Prepare the Vanilla Cake

Preheat the Oven. Set the oven to the temperature indicated on the vanilla cake mix box.

Mix the Batter. Follow the directions on the cake mix box, combining the cake mix with the required water, oil, and eggs.

Bake the Cake. Pour the batter into a greased 9×13-inch baking pan or as directed. Bake according to the box instructions, typically until a toothpick inserted into the center comes out clean (about 30 minutes).

Cool. Allow the cake to cool completely before moving on to the next step.

Make the Frosting

Cream the Butter. In a medium bowl, beat 5 tablespoons of unsalted butter with an electric mixer until it becomes creamy. Gradually incorporate powdered sugar, beating continuously until the mixture is smooth.

Add cream cheese and pure vanilla extract. Beat until the frosting is light and fluffy.

Prepare the Cake Pop Mixture

Crumble the Cake. Once the cake is completely cool, crumble it into a large bowl using hands or a fork. Aim for fine, even crumbs.

Combine with Frosting. Mix the crumbled cake with the prepared frosting. Stir until the mixture is well-combined and has a moist, dough-like consistency that holds together when pressed.

Form the Cake Pops

Shape the Cake Balls. Roll the cake mixture into 1-inch balls and place them on a parchment-lined baking sheet. Melt a small portion of the white chocolate melting wafers according to the package instructions. Dip the tip of each cake pop stick into the melted chocolate and then insert it into the center of a cake ball. This will help anchor the stick in place.

Chill. Place the cake pops in the freezer for at least 30 minutes to allow them to firm up.

Coat the Cake Pops

Melt the Chocolate. Melt the remaining white chocolate melting wafers as per the package instructions.

Dip and Coat. Dip each chilled cake pop into the melted chocolate, ensuring it is completely covered. Gently tap the stick on the side of the bowl to remove any excess chocolate.

Decorate. While the coating is still wet, sprinkle with festive decorations of your choice.

Let the Cake Pops Set. Return the coated cake pops to the parchment-lined baking sheet. Allow them to set at room temperature or in the refrigerator until the chocolate coating is completely hardened.

Serve. Arrange the cake pops in a decorative display or serve as desired. They make a festive treat for any holiday gathering or special occasion.