If you have a sweet tooth and a soft spot for classic, crowd-pleasing treats, this Red Velvet Cake Balls Recipe is about to become your new best friend. Imagine all the moist, tangy goodness of red velvet cake, transformed into bite-sized, perfectly coated truffles that are as delightful to look at as they are to eat. Each luscious ball is packed with cream cheese, wrapped in a smooth white chocolate shell, and finished with a splash of playful sprinkles, making them absolutely irresistible for parties, gifts, or just a cozy night in. Trust me, once you try these cake balls, you’ll be hooked on this charming twist on the traditional cake experience.
Ingredients You’ll Need
This Red Velvet Cake Balls Recipe uses simple ingredients that come together magically to create that iconic flavor and texture you love. Each element plays a crucial role, from the tender cake base to the velvety cream cheese mix-in and that perfect white chocolate coating.
- Betty Crocker super moist red velvet cake mix (one 15 oz box): The foundation of our cake balls, providing rich cocoa flavor and vibrant red color.
- Vegetable oil (1/2 cup or 120 ml): Keeps the cake moist and tender, essential for a soft crumb.
- Water (1 cup): Hydrates the cake mix and helps create the perfect batter consistency.
- Large eggs (3 at room temperature): These bind everything together, giving the cake structure and a little lift.
- Full-fat cream cheese (1 cup or 226 g at room temperature): Adds that silky, tangy richness that makes the cake balls so uniquely delicious.
- White chocolate melting wafers (2 cups): For the smooth and sweet chocolate coating that complements the red velvet flavor perfectly.
- Red or pink sprinkles: For a fun and festive garnish that adds a delightful crunch and color contrast.
How to Make Red Velvet Cake Balls Recipe
Step 1: Bake the Red Velvet Cake
Begin by preparing the cake batter according to the instructions on your Betty Crocker red velvet cake mix box. Mixing in the vegetable oil, water, and eggs will give you that famously moist texture. Pour the batter into a 9×13-inch baking pan and bake as directed until a toothpick comes out clean. Once baked, cool the cake completely – this is crucial for the next steps!
Step 2: Crumble the Cooled Cake
Once your cake has cooled fully, break it up into fine crumbs right in the baking pan or a large bowl. You can crumble it easily with your hands or use a fork to get a nice, consistent texture. This crumbly base will be where the magic starts forming.
Step 3: Mix in the Cream Cheese
Add the softened cream cheese to the cake crumbs and gently mix together by hand or with an electric mixer. The idea is to combine until a smooth, dough-like consistency forms—rich, soft, and malleable. This mixture is what holds the cake balls together without being too dense.
Step 4: Form the Cake Balls
Using a small cookie scoop or your hands, portion out the mixture and roll it into neat, bite-sized balls. Place each ball carefully onto a parchment-lined baking sheet. Make sure they are roughly the same size to bake and coat evenly later.
Step 5: Chill the Dough Balls
Pop the tray of cake balls into the freezer for at least 30 minutes. Chilling firms them up, which makes dipping easier and ensures the final coated cake balls have a lovely, crisp shell.
Step 6: Prepare the White Chocolate Coating
While your cake balls chill, melt the white chocolate wafers in a microwave-safe bowl. Heat them on 50% power in 20-second bursts, stirring well after each interval until smooth and creamy. This slow melting method prevents burning and keeps the chocolate glossy.
Step 7: Dip and Decorate
Grab each chilled cake ball and dip it fully into the melted white chocolate, using dipping tools or a fork to help. Gently tap off any excess chocolate and lay them back on your parchment-lined sheet. Before the coating sets, sprinkle on your red or pink sprinkles to add that festive touch. Let everything harden completely before serving or storing.
How to Serve Red Velvet Cake Balls Recipe
Garnishes
Sprinkles are a classic garnish here, providing a pop of color and a delightful crunch. You can also try a light dusting of cocoa powder or finely chopped nuts for a different texture. Edible glitter or tiny sugar pearls add a whimsical and elegant flair if you’re serving these at a special event.
Side Dishes
Since red velvet cake balls are sweet and rich, they pair wonderfully with fresh fruit like strawberries or a simple fruit salad to balance the indulgence. For a cozy gathering, offer a variety of hot beverages like coffee, tea, or a creamy hot chocolate to complement the cake balls’ flavor profile beautifully.
Creative Ways to Present
Presentation can elevate this dessert to memorable heights. Try arranging the cake balls on decorative skewers or in mini cupcake liners for easy grabbing. Display them on a tiered cake stand for a party, or place them in a pretty box layered with parchment for a homemade gift that looks just as amazing as it tastes.
Make Ahead and Storage
Storing Leftovers
If you have any leftovers, store the Red Velvet Cake Balls in an airtight container in the refrigerator. They will stay fresh and delicious for up to 5 days, making them a perfect treat to enjoy throughout the week or to bring to work.
Freezing
You can freeze these cake balls for up to 3 months. Arrange them in a single layer on a tray first, freeze until firm, then transfer to a freezer-safe container or bag. This way, you’ll have a wonderful dessert ready to thaw for unexpected guests or busy days.
Reheating
When you’re ready to enjoy frozen cake balls, thaw them in the refrigerator overnight. Avoid microwaving as it can melt the coating unevenly. Once thawed, bring them to room temperature for the best flavor and texture experience.
FAQs
Can I use homemade red velvet cake instead of the box mix?
Absolutely! Homemade red velvet cake will work perfectly for this recipe. Just make sure it’s fully cooled before crumbling and mixing with cream cheese. This might give your cake balls a more personalized flavor.
What can I substitute for white chocolate melting wafers?
If you can’t find melting wafers, good quality white chocolate chips or candy melts will do the trick. Just be sure to melt them gently to keep the smooth texture necessary for coating.
How do I avoid cake balls falling apart after dipping?
Chilling the cake balls for at least 30 minutes before dipping is essential. This firms them up, making it easier to coat them with chocolate and helping them hold their shape.
Can I make these gluten-free?
Yes! Use a gluten-free red velvet cake mix or homemade gluten-free cake recipe as a base. Just ensure all additional ingredients like sprinkles and chocolate are also gluten-free.
How long will it take to make the whole batch?
This recipe takes about 40 minutes from start to finish, including baking, cooling, chilling, and dipping. It’s a quick yet impressive treat to prepare for any occasion.
Final Thoughts
This Red Velvet Cake Balls Recipe is pure joy in every bite—easy to make, incredibly delicious, and endlessly versatile. Whether you’re treating yourself or sharing with friends, these cake balls will bring smiles all around. Go on, give them a try and watch how they quickly become a beloved favorite in your dessert lineup!
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Red Velvet Cake Balls Recipe
- Total Time: 40 minutes
- Yield: 40 servings
Description
Delightfully sweet and creamy, these Red Velvet Cake Balls combine moist red velvet cake with rich cream cheese and a smooth white chocolate coating. Perfect for parties, gifts, or a delicious treat, these bite-sized truffles are garnished with vibrant sprinkles for a festive touch.
Ingredients
Cake Ingredients
- 1 box (15 oz) Betty Crocker super moist red velvet cake mix
- 1/2 cup (120 ml) vegetable oil
- 1 cup water
- 3 large eggs (room temperature)
Filling and Coating
- 1 cup (226 g or 8 oz) full-fat cream cheese (room temperature)
- 2 cups white chocolate melting wafers
- Red or pink sprinkles for garnish
Instructions
- Bake cake: Prepare the cake batter according to the instructions on the Betty Crocker red velvet cake mix box, combining the mix, vegetable oil, water, and eggs. Pour the batter into a 9×13 inch baking pan and bake at the recommended temperature and time specified on the box. Allow the cake to cool completely.
- Break cooled cake into crumbles: Once cooled, break the cake into small crumbs directly in the cake pan using your hands or a fork.
- Mix in cream cheese: Add the room temperature cream cheese to the cake crumbs. Using your hands or an electric mixer, thoroughly mix until the mixture resembles a dough-like consistency.
- Form mixture into balls: Use a small cookie scoop to portion out the mixture. Roll each portion into a smooth ball and place on a parchment-lined baking sheet.
- Chill dough balls: Place the baking sheet with the cake balls in the freezer and chill for about 30 minutes until firm.
- Melt white chocolate: Place the white chocolate melting wafers into a heat-proof bowl and microwave on 50% power, stirring every 20 seconds until the chocolate is completely melted and smooth.
- Dip truffles into white chocolate: Using dipping tools or forks, dip each chilled cake ball into the melted white chocolate, gently tapping to remove excess coating. Transfer the coated truffles back to the parchment-lined baking sheet. Immediately decorate with red or pink sprinkles before the chocolate hardens.
- Set and serve: Allow the white chocolate coating to harden completely before serving or storing the cake balls in an airtight container.
Notes
- For best results, ensure the cream cheese is fully softened to blend smoothly with the cake crumbs.
- Use a small cookie scoop for uniform-sized cake balls to ensure even freezing and dipping.
- If you don’t have a microwave, you can melt the white chocolate using a double boiler on the stovetop.
- Cake balls can be stored in the refrigerator for up to 5 days or frozen for longer storage.
- You can customize the garnish by using different colored sprinkles or drizzle melted dark chocolate over the coated truffles for variety.
- Prep Time: 20 minutes
- Cook Time: 20 minutes
- Category: Dessert
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
