Peppermint Nutcracker Red Velvet Cake Pops
Celebrate the holiday season with these Peppermint Nutcracker Red Velvet Cake Pops that perfectly blend the rich, velvety taste of red velvet cake with the cool zing of peppermint. Inspired by Disney's enchanting Nutcracker movie, these delightful treats are not only visually stunning but also burst with festive flavors. Each cake pop is elegantly coated in vibrant red candy melts and intricately designed to resemble charming nutcrackers. Edible gold paint and colorful icing bring them to life, making them the perfect addition to your festive gatherings, gift exchanges, or holiday dessert table.
N/A
Servings
N/A
Calories
13
Ingredients
Ingredients
devil's food cake mix
15 1/4 ounces (none)
large eggs
4 (none)
buttermilk
1 1/4 cups (none)
red food coloring
40-50 drops (none)
peppermint candies
3 tablespoons (crushed) (crushed)
red candy melts
24 ounces (melted)
peppermint oil
1/4 teaspoon (none)
fondant (skin tones)
15 ounces (none)
food coloring (gold edible paint)
1/2 ounce (none)
candy sprinkles (gold dragees)
100 (none)
black decorating icing
4 ounces (none)
white frosting
16 ounces (none)
pink decorating icing
4 ounces (none)
Instructions
1
Gather all necessary tools including nonstick baking spray, silicone popsicle mold, toothpicks, a butter knife or fondant tools, wax paper, a thin black food-safe marker, food-safe brushes, two piping bags, small round piping tips (Wilton #1 & #2), a small open star piping tip (Wilton 16), and a lightweight rolling pin.
2
Preheat the oven to 350°F (175°C). Generously spray the silicone molds with nonstick baking spray and place them on a baking sheet.
3
In a large mixing bowl, combine the devil's food cake mix, eggs, buttermilk, and red food coloring. Whisk for 2 minutes until well combined. Gently fold in crushed peppermint candies.
4
Pour the batter into a piping bag or a large zip-top bag and snip off one corner. Pipe the batter into the molds until they are filled a little less than halfway. Insert sticks into each mold. Bake for 12-15 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted in the center comes out clean.
5
Allow the cake pops to cool in the mold for about 15 minutes before gently removing them and transferring them to a cooling rack to cool completely.
6
One at a time, melt red candy melts in a small heatproof jar. Microwave for 1 minute on 50% power, then in 30-second intervals, stirring in between, until smooth. If needed, stir in paramount crystals or vegetable oil, one teaspoon at a time, until smooth. Mix in 1/8 teaspoon of peppermint oil per bag of candy melts.
7
Dip each cake pop into the melted candy coating and let excess drip off. Place them on wax paper to set, repeating the dip for a thicker coating.
8
To create the nutcracker designs, roll out various shades of fondant to about 1/8 inch thick. Cut rectangles that will cover half of each cake pop. Use a small amount of water to help the fondant adhere to the cake pops.
9
For the helmets, outline the top of the fondant-covered pops with a toothpick, then carefully paint with edible gold paint. Roll out light-colored fondant and cut an oval shape for the front of each helmet, attaching it below the painted section. While the paint is still tacky, attach three gold dragees.
10
Shape tiny balls of black fondant into logs for the tassels and attach them to the tops of the helmets. Pipe decorative lines on the helmet with black icing.
11
Using a toothpick, outline the sleeves and central jacket design. Get creative with your own designs inspired by the classic Nutcracker costumes.
12
Using a piping bag with an open star tip, pipe white frosting to simulate hair around the helmet. Create curls by swirling the frosting.
13
Add details like eyes, noses, and mouths using black decorating icing, making sure each nutcracker has a unique expression. Create mustaches with white frosting, and add pink icing for rosy cheeks.
14
Paint the jacket designs in gold and use black icing for the outlines, piping sleeve designs as desired. Attach gold dragees as buttons.
15
Form hands with skin-tone fondant by rolling small balls. Attach them at the bottom of the sleeves with water. Add beards, tiny teeth from white fondant, and draw details on the teeth with the food marker.
16
Finish by piping white frosting at the bottom of each cake pop and sprinkling with crushed peppermint for an extra festive touch.
Nutrition Information
Frequently Asked Questions
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the flavor profile of these cake pops?
These cake pops feature a rich red velvet cake base blended with a cool peppermint zing, inspired by Disney's Nutcracker.
What type of cake mix is used in this recipe?
The recipe uses 15.25 ounces of devil's food cake mix as the base.
What oven temperature is required for baking the cake pops?
The oven should be preheated to 350°F (175°C).
How long do the cake pops need to bake?
The cake pops should bake for 12 to 15 minutes, or until a toothpick comes out clean.
How do you achieve the red color in the cake?
The red color is achieved by adding 40 to 50 drops of red food coloring to the batter.
What liquid is substituted for water in the cake mix?
This recipe calls for 1.25 cups of buttermilk instead of water.
How is the peppermint flavor added to the batter?
Three tablespoons of crushed peppermint candies are folded into the cake batter.
How many eggs are needed for the Peppermint Nutcracker cake pops?
The recipe requires 4 large eggs.
What type of mold is used for these cake pops?
A silicone popsicle mold is recommended for this recipe.
How much should I fill the molds with batter?
Fill the molds a little less than halfway to allow room for the cake to rise.
How long should the cake pops cool before removal?
Allow them to cool in the mold for about 15 minutes before transferring them to a cooling rack.
How do you melt the candy coating?
Melt the red candy melts in the microwave at 50% power for 1 minute, then in 30-second intervals until smooth.
What can make the candy coating smoother?
You can stir in paramount crystals or vegetable oil one teaspoon at a time until the mixture is smooth.
How is the candy coating flavored?
Mix in 1/8 teaspoon of peppermint oil per bag of candy melts used.
How do you attach fondant to the cake pops?
Use a small amount of water to help the fondant pieces adhere to the cake pops.
How thick should the fondant be rolled?
Roll out the fondant to about 1/8 inch thick.
How do you create the gold details on the nutcracker?
Use food-safe brushes and edible gold paint to paint the helmet and jacket designs.
What are the buttons on the nutcracker's jacket?
Gold dragees are attached to the jacket as decorative buttons.
How do you create the nutcracker's hair?
Pipe white frosting around the helmet using an open star tip (Wilton 16) to simulate hair and curls.
How are the facial features added?
Use black decorating icing for the eyes, nose, and mouth, and pink icing for the rosy cheeks.
How do you make the nutcracker's hands?
Form hands by rolling small balls of skin-tone fondant and attaching them at the bottom of the sleeves.
What is used for the helmet tassels?
Shape tiny balls of black fondant into logs and attach them to the tops of the helmets.
How do you add detail to the nutcracker's teeth?
Cut tiny teeth from white fondant and use a thin black food-safe marker to draw the details.
What is the final decorative step?
Pipe white frosting at the bottom of each pop and sprinkle with crushed peppermint.
What piping tips are recommended for this recipe?
Small round piping tips (Wilton #1 & #2) and a small open star tip (Wilton 16) are used.
How much red candy melts are required?
You will need 24 ounces of red candy melts.
Can I use different fondant colors for the skin tones?
Yes, the recipe suggests using 15 ounces of various skin-tone fondants.
What prevents the cake from sticking to the mold?
Generously spraying the molds with nonstick baking spray prevents sticking.
How do you apply the candy coating?
Dip each cake pop into the melted candy, let the excess drip off, and place on wax paper to set.
Is there a specific movie inspiration for these treats?
Yes, these treats are inspired by Disney's Nutcracker movie.