# Components:
→ Cake
01 - 1 box (about 14 oz) vanilla or chocolate cake mix with required additional ingredients
→ Frosting
02 - 1/2 cup cream cheese frosting or vanilla buttercream
→ Decoration & Coating
03 - 17.5 oz white chocolate or candy melts in assorted colors
04 - 2 tablespoons 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)
# Preparation steps:
01 - Prepare and bake cake according to package directions; allow to cool completely.
02 - Crumble cooled cake into fine crumbs within a large mixing bowl.
03 - Gradually add frosting, mixing until mixture holds together 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.
06 - Melt chocolate or candy melts in microwave-safe bowl, stirring until smooth; stir in shortening if a thinner consistency is desired.
07 - Dip one end of lollipop stick into melted coating, then insert halfway into each cake ball; chill again for 10 minutes to set sticks.
08 - Dip each cake pop fully into melted coating, gently tapping off excess chocolate.
09 - Before coating sets, decorate with sprinkles, edible glitter, or small candies; attach mini pretzel loop or candy piece atop each for ornament hook.
10 - Stand cake pops upright in foam block or cake pop stand to fully set coating.
11 - Optionally dust cake pops with edible gold or silver luster dust for shimmering effect.
