# What You'll Need:
→ Cake
01 - 1 box (14 oz) vanilla or chocolate cake mix with required ingredients per package
→ Frosting
02 - 1/2 cup cream cheese frosting or vanilla buttercream
→ Decoration & Coating
03 - 17.6 oz white chocolate or candy melts (assorted colors)
04 - 2 tbsp vegetable shortening (optional, for smoother coating)
05 - Assorted sprinkles, edible glitter, and small candies
06 - 24 mini pretzel loops or candy-coated chocolate pieces (for ornament tops)
07 - Edible gold or silver luster dust (optional)
# Directions:
01 - Prepare and bake cake according to package instructions. Cool completely.
02 - Crumble cooled cake into fine crumbs in a large mixing bowl.
03 - Add frosting gradually to cake crumbs, mixing until the mixture holds together and can be shaped.
04 - Scoop tablespoon-sized portions and roll into smooth balls. Arrange on parchment-lined tray.
05 - Refrigerate cake balls for at least 30 minutes to firm up.
06 - Melt chocolate or candy melts in microwave-safe bowl, stirring until smooth. Stir in shortening if a thinner consistency is needed.
07 - Dip one end of each lollipop stick into melted coating and insert halfway into each cake ball. Chill for 10 minutes to set.
08 - Fully dip each cake pop into the melted coating, gently tapping off excess chocolate.
09 - Before coating sets, decorate with sprinkles, edible glitter, or candies to resemble holiday ornaments. Attach pretzel loops or candy pieces at the top as ornament hooks.
10 - Stand cake pops upright in foam block or cake pop stand until fully set.
11 - Optionally dust with edible gold or silver luster dust for a shimmering finish.
