Chocolate Cranberry Christmas Cake Pops — A Joyful, Festive Treat Filled With Holiday Magic
The Story & Intro
Every December, when the cold nips at the windows and my kitchen fills with the smell of melting chocolate, I find myself reaching for one of my favorite festive treats: Chocolate Cranberry Christmas Cake Pops. They’re cute, cozy, and packed with that holiday sparkle we all crave. The first time I made them, I accidentally dropped a whole bowl of dried cranberries on the floor and my dog thought Santa had arrived early! But the sweetness, the tartness, and that rich chocolate coating? Pure Christmas joy in one bite.
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.
That’s exactly why these Chocolate Cranberry Christmas Cake Pops mean so much to me. They remind me of Parisian pâtisseries during Noël glimmering with sugar, dripping with chocolate, full of laughter and now they’ve become part of my American holiday traditions too. Whether you’re making them with kids, gifting them to friends, or enjoying them with a quiet mug of hot cocoa, these cake pops always bring a sense of warmth and celebration.
In this recipe, we’ll mix rich chocolate cake, tangy cranberries, a luxurious frosting, and a glossy chocolate shell to create festive pops that taste like Christmas wrapped in ribbon. This is the kind of recipe that turns even the busiest December day into a moment of pure joy and I can’t wait to share it with you.
Let’s make some magic! 🎄✨
⏱️ Time
- Prep: 35 minutes
- Chill: 1 hour
- Decorating: 20 minutes
- Total: ~1 hour 55 minutes
🛒 Ingredients
For the Cake
- 1 box of chocolate cake mix (plus required eggs, oil & water)
OR 1 homemade 9×13 chocolate cake
For the Cake Pop Mixture
- 1 cup chocolate frosting (store-bought or homemade)
- ¾ cup dried cranberries, finely chopped
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
For the Coating & Decoration
- 2 cups semisweet chocolate chips or melting chocolate
- 2 tablespoons coconut oil or shortening
- Holiday sprinkles (red, green, white, gold — your choice!)
- Additional chopped dried cranberries for garnish
- 24–30 lollipop sticks
👩🍳 Step-by-Step Instructions
1. Bake the Cake
Prepare your chocolate cake according to the package directions or your favorite homemade recipe.
Allow it to cool completely. (Trust me warm cake = melty mess.)
2. Crumble the Cake
Once cool, break the cake apart using clean hands or a fork until it resembles soft crumbs.
Place into a large bowl.
3. Mix in Frosting & Cranberries
Add chocolate frosting, chopped dried cranberries, and vanilla extract.
Mix well until it forms a dough-like consistency soft, moist, and easily shaped.
4. Shape the Pops
Roll the mixture into small balls, about 1 to 1.25 inches.
Place onto a parchment-lined baking sheet.
5. Add the Sticks
Melt 2 tablespoons of chocolate.
Dip the tip of each stick into the melted chocolate, then insert it halfway into each cake ball.
This helps “glue” the pops together.
6. Chill
Refrigerate for at least 1 hour, or freeze for 20 minutes until firm enough to dip.
7. Melt the Chocolate Coating
Combine chocolate chips and coconut oil in a microwave-safe bowl.
Heat in 20-second intervals, stirring until smooth and silky.
8. Dip the Pops
Hold each stick and gently dip the cake pop into the melted chocolate, swirling to coat evenly.
Allow excess to drip off.
9. Decorate
Before the coating sets, sprinkle with holiday sprinkles and a pinch of chopped cranberries.
Place upright in a foam block or laid flat on parchment to set.
10. Serve or Gift!
Once fully hardened, your Chocolate Cranberry Christmas Cake Pops are ready for a festive celebration. 🎄🍫
Serving Suggestions
- Serve them on a festive platter arranged like Christmas ornaments.
- Wrap individually in clear treat bags with ribbon for adorable gifts.
- Pair with hot cocoa, eggnog, or mulled wine for a holiday dessert spread.
- Add crushed peppermint for a minty variation.
These treats shine at cookie swaps, office parties, classroom celebrations, or cozy nights at home when you crave something sweet and cheerful.
Recipe Card
⭐ Chocolate Cranberry Christmas Cake Pops Recipe Card
⏱️ Time
- Prep: 35 min
- Chill: 1 hr
- Decorate: 20 min
🛒 Ingredients
- Chocolate cake (store-bought or homemade)
- 1 cup chocolate frosting
- ¾ cup chopped dried cranberries
- 2 cups melting chocolate
- Coconut oil
- Sprinkles
- Lollipop sticks
👩🍳 Instructions
- Crumble cake.
- Mix with frosting, cranberries & vanilla.
- Roll into balls.
- Insert sticks.
- Chill.
- Dip in chocolate.
- Decorate.
- Let set & enjoy!
📝 Notes
- Add more frosting if mixture is too dry.
- Freeze pops briefly before dipping for a smoother finish.
- White chocolate also works beautifully.
🍽️ Nutrition (per pop)
Approx. 140–170 calories depending on coating and size.
Conclusion
These Chocolate Cranberry Christmas Cake Pops combine everything we love about the holiday season sweetness, sparkle, coziness, and just enough whimsy to make you smile. Every bite is rich, fudgy, chocolatey, and brightened by tart cranberries, making this treat perfect for gifting, serving, or simply enjoying while watching Christmas lights twinkle.
From my French-American kitchen to yours, may these cake pops bring joy to your celebrations and warmth to your home. Joyeux Noël, my friends! 🎄❤️✨
