    gingerbread cake balls on a silicone mat
    rolled cake 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.
    gingerbread cake ball dipped in chocolate
    cake pop dipped in chocolate coating

    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.
    reindeer cake pops on a table
    Christmas Reindeer Cake Pop Recipe
    Click on the image above to PIN for later!
    reindeer cake bite

    Reindeer Cake Bites

    These Christmas Reindeer Cake Pops are easy to make and will be a hit at any Christmas party or celebration.
    5 from 7 votes
    Print Pin Rate
    Prep Time: 10 minutes
    Cook Time: 30 minutes
    Cooling and Coating Time: 1 hour 20 minutes
    Total Time: 2 hours
    Servings: 24 balls
    Calories: 205kcal
    Author: EmilyFabulous

    Equipment

    • medium mixing bowl
    • large mixing bowl
    • silicone spatula (or mixing spoon)
    • 9x9 baking pan (or any pan to make a cake)
    • baking sheets
    • silicone liner (or wax paper)
    • microwave-safe bowl
    • long-handled spoon (or regular spoon)

    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

    Serving: 1serving | Calories: 205kcal | Carbohydrates: 24.9g | Protein: 2g | Fat: 10.5g | Saturated Fat: 3.4g | Cholesterol: 12mg | Sodium: 119mg | Potassium: 26mg | Fiber: 1.2g | Sugar: 19.1g | Calcium: 36mg | Iron: 1mg

    Any nutrition calculations are only estimates using online calculators. Please verify using your own data.

    Did you Make These Reindeer Pop Cakes?

    If you make these cute little Christmas Cake Pops, don't forget to snap a pic and tag me on Instagram or Facebook! You can also leave a comment below and tell me what you think.

    If you want recipes in your inbox twice a month, sign up for my email list. And, if you want to stay in the know when I post something new, you can also follow me on Pinterest.

    More Christmas

    • Cranberry Walnut Feta Salad
    • Spiced Maple Walnuts
    • Peppermint Cake Pops
    • Chocolate Covered Cherry Mice

    Reader Interactions

    Comments

    1. Nicola says

      December 23, 2022 at 3:02 am

      5 stars
      These are SO adorable! the perfect christmas treat

      Reply
    2. Elena says

      December 21, 2022 at 1:53 pm

      5 stars
      Such a cute idea. We had lots of fun making them with my boys. They taste delicious too.

      Reply
      • Emily says

        December 22, 2022 at 10:41 am

        I'm so glad to hear it! Happy Holidays!

        Reply
    3. Jess says

      December 21, 2022 at 9:34 am

      5 stars
      So cute and delicious! A must make for the holiday season

      Reply
    4. Jacqui says

      December 21, 2022 at 9:19 am

      5 stars
      These are so adorable and perfect for around Christmas!

      Reply
      • Emily says

        December 21, 2022 at 10:21 pm

        Thanks, Jacqui!

        Reply
    5. Carrie says

      December 21, 2022 at 8:12 am

      5 stars
      Oh my goodness... those eyeballs! These cake pops are adorable!

      Reply

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