# Components:
→ Cake
01 - 1 box (14 ounces) vanilla or chocolate cake mix with required ingredients as per package
→ Frosting
02 - ½ cup (4 ounces) cream cheese frosting or vanilla buttercream
→ Decoration & Coating
03 - 1 pound (16 ounces) white chocolate or candy melts, assorted colors
04 - 2 tablespoons (0.9 ounce) 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 directions. Allow to cool completely.
02 - Crumble cooled cake into fine crumbs inside a large mixing bowl.
03 - Gradually add frosting to cake crumbs while mixing until the mixture binds and can be shaped.
04 - Scoop tablespoon-sized portions and roll into smooth balls. Place on parchment-lined tray.
05 - Refrigerate cake balls for at least 30 minutes to firm up.
06 - Melt white chocolate or candy melts in a microwave-safe bowl, stirring until smooth. Stir in shortening if needed for a thinner consistency.
07 - Dip one end of each lollipop stick into melted coating, then insert halfway into each cake ball. Chill for 10 minutes to set.
08 - Fully dip each cake pop into melted coating, gently tapping off excess.
09 - Before coating sets, decorate with sprinkles, glitter, or candies. Attach mini pretzel loop or candy at top to resemble ornament hook.
10 - Place cake pops upright in foam block or cake pop stand to set completely.
11 - Optionally dust finished pops with edible gold or silver luster dust for shimmer.
