Protein Christmas Tree Cake Pops are a fun, protein-packed twist on cake pops, using a vanilla-protein cake base molded into mini tree shapes, dipped in white chocolate, and decorated with green frosting and sprinkles for holiday cheer—ideal for Christmas parties, stocking stuffers, or healthy-ish desserts with make-ahead balls and no-fuss assembly. This 1-hour recipe (plus chilling) yields 24 cake pops, serving 12 at ~120 calories each, blending cake’s fluff with protein powder’s nutrition. For more festive baking, explore our Perfect Gingerbread Cookies Recipe, which adds spice to holiday platters.
What is the Perfect Protein Christmas Tree Cake Pops Recipe?
The Perfect Protein Christmas Tree Cake Pops Recipe is a baked and molded treat where a simple cake batter enriched with vanilla protein powder is baked in a sheet, crumbled, mixed with frosting for cohesion, rolled into tree shapes on sticks, frozen briefly, then dipped in melted white chocolate and piped with green frosting for tree “branches” and “ornaments”—perfect for holiday snacks. This protein-boosted essential uses the cake pop method for portability, with protein powder adding 20g protein per serving without heaviness. If you’re craving festive fun, follow the Perfect Protein Christmas Tree Cake Pops Recipe to recreate this favorite at home. It’s a natural companion to spiced treats like our Perfect Gingerbread Cookies Recipe, where chocolate coating adds indulgence.
Why You’ll Love Perfect Protein Christmas Tree Cake Pops Recipe
These cake pops charm with simple molding and decorating, making them a holiday baking staple.
Quick Cake Pop Assembly
Bake in 25 minutes, assemble in 20—chill for firmness. Ideal for parties, like dough in our Perfect Sugar Cookie Recipe.
Protein-Packed Festivity
Vanilla base with protein powder delivers chewy sweetness and nutrition—customize colors, akin to herb depth in the Lemon Herb Tahini Recipe.
Minimal Cleanup
One bowl for batter, one for coating; pantry staples like protein—stress-free, much like our Moist Applesauce Oatmeal Muffins.
Versatile Holiday Treat
Yields 24; gluten-free with oat flour. Pairs with cocoa from our Fresh Herb Pasta Guide for contrast.
Balanced Indulgence
Protein-forward at ~120 calories/pop; festive yet portioned, like citrus in the Baby Lemon Impossible Pies Recipe.
Showstopper Simplicity
Tree shapes with green “needles” and sprinkles—add stars for flair, like layers in the Lemon Herb Tahini Recipe.
For gluten-free, see our Oat-Flour Pasta Experiment.
Perfect Protein Christmas Tree Cake Pops Recipe
Prep Time: 20 minutes (plus 30 minutes chilling)
Bake Time: 25 minutes
Total Time: 1 hour
Servings: 12 (24 cake pops)
Category: Dessert, Cake Pops
Method: Oven
Cuisine: American
Ingredients
Scale
1x
2x
3x
Cake Base
- 1 cup all-purpose flour (or oat for GF like in our Oat-Flour Pasta Experiment)
- ½ cup vanilla protein powder (whey or plant-based)
- ½ tsp baking powder
- ¼ tsp salt
- ½ cup granulated sugar
- 2 large eggs
- ¼ cup melted butter (or coconut oil)
- ½ cup milk
- 1 tsp vanilla extract
Coating & Decor
- 8 oz white chocolate, melted (or dairy-free)
- ½ cup green frosting (store-bought or made: powdered sugar + milk + green food coloring)
- ¼ cup holiday sprinkles (red/green)
- 24 lollipop sticks
Instructions
- Bake Cake: Preheat oven to 350°F (175°C). Grease an 8×8-inch pan; line with parchment. Whisk 1 cup flour, ½ cup protein powder, ½ tsp baking powder, and ¼ tsp salt. In a bowl, beat 2 eggs, ½ cup sugar, ¼ cup melted butter, ½ cup milk, and 1 tsp vanilla. Fold dry into wet until smooth. Bake 20–25 minutes until toothpick clean. Cool completely.
- Crumble Cake: Crumble cooled cake into a bowl; mix with 2 tbsp green frosting (or milk) until moldable dough forms.
- Shape Pops: Scoop 1 tbsp dough; roll into cone or tree shape around a lollipop stick (flatten base slightly). Place on parchment-lined sheet; chill 30 minutes to firm.
- Dip in Chocolate: Melt 8 oz white chocolate in microwave (30-second bursts) or double-boiler. Dip each pop in chocolate, tapping off excess; place on lined sheet. Chill 10 minutes to set.
- Decorate: Pipe green frosting “branches” and “needles” with a small tip. Add sprinkles for “ornaments.” Let set 5 minutes.
Nutrition (Per Cake Pop): ~120 calories.
Did you make this? Share a photo and tag us!
Detailed Ingredients Breakdown
Cake Base Ingredients
- All-Purpose Flour (1 cup): Structure; oat for GF like in our Oat-Flour Pasta Experiment.
- Vanilla Protein Powder (½ cup): Adds protein without density.
- Baking Powder (½ tsp): Lift for light crumb.
- Salt (¼ tsp): Balance.
- Granulated Sugar (½ cup): Sweetness.
- Eggs (2 large): Binding.
- Melted Butter (¼ cup): Moisture.
- Milk (½ cup): Tenderness.
- Vanilla Extract (1 tsp): Flavor.
Coating & Decor Ingredients
- White Chocolate (8 oz, melted): Festive coating.
- Green Frosting (½ cup): Tree “foliage”; tint as needed.
- Holiday Sprinkles (¼ cup): Colorful accents.
- Lollipop Sticks (24): For pop handling.
These yield festive, protein-rich pops.
How to Make Perfect Protein Christmas Tree Cake Pops Recipe
Focus on crumbling and molding for essential shape.
Step 1: Cake Bake
Mix batter; bake until springy—essential for crumbly base.
Step 2: Cake Crumble
Mix with frosting—essential for moldable dough without dryness.
Step 3: Shape
Roll into trees on sticks—essential for stability; chill to firm.
Step 4: Chocolate Dip
Melt and dip—essential for even coat; chill to set.
Step 5: Decorate
Pipe green; add sprinkles—essential for holiday look.
Inspired by cake pops? Our Make-Ahead Ravioli Freezer Guide offers molding tips. For a classic external take, try this Protein Cake Pops recipe from Allrecipes, which boosts nutrition.
Storage and Shelf Life
Room temp airtight 1–2 days (chocolate holds); refrigerate up to 4 days (frosting softens). Freeze undecorated pops up to 1 month (wrapped); thaw and decorate. Signs of spoilage: bloomed chocolate, stale cake—discard. (Pro tip: Like storing in our Perfect Sugar Cookie Recipe, chill decorated briefly.)
Tips and Variations
Use unflavored protein for neutrality; chill dough well for shaping. Variations: Dark chocolate dip, add cranberries for red. For vegan, use plant-based chocolate/frosting. Essential: Don’t overbake cake for tenderness. Like spice in the Perfect Gingerbread Cookies Recipe, add nutmeg to batter.
Conclusion
Protein Christmas Tree Cake Pops are a festive, protein-boosted essential for holiday treats—chewy, chocolatey, and simple. With key steps, it’s your go-to pop. From picks to storage, success every tree. Bake ahead, decorate and share with loved ones! Pair with our Fresh Herb Pasta Guide for savory balance.