Easy Cake Balls Recipe
Cake balls are essentially bite-sized cakes that you can eat on the go. They’re so easy to mix up – but hard to stop eating.
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You Will Love this Cake Balls Recipe
Does anyone else remember when cake balls were all the rage? This cake ball recipe is going to make you wonder why they ever stopped being a household staple. Perfect for popping in your mouth, these treats are delicious, moist (I’m sorry for saying that word) and fun.
I think I always steered clear of cake balls because I thought they were too complex to make? But in reality, this cake ball recipe is super customizable and easy to do! You can mix and match flavors, colors, and toppings to make sure you’re turning out a bingeable dessert every time.
It is amazing to me that these little guys can be made solely of a baked cake mix and some chocolate. Cake mixes are wonders all alone- so many delicious desserts! One of my favorites to try are poke cakes- better than anything is a classic but if you are feeling fruity, give this Pineapple Poke Cake a try!
Cake Ball Recipe Ingredients
Are you ready for this extensive list?
- Cake mix of choice – You can use any type of cake mix you’d like. The possibilities are only limited by the flavors you can find on the baking aisle.
- Ingredients called for on the cake mix box
- Chocolate, for dipping – Use whatever chocolate you’d like – get creative!
- Any additional toppings you’d like – The standard topping for cake balls are sprinkles, but depending on your flavors you can really go all out! Try crushed oreos, graham crackers, or even mini chocolate chips. Seriously, your options are limitless!
How do you make Cake Balls?
- Prepare and bake the cake mix according to the boxed directions.
- Immediately after taking the cake out of the oven, pour the hot cake into the bowl of a stand mixer.
- Using the paddle attachment, mix on low speed until a dough forms that can be pressed together into a ball.
- Portion out the dough and press into a ball in the palm of your hands or with a cake pop press.
- Place the cake balls on a cookie sheet and then into the freezer to chill while melting the chocolate.
- Melt the chocolate in the microwave at 50% power for 30 seconds at a time, stirring in between each 30 seconds until mostly melted. Continue to stir until the remaining chocolate chips have melted.
- Using a fork or a chocolate dipping tool, dip and coat the cake balls in chocolate.
- Arrange on a parchment lined cookie sheet to let them set up and top immediately with sprinkles (or other toppings), if desired.
How to get uniform Cake Ball sizes
The absolute best way is to use a cake pop kit like this one! You can also use a cookie scoop and round it out by rolling it in your hands before dipping.
Cake Ball Flavors
As mentioned above, your cake ball flavor options are really only limited by the amount of cake mixes available to you. Here are a few flavor combos I’m set on trying:
- Chocolate cake mix + white chocolate, topped with crushed oreos.
- Lemon cake mix + white chocolate
- Red velvet cake mix + white chocolate, topped with mini chocolate chips
- Chocolate cake mix + chocolate
- Strawberry cake mix + white chocolate (dyed pink)
- Coconut cake mix + chocolate, topped with shredded coconut
- Carrot cake mix + white chocolate, topped with crushed pecans
- Funfetti cake mix + chocolate, topped with sprinkles
Cake Balls Recipe Easy Storage
Store your completed cake balls in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 2 days or in the refrigerator for up to 1 week.
You can also freeze cake balls in a freezer ziplock bag for up to 3 months, then thaw in the fridge or on the counter when you’re ready to serve!
Easy Cake Balls Recipe FAQs
Honestly? The difference between a cake pop and a cake ball is pretty much just how it is served! You could easily add sticks to your cake balls before popping them into the freezer and BAM! You have cake pops.
I definitely recommend chilling you cake balls before dipping to prevent crumbling and falling apart! The cake balls do not have to be completely frozen, but the firmer they are, the easier it will be to dip and decorate!
If your cake balls are not firm enough when you dip them, they may fall apart, causing them to crack. Additionally, if you don’t give your chocolate enough time to set before serving you may also find more breakage.
Make sure to pour your cake into the mixing bowl straight out of the oven and then make your cake ball mixture immediately. This will create a consistency that is easily compressed to hold its shape.
You can definitely shape with your hands, but I’ve found using a cake pop kit creates even balls that are less likely to fall apart.
And again, make sure the balls are chilled and slightly firm before trying to dip! That is HUGE in keeping them together.
Cake balls should be moist and have a slightly dense texture but they shouldn’t be overly gooey or wet! The consistency should allow them to hold their shape well without feeling soggy. If they seem too gooey, consider adding more crumbled cake. If they are too dry, consider adding the smallest amount of frosting.
Other Delicious Desserts to Love!
Cake Ball Recipe
Ingredients
- 1 cake mix+ ingredients called for on box
- 2 cups chocolate, for dipping
Instructions
- Prepare and bake the cake mix according to the boxed directions.
- Immediately after taking the cake out of the oven, pour the hot cake into the bowl of a stand mixer.
- Using the paddle attachment, mix on low speed until a dough forms that can be pressed together into a ball.
- Portion out the dough and press into a ball in the palm of your hands or with a cake pop press.
- Place the cake balls on a cookie sheet and then into the freezer to chill while melting the chocolate.
- Melt the chocolate in the microwave at 50% power for 30 seconds at a time, stirring in between each 30 seconds until mostly melted. Continue to stir until the remaining chocolate chips have melted.
- Using a fork or a chocolate dipping tool, dip and coat the cake balls in chocolate.
- Arrange on a parchment lined cookie sheet to set up and top immediately with sprinkles, if desired.
What a great idea! The reason I never cared for cake balls was the canned frosting that every recipe called for to be mixed in. This is a total game changer! 😊❤️
I have been searching for a cake ball/pop recipe for years. This is the one!! I cannot believe how simple, yet perfect this is. This was the texture I was looking for!! Just like Starbucks.