Red Velvet Cranberry Christmas Pops

The Story & Intro

If there’s one holiday treat that makes my heart flutter like twinkling Christmas lights, it’s a batch of Red Velvet Cranberry Christmas Pops. I still remember the first time I made them the kitchen smelled like cocoa, vanilla, and the warm coziness of December, while festive music played in the background. I dipped the pops into silky white chocolate, thinking I’d made far too many… only to watch them disappear faster than snowflakes on my palms. These cheerful little bites taste like Christmas joy wrapped on a stick.

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.

And let me tell you Red Velvet Cranberry Christmas Pops absolutely do make people smile. Their gorgeous red color, the pop of tart cranberry folded into the soft cake, and that sweet snowy white chocolate shell? Oh là là… it’s holiday magic on a stick. I love how these pops bring together classic American red velvet with a little European Christmas flair the cranberries remind me of winter markets in Alsace, where berries and spices perfume the chilly air.

As we bake together today, imagine us gathered in a warm kitchen, sipping hot cocoa, laughing at the powdered sugar we accidentally dust everywhere. Nothing fancy just pure joy and sweet memories. That’s what these Red Velvet Cranberry Christmas Pops are all about.

And just like always, here’s a tiny piece of INAYA’s heart the 100-word shared story you requested:

💗 Short INAYA Story (100 words)
Hi, I’m INAYA, 38, from the beautiful island of Crete in Greece. Cooking has been part of my life since I was little, learning beside my grandmother as she filled our home with love and delicious smells. I believe food brings women together, helping us share warmth, joy, and memories. My kitchen may get messy, but that’s part of the fun! I love mixing tradition with creativity, especially during the holidays. These Red Velvet Cranberry Christmas Pops remind me that cooking is more than food — it’s stories, laughter, and connection. I’m so happy we get to make them together.

⏱️ Time

• Prep Time: 25 minutes
• Bake Time: 20–22 minutes
• Chill Time: 45 minutes
• Total Time: ~1 hour 30 minutes

🛒 Ingredients

For the Red Velvet Cake

• 1 ¼ cups all-purpose flour
• 1 cup granulated sugar
• 2 tbsp cocoa powder
• ½ tsp salt
• ½ tsp baking soda
• 1 large egg
• ½ cup vegetable oil
• ½ cup buttermilk
• 1 tsp vanilla extract
• 1 tsp white vinegar
• 1–2 tsp red gel food coloring

For the Cranberry Filling

• ¾ cup dried cranberries, softened in warm water
• OR 1 cup fresh cranberries cooked down with 1 tbsp sugar

For the Cake Pop Mixture

• ⅓–½ cup cream cheese frosting (store-bought or homemade)

For Decorating

• 2 cups white chocolate melting wafers
• Holiday sprinkles
• Crushed dried cranberries (optional)
• Cake pop sticks

👩‍🍳 Instructions

1. Bake the Red Velvet Cake

1. Preheat oven to 350°F (175°C). Grease an 8×8 pan.
2. In a bowl, whisk flour, sugar, cocoa, baking soda, and salt.
3. In another bowl, mix egg, oil, buttermilk, vanilla, vinegar, and red coloring.
4. Combine wet and dry ingredients until smooth.
5. Pour into the pan and bake 20–22 minutes.
6. Cool completely warm cake crumbles are too soft.

2. Prepare the Cranberries

• If using dried cranberries: soak in warm water 10 minutes, drain, chop.
• If using fresh cranberries: simmer 5 minutes until softened.

3. Form the Cake Pops

1. Crumble the cake in a large bowl.
2. Fold in frosting slowly (you may not need all of it).
3. Add chopped cranberries.
4. Roll into balls and freeze 20 minutes.

4. Insert the Sticks

• Dip each stick tip into melted white chocolate.
• Insert into each cake ball.
• Freeze again 10 minutes to secure.

5. Dip & Decorate

1. Melt white chocolate until smooth.
2. Dip each pop, letting excess drip off.
3. Add sprinkles or crushed cranberries before the chocolate sets.

6. Chill & Serve

• Refrigerate 20–30 minutes until firm.

Serving Suggestions

• Serve in a festive mug filled with sugar to keep pops standing
• Wrap individually for gifts or stocking stuffers
• Pair with hot cocoa, peppermint mochas, or spiced cider
• Add to a holiday dessert board with cookies, fudge, and truffles

📝 Notes

• If the mixture is too soft, add more cake crumbs.
• If too dry, add a teaspoon more frosting.
• Use gel food coloring liquid dye can water down the batter.
• For extra festive flavor, add ½ teaspoon orange zest to the cranberries.

🍽️ Nutrition (Per Pop)

Approximate values:

• Calories: 140
• Fat: 7g
• Carbs: 17g
• Sugar: 13g
• Protein: 1g

Recipe Card

🎄 Red Velvet Cranberry Christmas Pops 🎄

⏱️ Time: 1 hour 30 minutes
🍽️ Servings: ~24 pops

🛒 Ingredients:
Red velvet cake mixture, cranberries, cream cheese frosting, white chocolate, sprinkles, cake pop sticks

👩‍🍳 Instructions:

1. Bake a simple red velvet cake.
2. Crumble it and mix with frosting + cranberries.
3. Roll into balls and freeze.
4. Insert sticks with a dab of melted chocolate.
5. Dip in white chocolate and decorate.
6. Chill and enjoy!

📝 Notes:
Chill between each step for perfect pops.

Conclusion

Making these Red Velvet Cranberry Christmas Pops feels like wrapping tiny edible gifts for the people you love. They’re wonderfully festive, delightfully moist, and spark that childlike excitement that only comes around the holidays. Whether you’re gifting them, serving them at a party, or sneaking one (or three!) for yourself, these pops bring joy in every bite.

From my warm little French-American kitchen to yours joyeux Noël, my friends. 🎁❤️✨