If you’re craving a fun, festive treat that’s not only delightful to eat but also super cute to gift or share, you’re going to love this Christmas Marshmallow Pops Recipe. I absolutely love how these pops combine the soft, pillowy texture of marshmallows with the festive crunch of candy canes and colorful chocolate drizzles. Plus, they’re so easy to make, even if you don’t have tons of time or fancy skills in the kitchen!
Why You’ll Love This Recipe
- Quick and Easy: You’ll have these marshmallow pops ready in no time, perfect for last-minute treats.
- Festive and Fun: The combination of candy canes, sprinkles, and colored chocolate makes them as pretty as they are tasty.
- Kid-Friendly Activity: Great for cooking with little helpers who can help with threading and decorating.
- Customizable Flavors: You can easily tailor the look and toppings to match your holiday theme.
Ingredients You’ll Need
This Christmas Marshmallow Pops Recipe uses simple ingredients that work beautifully together to create a festive and fun treat. Most are easy to find in your local grocery store, especially during the holidays.
- Candy Canes: Choose pretty classic red and white ones; unwrapping them carefully makes threading easier.
- Large Marshmallows: Pillowy and fresh are best for a soft, chewy bite on the pops.
- Melting Chocolate: Semi-sweet chocolate melts smoothly and provides a rich coating.
- White Melting Chocolate: Adds a nice contrast to the darker chocolate for variety in your pops.
- Green Melts: Great for a pop of holiday color and drizzle accents.
- Red Melts: Perfect for festive contrast and decorative details.
- Crushed Candy Canes: Adds delightful crunch and extra peppermint flavor on top.
- Holiday Sprinkles: They make the pops extra fun and festive with just a sprinkle.
Variations
I love how versatile this Christmas Marshmallow Pops Recipe is. You can personalize it easily to fit your taste buds or party theme, and it’s always fun to experiment with different colors and toppings.
- Chocolate Type Swap: I once swapped the semi-sweet chocolate for milk chocolate, and my family went crazy for the sweeter flavor.
- Nutty Crunch: Try adding chopped nuts like pecans or almonds for a crunchy twist, especially if you’re serving grown-ups.
- Vegan Option: Use vegan marshmallows and dairy-free melting chocolates to make the pops allergy-friendly.
- Flavor Infusion: Spritz a little peppermint extract in the melted chocolate for an extra holiday kick!
How to Make Christmas Marshmallow Pops Recipe
Step 1: Getting Marshmallows on the Candy Canes
The first thing I do is thread three large marshmallows onto each unwrapped candy cane carefully. I used to unwrap candy canes and wash them quickly to avoid the wrappers getting gummy — a little trick I learned after one pop went all sticky! If they feel fragile, just be gentle and go slowly to avoid breaking the curved hook.
Step 2: Melting the Chocolates
Next, melt the chocolates: place each type (regular, white, red, and green melts) in microwave-safe bowls and heat in 20-second bursts, stirring between each one. It’s important to stop before it gets too hot — you want smooth melted chocolate, not burnt! Following the package directions is always a wiser move, especially for colored melts.
Step 3: Coating Those Pops
Here’s where the magic happens: coat half the marshmallow pops in the melted brown chocolate and the other half in white chocolate. Use a spoon to drizzle the chocolate all over, covering each marshmallow except the candy cane loop — this makes them easy to hold! Place them on parchment paper to start setting.
Step 4: Decorating Like a Pro
While the chocolate’s still wet, sprinkle crushed candy canes and holiday sprinkles over the pops for that extra festive look. I love drizzling green and red melts on top using a piping bag or even a plastic sandwich bag with a tiny corner snipped off. Let them sit for about 5 minutes so everything hardens to a perfect finish.
Step 5: Serve and Enjoy!
Once your marshmallow pops are set, you can enjoy them right away or save them to gift. They’re such a crowd-pleaser at holiday parties, and I always get asked for the recipe. Plus, they look super adorable when wrapped up individually in cellophane with ribbons.
Pro Tips for Making Christmas Marshmallow Pops Recipe
- Choose Fresh Marshmallows: Stale marshmallows can be dry and crumbly; fresh ones stick to the candy canes better.
- Temperature Control: Don’t overheat the chocolate melts — patience keeps the chocolate smooth and glossy.
- Use Parchment Paper: Always set dipped pops on parchment to avoid sticky messes and make easy cleanup.
- Crushing Candy Canes: I found using a ziplock bag and rolling pin the easiest way to get just the right-sized bits for topping.
How to Serve Christmas Marshmallow Pops Recipe
Garnishes
I usually top mine with a fun mix of crushed candy canes and colorful holiday sprinkles because it adds texture and festive flair. Sometimes, I’ll add edible glitter or tiny nonpareils for a magical touch—kids especially love how sparkly they look!
Side Dishes
These pops pair wonderfully with a warm cup of hot cocoa or spiced apple cider. My family also likes serving them alongside Christmas cookies or even a bowl of mixed nuts for a variety of textures and flavors.
Creative Ways to Present
For a party, I love arranging these pops upright in a festive mug filled with crushed candy canes or colored sugar. Wrapping each one in clear cellophane tied with a bright ribbon turns them into charming little gifts. Sometimes I’ll label them with personalized tags for holiday guests—it’s such a small touch that really makes people smile.
Make Ahead and Storage
Storing Leftovers
Once the chocolate has fully hardened, I store these marshmallow pops in an airtight container at room temperature. If you’re somewhere warm, I recommend popping them in the fridge to keep the coating from melting. They stay fresh and tasty for up to a week this way, although honestly, they rarely last that long around here!
Freezing
I don’t usually freeze marshmallow pops because the texture can change and the coating might lose its shine. If you need to keep them longer, I suggest making fresh batches instead—they’re so quick and satisfying to whip up!
Reheating
Since these are best enjoyed at room temperature, I typically don’t reheat them. If they feel a little firm after refrigeration, just leave them out for about 15 minutes before serving to soften the marshmallows slightly. That’s usually enough to bring them back to their perfect fluffy-yet-crispy goodness.
FAQs
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Can I use regular chocolate chips instead of melting chocolate?
While you can try, regular chocolate chips don’t melt as smoothly as melting chocolate and can seize up. If you only have chocolate chips, add a bit of coconut oil or shortening when melting to achieve a smooth consistency.
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How do I prevent the candy canes from breaking when threading marshmallows?
Be gentle when threading marshmallows, especially near the curved part of the candy cane. You can also leave the candy canes wrapped and quickly wash them to avoid stickiness and breakage, but unwrapping usually works better if you’re careful.
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What’s the best way to crush candy canes for topping?
Placing candy canes in a ziplock bag and gently crushing them with a rolling pin gives a nice, even chunk size perfect for sprinkles. Avoid pulverizing them into powder unless you want a different texture.
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Can I make these in advance for a holiday party?
Absolutely! You can prep these a day or two ahead. Just store them in an airtight container at room temperature (or in the fridge if it’s warm) to keep them looking and tasting fresh.
Final Thoughts
This Christmas Marshmallow Pops Recipe has become my go-to holiday treat because it’s simple, festive, and endlessly fun to make with family or friends. I remember the first time I made them with my kids; the sparkle in their eyes while decorating made all the mess totally worth it. Give this recipe a try—you’ll enjoy not only how lovely they look but also how quickly they disappear at your holiday gatherings. Trust me, once you make these, they just might become your new Christmas tradition!
Print
Christmas Marshmallow Pops Recipe
- Prep Time: 20 minutes
- Cook Time: 0 minutes
- Total Time: 25 minutes
- Yield: 6 marshmallow pops 1x
- Category: Desserts
- Method: No-Cook
- Cuisine: American
Description
These festive Christmas Marshmallow Pops are a delightful holiday treat that combine soft marshmallows and colorful candy canes with rich melted chocolates and vibrant sprinkles. Perfect for gift-giving or party snacks, these pops are easy to assemble and decorate, making holiday celebrations extra sweet and fun.
Ingredients
Marshmallow Pops
- 6 candy canes, unwrapped
- 18 large marshmallows
Chocolate Coating
- 1 cup melting chocolate
- 1 cup white melting chocolate
- ¼ cup green melts
- ¼ cup red melts
Decorations
- 2 tablespoons crushed candy canes
- 2 tablespoons holiday sprinkles
Instructions
- Assemble the pops: Thread 3 marshmallows onto each candy cane. You can unwrap the candy canes but handle them gently as they break easily. If you leave them wrapped, give them a quick gentle wash to remove any residue.
- Melt the chocolate: Place the melting chocolate in a microwave-safe bowl and heat in 20-second intervals, stirring between each, until smooth and fully melted. Repeat this process separately for the white melting chocolate, green melts, and red melts, following package instructions if they differ.
- Coat the marshmallows: Working quickly, dip or spoon the melted brown chocolate over half of the marshmallows on the candy canes, covering them completely but leaving the candy cane loop exposed. Repeat with the white melting chocolate for the other half. Place coated marshmallow pops on parchment paper to set.
- Decorate the pops: While the chocolate is still wet, sprinkle crushed candy canes and holiday sprinkles on top. Melt the colored candy melts (green and red) according to package directions and drizzle over some of the pops using a piping bag or spoon to create fun designs. Let the pops sit for about 5 minutes to allow the chocolate to harden.
- Serve and enjoy: Once the chocolate has fully set, serve the marshmallow pops as festive holiday treats.
Notes
- Storage: Once the chocolate has hardened, store the marshmallow pops in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 7 days. For warmer climates, refrigerate instead.
- Freezing: Freezing these marshmallow pops is not recommended as it can alter the texture.
- Crushing candy canes: Easily crush candy canes using a food processor or by placing them in a zip-lock bag and hitting with a rolling pin.
- Allow full hardening: Ensure the candy coating is fully hardened before storing the pops to avoid mess.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 marshmallow pop
- Calories: 150
- Sugar: 20g
- Sodium: 25mg
- Fat: 7g
- Saturated Fat: 4.5g
- Unsaturated Fat: 2g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 22g
- Fiber: 0g
- Protein: 1g
- Cholesterol: 5mg