Chocolate Reindeer Cake Pops Recipe
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.
Ingredients
- 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
Calories: 254kcalCarbohydrates: 39gProtein: 2gFat: 11gSaturated Fat: 5gPolyunsaturated Fat: 2gMonounsaturated Fat: 3gTrans Fat: 0.002gCholesterol: 0.1mgSodium: 245mgPotassium: 118mgFiber: 1gSugar: 30gVitamin A: 3IUVitamin C: 0.03mgCalcium: 36mgIron: 1mg
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