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Lighter Christmas Cake Pops with Easy White Chocolate Drizzle

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These lighter Christmas cake pops use Greek yogurt and applesauce for a moist, tender texture without the heavy butter and sugar. Topped with a smooth white chocolate drizzle and festive sprinkles, they’re the perfect guilt-free holiday treat that even skeptics will love.

Ingredients

Scale
  • 1 box (15.25 oz) vanilla cake mix (Duncan Hines or Betty Crocker recommended)
  • 1/3 cup unsweetened applesauce
  • 1/2 cup plain Greek yogurt (full-fat or 2%)
  • 2 large eggs, room temperature
  • 1/2 cup water
  • 1 teaspoon vanilla extract (pure)
  • 1/3 cup light cream cheese, softened (Neufchatel cheese works)
  • 2 tablespoons powdered sugar
  • 1/2 teaspoon vanilla extract
  • 12 oz high-quality white chocolate chips or melting wafers (Ghirardelli or Guittard recommended)
  • 1 teaspoon coconut oil or vegetable shortening
  • Optional: 1/4 cup crushed candy canes or festive sprinkles for topping

Instructions

  1. Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Grease a 9×13-inch baking pan lightly with cooking spray or line with parchment paper.
  2. Make the cake batter: In a large bowl, combine the vanilla cake mix, applesauce, Greek yogurt, eggs, water, and vanilla extract. Mix with an electric mixer on medium speed for about 2 minutes until smooth and well combined. The batter will be slightly thicker than regular cake batter.
  3. Bake the cake: Pour the batter into the prepared pan and spread evenly. Bake for 22-28 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted in the center comes out clean or with a few moist crumbs. Let the cake cool completely in the pan on a wire rack (about 1 hour).
  4. Crumble the cake: Once completely cool, break the cake into large chunks and place in a food processor. Pulse until you get fine, even crumbs. Alternatively, use your hands to crumble the cake into a large bowl.
  5. Make the frosting binder: In a separate bowl, beat the softened cream cheese, powdered sugar, and 1/2 teaspoon vanilla extract together until smooth and creamy.
  6. Combine crumbs and binder: Add the cream cheese mixture to the cake crumbs and mix thoroughly (use your hands for best results). The mixture should hold together when pressed, like damp sand. If too dry, add a teaspoon of milk; if too wet, add a tablespoon of extra cake crumbs.
  7. Shape the cake pops: Roll the mixture into 1-inch balls (about 1.5 tablespoons each). You should get 24-30 balls. Place on a parchment-lined baking sheet. Insert a lollipop stick into each ball about halfway, then gently twist to secure. Freeze for 30 minutes, or refrigerate for 1 hour.
  8. Melt the white chocolate: Place the white chocolate chips and coconut oil in a microwave-safe bowl. Microwave in 30-second intervals, stirring after each, until completely smooth. Be careful not to burn the chocolate.
  9. Coat the cake pops: Remove a few cake pops from the freezer at a time. Dip each pop into the melted white chocolate, gently tapping the stick on the edge of the bowl to let excess drip off. Place the coated pop on a parchment-lined baking sheet.
  10. Add the drizzle and toppings: While the coating is still wet, drizzle extra white chocolate from a piping bag or zip-top bag with a tiny corner snipped off. Sprinkle crushed candy canes or festive sprinkles on top immediately.
  11. Let set: Allow the cake pops to set at room temperature for about 20 minutes, or refrigerate for 10 minutes. The coating should be firm and glossy.

Notes

Temperature is crucial: cake balls must be well-chilled before dipping to prevent the white chocolate from seizing or cracking. For the perfect drizzle consistency, the white chocolate should be thin enough to flow from a spoon but thick enough to hold its shape. If too thick, add another 1/4 teaspoon of coconut oil. Use a small cookie scoop for uniform cake balls. Store in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 5 days; let sit at room temperature for 10-15 minutes before serving. Uncoated cake balls can be frozen for up to 3 months.

Nutrition

Keywords: Christmas cake pops, lighter cake pops, white chocolate drizzle, holiday dessert, healthier cake pops, vanilla cake pops, festive treats

Find it online: https://bakebelle.com/lighter-christmas-cake-pops-with-easy-white-chocolate-drizzle/