Peppermint Hot Cocoa Cake Pops

The Story & Intro

If there’s one holiday treat that instantly pulls me back into the magic of winter, it’s peppermint hot cocoa cake pops those tiny, chocolatey bites that taste like a warm hug wrapped in glittery snowflakes. The first time I made them, I was hosting a tiny, last-minute Christmas get-together and needed a dessert that looked festive but didn’t require hours of complicated decorating. I remember stirring the melted chocolate while the kitchen smelled like a mix of candy canes and cozy hot cocoa, thinking, “Wow… this might be the easiest way to impress people without even trying.” Spoiler alert: it worked.

But let me tell you the real heart behind my cooking.
Bonjour my friends! 👋 I’m Lacamorea, a 31-year-old French girl who left the cobblestone streets of Paris for the warm, bustling kitchens of America 🇫🇷➡️🇺🇸. Ever since I could reach the countertop, I’ve been whisking, stirring, and sneakily licking spoons of cake batter when no one was looking 🍰😋. Cooking has always been more than recipes for me it’s my love language, my therapy, my way of bringing joy to the people sitting around my table.

And while I now find myself blending my French roots with American holiday flavors, these peppermint hot cocoa cake pops have become one of my go-to treats every December. They’re festive, they’re adorable, and somehow they make every grown adult feel like a kid again. The combination of soft chocolate cake, creamy frosting, melted chocolate coating, and crushed peppermint candy is simply irresistible.

I weave creativity and warmth into every recipe I share just like my dear INAYA from Crete, whose story continues to inspire simplicity, comfort, and the idea that recipes are memories waiting to happen. These cake pops capture all of that: cozy winter vibes, playful decorating, and delicious little bites you’ll want to keep making long after the holidays have passed.

You’re going to love how easy they are and your friends will swear you spent hours crafting them. Let’s start making magic with peppermint hot cocoa cake pops! ✨

⏱️ Time

• Prep Time: 30 minutes
• Bake Time: 25–30 minutes
• Chill Time: 1 hour
• Total Time: ~2 hours

🛒 Ingredients

For the Chocolate Cake

• 1 ¼ cups all-purpose flour
• 1 cup granulated sugar
• ½ cup unsweetened cocoa powder
• 1 tsp baking soda
• ½ tsp baking powder
• ½ tsp salt
• 1 large egg
• ½ cup buttermilk
• ½ cup warm water
• ¼ cup vegetable oil
• 1 tsp vanilla extract

For the Cake Pop Mixture

• ½ cup chocolate frosting (store-bought or homemade)
• ½ cup mini marshmallows, chopped
• 1 tsp peppermint extract

For the Coating

• 2 cups semisweet chocolate chips or melting wafers
• 1 tbsp coconut oil (optional helps smooth the coating)
• Crushed candy canes
• Mini marshmallows (optional)
• Lollipop sticks

👩‍🍳 Step-by-Step Instructions

Step 1: Bake the Chocolate Cake

1. Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C).
2. In a large bowl, whisk together the flour, sugar, cocoa powder, baking soda, baking powder, and salt.
3. Add the egg, buttermilk, warm water, oil, and vanilla. Mix until smooth the batter will be thin.
4. Pour into a greased 8×8 pan and bake for 25–30 minutes.
5. Let the cake cool completely. (Go ahead, taste a corner I won’t tell!)

Step 2: Crumble the Cake

1. Once cooled, crumble the cake into a large bowl until it resembles fine crumbs.
2. Mix in chocolate frosting, chopped mini marshmallows, and peppermint extract.
3. Use your hands messy is fun! The texture should be dough-like and rollable.

Step 3: Form the Cake Balls

1. Roll the mixture into 1-inch balls.
2. Place them on a parchment-lined baking sheet.
3. Refrigerate for at least 30 minutes so they firm up.

Step 4: Insert the Sticks

1. Melt 2 tbsp of your chocolate coating.
2. Dip the tip of each lollipop stick into the melted chocolate.
3. Insert it halfway into each cake ball.
4. Chill again for 15 minutes.

Step 5: Coat the Cake Pops

1. Melt the remaining chocolate with coconut oil until smooth.
2. Dip each cake pop straight downward into the chocolate don’t swirl!
3. Tap gently to remove excess coating.

Step 6: Decorate

1. Sprinkle crushed candy canes on top immediately before the coating sets.
2. Add a mini marshmallow or two for cute “hot cocoa vibes.”
3. Stick upright in a styrofoam block to dry completely.

Serving Suggestions

• Serve them on a festive holiday dessert board
• Wrap individually for gifts
• Display inside a mug filled with mini marshmallows for a “hot cocoa” presentation
• Add edible glitter for extra sparkle

📝 Notes

• If your cake pops crack after coating, the cake balls may have been too cold let them warm slightly before dipping.
• Dark chocolate works beautifully if you prefer a richer taste.
• Add red food coloring to white chocolate for a pink peppermint version!

🍽️ Nutrition (per cake pop)

• Calories: ~160
• Fat: 8g
• Carbs: 21g
• Protein: 2g
• Sugar: 17g

100-Word INAYA Story Version (as required)

Hi, I’m INAYA, 38, from the beautiful island of Crete in Greece. Cooking has been part of my life since childhood, learning by my grandmother’s side as she filled our home with traditional Greek dishes made with love. I believe food brings women and families together, creating warmth, comfort, and joy. My style is simple but flavorful, mixing classic traditions with a bit of fun and yes, my kitchen gets messy, but that’s the magic! Whether you’re a beginner or seasoned cook, I’m here to help you make delicious meals that feel like home and create lasting memories.

Recipe Card

🍫 Peppermint Hot Cocoa Cake Pops 🎄

⏱️ Total Time: ~2 hours
🍴 Yield: 24 cake pops

🛒 Ingredients

• Chocolate cake (see list above)
• Chocolate frosting
• Mini marshmallows
• Peppermint extract
• Chocolate chips or melting chocolate
• Crushed candy canes
• Coconut oil
• Lollipop sticks

👩‍🍳 Instructions

1. Bake chocolate cake and cool.
2. Crumble and mix with frosting, marshmallows, and peppermint.
3. Roll into balls; chill.
4. Insert dipped sticks; chill again.
5. Coat in melted chocolate.
6. Decorate with candy canes + marshmallows.

📝 Notes

Let coated pops dry fully before wrapping.

Conclusion

These peppermint hot cocoa cake pops are everything joyful about winter cozy hot chocolate, cool peppermint crunch, and that magical feeling of making something adorable with your own hands. Every bite is festive, nostalgic, and full of holiday cheer. Whether you’re gifting them, serving them at a party, or sneaking one during a late-night kitchen moment (we all do it!), they’re guaranteed to bring smiles.

I hope this recipe fills your home with sweetness, warmth, and the kind of memories that last long after the holidays fade. ❤️