Reindeer Cake Pops are the ultimate holiday treat! Cute, chocolaty, and easy to make, they’re a festive favorite that adds a little magic to any Christmas gathering. Whether you’re making them for a party or as a fun family activity, these sweet little reindeers are guaranteed to bring smiles all around.
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Making Reindeer Cake Pops is pure holiday joy! I always have a blast creating these little treats—they’re rich, moist, and perfectly coated in chocolate with the cutest candy decorations and pretzel antlers. Whether it’s for a holiday party or just a cozy evening in the kitchen, these pops bring so much cheer to the table. Plus, they’re a hit with kids, and honestly, I think I enjoy decorating them just as much as they do.
Ingredients You’ll Need
You’ll need all the ingredients in the photograph below.
How to Make Reindeer Cake Pops
I love how easy and fun it is to bring these little reindeer to life! Follow these simple steps to make your own:
Prepare the Cake Mixture
Bake the chocolate cake according to the package instructions. Let it cool completely before starting. Crumble the cooled cake into a large mixing bowl, then mix in the chocolate frosting until it forms a thick, moldable dough.
Shape the Cake Pops
Use a cookie scoop or your hands to form small balls (about 2–3 tablespoons each) of the crumbled cake mixture and place them on a parchment-lined baking sheet. Pop the tray into the freezer for 30 minutes to firm up the cake balls.
Melt the Chocolate
In a microwave-safe bowl, melt the dark chocolate wafers in 30-second intervals, stirring in between, until smooth.
SERIOUSLY GOOD
DESSERTS!
Dessert First is a collection of 61 RECIPES to show you that you can make beautiful, impressive desserts right in your own kitchen, no matter your skill level.
Immediate eBook download. No physical book available.
Includes ad-free recipes like:
∙ Lemon Pound Cake
∙ Starbucks Cake Pops
∙ Boston Cream Pie
∙ Chocolate Mousse
∙ Matcha Tiramisu
...and much more!
Assemble the Reindeers
Dip one end of a popsicle stick (or lollipop stick) into the melted chocolate and insert it into a cake ball. Coat the entire cake pop by dipping it into the chocolate, letting any excess chocolate drip off.
Add Antlers and Decorate
Before the chocolate sets, insert two pretzel halves on top for the antlers. Place the cake pops in a styrofoam block to dry.
Once set, use black decorating icing to add eyes and stick a red mini M&M on for the red nose. Let them dry fully before serving these adorable little reindeer!
Chocolate Reindeer Cake Pops Recipe
Add Preferred SourceIngredients
- 1 box chocolate cake mix including ingredients listed on the box
- 1 can chocolate frosting around 16 ounces
- 20 ounces dark chocolate melting wafers
- Black decorating icing
- 20 red mini M&M’s
- 20 mini pretzels
- 20 popsicle sticks
- 2 styrofoam bricks
Instructions
- Prepare and bake the chocolate cake according to the instructions on the box. Bake time may vary. Let the cake cool completely before proceeding.1 box chocolate cake mix
- 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.1 can chocolate frosting
- 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.20 mini pretzels
- Melt the chocolate wafers in a microwave-safe bowl in 30-second intervals, stirring between intervals, until melted and smooth.20 ounces dark chocolate melting wafers
- 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.20 popsicle sticks
- 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&Ms can set without sliding off.Black decorating icing, 20 red mini M&M’s, 2 styrofoam bricks
- Once the M&Ms set on the cake pops, enjoy!
Notes
- Work quickly: The melted chocolate can harden fast, so have your pretzels, candy eyes, and M&Ms ready to go.
- Break the pretzels carefully: If you snap them too quickly, they might shatter. Use a gentle touch or a small knife to create perfect antlers.
- Use a cookie scoop: This keeps the cake balls uniform in size, making them easier to dip and decorate.
- Thin out the chocolate if needed: A teaspoon of vegetable oil mixed in can help the chocolate coating go on smoothly.
- Chill the cake pops before dipping: This helps them stay firm when you’re coating them in chocolate.
- Cake flavor: Vanilla cake, yellow cake, or red velvet cake works great if you want to mix things up.
- Chocolate: Chocolate candy melts, chocolate chips, or chocolate wafers all work well here.
- Make ahead: You can prepare the cake balls and freeze them, then dip and decorate them closer to your event.
- Gluten-free: They’re not gluten-free as written, but you can use a gluten-free cake mix, gluten-free pretzels, and gluten-free frosting to make them suitable for everyone.
Storage Instructions
Once the chocolate has fully hardened, store your cake pops in an airtight container. You can keep them at room temperature for up to 3 days or in the fridge for up to a week. For longer storage, pop them in the freezer, and they’ll last up to a month—just thaw before serving!Nutrition
SERIOUSLY GOOD
DESSERTS!
Dessert First is a collection of 61 RECIPES to show you that you can make beautiful, impressive desserts right in your own kitchen, no matter your skill level.
Immediate eBook download. No physical book available.
Includes ad-free recipes like:
∙ Lemon Pound Cake
∙ Starbucks Cake Pops
∙ Boston Cream Pie
∙ Chocolate Mousse
∙ Matcha Tiramisu
...and much more!
Recipe Notes and Tips
I’ve learned a few tricks along the way to make these festive deer cake pops even easier and more fun to create. Here are my best tips:
- Work quickly: The melted chocolate can harden fast, so have your pretzels, candy eyes, and M&Ms ready to go.
- Break the pretzels carefully: If you snap them too quickly, they might shatter. Use a gentle touch or a small knife to create perfect antlers.
- Use a cookie scoop: This keeps the cake balls uniform in size, making them easier to dip and decorate.
- Thin out the chocolate if needed: A teaspoon of vegetable oil mixed in can help the chocolate coating go on smoothly.
- Chill the cake pops before dipping: This helps them stay firm when you’re coating them in chocolate.
- Cake flavor: Vanilla cake, yellow cake, or red velvet cake works great if you want to mix things up.
- Chocolate: Chocolate candy melts, chocolate chips, or chocolate wafers all work well here.
- Make ahead: You can prepare the cake balls and freeze them, then dip and decorate them closer to your event.
- Gluten-free: They’re not gluten-free as written, but you can use a gluten-free cake mix, gluten-free pretzels, and gluten-free frosting to make them suitable for everyone.
How to Store Leftover Reindeer Cake Pops
Once the chocolate has fully hardened, store your cake pops in an airtight container. You can keep them at room temperature for up to 3 days or in the fridge for up to a week.
For longer storage, pop them in the freezer, and they’ll last up to a month—just thaw before serving!
What to Serve With Reindeer Cake Pops
Reindeer Cake Pops are the star of any dessert table, but they pair with other holiday treats.
Serve them alongside a warm mug of hot chocolate for the ultimate cozy vibe, or place them next to a platter of festive sugar cookies, chocolate cherry cookies, or Candy Cane Fudge for a complete Christmas spread. They also make adorable party favors when wrapped in cellophane with a little ribbon!
