You will love this adorable Thanksgiving Cake Pops Recipe for a fun and festive treat. The entire family will enjoy these turkey pops.

Thanksgiving cake pops. in container.
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Cake pops are so much fun to make and eat. Chocolate Covered Turkey Cake Pops do not disappoint. They are so tasty and really simple to make for Cute Thanksgiving Desserts for Kids. We make them every single year!

The decadent spice cake and cream cheese frosting is shaped into bite size cake balls and decorated as cute turkeys. The candy coating gives each cake pop a gorgeous finish and the lollipop stick makes these easy to eat.

These are so gorgeous displayed on a cake pop stand and will be the star of the dessert table. Make this along with Thanksgiving Cake Recipes and 89 Thanksgiving Cheesecake Recipes.

Why We Love This Recipe

The cake pops are so delicious dipped in chocolate candy melts. It’s so much fun to decorate each one. Candy Corn, candy eyes and sprinkles come together to form the face of a turkey.

Each item is so fun to use, and the cake pops turn out adorable.

Ingredients

Ingredients for thanksgiving cake pops- cake mix, cream cheese frosting, chocolate candy melts, candy corn, heart sprinkles, cake pop sticks.
  • Spice Cake Mix. Plus, the ingredients to prepare the cake on the back of the box.
  • Cream Cheese Frosting. I used pre-made but you can make Homemade Cream Cheese Frosting Recipe.
  • Chocolate Candy Melts. Candy melts are easy to melt and really smooth.
  • Candy Corn. The festive colors of candy corn look great on the cake pops for fall.
  • Candy Eyes. You can normally find candy eyeballs in the baking section at grocery stores.
  • Red Heart Sprinkles. If you have trouble finding these, you can substitute with a similar red candy.
  • Round Sprinkles. Any color will be sufficient.
  • Cake Pop Sticks. These are sturdy and will support the cake pops.

Find the complete list of ingredients at the bottom of the page.

Substitutions and Variations

  • Cake. Instead of spice cake, use any cake flavor you like. Some ideas include chocolate, vanilla, yellow, funfetti, chocolate cake or anything you prefer.
  • Frosting. Anything can be used instead of cream cheese. Cinnamon Buttercream and vanilla make great options.
  • Candy. Change the candy and use Reese’s Pieces for the feathers. Traditional candy corn works great but the autumn mix variety is fun too. This has more brown and yellow colors.
  • Chocolate. Substitute chocolate chips instead of candy melts.
  • Omit the lollipop stick. You can just make cake balls if you want to make it easier to store.

How to Make Thanksgiving Cake Pops

  • Step 1. Prepare the cake. Make cake and bake according to box instructions in a 9X13 pan. Then let the entire cake cool at room temperature.
Bowl of cake crumbled into pieces.

Step 2. Remove the cake from the pan.  Then remove the outside layer from the cake and throw it away.  Crumble up the remaining cake into a large bowl.

Cake and frosting crumbled together.

Step 3. Add the cream cheese frosting to the crumbled cake. Stir everything together until the cake crumbs are well combined.

Cookie dough scooped into balls and placed on a baking sheet.

Step 4. Form the cake balls. I like to use a cookie scoop to shape the mixture into 1-inch cake balls. Then place on a wax paper lined baking sheet.

Cake Pop sticks inserted into balls on baking sheet.

Step 5. Melt the chocolate. Put the chocolate candy melts in a small microwave safe bowl or microwave-safe cup. Microwave for 30 seconds. Stir and continue to heat in 30 second intervals. Make sure to stir between each one until the candy melts are fully melted. Then dip each of the 1-inch balls into the melted candy and place them into the cake balls about halfway into the balls. Freeze for 10-15 minutes.

Cake pops dipped into chocolate.

Step 6. After the cake pops have been chilled, dip cake pops into the melted candy melts.

Cake pops decorated with candy pieces.

Step 7. Then place the stick of cake pops in a block of Styrofoam block or some type of cake pop holder. Before the cake pops set, decorate them by adding 3 pieces of candy corn candies on the back for the tail, 2 candy eyes, a round sprinkle for the beak and a candy heart.  Allow to set.

Storage

Store the leftover cake pops in an airtight container at room temperature.

Pro Tips

  • Thin the chocolate if necessary. If the melted candy melt is too thick, thin it out with a small amount of vegetable shortening or coconut oil.  Add a teaspoon at a time slowly to the melted chocolate and gradually stir together.
  • Form the cake balls. Spray your hands with nonstick cooking spray when forming the cake balls. This will help to prevent the cake from sticking.
  • Melt in intervals. Melt the candy melts in intervals so it does not burn. Make sure to stir between each interval.
  • Secure the candy. Make sure to hold the tips of each candy corn for a few seconds once you insert them. This will help to secure them.
  • Line the baking sheet. Line with parchment paper for easy clean up before you put them in the freezer.
  • Use tweezers to decorate. The candy pieces are small, and it might be helpful to use tweezers to apply.
  • Remove excess chocolate. Make sure to remove any bit of melted chocolate that is dripping before it sets. I like to use a fork to do this.
  • Double boiler. If you do not want to use the microwave to melt the chocolate, you can use a double boiler.

FAQs

How long will these last?

The cake pops will last up to 1 week. 

Can I make these ahead of time?

Yes, these can easily be made the day before you need them. This will save time and preparation.

Simply prepare them the day before you need to serve them. This is great for parties and Thanksgiving Day.

Why is the coating cracking on the cake pops?

This is likely a result of freezing them for too long. The temperature difference between the cake and the melted chocolate can result in a crack.

It is important to only chill them for the recommended allotment of time. I always set a timer, so I don’t get distracted and forget about them.

More Cake Pop Recipes

More Thanksgiving Desserts

Gather the kids and make these little turkeys together. It is so fun and festive. We love to make these every year for a great dessert. Please leave a comment and star rating.

Thanksgiving Cake Pops Recipe

5 from 5 votes
You will love this adorable Thanksgiving Cake Pops Recipe for a fun and festive treat. The entire family will enjoy these turkey pops.
Prep Time 15 minutes
Cook Time 30 minutes
Freeze 15 minutes
Total Time 1 hour
Servings 24
Cuisine American
Course Dessert
Calories 245

Ingredients

  • 1 box Spice Cake Mix 15 oz
  • *Plus ingredients to prepare the cake on the back of the box
  • 1/3 cup Cream Cheese Frosting I use pre-made
  • 16 oz. Chocolate Candy Melts
  • 1 bag Candy Corn
  • 48 Candy Eyes
  • 24 Red Heart Sprinkles
  • 24 Round Sprinkles any color will work
  • 24 Cake Pop Sticks
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Instructions

  • Make cake and bake according to box instructions in a 9X13 pan. Then let the cake cool at room temperature.
  • Remove the cake from the pan.  Remove the outside layer from the cake and throw it away.  Crumble up the remaining cake into a large bowl.
  • Add the cream cheese frosting to your crumbled cake and stir everything together until well combined.
  • Shape mixture into about 24-36 cake balls (depending on their size) and place on a lined cookie sheet. I used a cookie scoop to ensure that each one is approximately the same size.
  • Put the chocolate candy melts in a small microwave safe bowl and microwave for 30 seconds, then stir.  Then continue to heat in 30 second intervals stirring between each one until the candy melts are fully melted and creamy.
  • Dip each cake pop stick into the melted candy and then place them into the cake balls about halfway into the balls.  Then place in the freezer for 10-15 minutes (do not freeze for longer than 15 minutes).
  • After the cake pops have been chilled, dip each cake pop into the melted candy melts (you may need to re-melt it if it has solidified some).  Make sure that the candy covers the cake pop completely.  Allow the excess melted candy to drip off back into the bowl.
  • Then place the stick of cake pops in a block of styrofoam.
  • Before the cake pops, decorate them by adding 3 pieces of candy corn on the back for the tail, 2 candy eyes, a round sprinkle for the beak and a candy heart for the snood.
  • Continue until all the cake pops have been covered in the chocolate and decorated.
  • Let all the cake pops completely set and then they are ready to serve and enjoy!

Recipe Notes

Store the leftover cake pops in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 1 week. 
*If the melted candy melt is too thick, thin it out with a small amount of vegetable oil or coconut oil.  Add it slowly to the melted chocolate.  

Nutrition Facts

Calories 245kcal, Carbohydrates 41g, Protein 1g, Fat 8g, Saturated Fat 3g, Polyunsaturated Fat 1g, Monounsaturated Fat 3g, Trans Fat 0.01g, Sodium 209mg, Potassium 75mg, Fiber 0.4g, Sugar 34g, Vitamin A 1IU, Vitamin C 0.04mg, Calcium 20mg, Iron 1mg

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About the Author

Hi, I’m Carrie. Welcome to Desserts on a Dime!

I’m on a mission to help you create delicious desserts on a budget and do not require a ton of time. Together, we are going to make something sweet that the entire family will love!

5 from 5 votes (5 ratings without comment)

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