Halloween Cake Pops Recipe

If you’re looking to wow your friends and family this fall with a sweet and spooky treat, you’re in the right place. This Halloween Cake Pops Recipe is fan-freaking-tastic — from rich red velvet cake balls to fun ghost and mummy decorations, it’s the perfect combo of easy and impressive. Whether you’re a seasoned baker or just getting your hands sticky for the first time, I’ll walk you through everything so you can nail these spooky little bites with confidence.

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Ingredients & Why They Work

All the ingredients in this Halloween Cake Pops Recipe come together to create a super moist, flavorful cake ball that holds its shape and tastes delicious with a smooth coating. I always recommend grabbing good-quality white chocolate wafers — they melt beautifully and give a nice, even finish.

• Red Velvet Cake Mix: The base of the cake pops; quick and reliable for consistent flavor and texture every time.
• Eggs: Help bind the cake mixture together when baking.
• Oil: Adds moisture and keeps the cake tender.
• Water: Hydrates the cake mix — simple but necessary.
• Cream Cheese Frosting: Adds tangy richness and moisture to the cake crumbs, crucial for easy shaping.
• White Chocolate Candy Melting Wafers: These form that glossy, smooth coating around each cake pop.
• Black Gel Food Color: For spooky decorations — gel works better than liquid for vivid colors.
• Vegetable Shortening: Helps thin the coating, giving you a smooth dip and shiny finish.
• Candy Eyeballs: Super convenient to add a bit of eerie character to your mummies and ghosts.
• Black/White Ribbon: For tying cute little bows on your Jack Skellington pops, finishing the look perfectly.
• Cake Pop Sticks: Essential for easy dipping and serving.

Make It Your Way

One of my favorite things about this Halloween Cake Pops Recipe is how easy it is to make your own. I usually stick to the classic ghosts and mummies, but sometimes I switch up my colors or add sprinkles for a little extra flair. You can totally personalize these to match your party theme or whatever spooky vibe you’re going for.

• Variation: I love making pumpkin-shaped cake pops by adding a little orange food coloring and a pretzel stem — it’s an easy switch with a fun payoff!
• Dietary Modifications: For gluten-free, use a gluten-free red velvet mix and verify your coatings are allergen-free.
• Extra Flavor: Stir in a teaspoon of espresso powder into the cake mix for a subtle mocha twist — it adds depth that pairs well with the cream cheese frosting.

Step-by-Step: How I Make Halloween Cake Pops Recipe

Step 1: Bake Your Red Velvet Cake

Start by preheating your oven to 350°F. In a large mixing bowl, beat the cake mix along with eggs, oil, and water at medium speed for about two minutes until smooth. Pour this batter into a greased 9×13 inch pan and bake for 25-30 minutes. Keep an eye out by inserting a toothpick—when it comes out clean, your cake is ready. Let it cool for 10 minutes in the pan, then flip it out onto a cooling rack to cool completely. Trust me, letting the cake cool fully makes shaping the cake balls way easier!

Step 2: Crumble and Mix

Once your cake is fully cooled, break it into chunks and pulse it in a food processor to get fine crumbs. If you don’t have a food processor, you can crumble it up by hand—just aim for small, even pieces. Pour the crumbs into a big bowl and add the cream cheese frosting. Mix thoroughly with your hands or a spoon until it’s all evenly combined and holds together. This is what lets you mold your cake balls that won’t fall apart.

Step 3: Shape Your Spooky Cake Pops

Roll the mixture into 2-inch balls for the regular pops. For ghost shapes, roll four balls a bit more cylindrical and fan out one end to create that ghostly sheet look — I love how cute these turn out! Place these shaped balls on a tray to prep for the stick and coating step.

Step 4: Attach the Sticks

Melt about 15 white chocolate wafers in small microwaving intervals until smooth. Dip one end of each cake pop stick about an inch deep into this melted chocolate. Then quickly insert the dipped stick into a cake pop, about two-thirds of the way in. This acts like glue, securing the stick so your pops don’t slide off during dipping. Wipe any excess chocolate off your fingers to keep things tidy and pop them into the fridge for 15 minutes to set.

Step 5: Dip in White Chocolate Coating

Next, grab a narrow jar or cup that’s just wide enough to fit your cake pop without wasting lots of coating. Melt half of the wafers along with half your shortening until smooth—it thins the coating for easier dipping. Dip each cake pop gently, holding it steady to avoid loosening the stick. Hold the pop upright to let excess drip off, tapping the stick lightly, then place it carefully into a holder (like a cake pop stand or foam). This part requires some patience, but it’s worth it for a smooth finish! Let them set for about 15 minutes.

Step 6: Decorate Your Mummies and Ghosts

Warm the remaining coating again, adding a bit more shortening if needed for a piping consistency. Put it into a piping bag with a #3 tip. For mummy pops, pipe straight lines back and forth to look like bandages, then flip and repeat on the back—hold the pop carefully to avoid smudging. Add little dots of icing for the eyes and press candy eyeballs on top quickly before the icing sets. For ghosts, use some black icing to spot where the eyes go, then add a big round mouth. These small details make your pops come alive with personality!

Step 7: Add Final Touches for Jack Skellington

Mix the rest of the candy wafers with shortening and black food coloring for the dark decorations. Using a piping bag or bottle, create Jack Skellington’s face on some round cake pops. Cut some ribbon into 10-inch pieces and tie bows around these pops’ sticks — it’s a little flourish that really ties the design together. Display all your creations on your cake pop stand and get ready for lots of compliments!

How to Serve Halloween Cake Pops Recipe

Garnishes

I always add candy eyeballs for instant creepiness and character. Sometimes I sprinkle edible glitter or use colored sugar to add shimmer. The ribbon bows on the Jack Skellington pops are a personal favorite — they add a classy Halloween touch that really impresses guests.

Side Dishes

Pair these cake pops with some hot apple cider or a spooky punch. For a bigger spread, I like adding pumpkin cookies and caramel popcorn for complementary fall flavors. It makes the treat table feel complete and festive!

Creative Ways to Present

I enjoy creating little “graveyard” displays using crushed cookie “dirt” in trays or jars filled with dry beans to hold the cake pops upright. You can also use small Halloween-themed foam blocks or cake pop stands decorated with spider webs and miniature pumpkins. It’s a fun way to add atmosphere and make the cake pops truly the centerpiece of your party.

Make Ahead and Storage

Storing Leftovers

I keep leftover cake pops in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 3-4 days. If you want to stretch that, storing them in the fridge works great and keeps them fresh for up to a week — just bring them to room temp before serving for the best texture.

Freezing

I’ve frozen these cake pops wrapped individually in plastic wrap, then placed them in a freezer-safe container layered with wax paper. They hold up well for 6-8 weeks! Thaw slowly in the fridge overnight and avoid refreezing to keep them tasting fresh.

Reheating

Since these are cake pops, reheating isn’t really necessary — just bring frozen or chilled cake pops to room temperature before serving. If the coating loses some shine, a quick blast from a hairdryer on low, held at a good distance, can gently revive the gloss without melting the cake inside.

FAQs

Final Thoughts

This Halloween Cake Pops Recipe is one of my go-to festive treats. It’s fun to make, looks adorable, and tastes just like a bite of fall happiness. I always get a kick out of customizing the spooky faces and watching them disappear at parties. Give yourself permission to get a little messy and enjoy the process — I promise, you’ll impress everyone with these lusciously moist, perfectly dipped magical cake pops. Ready to bring some Halloween magic to your kitchen? Grab your spoons and sticks and let’s get popping!

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