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Home » Dessert » Cake Balls Recipe

February 21, 2019 By Sara 40 Comments

Cake Balls Recipe

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A recipe for cake balls that uses cake mix, frosting and candy melts to create fun and festive bites. Cake balls are perfect for gift giving and they’re easy to turn into cake pops!

Cake balls are a welcome addition to any gathering, and they make super cute party favors as well. I often make this recipe, chocolate covered Oreos or chocolate covered pretzels for a quick treat. This basic recipe formula can be changed up into tons of fun flavor combinations.

Cake Balls Recipe | Cake Truffles | Cake Bites #cake #dessert #sweets #dinneratthezoo Cake Balls Recipe | Cake Truffles | Cake Bites #cake #dessert #sweets #dinneratthezoo

Cake balls on a plate with a bite taken out of one.


Cake balls are such a fun and festive dessert, and they’re almost too pretty to eat! I love making cake balls because they’re a total crowd pleaser, both kids and adults alike adore them.

What is a cake ball?

A cake ball is essentially a truffle make of a blend of cake crumbs and frosting that is dipped in candy melts. Cake balls are often topped with sprinkles or decorated in ways to look like flowers, animals, you name it!

How do you make cake balls?

The first step to making cake balls is to bake a 9″x13″ cake. I always use a cake mix because there are so many flavor options, they always come out moist and delicious, and it’s just so easy. The cake gets crumbled up before it’s mixed with the frosting, then shaped into balls. You can make your cake balls as big or as small as you like, I typically go for about 1 1/2 inches in size.

A baked yellow cake.

How do you make cake pops?

Looking to turn your cake balls into cake pops? It’s easy! Simply place your formed cake balls onto lollipop sticks, then chill and dip into candy melts as directed in the recipe below.

Cake crumbs with frosting in a bowl.

How do you dip cake balls?

I find the easiest way to dip cake balls is to place each ball on a fork, then spoon the candy melts over the top. Tap the fork lightly against the side of the bowl to remove excess chocolate. You only want a thin coating of chocolate, otherwise the excess chocolate will pool at the bottom of your cake truffle as it hardens. Gently transfer each dipped cake truffle to a sheet of parchment paper to let it harden. And don’t forget to add your sprinkles while the cake balls are still wet!

Cake balls on a sheet pan.

Tips for cake balls

  • Cake balls are typically dipped in candy melts. I highly recommend using Ghirardelli Melting Wafers which are available in most grocery stores and come in both white and dark chocolate. They taste like real chocolate and are so easy to work with because they melt smooth and thin. If you use another brand of candy melts, you may need to add a teaspoon or two of shortening when you melt them to thin them out.
  • When you mix your cake crumbs with the frosting, you’re looking for a soft dough to form, but the dough should not be sticky. If you feel like your dough is a little dry, feel free to add a bit more frosting until you get to your desired consistency.
  • You can create shaped cake balls by flattening your cake mixture into a slab and using a small cookie cutter to cut out shapes.
  • Be sure to fully chill your cake balls before you dip them, if they’re soft they will be much harder to work with.

A plate of cake balls coated in white chocolate and rainbow sprinkles.

Cake ball flavors

I used a classic yellow cake with vanilla frosting here, but there are so many ways to flavor your cake balls such as

  • Lemon cake + lemon frosting
  • Spice cake + cream cheese frosting
  • Funfetti cake + vanilla frosting
  • Chocolate cake mix + chocolate frosting
  • Strawberry cake + strawberry frosting
  • Red velvet cake + cream cheese frosting

Cake balls coated in white chocolate and sprinkles on a sheet pan.

How long do cake balls last?

Cake balls will last for 5-7 days when stored in an airtight container. If you need to store them for longer than that, you can transfer them to the refrigerator where they will keep for up to 10 days.

I love that these cake balls are so versatile, and they’re even great for the holidays! I make cake balls for my girls’ birthday parties and they are always a huge hit.

More sweet treats

  • Chocolate Peanut Butter Fudge
  • Crock Pot Candy
  • Funfetti Cookies
  • Haystack Cookies
  • Rocky Road Fudge
Cake balls on a plate with a bite taken out of one.
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5 from 7 votes

Cake Balls Recipe

A recipe for cake balls that uses cake mix, frosting and candy melts to create fun and festive bites. Cake balls are perfect for gift giving and they're easy to turn into cake pops!
Course Dessert
Cuisine American
Keyword cake balls, cake truffles
Prep Time 30 minutes
Cook Time 30 minutes
Chill Time 1 hour
Total Time 1 hour
Servings 36
Calories 116kcal
Author Sara Welch

Ingredients

  • 1 box cake mix flavor of your choice
  • eggs, oil and water as called for on cake mix box
  • 1 cup + 2 tablespoons canned frosting flavor of your choice
  • 1 pound candy melts I recommend Ghirardelli Melting Wafers
  • 1/2 cup sprinkles

Instructions

  • Prepare cake mix with the amount of oil, water and eggs directed on the box. Bake in a 9”x13” pan according to package directions.
  • Let cake cool completely, then break apart and crumble until fine crumbs form.
  • Stir in the frosting until a dough forms. If the dough seems dry, you can add additional frosting, 1 tablespoon at a time, until desired consistency is reached.
  • Roll the cake mixture into tablespoon sized balls. Place the balls on a parchment lined baking sheet and chill for at least one hour.
  • Melt the candy melts in a bowl in the microwave, heating in 30 second increments, and stir until completely smooth.
  • Place each cake ball on a fork and use a spoon to pour the candy melts over the cake ball. Tap against the side of the bowl to remove excess candy melts.
  • Place each ball on a parchment lined sheet pan. Top with sprinkles.
  • Repeat with remaining cake balls and candy melts. Store in the refrigerator until ready to eat. Can be made up to 3 days in advance.

Nutrition

Calories: 116kcal | Carbohydrates: 21g | Fat: 7g | Saturated Fat: 1g | Sodium: 116mg | Potassium: 11mg | Sugar: 15g | Calcium: 31mg | Iron: 0.3mg

Filed Under: Baking, Dessert Tagged With: Cake, Sprinkles

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Comments

  1. Regan says

    February 8, 2021 at 1:38 pm

    Hello! If I am making strawberry cake pops would I use strawberry cake mix and strawberry icing and then a white candy melt? Thanks!!

    Reply
    • Sara says

      February 8, 2021 at 8:10 pm

      Yes that will work!

      Reply
    • Amara says

      February 9, 2021 at 3:17 pm

      My first time making these and it was fun and so good
      Thanks<3

      Reply
  2. Barbara says

    December 20, 2020 at 6:59 pm

    It’s getting late. Can I form my balls and leave them in the refrigerator overnight or is that too long? I’m thinking 10 hours or so.

    Reply
    • Sara says

      December 20, 2020 at 9:01 pm

      That’s fine just cover them with plastic wrap!

      Reply
  3. Erin Gabriel says

    December 8, 2020 at 4:36 pm

    Excited to try this recipe! How many does this normally make?

    Reply
    • Sara says

      December 8, 2020 at 8:10 pm

      It makes 36!

      Reply
  4. Gaetana M Layton says

    June 30, 2020 at 4:53 am

    This is a great recipe. I use it for many holidays and parties. Give as gifts etc. it’s terrific. I use buttercream or creamcheese frosting that I make. Delicious

    Reply
  5. Lexi says

    June 10, 2020 at 11:50 am

    5 stars
    I love these I made them for my family and they loved then they just want me to make more

    Reply
  6. Amy Joice says

    May 9, 2020 at 6:23 pm

    5 stars
    My favorite recipe! So easy yet so delicious!! I have made this recipe many many times, and for so many parties and it never ever fails. Thank you so so much!! <3

    Reply
  7. Deena Harris says

    March 29, 2020 at 10:06 am

    Making these right now!! This will be my first time making these.. got to do something keep busy with my girls!! So excited cant wait!!

    Reply
  8. Natalie says

    January 5, 2020 at 1:45 pm

    Hi,
    Just wanted to let you know I love this recipe. I have made it multiple times for parties/events and they are always a hit! Everyone asked me if I really made them myself. Thanks so much!

    Reply
    • Sara says

      January 6, 2020 at 9:20 pm

      So happy to hear that you’re enjoying the recipe, thanks for reporting back!

      Reply
  9. Sarah says

    October 28, 2019 at 10:15 am

    Hi!
    I’ve made this recipe and I love them, they’re always a big hit! I was wondering if these could be frozen? I’d love to be able to make them a bit ahead of time for the holidays, but am afraid to try them out for an actual get together! Any advice?

    Reply
    • Sara says

      October 28, 2019 at 10:54 pm

      I would recommend freezing the balls before you dip them in chocolate. Then thaw the balls, dip in chocolate and add decorations. Otherwise when you thaw them, there will be condensation on the chocolate coating.

      Reply
  10. Cathy Cawlfield says

    September 10, 2019 at 3:31 am

    how do you make these into cake “Pops”?

    Reply
    • Sara says

      September 10, 2019 at 10:19 am

      Place your formed cake balls onto lollipop sticks, then chill and dip into candy melts as directed in the recipe!

      Reply
  11. Senny says

    August 11, 2019 at 3:24 pm

    Canned frosting always tastes so fake and weird. Can’t you use homemade cake and frosting instead? What would be the measure?

    Reply
    • Sara says

      August 11, 2019 at 8:22 pm

      You can use homemade cake and frosting! Any homemade 9×13 inch cake will work, and the frosting amount would also stay the same at 1 cup + 2 tablespoons. If you need to add a little more frosting you can, depending on the consistency of your homemade cake.

      Reply
  12. Donna says

    May 30, 2019 at 6:10 pm

    5 stars
    This is such a simple recipe. I’ve always feared them bc I thought they were difficult to make but I’m attempting them tonight!!!!

    Reply
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With 3 young kids, dinner can feel like feeding time at the zoo! I'm a mom on a mission to create easy, healthy and family friendly recipes ...Read More
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