There's something so magical about sweet treats popping with holiday cheer, and this Christmas Marshmallow Pops Recipe really captures that festive spirit. Loaded with gooey marshmallows, dipped in rich chocolates, and sprinkled with candy cane crunch, these pops are as delightful to make as they are to eat.

A close-up of a woman's hand holding a white chocolate-covered treat shaped like a stick. It is fully covered with small round red, green, and white sprinkles, giving it a festive look. The stick itself is bright red and white striped like a candy cane. In the background, there is a white plate with several other similar treats: some are covered with chocolate and white sprinkles, and others are covered with red and yellow swirled candy. Small bowls with more sprinkles and candy canes are also seen blurred behind the plate. The whole scene is set on a white marbled surface. photo taken with an iphone --ar 2:3 --v 7

Jump to:

Why You'll Love This Recipe
Ingredients & Why They Work
Make It Your Way
Step-by-Step: How I Make Christmas Marshmallow Pops Recipe
Top Tip
How to Serve Christmas Marshmallow Pops Recipe
Make Ahead and Storage
Frequently Asked Questions:
Final Thoughts
Christmas Marshmallow Pops Recipe

Why You'll Love This Recipe

Honestly, these Christmas Marshmallow Pops hold a special place in my heart because they’re so simple to make yet look downright impressive. They're perfect for gifting, decorating your holiday dessert table, or just sneaking a festive sweet for yourself.

Quick & Easy: Whip them up in about 20 minutes—perfect for last-minute holiday fun.
Kid-Friendly: Little hands love threading marshmallows and decorating with colorful sprinkles.
Customizable: You can switch up the chocolate colors and toppings any way you like.
Festively Fun: They add a cheerful, eye-catching treat to any Christmas spread.

The image shows five candy canes lined up on a white plate, each covered with different layers and toppings. The first candy cane is dipped in smooth milk chocolate and sprinkled with small red, white, and green round sprinkles. The second is covered in dark chocolate with thick red and yellow drizzle stripes running diagonally across it. The third candy cane has a white coating decorated with red, green, and white tiny round sprinkles all over. The fourth is coated in milk chocolate and topped with crushed white peppermint bits. The fifth candy cane is dipped in white coating with thick red and yellow stripes drizzled around it like the second one, but on a white base. Around the plate, there are a few plain candy canes, a glass bowl filled with large white marshmallows, and small white dishes containing multicolored sprinkles and crushed peppermint bits. The entire setup is placed on a white marbled surface with a piece of green, red, and white plaid fabric and a decorated Christmas pine branch nearby photo taken with an iphone --ar 2:3 --v 7

Ingredients & Why They Work

This Christmas Marshmallow Pops Recipe shines because it uses simple, seasonal ingredients that marry texture and flavor effortlessly. Each component adds a layer of festive sparkle that’s both tasty and visually stunning.

Flat lay of six glossy red-and-white striped candy canes arranged neatly beside eighteen large, fluffy white marshmallows, a small white ceramic bowl filled with smooth, melted dark chocolate, another white bowl holding creamy white melted chocolate, two small white bowls containing vibrant green and bright red candy melts, a petite white bowl with finely crushed candy cane pieces showcasing sparkling red and white fragments, and a small white bowl brimming with colorful holiday sprinkles in red, green, white, and gold shades, all placed on a clean white marble surface, soft natural light, photo taken with an iPhone, professional food photography style, fresh ingredients, white ceramic bowls, no bottles, no duplicates, no utensils, no packaging --ar 2:3 --v 7 --p m7354615311229779997

Candy Canes: They act as both the handle and a sweet peppermint flavor boost—select sturdy ones so they don’t snap when threading marshmallows.
Large Marshmallows: The fluffy base that soaks up the chocolate coatings perfectly.
Melting Chocolate (Regular and White): The silky coating that gives each pop a festive, glossy finish and tasty richness.
Colored Melts (Green & Red): Great for drizzling on top to add pops of holiday color and a playful look.
Crushed Candy Canes: Adds crunch and a peppermint kick that contrasts nicely with the soft marshmallow.
Holiday Sprinkles: Finishing touches that bring in cheer and sparkle, making each pop uniquely festive.

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Note: You'll find the complete list of ingredients, along with their exact measurements, in the printable recipe card at the bottom of this post.

Make It Your Way

I love how this Christmas Marshmallow Pops Recipe welcomes your creativity. Sometimes, I add crushed peppermint bark or mini chocolate chips for extra texture. Don’t hesitate to play around with your favorite holiday flavors and colors—you’ll find your own perfect combo in no time!

Variation: One year, I dipped half the pops in butterscotch melts instead of chocolate, and it was a huge hit with the caramel lovers at the party.
Dietary twists: You can use dairy-free melting chocolates to make these vegan-friendly, just check the marshmallows too, since some contain gelatin.
Seasonal tweaks: Swap the candy cane for gingerbread sticks during other holidays, or use colored sprinkles to match non-Christmas events.

Step-by-Step: How I Make Christmas Marshmallow Pops Recipe

Step 1: Thread the Marshmallows

First, gently thread three large marshmallows onto each candy cane. I know it sounds simple, but if you try unwrapping candy canes first, they can snap easily—so I usually leave them wrapped and give them a quick rinse. It keeps them sturdy and hassle-free.

Step 2: Melt the Chocolates

Pop the regular and white melting chocolates into separate microwave-safe bowls. Heat them in 20-second bursts, stirring in between until smooth and luscious. Do the same with your green and red melts for that festive drizzle later. Follow package directions if those differ—I always trust the experts!

Step 3: Dip and Decorate

Working quickly, dip half the marshmallow pops into the brown chocolate and the other half in white. I like to spoon the chocolate over the marshmallows to ensure even coating, being careful to keep the candy cane loop clear. Place them on parchment paper, then sprinkle crushed candy canes or holiday sprinkles over the warm chocolate for that instant festive flair.

Finally, drizzle or pipe the colored melts across some pops for extra holiday detail. Set the pops aside for about 5 minutes to let all that chocolate harden perfectly.

Top Tip

Over the years making this Christmas Marshmallow Pops Recipe, I’ve learned a few tricks that really take these pops from good to great.

Use Parchment Paper: Always place your dipped pops on parchment to prevent sticking and for easy cleanup—it makes a huge difference.
Don’t Overheat Chocolate: Melting in short bursts and stirring helps avoid seizing, keeping the chocolate glossy and smooth.
Work Quickly: Chocolate hardens fast, so have your sprinkles and crushed candy canes ready before dipping.
Gentle Threading: Be careful when skewering marshmallows to keep candy canes intact—patience here is key!

How to Serve Christmas Marshmallow Pops Recipe

Christmas Marshmallow Pops - Serving Suggestion

Garnishes

I personally love topping with extra crushed peppermint or even some edible glitter for a snow-kissed effect. Sometimes a tiny dusting of powdered sugar adds a frosted look that delights guests, especially kids who adore the magical vibe.

Side Dishes

When I serve these pops, I set out a hot cocoa station or a plate of gingerbread cookies alongside. The marshmallow pops pair so well with warm drinks and other classic holiday treats for a cozy spread everyone will love.

Creative Ways to Present

For holiday parties, I arrange them standing up in a festive mug or a jar filled with colored sugar to keep them upright and pretty. Wrapping each pop in a small cellophane bag tied with ribbon also makes adorable party favors or gifts for teachers and neighbors.

Make Ahead and Storage

Storing Leftovers

Once the chocolate coating has fully hardened, I store the marshmallow pops in an airtight container at room temperature. They keep well for up to a week, which is plenty of time to enjoy the sweet festive fun. If my kitchen’s warm, I move them to the fridge to prevent melting.

Freezing

I actually don’t recommend freezing these marshmallow pops. The texture of marshmallows and chocolate changes a bit when frozen, and the pops might get sticky once thawed. Fresh is best with this recipe to keep their perfect bouncy texture and crisp chocolate finish.

Reheating

Reheating isn't really needed here since these pops are best enjoyed as-is, but if they soften too much, just pop them in the fridge for 10 minutes to firm up again before serving.

Frequently Asked Questions:

Can I use regular chocolate chips instead of melting chocolate?

While you can try, regular chocolate chips tend to be thicker and don’t melt smoothly like melting chocolate. If you must use chocolate chips, add a little coconut oil or vegetable shortening to help them melt evenly and get that glossy finish.

How do I prevent the marshmallows from sliding off the candy cane?

Thread the marshmallows gently and pack them snugly against each other to avoid sliding. Also, using candy canes that have a thicker gauge helps keep everything in place better.

Can I prepare these ahead of time for a party?

Absolutely! You can prepare and decorate these a day or two ahead. Just store them in an airtight container at room temperature or in the fridge if it’s warm. They stay fresh and festive for several days.

What’s the best way to crush candy canes without making a mess?

I find placing candy canes in a sealed Ziploc bag and gently crushing them with a rolling pin works best. It contains the mess and controls the size of the pieces perfectly for sprinkling.

Final Thoughts

This Christmas Marshmallow Pops Recipe has been my go-to for festive treats that impress without the fuss. They’re joyful to make, a hit with everyone from kids to adults, and bring that magical holiday sparkle I love. So, grab your candy canes and get dipping—I promise these pops will spread smiles and maybe even inspire some cozy kitchen memories of your own.