The Story & Intro
If there’s one holiday treat that makes me grin like a kid again, it’s red velvet Rudolph cake pops. Every time I roll those little cake balls and press on the bright red candy nose, I’m instantly transported back to the first Christmas I spent in the U.S. I didn’t know many people yet, and my English still had that thick French sing-song melody but oh là là, sharing sweets bridges any language gap!
Bonjour my friends! 👋 I’m Lacamorea, a 31-year-old French girl who traded the cobblestone streets of Paris for the cozy kitchens of America 🇫🇷➡️🇺🇸. Ever since I could reach the countertop, I’ve been whisking, stirring, and sneaking tastes of cake batter when no one was looking 🍰😋. Cooking isn’t just my passion it’s my love language, my therapy, and my favorite way to make people smile.
The first time I made red velvet Rudolph cake pops was for a neighborhood cookie exchange. Everyone else brought classic sugar cookies or brownies, and there I was this French girl presenting a tray of shiny chocolate-dipped pops with pretzel antlers. The room lit up, people started laughing, pointing, taking photos, and then… they tasted them. Mon dieu. The combination of that rich, velvety cake and smooth chocolate coating won the room instantly.
Since then, these red velvet Rudolph cake pops have become my most requested holiday treat. Kids adore them, adults love them, and they’re the perfect little bite to brighten any Christmas dessert spread. They’re festive, fun to decorate, and honestly impossible not to smile at.
Let’s dive into the magic, shall we? 🎄✨
⏱️ Time
- Prep: 35 minutes
- Chill: 1 hour
- Decorating: 30 minutes
- Total: ~2 hours
🛒 Ingredients
For the Red Velvet Cake
- 1 box red velvet cake mix (or homemade if you prefer)
- Ingredients required for the cake box (usually eggs, oil, water)
For the Cake Pop Mixture
- 1 cup cream cheese frosting (store-bought or homemade)
For Decorating the Rudolphs
- 2 cups milk chocolate melting wafers
- Pretzel twists, broken into antler-shaped pieces
- Red M&M’s or red Sixlets for the noses
- Candy eyes
- Cake pop sticks
- Optional: white chocolate drizzle for extra holiday flair
👩🍳 Instructions
1. Bake the Cake
Prepare your red velvet cake according to package instructions. Let it cool completely — warm cake will make the mixture too sticky and mushy.
2. Crumble the Cake
Once cooled, use your hands to crumble the cake into a large bowl. Aim for fine, even crumbs.
3. Add the Frosting
Mix in your cream cheese frosting a little at a time. You want a dough-like consistency that holds together without being overly sticky.
4. Roll Into Balls
Scoop about 1 tablespoon of mixture for each pop and roll it into a smooth ball. Place onto a parchment-lined tray.
5. Chill the Cake Balls
Refrigerate for at least 1 hour or freeze for 20 minutes. This helps them stay firm while dipping.
6. Insert the Sticks
Dip the tip of each cake pop stick into melted chocolate, then insert halfway into each cake ball. This creates “glue” so they don’t fall off later.
7. Dip in Chocolate
Melt the chocolate wafers until smooth. Dip each pop straight down into the chocolate, tap gently to remove excess, and let set upright (a foam block works great!).
8. Decorate the Rudolph Faces
Before the chocolate fully sets:
- Add candy eyes
- Press on the red nose
- Attach pretzel antlers
Let everything harden before serving.
Serving Suggestions
These red velvet Rudolph cake pops shine brightest on:
- A holiday dessert board
- A kids’ Christmas party
- A sweet treat platter for teachers or coworkers
- Wrapped individually as edible gifts
- Stuck into a styrofoam block decorated like a snowy North Pole ❄️
They also look adorable paired with hot cocoa, peppermint mocha, or warm spiced apple cider.
📝 Notes
- If the chocolate coating cracks, your cake pops may have been too cold. Let them warm slightly before dipping.
- Store in an airtight container for up to 4 days.
- Add edible glitter for magical Christmas sparkle.
- If you prefer, use dark chocolate or white chocolate instead of milk chocolate.
🍽️ Nutrition (Per Cake Pop – Approx.)
- Calories: 160
- Carbs: 18g
- Fat: 8g
- Protein: 2g
- Sugar: 14g
Recipe Card
🎄 Red Velvet Rudolph Cake Pops 🎄
Ingredients
- Red velvet cake (boxed or homemade)
- Cream cheese frosting
- Milk chocolate melting wafers
- Pretzels (for antlers)
- Candy eyes
- Red candies for noses
- Cake pop sticks
Instructions
- Bake cake and cool.
- Crumble and mix with frosting.
- Roll into balls + chill.
- Insert sticks.
- Dip in chocolate.
- Decorate like Rudolph.
- Let set + enjoy!
Conclusion
There’s something beautifully nostalgic about making these red velvet Rudolph cake pops every December. They’re whimsical, delicious, and guaranteed to bring joy whether you’re gifting them, serving them, or sneaking a few for yourself. From my little French-American kitchen to yours, I hope they fill your home with giggles, sweetness, and holiday magic. 🎅❤️🎄