Cake balls are a delightful treat that combines the moistness of cake with the rich flavor of chocolate. These bite-sized desserts are perfect for parties, gatherings, or just a sweet indulgence at home. They are easy to make and can be customized with different flavors and decorations to suit any occasion.
While most of the ingredients for this recipe are commonly found in your pantry, you might need to pick up candy melts or chocolate chips if you don't already have them. These are essential for coating the cake balls and giving them a smooth, glossy finish. Additionally, make sure you have vegetable oil on hand to help melt the chocolate smoothly.
Ingredients for Cake Balls Recipe
Cake mix: The base of the cake balls, providing the primary flavor and texture.
Frosting: Used to bind the crumbled cake together, adding moisture and sweetness.
Candy melts: These are used for coating the cake balls, giving them a smooth and glossy finish.
Chocolate chips: An alternative to candy melts, used for coating the cake balls.
Vegetable oil: Helps to melt the chocolate smoothly and provides a shiny coating.
Technique Tip for Making Cake Balls
When crumbling the cake, ensure it is completely cool to avoid a mushy texture. Use your hands or a fork to achieve fine crumbs, which will help the frosting blend more evenly.
Suggested Side Dishes
Alternative Ingredients
cake mix - Substitute with homemade cake batter: If you prefer a more personalized flavor or want to avoid preservatives, you can make your own cake batter using flour, sugar, eggs, and baking powder.
frosting - Substitute with cream cheese: Cream cheese can add a tangy flavor and creamy texture, making the cake balls richer and more flavorful.
frosting - Substitute with Greek yogurt: Greek yogurt can be used for a healthier option, providing moisture and a slight tang without the added sugar.
candy melts - Substitute with chocolate chips: Chocolate chips can be melted and used in place of candy melts, offering a similar texture and flavor.
candy melts - Substitute with white chocolate: White chocolate can be used for a different flavor profile and still provides a smooth coating.
vegetable oil - Substitute with coconut oil: Coconut oil can be used for a slightly different flavor and is a healthier fat option.
vegetable oil - Substitute with butter: Butter can add a richer flavor and creaminess to the cake balls.
Other Alternative Recipes Similar to Cake Balls
How to Store or Freeze Your Cake Balls
- To keep your cake balls fresh and delicious, store them in an airtight container. This will help maintain their moisture and prevent them from drying out.
- If you plan to enjoy them within a few days, you can store the container at room temperature. Make sure to keep it in a cool, dry place away from direct sunlight.
- For longer storage, place the airtight container in the refrigerator. This will keep the cake balls fresh for up to a week. Before serving, let them sit at room temperature for about 10-15 minutes to soften.
- To freeze cake balls, arrange them in a single layer on a baking sheet lined with parchment paper. Place the sheet in the freezer for about 1-2 hours, or until the cake balls are firm.
- Once frozen, transfer the cake balls to a freezer-safe, airtight container or a resealable plastic bag. Label the container with the date to keep track of their freshness.
- Frozen cake balls can be stored for up to 2-3 months. When you're ready to enjoy them, simply remove the desired amount from the freezer and let them thaw in the refrigerator overnight.
- For a quicker thaw, you can leave the cake balls at room temperature for about 30-60 minutes. However, be mindful that they may become a bit softer than when thawed in the refrigerator.
- To maintain the best texture and flavor, avoid refreezing cake balls once they have been thawed.
How to Reheat Leftovers
Preheat your oven to 250°F (120°C). Place the cake balls on a baking sheet lined with parchment paper. Heat for about 10-15 minutes, or until they are warmed through. This method helps maintain their texture without drying them out.
Use a microwave for a quick reheat. Place the cake balls on a microwave-safe plate. Heat them in 10-second intervals, checking after each interval to ensure they don't overheat. This method is fast but be cautious to avoid melting the chocolate coating.
If you have an air fryer, set it to 300°F (150°C). Place the cake balls in the basket, making sure they are not touching each other. Heat for 5-7 minutes. This method gives a slightly crispy exterior while keeping the inside moist.
For a more gourmet touch, use a double boiler. Place the cake balls in a heatproof dish and set it over a pot of simmering water. Cover the dish with a lid or foil and steam for about 5-10 minutes. This method gently warms them without compromising their texture.
If you prefer a softer texture, try steaming. Place the cake balls in a steamer basket over boiling water. Cover and steam for about 5 minutes. This method keeps them moist and tender.
Best Tools for This Recipe
Oven: Used to bake the cake according to the package instructions.
Mixing bowl: A large bowl to crumble the cake and mix it with the frosting.
Baking sheet: A flat sheet to place the rolled cake balls on for freezing.
Parchment paper: Lining for the baking sheet to prevent the cake balls from sticking.
Microwave-safe bowl: A bowl to melt the chocolate chips and vegetable oil in the microwave.
Microwave: Used to melt the chocolate chips and vegetable oil in intervals.
Spatula: For stirring the melted chocolate to ensure it is smooth.
Spoon: To help dip the cake balls into the melted chocolate.
Freezer: To freeze the cake balls for 30 minutes before dipping them in chocolate.
How to Save Time on Making Cake Balls
Use pre-made cake mix: Opt for a pre-made cake mix to save time on baking and measuring ingredients.
Quick cooling: Place the baked cake in the fridge to cool faster before crumbling.
Ready-made frosting: Use store-bought frosting to skip the step of making it from scratch.
Efficient melting: Melt chocolate chips in the microwave instead of a double boiler to save time.
Batch rolling: Roll the cake balls in batches to speed up the process.
Streamline dipping: Use a fork or skewer to dip the cake balls into the melted chocolate for quicker handling.
Cake Balls Recipe
Ingredients
Cake
- 1 box Cake mix any flavor
- 1 cup Frosting any flavor
Coating
- 2 cups Chocolate chips or candy melts
- 1 tablespoon Vegetable oil
Instructions
- 1. Bake the cake according to the package instructions. Let it cool completely.
- 2. Crumble the cake into a large mixing bowl. Add the frosting and mix until well combined.
- 3. Roll the mixture into small balls and place them on a baking sheet lined with parchment paper. Freeze for 30 minutes.
- 4. In a microwave-safe bowl, melt the chocolate chips with the vegetable oil in 30-second intervals, stirring in between, until smooth.
- 5. Dip the cake balls into the melted chocolate, then place them back on the parchment paper. Let them set.
Nutritional Value
Keywords
Suggested Appetizers and Main Courses
More Amazing Recipes to Try 🙂
- Lemon Poppy Seed Muffins Recipe35 Minutes
- Cranberry Orange Scones Recipe35 Minutes
- Lemon Blueberry Scones Recipe35 Minutes
- Raspberry Thumbprint Cookies Recipe30 Minutes
- Raspberry Almond Shortbread Cookies Recipe35 Minutes
- Spaghetti Squash Aglio e Olio Recipe1 Hours
- Linguine Pasta Recipe25 Minutes
- Lemon Basil Chicken Pasta Recipe35 Minutes
Leave a Reply