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Easy Kid-Friendly Pumpkin Spice Thanksgiving Cake Pops

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These kid-friendly pumpkin spice Thanksgiving cake pops are forgiving enough for a first-timer, festive enough for the dessert table, and cheap enough that you won’t wince when someone drops one on the floor. Made with a boxed cake mix and pumpkin puree, they come together in about an hour of active time.

Ingredients

Scale
  • 1 box (15.25 oz) spice cake mix
  • 1 can (15 oz) pumpkin puree (100% pumpkin, not pie filling)
  • 1 tub (16 oz) cream cheese frosting
  • 12 oz orange candy melts
  • 4 oz green candy melts
  • 1/4 cup Thanksgiving sprinkles
  • 20–24 lollipop sticks
  • 1 teaspoon vegetable oil or coconut oil

Instructions

  1. Preheat oven to 350°F (175°C). Grease a 13×9-inch baking pan with butter or nonstick spray.
  2. In a large bowl, combine the spice cake mix and the entire can of pumpkin puree. Do not add eggs, oil, or water called for on the box. Stir until smooth (about 2 minutes).
  3. Spread batter evenly into prepared pan. Bake for 15-18 minutes, until a toothpick inserted in center comes out clean. Cool in pan for 10 minutes, then transfer to a wire rack to cool completely (about 15 more minutes).
  4. Once cake is cool, break into large chunks and crumble into fine crumbs in a large mixing bowl using hands or a fork (about 3 minutes).
  5. Add about 3/4 cup cream cheese frosting to the crumbs. Mix with a spatula or hands until mixture holds together when pressed (like damp sand). Add more frosting if too dry, or more crumbs if too wet.
  6. Scoop portions and roll into smooth balls. Place on a parchment-lined baking sheet. You should get 20-24 pops.
  7. Chill cake balls in refrigerator for at least 30 minutes (or freezer for 15 minutes if in a hurry).
  8. Melt orange candy melts with 1/2 teaspoon oil in a microwave-safe bowl in 30-second intervals, stirring each time, until smooth.
  9. Remove cake balls from fridge. Dip tip of a lollipop stick into melted candy, then insert about halfway into a cake ball. Dip entire cake ball into melted candy, tapping off excess.
  10. While coating is still wet, add sprinkles. Using a toothpick, dab a tiny amount of melted green candy on top and press on a small green candy melt for the stem.
  11. Insert lollipop stick into a Styrofoam block or cardboard box. Let set at room temperature for about 20 minutes until coating is firm and glossy.

Notes

Do not overmix frosting into crumbs to avoid dense pops. Chill cake balls for full 30 minutes to prevent them from falling off sticks. Work in small batches, keeping remaining cake balls chilled. Use a deep bowl for melting candy for easier dipping. If candy melts thicken, microwave for 10 seconds and stir; do not add too much oil.

Nutrition

Keywords: pumpkin spice, cake pops, Thanksgiving, kid-friendly, easy dessert, fall recipe, holiday treats

Find it online: https://goldensimmer.com/easy-kid-friendly-pumpkin-spice-thanksgiving-cake-pops/