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Festive Ornament Ball Pops

Featured in: Soft & Sweet Bakes

Create festive ornament ball pops featuring cake crumbs blended with frosting, chilled, then dipped in colorful candy melts. Decorate each with sprinkles, edible glitter, and festive toppers like mini pretzel loops to mimic ornament hooks. These eye-catching treats are perfect for holiday celebrations, offering a delightful combination of creaminess and crunchy coatings. With a simple assembly involving baking, mixing, chilling, and decorating, you can make a vibrant display that stands upright and shimmers with optional luster dust.

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Updated on Wed, 10 Dec 2025 09:56:00 GMT
Festive ornament ball cake pops with colorful sprinkles are a delicious holiday treat. Save
Festive ornament ball cake pops with colorful sprinkles are a delicious holiday treat. | ivorycrumb.com

A festive and eye-catching dessert featuring cake pops decorated as colorful holiday ornaments, perfect for parties and celebrations.

This was a fun project that brought so much joy at our holiday gatherings every year.

Ingredients

  • Cake: 1 box (about 400 g) vanilla or chocolate cake mix (plus ingredients per package)
  • Frosting: 1/2 cup (120 g) cream cheese frosting or vanilla buttercream
  • Decoration & Coating: 500 g white chocolate or candy melts (assorted colors)
  • Decoration & Coating: 2 tbsp (25 g) vegetable shortening (optional, for smoother coating)
  • Decoration & Coating: Assorted sprinkles, edible glitter, and small candies
  • Decoration & Coating: 24 mini pretzel loops or candy-coated chocolate pieces (for ornament tops)
  • Decoration & Coating: Edible gold or silver luster dust (optional)

Instructions

Bake the cake:
Bake the cake according to package instructions. Allow to cool completely.
Crumble the cake:
Crumble the cooled cake into fine crumbs in a large mixing bowl.
Add frosting:
Add frosting gradually, mixing until the mixture holds together and can be shaped.
Roll balls:
Scoop out tablespoon-sized portions and roll into smooth balls. Place on a parchment-lined tray.
Chill balls:
Chill the cake balls in the refrigerator for at least 30 minutes.
Melt coating:
Melt the chocolate or candy melts in a microwave-safe bowl, stirring until smooth. Stir in shortening if needed for a thinner consistency.
Insert sticks:
Dip one end of a lollipop stick into the melted coating, then insert halfway into a cake ball. Repeat for all balls and chill again for 10 minutes to set.
Coat pops:
Dip each cake pop fully into the melted coating, gently tapping off excess.
Decorate:
Before the coating sets, decorate each pop with sprinkles, glitter, or candies to resemble ornament balls. Attach a mini pretzel loop or candy at the top for the ornament hook.
Stand pops:
Stand pops upright in a foam block or cake pop stand to set fully.
Dust:
Dust with edible luster dust for a shimmering effect, if desired.
Vivid, close-up photo shows beautifully decorated ornament ball cake pops ready for your party. Save
Vivid, close-up photo shows beautifully decorated ornament ball cake pops ready for your party. | ivorycrumb.com

This dessert always creates a festive family moment as everyone gathers around to admire and enjoy these colorful treats.

Required Tools

Stand mixer or large mixing bowl, baking pan, parchment paper, microwave-safe bowls, lollipop sticks, styrofoam block or cake pop stand.

Allergen Information

Contains wheat (gluten), eggs, milk, soy (in candy melts), and possibly nuts (depending on decorations). Check all labels carefully if serving to those with allergies.

Nutritional Information

Calories: 180 per serving. Total fat: 7 g. Carbohydrates: 27 g. Protein: 2 g.

White-chocolate dipped ornament ball cake pops with edible glitter make a stunning dessert display. Save
White-chocolate dipped ornament ball cake pops with edible glitter make a stunning dessert display. | ivorycrumb.com

These festive ornament ball cake pops are sure to impress at any celebration with their colorful charm and delicious taste.

Recipe FAQs

→ What coatings are best for smooth coverage?

White chocolate or candy melts work well, and adding vegetable shortening can create a thinner, smoother consistency for easy dipping.

→ How can I achieve vibrant colors on the pops?

Use assorted colored candy melts and decorate with edible glitter, sprinkles, and candy pieces to enhance the festive look.

→ What is the purpose of chilling during preparation?

Chilling firms up the shaped balls and sets the coating, helping the pops maintain their shape and finish cleanly.

→ Can I customize the decoration designs?

Absolutely, edible markers or different candy toppings allow for intricate, personalized ornament patterns and effects.

→ How should the pops be stored after preparation?

Store in an airtight container at room temperature for up to three days to preserve freshness without softening the coating.

Festive Ornament Ball Pops

Vibrant ornament-inspired dessert pops coated in colorful candy melts with festive decorations for celebrations.

Prep time
45 min
Cook time
30 min
Total duration
75 min
Created by Nora Ellington


Skill level Medium

Cuisine type American

Makes 24 Serves

Diet details Meat-free

What You'll Need

Cake

01 1 box (14 oz) vanilla or chocolate cake mix with required package ingredients

Frosting

01 1/2 cup cream cheese frosting or vanilla buttercream

Decoration & Coating

01 17.6 oz white chocolate or candy melts in assorted colors
02 2 tablespoons vegetable shortening (optional, for smoother coating)
03 Assorted sprinkles, edible glitter, and small candies
04 24 mini pretzel loops or candy-coated chocolate pieces for ornament tops
05 Edible gold or silver luster dust (optional)

Directions

Step 01

Bake the Cake: Prepare and bake the cake according to package instructions. Allow it to cool completely.

Step 02

Crumble Cake: Crumble the cooled cake into fine crumbs in a large mixing bowl.

Step 03

Mix with Frosting: Gradually add the frosting to the crumbs, mixing until the mixture is firm enough to hold its shape.

Step 04

Form Cake Balls: Scoop tablespoon-sized portions and roll into smooth balls. Arrange on a tray lined with parchment paper.

Step 05

Chill Cake Balls: Refrigerate the cake balls for at least 30 minutes to firm up.

Step 06

Melt Coating: Melt the white chocolate or candy melts in a microwave-safe bowl, stirring for smoothness. Add shortening if a thinner consistency is desired.

Step 07

Insert Sticks: Dip one end of a lollipop stick into the melted coating, then insert halfway into each cake ball. Chill the assembled balls for 10 minutes to set.

Step 08

Coat Cake Pops: Fully dip each cake pop into the melted coating, tapping off excess gently.

Step 09

Decorate Pops: Before the coating sets, add sprinkles, edible glitter, or candies. Attach a mini pretzel loop or candy piece atop each as the ornament hook.

Step 10

Set Upside Down: Place cake pops upright in a foam block or stand to allow the coating to harden completely.

Step 11

Add Luster Dust: Optionally, dust with edible gold or silver luster dust for a shimmering finish.

Tools needed

  • Stand mixer or large mixing bowl
  • Baking pan
  • Parchment paper
  • Microwave-safe bowls
  • Lollipop sticks
  • Foam block or cake pop stand

Allergen details

Be sure to review the ingredients for possible allergens and speak to a healthcare provider when uncertain.
  • Contains wheat (gluten), eggs, milk, soy (in candy melts), and possibly nuts depending on decoration.

Nutrition info per dish

Details here are just for reference. They don't replace health or nutrition advice.
  • Calories: 180
  • Fats: 7 g
  • Carbohydrates: 27 g
  • Proteins: 2 g