Moist Red Velvet Cake Pops

I used to think cake pops were some kind of fancy bakery magic that regular home cooks couldn’t pull off. Growing up, my mom always made her famous red velvet cake for family celebrations, but those cute cake balls on sticks? They just seemed way too delicate and complicated for me to tackle.

Turns out, I was totally off! Making red velvet cake pops at home is easier than you think. It’s really just crumbled cake mixed with frosting, dipped in smooth chocolate. The best part? You can use leftover cake or even a box mix to make these little treats. No fancy baking tricks needed—just grab a little patience and be ready to have a little fun (and mess) in your kitchen.

Why You’ll Love These Cake Pops

• Perfect for any party – These bite-sized delights are a hit at any gathering—be it birthday parties, bake sales, or holiday celebrations. No forks or plates mean everyone can grab and go, which is pretty much party hosting made easy.
• Simple, everyday ingredients – All you need are three straightforward ingredients: cake mix, frosting, and candy melts. No hunting down obscure baking supplies here.
• Great for prepping ahead – One of my favorite things? Making these a few days early. Just store them in the fridge until party time and you’re free to relax instead of stressing over last-minute cooking.
• Fun activity for kids – Kids absolutely love helping out rolling the cake balls and dipping them. It’s like edible playtime that ends with a sweet treat! Plus, it’s a neat way to get the whole family involved in baking.

What Kind of Red Velvet Cake Mix Should I Use?

You can use any red velvet cake mix you find at the store. Honestly, even store-brand mixes work just fine. The key is to follow the package instructions closely and not overbake. You want the cake moist enough so it blends nicely with the frosting and shapes easily into balls without cracking or falling apart.

Options for Substitutions

Need to switch something up with what you have around? No problem! Here are some easy swaps that won’t mess with the flavor or texture:

• Red velvet cake mix: Can’t find red velvet? No worries! You can use regular chocolate cake mix and add 2-3 tablespoons of red food coloring to get that iconic hue. Or have fun with other flavors like vanilla, chocolate, or strawberry—it’ll still be delicious!
• Cream cheese frosting: If you don’t have cream cheese frosting on hand, vanilla buttercream works beautifully. Craving something richer? Chocolate frosting is a delightful alternative. Just remember to add frosting little by little—you want enough to hold the cake crumbs together without making the mix too soft.
• White candy melts: These are my favorite for coating because they set up smooth and shiny. But if you prefer or only have white chocolate chips, melt them with a bit of coconut oil or shortening to thin it out. Colored candy melts are fantastic for decorating and adding a pop of fun. Just avoid regular white chocolate bars; they don’t melt or harden as well as candy melts.

Watch Out for These Mistakes While Baking

The trickiest part of cake pops is getting that cake and frosting mixture just right. Too much frosting makes the pops too soft to stay put on the sticks, but too little frosting means crumbly bites that fall apart. I suggest starting with frosting in small amounts, just a few spoonfuls at a time, mixing until your dough sticks together like play-dough when rolled. Another biggie? Not chilling the cake balls enough. They need to be super cold—at least 2 hours in the fridge or 15 minutes in the freezer—before you dip them in warm candy coating. Otherwise, they might slide right off the sticks. When it comes to melting candy melts, take it slow—heat in quick 30-second bursts, stirring in between. If things get too thick, a teaspoon of coconut oil will loosen things up nicely. Finally, when coating the cake pops, tap off extra coating gently on the bowl’s edge instead of shaking the pop. Shaking can create air bubbles or cause the cake ball to fall off.

What to Serve With Cake Pops?

These charming little treats are just the thing to serve alongside warm drinks at your next get-together. Coffee and hot chocolate pair especially well with the rich, slightly tangy flavor of red velvet cake pops. Since they’re small, guests can snack without getting full, which makes them perfect for mingling. If you’re hosting, how about setting up a drink station with coffee, tea, and hot cocoa so everyone can choose their favorite? For the kids (or anyone who prefers something cold), a tall glass of cold milk is always a classic and winning match with any cake dessert.

Storage Instructions

Keep Fresh: Once your cake pops have fully set and hardened, pop them into an airtight container and store in the fridge. They’ll stay fresh, moist, and delicious for up to a week. I usually stand mine upright in a block of styrofoam to keep them looking neat and to avoid sticking, but you can also layer with wax paper if you need to stack them.

Freeze: Want to plan way ahead? Freeze your finished cake pops for up to 6 weeks! Just place them in a freezer-safe container, using parchment paper between layers to keep them separated. The candy coating acts like a seal to keep everything tasting fresh.

Thaw: When it’s time to enjoy, move the cake pops from the freezer to the fridge overnight. Take them out about 20 minutes before serving to let them come to room temperature. This step helps keep the candy coating nice and crisp without any unpleasant moisture forming.

Preparation Time30-45 minutesCooking Time30-35 minutesTotal Time90-120 minutesLevel of DifficultyMedium

Estimated Nutrition

Here’s an estimated nutrition overview for the whole batch (without added toppings or extras):

• Calories: 1800-2200
• Protein: 10-15 g
• Fat: 70-90 g
• Carbohydrates: 270-300 g

Ingredients

For the cake:

• 1 package red velvet cake mix

For the assembly:

• 1/3 cup cream cheese frosting

For the coating:

• 12 oz white candy melts

Step 1: Prepare and Bake the Cake

First things first—prepare your cake mix exactly as the box directs.

In a large mixing bowl, beat together the cake mix, water, vegetable oil, and eggs until everything’s well combined and smooth.

Pour the batter into a greased 9×9-inch pan or split between two 8×8-inch round pans.

Bake at 350°F until a toothpick inserted into the center comes out clean with just a few moist crumbs.

Make sure to let the cake cool completely before moving on to the next step.

Step 2: Crumble and Mix with Frosting

Once your cake is fully cooled, crumble it up using a fork right in a large bowl or the pan itself.

Set aside about 1/2 cup of crumbs—you’ll use these to sprinkle on your cake pops later for a little extra decoration and texture.

Stir the cream cheese frosting into the remaining cake crumbs thoroughly until everything is well combined.

Wrap the mixture tightly with plastic wrap and chill it in the freezer until firm and nicely chilled.

Step 3: Form Cake Balls

Use a cookie scoop or your hands to shape the cake and frosting mixture into small balls roughly the size of ping pong balls.

Arrange them on a large baking sheet lined with parchment paper.

Freeze the balls again until they’re firm—this helps them keep their shape and makes dipping easier.

Step 4: Insert Sticks and Prepare for Coating

When the cake balls are solid and cold, gently roll them between your palms one more time to smooth out any rough edges. Place them on a cookie sheet.

Melt your candy melts in the microwave or over a double boiler until smooth and glossy.

Dip the tip of each lollipop stick into the melted candy, then gently push the stick halfway into each frozen cake ball.

Once all the sticks are inserted, pop the whole tray back into the freezer so the sticks can set firmly in place.

Step 5: Coat Cake Pops and Decorate

Now for the fun part! Dip each cake pop into the melted candy coating or drizzle the coating over them with a spoon, letting the excess drip off softly.

While the coating is still wet, sprinkle over those reserved cake crumbs for an extra pop of texture and visual appeal. It adds a cute homemade touch.

Step 6: Set and Serve

Stand your dipped cake pops upright by sticking the sticks into a piece of styrofoam or a sturdy box. This keeps them steady while the coating hardens.

Once they’ve set, these tiny treats are ready to share and will brighten up any party or special occasion!

Disclaimer: Some sections and images of this article were created or enhanced with AI tools, but our team carefully fact-checked everything to keep the info accurate and trustworthy.

Variations

Want to mix things up a bit? Here are some fun ways to customize your cake pops:

• Try swapping white candy melts for dark or milk chocolate for a richer coating.
• Add sprinkles or crushed nuts on top of the coating before it sets for some extra crunch.
• Mix in a little cocoa powder with your cake crumbs if you prefer a deeper chocolate flavor.
• Use different flavored frostings, like a tangy raspberry or classic vanilla, to change up the taste.
• Make mini versions of these cake pops for a bite-size party favor or snack.

Make-Ahead Tips

If you want to get a jump start on party prep, go ahead and make the cake pops a day or two before your event. Store them covered in the fridge, and just bring them out about 20 minutes before serving for the best texture and flavor.

You can even freeze them for several weeks—just thaw overnight in the fridge to keep that candy coating crisp and crack-free.

Serving Suggestions

Serve these delightful cake pops alongside a variety of drinks to impress your guests. Coffee, hot chocolate, or even sweet tea pair beautifully.

For a fun twist, arrange an assortment of cake pops with different coatings and decorations on a platter for a colorful dessert display.

If you’re hosting kids, a classic glass of cold milk is a perfect match that never fails.

Recipe FAQs

• Can I use homemade red velvet cake instead of mix? Absolutely! Just be sure your cake is moist and crumbly enough to mix well with frosting.
• What type of sticks should I use? Lollipop sticks or sturdy cake pop sticks work best to hold the weight of the cake balls.
• Why are my cake pops falling off the sticks? This usually happens if the cake balls aren’t chilled enough or if there’s too much frosting making them soft. Make sure to chill the formed balls well before dipping.
• How do I store leftover cake pops? Keep them in an airtight container in the fridge for up to a week or freeze for longer storage.
• Can I decorate cake pops with sprinkles? Yes! Add sprinkles right after dipping while the coating is still wet for best results.