Christmas Tree Cake Pops Recipe gives you a tender vanilla crumb wrapped in a snappy green candy shell with buttery frosting holding it together. It suits holiday bakers who want a kid-friendly project, and you can finish a batch in about 1 hour 30 minutes, including chill time. I made these for my nieces last weekend, and the sprinkle chaos still makes me smile.
Why Christmas Tree Cake Pops Recipe Is Worth It
Christmas Tree Cake Pops Recipe packs big holiday cheer into bite-size treats that travel well and always draw smiles. The tree shape looks fancy, yet the steps stay simple if you use boxed mix and candy melts. You decorate each one like a mini evergreen, so every pop feels personal.
These cake pops also solve dessert math at a Christmas party. One batch makes 24 to 30 tree pops, which covers a crowd without slicing or plating. Kids can help with shaping and sprinkles, and adults will not fight them on that job.
Ingredients You Need
- Baked vanilla cake, cooled and un-frosted
- Frosting: 1/3 to 1/2 cup vanilla buttercream or canned frosting
- Note: start low, add only until the mixture holds together
- Green candy melts: 20 to 24 ounces
- Decorations
- Lollipop sticks: 6 inch
- Neutral oil spray or a dab of butter for your hands
- Optional flavor boosts: 1/2 teaspoon peppermint extract, 1/2 teaspoon almond extract
Equipment
- 13 by 9 baking pan, parchment-lined sheet pan
- Mixing bowls, spatula, dinner fork
- Cookie scoop, 1 tablespoon size
- Microwave-safe bowl or double boiler
- Styrofoam block or cake pop stand for drying
- Piping bag or zip-top bag for drizzle
- Toothpicks and a small paring knife
Quick Tips & substitutions
- Bake the cake a day ahead to save time on party day.
- Add frosting a spoonful at a time. Stop as soon as the crumbs stick together like playdough.
- Oil your palms lightly so the cones shape cleanly and do not stick.
- Chill shaped trees 10 to 15 minutes before dipping to keep them firm.
- Thin candy melts until they flow like warm honey for a smooth finish.
- Use a tall, narrow cup for dipping to cover the tree in one motion.
- Press on sprinkles while the coating stays wet so they hold tight.
- No green melts on hand? Tint melted white wafers with oil-based candy color, not water-based.
- Need gluten-free? Use a gluten-free cake mix and check candy melt labels.
- Dairy-free path: pick dairy-free frosting and dairy-free melting wafers.
How to Make Christmas Tree Cake Pops
- Prep: 45 minutes
- Cook: 30 minutes
- Total: 1 hour 30 minutes
- Bake a 13 by 9 vanilla cake and let it cool completely, or bake the boxed mix as directed and cool the cake.
- Crumble the cake in a large bowl until you get fine, even crumbs with no big chunks.
- Add 1/3 cup frosting and mix with a spatula or clean hands. Add more frosting a spoonful at a time until the mixture holds together without cracking or feeling sticky.
- Scoop 1 tablespoon portions, roll each one smooth, then pinch the top and shape into a cone about 1.5 inches tall. Flatten the base slightly so it stands.
- Set the cones on a parchment-lined sheet and chill them in the fridge for 10 to 15 minutes.
- Melt green candy melts at 50 percent power in the microwave in 30 second bursts, stirring between each. Stir in 1 to 2 teaspoons coconut oil or shortening until the coating runs smoothly.
- Dip the tip of a lollipop stick into the melted coating, then push it halfway into the base of a cone. Repeat with all cones and rest them upright for 5 minutes so the seal sets.
- Dip a tree straight down into the melts, then tilt and rotate to coat fully. Lift it out, tap the wrist gently, and let extra coating fall back into the bowl.
- While the coating stays wet, press a star sprinkle on the top and add nonpareils or sugar pearls as lights. For garland, drizzle white chocolate in zigzags and add pearls.
- Stand the finished pop in a Styrofoam block or stand and let it set. Keep dipping and decorating the rest.
- Chill the pops for 10 minutes to set the coating fully. Trim any small drips with a paring knife if needed.
- Serve the tree cake pops or pack them in treat bags with ribbon.
Simple Variations
- Peppermint forest: chocolate cake, a touch of peppermint extract, crushed candy canes as sparkle.
- Red velvet trees: red velvet cake with cream cheese frosting, white coating, gold pearls.
- Gingerbread grove: spice cake with molasses buttercream, green coating, tiny snowflake sprinkles.
- Funfetti trees: sprinkle cake base, green coating, rainbow lights.
- Matcha glow: white cake, matcha buttercream, white coating tinted with a little matcha.
Ways to Serve Christmas Tree Cake Pops
- Add them to a holiday dessert board with cookies and truffles.
- Set them at each place setting as an edible place card.
- Wrap them as party favors or classroom treats.
- Park them at a hot cocoa bar beside marshmallows and candy canes.
- Stand them in a foam block as a centerpiece for the dessert table.
Storage
Store cake pops in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 5 days. Hold them at cool room temperature for up to 2 hours during a party. Freeze undipped tree cones for up to 2 months, then thaw in the fridge and dip fresh. For dipped pops, wrap each one, freeze up to 2 months, then thaw in the fridge to avoid moisture on the coating.
Christmas Tree Cake Pops Recipe
Christmas Tree Cake Pops are festive and fun treats, perfect for holiday parties and family gatherings.
Ingredients
Instructions
- Prepare the cake following the boxed mix instructions. Allow to cool completely.
- Crumble the baked cake into a large mixing bowl.
- Add frosting and mix until the mixture holds together like dough.
- Shape the mixture into small cones or tree shapes and place on a baking sheet lined with parchment paper.
- Insert a lollipop stick into each cake tree base. Freeze for 15-20 minutes until firm.
- Melt green candy melts and white chocolate in separate bowls according to package instructions.
- Dip each cake pop into the green candy coating, letting excess drip off.
- Drizzle with white chocolate, then immediately decorate with sprinkles and a yellow candy star on top.
- Place cake pops upright (in a foam block or cake pop stand) until set.
- Serve and enjoy your festive Christmas Tree Cake Pops.
Notes
You can use homemade cake and frosting if preferred. Let cake pops set fully before packaging or serving. Store in an airtight container for up to 3 days.