Red Velvet Cake Balls

Introduction

Red Velvet Cake Balls are a bite-sized, indulgent treat that combine the beloved flavor of red velvet cake with a smooth, creamy coating. These little beauties are perfect for any celebration or just as a sweet snack to enjoy on a lazy afternoon. The vibrant red color, soft and moist cake inside, and tangy cream cheese flavor make them a showstopper at any event.

I remember making these for a holiday gathering, and they were such a hit that I had to keep sneaking bites while I was packing them up! The rich, velvety flavor of the cake paired with the creamy coating is just irresistible. Everyone at the party couldn’t stop raving about them, and they quickly disappeared from the platter. What I love about Red Velvet Cake Balls is how they take all the classic elements of red velvet cake and turn them into a fun, bite-sized treat. Whether you’re hosting a party, enjoying a cozy afternoon with friends, or looking for a thoughtful homemade gift, these cake balls will definitely wow your guests.

They’re not only delicious but also so easy to customize with different coatings or decorations to match the theme of your event. These cake balls are a festive, fun, and indulgent dessert that will have everyone asking for the recipe—just make sure to save a few for yourself!

Perfect for:

• Birthdays
• Holiday gatherings
• Parties
• Sweet gifts
• Afternoon treats

Why You’ll Love This Recipe

Here’s why Red Velvet Cake Balls will be your new go-to dessert:

• Delicious Red Velvet Flavor: The moist, tender red velvet cake combined with a subtle hint of cocoa and tangy cream cheese is a classic flavor everyone loves.
• Creamy Cream Cheese Coating: These cake balls are dipped in a velvety smooth cream cheese coating that complements the cake’s richness perfectly.
• Perfectly Portion-Controlled: Since they are bite-sized, they’re a great option for portion control, making them easy to serve at parties or gatherings.
• Customizable Decoration: You can easily customize these cake balls with different toppings, like sprinkles or drizzled chocolate, to match any occasion.
• No-Bake Option: After baking the cake, all that’s left is to roll and dip the cake balls, making this a simple and quick dessert to prepare.

Preparation and Cooking Time

• Total Time: 3 hours
• Preparation Time: 1 hour
• Chilling Time: 2 hours
• Servings: 24-30 cake balls
• Calories per serving: Approximately 150-180 calories per cake ball
• Key Nutrients: Protein: 2g, Carbs: 25g, Fat: 8g

Ingredients

Gather these ingredients to make your Red Velvet Cake Balls:

For the Cake:

• 1 box red velvet cake mix (or homemade red velvet cake)
• 3 large eggs
• ½ cup vegetable oil
• 1 cup water

Cream Cheese Frosting:

• 8 oz cream cheese, softened
• 1/4 cup unsalted butter, softened
• 3 cups powdered sugar
• 1 teaspoon vanilla extract

the Coating:

• 12 oz white chocolate or candy melts
• 2 tablespoons vegetable oil (for thinning the coating)
• Red velvet cake crumbs (from baking, for decoration, optional)

Ingredient Highlights

• Red Velvet Cake Mix: A box mix makes it easy to bake a moist and flavorful cake that forms the base of these cake balls.
• Cream Cheese Frosting: The creamy, tangy frosting made from mascarpone, butter, and powdered sugar adds richness to the cake and binds everything together.
• White Chocolate or Candy Melts: The coating gives the cake balls their smooth, glossy exterior, adding a decadent touch of sweetness.
• Vegetable Oil: Helps thin the chocolate coating, ensuring a smooth, even dip for the cake balls.

Step-by-Step Instructions

Here’s how to make Red Velvet Cake Balls:

Prepare the Red Velvet Cake:

1. Bake the Cake: Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Prepare the cake mix according to the instructions on the box, adding eggs, oil, and water. Bake in a 9×13-inch baking pan for 30-35 minutes or until a toothpick inserted into the center comes out clean. Allow the cake to cool completely.
2. Crumb the Cake: Once the cake has cooled, crumble it into fine pieces using your hands or a fork. You should have about 4-5 cups of cake crumbs.

Make the Cream Cheese Frosting:

3. Prepare the Frosting: In a mixing bowl, beat the softened cream cheese and butter until smooth and fluffy. Gradually add the powdered sugar and vanilla extract, beating until fully combined and creamy.

Form the Cake Balls:

4. Mix Cake and Frosting: Add the cream cheese frosting to the crumbled cake and mix until the cake crumbs are fully coated with frosting. The mixture should be moist enough to easily form into balls, but not too sticky.
5. Shape the Cake Balls: Roll the cake mixture into 1-inch balls and place them on a baking sheet lined with parchment paper. Once all the balls are formed, refrigerate for at least 2 hours to set.

Coat the Cake Balls:

6. Melt the Coating: Melt the white chocolate or candy melts in a microwave-safe bowl, stirring every 30 seconds until smooth. If the coating is too thick, add 1-2 tablespoons of vegetable oil to thin it out and make it easier to dip.
7. Dip the Cake Balls: Carefully dip each chilled cake ball into the melted white chocolate, ensuring it is fully coated. Gently tap off any excess chocolate before placing the coated cake ball back on the parchment paper.
8. Decorate (Optional): If desired, sprinkle the top with red velvet cake crumbs or add festive sprinkles to give your cake balls a little extra flair.

Chill and Serve:

9. Let Them Set: Place the cake balls back in the refrigerator for at least 30 minutes to allow the coating to set and firm up.
10. Serve: Once the coating has hardened, your Red Velvet Cake Balls are ready to serve! These bite-sized treats are perfect for parties, gift-giving, or just a sweet snack.

How to Serve

Red Velvet Cake Balls are a versatile dessert that can be served in various ways:

• On a Dessert Table: Arrange the cake balls on a platter for a beautiful and colorful addition to a dessert spread.
• As Party Favors: Package the cake balls in gift boxes or cellophane bags to give as sweet party favors.
• With Coffee or Tea: Pair these cake balls with a warm cup of coffee or tea for a delightful treat during afternoon tea or brunch.
• For Special Occasions: These cake balls are perfect for birthdays, holidays, and other celebrations.
• With a Variety of Coatings: Feel free to dip the cake balls in milk chocolate or dark chocolate for a different flavor profile.

Additional Tips

Here are some tips to ensure your Red Velvet Cake Balls are perfect every time:

• Ensure Cake is Fully Cooled: Before crumbling the cake, make sure it’s completely cooled to prevent melting the frosting when mixing.
• Don’t Over-Add Frosting: You want the cake crumbs to be moist, but not soggy. Add just enough frosting for the mixture to hold together when rolled into balls.
• Use High-Quality Chocolate: For the best flavor and smooth coating, use high-quality white chocolate or candy melts.
• Chill for Firmness: Chilling the cake balls before dipping helps them maintain their shape when coated in chocolate.
• Decorate Creatively: Have fun decorating the cake balls with colored sprinkles, edible glitter, or themed decorations for a special touch.

Recipe Variations

Here are 10 variations you can try for Red Velvet Cake Balls:

• Milk Chocolate Coating: Substitute white chocolate for milk chocolate for a different flavor profile.
• Dark Chocolate Coating: For a rich, slightly bitter contrast, dip the cake balls in dark chocolate.
• Red Velvet Cheesecake Cake Balls: Add a layer of cheesecake filling inside the cake balls for a creamy twist.
• Chocolate Drizzle: After dipping in white chocolate, drizzle melted dark chocolate over the top for a decorative touch.
• Peppermint Red Velvet Cake Balls: Add peppermint extract to the frosting for a refreshing holiday flavor.
• Nutella-Filled Cake Balls: Fill the center of the cake balls with a small spoonful of Nutella for a chocolatey surprise inside.
• Caramel Drizzle: Drizzle caramel sauce over the chocolate coating for an extra sweet touch.
• Mini Cupcake Red Velvet Balls: Turn your cake balls into mini cupcakes by inserting a mini cupcake liner and adding a swirl of frosting on top.
• Lemon Cream Cheese Frosting: Use lemon extract in the frosting to add a citrusy twist that complements the red velvet.
• Coconut-Crusted Cake Balls: Roll the cake balls in shredded coconut after dipping them in chocolate for a tropical variation.

Freezing and Storage

• Freezing: If you have leftover cake balls, they freeze well! Simply place them in an airtight container and freeze for up to 2 months. Thaw at room temperature for about 30 minutes before serving.
• Storage: Store cake balls in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 5 days or in the fridge for up to a week. Be sure to separate layers with parchment paper to prevent sticking.

Special Equipment

Here are some special equipment items to make preparing your Red Velvet Cake Balls easier:

• Electric Mixer: An electric mixer makes it easy to beat the frosting until smooth and creamy.
• Cake Pan: A 9×13-inch cake pan is the perfect size for baking the red velvet cake.
• Microwave-Safe Bowl: A microwave-safe bowl is essential for melting the white chocolate or candy melts.
• Parchment Paper: Parchment paper helps prevent the cake balls from sticking to the baking sheet.
• Candy Dipping Tools: Use dipping tools or forks to help coat the cake balls in chocolate smoothly.

FAQ Section

1. Can I use a homemade red velvet cake recipe?
   Yes, feel free to use a homemade red velvet cake recipe instead of the boxed mix for a more personalized touch.
2. How can I make the frosting less sweet?
   If you prefer less sweetness, reduce the amount of powdered sugar in the frosting or add a bit of cream to balance the flavors.
3. Can I use different types of cake mix?
   Yes, you can experiment with other cake mixes, such as chocolate or vanilla, for different flavor profiles.
4. How do I avoid cake balls from falling apart when dipping?
   Make sure the cake balls are chilled for at least 2 hours before dipping and handle them gently to prevent them from breaking.
5. Can I make these ahead of time?
   Yes, these cake balls can be made in advance and stored in the fridge for up to a week or frozen for later use.

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Conclusion

Red Velvet Cake Balls are a delicious and fun twist on the classic red velvet cake. These bite-sized treats are coated in a smooth, chocolatey shell and filled with a rich, tangy cream cheese frosting that perfectly complements the soft, moist red velvet cake inside. Whether you’re serving them at a party, giving them as a thoughtful gift, or simply enjoying them as a sweet snack, these cake balls are guaranteed to impress and satisfy.

Making these cake balls is easy and can be a fun project for the whole family or a perfect treat to prepare in advance for special occasions. The combination of the striking red color and the creamy, decadent flavor makes them a standout dessert. Customize them with sprinkles, edible glitter, or a drizzle of extra chocolate for an even more festive touch.

I can’t wait to see how your Red Velvet Cake Balls turn out! Be sure to snap a photo and tag me on Instagram—I love seeing your delicious creations! Don’t forget to leave a comment or share your experience with the recipe. Enjoy!