Sharing is caring!

“Little Debbie” Strawberry Shortcake Rolls are used to create these fun and festive Cake Pops that are sure to delight your smallest of 4th of July guests this coming holiday!

Looking for a fun and festive treat to make for your July 4th party this year?

Well, look no further! I’ve got the perfect dessert for young guests…and maybe a few of the older ones as well! Firecracker festive cake pops are super easy, and a lot of fun to make! You’ll love decorating your holiday table with this patriotic dessert!

I know it’s been a hot minute since I’ve posted a new recipe. As many of you know, or perhaps don’t, my husband had an acute stroke 6 weeks ago. It has been a life-changing event with a lot of ups and downs. We’re in the middle of rehab and trying to figure out our “new normal” (a phrase I’m truly coming to dislike…lol).

Despite all the changes, I love celebrating the 4th of July and can’t wait to celebrate this year! I wanted to create a few fun, last minute, easy recipes that would be perfect for your gatherings this year!

I hope you have as much fun as I did making these hand-held desserts.

Ingredients needed to make Firecracker Cake Pops

• 1 box- 6 count Little Debbie Strawberry Shortcake Rolls. *Please note you can use chocolate Swiss Roll Cakes as well, even “Twinkies” would work for this fun dessert. As long as the cake is tube-like.
• 1 – 10 oz. bag Ghirardelli’s white dipping chips
• ½ cup red chocolate melts
• ¼ cup blue chocolate melts
• Patriotic Sprinkles
• 2 Twizzler Watermelon, or cherry, ropes, cut into 2 inch lengths and separated halfway down.
• 6 – 5 inch bamboo treat sticks or Popsicle sticks.

How to Make Shortcake Roll Firecracker Pops

I’ll be honest, this was a trial and error “how-to” recipe. Once we figured out the right sequence, they came together quickly. If you follow these simple steps, you will easily make these fun shortcake pops!

Line a large baking sheet with parchment paper. This will prevent the cake rolls from sticking to the baking sheet as you dip them in the melting chocolate.

TIP: Please note that you can use either Strawberry shortcake rolls or chocolate Swiss rolls. The strawberry cake rolls are a little tricky as they are not completely dipped in chocolate, but they do work with a little extra effort.

Remove the wrapping and paper backing from each cake roll. Place the cake rolls on the parchment-lined baking sheet.

In a medium-sized microwave-safe bowl, add the 10 ounces of white melting chips. Follow the directions on the back of the package. I microwaved them on high for 30 seconds, stirred, and microwaved again for another 30 seconds. Stir until smooth.

TIP: Be sure to use hot pads to remove the bowl from the microwave. The bowl will be HOT!

Applying the Treat sticks to the cake pops

The best way to apply the treat stick to the firecracker pops is to dip the end of each shortcake roll, about 1-inch, into the melted white chocolate melts. Then dip the end of each treat stick into the melted chocolate.

Combine the two together by placing the dipped treat stick into each dipped cake roll.

Lay each cake pop onto the parchment lined baking sheet and place the baking sheet in the freezer for 10–15 minutes until the melting chocolate has set.

Assembling Firecracker Cake Pops

While the cakes are setting-up in the freezer, melt the remaining red and blue melting chips. Since these are smaller amounts of melting chips, you should only need to melt them for 30 seconds in the microwave. Stir until smooth.

TIP: You may need to re-heat the white melting chocolate for 30 seconds, if it has thickened and is getting firm.

Remove the firecracker cakes from the freezer once the white chocolate has been set.

Using a spoon or fork, drizzle the bottom of each cake, about 2 inches up from the bottom, with melted red chips. Then drizzle with blue melting chocolates.

Since the cake pops have just come out of the freezer, the melted chocolate will set quickly. You shouldn’t need to place them in the freezer again, but, if, for some reason, the drizzled chocolate melts are not setting up quickly, you can place them in the freezer for 5 minutes.

Carefully release each cake pop with a butter knife, pick up each cake pop and dip the top of each cake roll into the remaining melted white chocolate. It should just meet the drizzled red and blue chocolate.

Finishing Touches

Once dipped, place a piece of cut red twizzler in the top of each firecracker. I recommend you separate each individual rope piece before placing it in the cake pop. You only need to separate them by one inch. Do not completely pull them apart!

TIP: You may need to cut a small hole in the top of each cake to fit the twizzler piece into. Also, you may need to re-separate each strand of “Twizzler” to give it the illusion of exploding.

Finish each Firecracker by shaking some of your favorite 4th of July, red, white, and blue sprinkles over the white top of each cake. I love festive sprinkles, don’t you?

To serve, remove each cake firecracker from the parchment paper. Trim off any dipping chocolate that has run over with a pairing knife.

Serving Suggestions

Place the cake pops on a serving tray, or stand them up in jars. You can tie a cute ribbon on each treat stick at the base of each firecracker cake for a more celebratory look. They can be placed in individual cellophane bags tied with festive ribbon. So many fun and creative ways to serve this patriotic dessert.

That’s it! A fun, easy to make, no-bake 4th of July treat! Best part…the kiddo’s can carry them around at the fireworks show! I love a kid-friendly dessert! Nothing beats a little smile and a delicious treat, in pudgy little fingers, to bring me happiness!

Firecracker Cake Pops can be made a day or two, ahead of time, covered with plastic wrap, or stored in an airtight container, and kept in a cool place.

With their vibrant colors and yummy flavors, these cake pops are sure to be a hit at your Independence Day celebration. Whether you’re hosting a backyard barbecue or watching fireworks with friends and family, these patriotic pops will skyrocket your festivities.

Other 4th of July Favorite Recipes

• Choffy Black Forest Trifle Dessert Cups
• Red, White, and Blue Poke Cake
• Mini No-bake cheesecake patriotic pie
• 4th of July Eats-and-Treats Collection
• Fresh Homemade Blackberry Pie
• Red, White, and Blue Ice Cream Cake from Allrecipes.com

As always, thank you for visiting my Nest! Wishing you and those at your Nest a very happy 4th of July! I hope you brighten your dessert table with these Firecracker Cake Pops, and they help you celebrate with a delicious bang!

Happy Nesting!

Sharing is caring!