These Snowman Cake Pops are as joyful to make as they are to eat. Soft vanilla cake rolled into bites, dipped in white chocolate, and decorated like little snowmen. They are perfect for parties, gifting, and cozy snow days with the kids.
Snowman Cake Pops
Equipment
- 1 Large mixing bowl
- 1 Baking Sheet parchment-lined, for chilling
- 24 Lollipop Sticks or paper straws, cut to size
- 1 Heatproof bowl for melting coating
- 1 Styrofoam block or a box with small holes, to hold pops upright
- 1 piping bag or toothpick, for details
Ingredients
Cake Pop Base
- 1 vanilla sheet cake (9x13-inch) baked and cooled
- 4 tbsp vanilla frosting use 3 to 4 tbsp as needed, just enough to bind
- 1 tsp vanilla extract (alcohol-free) optional
- 24 lollipop sticks or paper straws, cut to size
Coating
- 12 oz white candy melts or white chocolate chips
- 2 tsp neutral oil or coconut oil as needed to thin
Decorations
- 0.25 cup mini chocolate chips for eyes and buttons
- 2 oz dark chocolate, melted for piping smiles and details
- 24 candy eyes gelatin-free, optional
- 24 orange confetti sprinkles or mini orange candies for noses
- 24 mini pretzel sticks for arms, optional
- 24 chocolate chips or mini sandwich cookies for hats, optional
- 0.5 cup white sanding sugar or fine shredded coconut to dust while coating is wet, optional
Instructions
Make the cake pop centers
- In a large bowl, crumble the cooled cake into fine crumbs with clean hands until you have a sand-like texture without big pieces.
- Add frosting 1 tablespoon at a time and mix until the crumbs hold together like moldable dough. Roll into small balls. For snowmen, pair two balls to stack; or make single round pops for simple faces. Place on a parchment-lined tray.
Dip and decorate
- Melt a small amount of white coating. Dip about 1/2 inch of each stick into the melted coating and insert into the base of each pop. Chill 20 to 30 minutes until firm.
- Melt the remaining white coating until smooth, stirring in a little oil if thick. Dip each pop in one smooth motion, letting excess drip off. Gently tap your wrist to encourage a smooth finish.
- Before the coating sets, add eyes, a nose, and buttons. For smiles and details, pipe melted dark chocolate with a small piping bag or toothpick. Add pretzel stick arms or hats if desired.
- Stand pops upright in a styrofoam block or a box with small holes. Let set at room temperature until firm, about 20 minutes, or refrigerate for 10 minutes.
Notes
Why You’ll Love This Snowman Cake Pops
- Adorable and festive with simple pantry ingredients.
- Great make-ahead treat that holds up beautifully for parties.
- Kid-approved activity with easy decorating steps.
- Flexible recipe with options for coating, decorations, and flavor.
Snowman Cake Pops Ingredients & Substitutions
- Cake: A baked 9×13 vanilla cake, fully cooled. Use your favorite homemade recipe or a boxed mix.
- Frosting: 3 to 4 tablespoons vanilla frosting to bind the crumbs. Use homemade or a jar; add more only if the mixture is dry.
- Alcohol-free vanilla: A splash in the cake or frosting for warm flavor.
- White coating: White chocolate chips or white candy melts. Add 1 to 2 teaspoons neutral oil or coconut oil to thin if needed.
- Sticks: Lollipop sticks or paper straws cut to size.
- Eyes and buttons: Mini chocolate chips or dots of melted dark chocolate piped on. You can also use gelatin-free candy eyes.
- Nose: Orange confetti sprinkles, an orange mini candy, or a tiny shard of orange-colored chocolate.
- Arms and hats: Mini pretzel sticks for arms; chocolate chips or mini sandwich cookies as little hats, if you like.
- Optional sparkle: White sanding sugar or shredded coconut to dust while the coating is wet.
Step-by-Step Instructions to Make Snowman Cake Pops
1. Crumble the cake
In a large bowl, crumble the cooled cake into fine crumbs with clean hands. You want a sand-like texture without big pieces.
2. Mix and roll
Add frosting 1 tablespoon at a time and mix until the crumbs hold together like moldable dough. Roll into small balls, then pair two balls to stack a snowman shape, or make single round pops for simple faces. Place on a parchment-lined tray.
3. Chill and secure
Melt a small amount of white coating. Dip 1/2 inch of each stick into the melted coating and insert into the base of each pop. Chill 20 to 30 minutes until firm.
4. Dip the pops
Melt the remaining white coating until smooth, stirring in a little oil if thick. Dip each pop in one smooth motion, letting excess drip off. Gently tap the wrist to encourage a smooth finish.
5. Decorate
Before the coating sets, add eyes, a nose, and buttons. For smiles and details, pipe melted dark chocolate with a small piping bag or toothpick. Add pretzel stick arms or hats if desired.
6. Set and serve
Stand pops upright in a styrofoam block or a box with small holes. Let set at room temperature until firm, about 20 minutes, or refrigerate for 10 minutes.
Tips for Success
- Use just enough frosting. The dough should hold together without feeling sticky.
- Chill twice. A quick chill before dipping helps prevent cracking and sliding.
- Thin the coating. Add a bit of oil for a silky dip and fewer drips.
- Keep decorations light. Heavy add-ons can slide; press gently and let set.
- Work in batches. Keep half the tray chilling while you dip the rest.
Variations of Snowman Cake Pops
- Flavor twist: Try lemon cake with a zest-kissed frosting or chocolate cake with white coating for contrast.
- Minty snowmen: Add a drop or two of peppermint extract to the coating.
- Coconut snow: Roll dipped pops in fine shredded coconut for a snowy look.
- Scarf style: Pipe a scarf with colored candy melts or buttercream after the coating sets.
Serving Suggestions: What to Pair with Snowman Cake Pops
- Hot cocoa or peppermint hot chocolate.
- Warm chai, coffee, or a glass of cold milk.
- A winter dessert board with berries, shortbread, and truffles.
Storage & Reheating Instructions
- Room temperature: Keep in a cool, dry spot up to 2 days if your kitchen is not warm.
- Refrigerator: Store in an airtight container for 5 to 7 days. Separate layers with parchment.
- Freezer: Freeze up to 2 months. Thaw in the fridge overnight, then bring to room temperature before serving.
- Refresh: If condensation forms, let pops sit uncovered at room temperature until dry.
Memories Made Around the Table
These little snowmen bring instant smiles. I love setting out bowls of tiny candies and letting everyone decorate their own. The wobbly eyes and crooked grins are always the ones we remember most.
FAQs
Do I need a cake pop maker?
No. Crumbled cake mixed with a bit of frosting gives you the classic truffle-like texture without special equipment.
How do I prevent cracks in the coating?
Keep temperatures close. If the pops are very cold and the coating is very hot, cracks happen. Chill until firm, not frozen, and let the coating cool slightly before dipping.
Can I make them without candy melts?
Yes. Use white chocolate chips or bars, finely chopped. Melt gently and thin with a little oil for a smooth dip.
What can I use for eyes if I cannot find candy eyes?
Mini chocolate chips point-side in work perfectly. You can also dot on melted dark chocolate with a toothpick.
Final Thoughts
Snowman Cake Pops are festive, forgiving, and fun to customize. Make them a day ahead, put on a happy playlist, and decorate at your own pace. Every snowman will be delightfully one of a kind.