Cake Balls ‐ Jessica Fabela ‐ 1
Cake Balls
By Jessica Fabela
**Makes about 40‐50 cake balls. The amount varies upon size of balls**
Ingredients:
• 1 box of cake mix (and all the ingredients to make the cake)
You can make a homemade cake but it is very easy and very tasty just using pre‐made mix
• ½ container of frosHng
• 14 ounces of candy melts / chocolate melts
Don't use just regular chocolate chips to coat, they don't harden very well. Plus, candy melts (almond bark) can be found in several diﬀerent colors at a local bakery shop.
Op4onal Ingredients:
• Mini cupcake liners
• Cake decoraHons (sprinkles, coconut, nuts, etc)
• Candy boxes
Recipe:
1. Bake a cake. Follow direcHons according to package (or make your own) and bake in a 9x13 pan.
2. Let cake cook completely.
3. AHer cake is cooled, crumble secIons of cake into a bowl. Remove any hard parts (the boQom can get burnt someHmes). It is okay to have some brown bits, they blend in and don't take away from the taste!
4. Microwave your frosIng for about 20 seconds. If it has been in the refrigerator, microwave unHl soU.
5. Add frosIng. Spoon scoops of the frosHng, a liQle at a Hme, into the mixture. AUer placing some in the bowl, use two forks to work the frosHng into the mix. Stop adding frosHng when you reach ½ of the can. You can use more, but I tend to slightly less than half of the frosHng because the mixture gets too mushy.
6. Freeze the mixture for 30‐60 min.
7. Take your mixture out of the freezer and form small balls. Place on cookie sheet.
8. Place cake balls in the freezer for at least 4 hours.
DO NOT rush this. If you take them out early, they won't be cool or hard enough, which will make the dipping process very diﬃcult for you. I freeze mine overnight since I tend to bake the cake in the aUernoon, let it cool and form the balls before I go to bed.
9. Set up a double boiler. SHr occasionally, unHl fully melted. I usually add a liQle bit of vegetable oil to help thin it out. Don't add too much though!!
10. Start dipping! This is the hardest part of this recipe. I have found that aUer freezing the balls overnight, the best dipping method is to use a toothpick. I insert the toothpick into the ball, and then dip into the melted chocolate/candy melts. Then, I usually turn the toothpick to the side and twist it a liQle to get the excess chocolate to come oﬀ.
I have also dipped some using a fork and a sloQed spoon. This allows you to dip while allowing the excess chocolate to come oﬀ before placing on the pan.
11. Place on wax paper!
If you use a toothpick, it's best to drizzle a liQle bit of the melted coaHng on top of where the hole was. 12. Add toppings! If you're going to add any kind of toppings (sprinkles, nuts, etc) you have to do it quickly. Have it all ready so once you place the cake ball on the wax paper, you can sprinkle on the topping.
Sugges4ons for ﬂavors & varia4ons:
‐ Lemon cake/Lemon frosHng/Yellow candy coaHng.
‐ Strawberry cake/Strawberry frosHng/Pink or red candy coaHng OR chocolate coaHng.
‐ FunfeV cake/Vanilla frosHng/White candy coaHng/Top with colored sprinkles (perfect for kids!)
‐ Chocolate cake/Chocolate frosHng/Chocolate melts/Top with coconut or crushed nuts.
‐ ValenIne's Day: Strawberry/Strawberry frosHng/Chocolate coaHng
Red Velvet cake mix/White frosHng/chocolate coaHng
‐ St. Patrick's Day: Chocolate cake mix/Chocolate frosHng/Green candy coaHng
‐ Thanksgiving: Spice cake mix/Cream cheese frosHng/White candy coaHng
‐ Christmas: Peppermint extract added to white cake mix/White frosHng/Red candy coaHng/Top with crushed candy canes.
Ideas for toppings
‐ Coconut ‐ Sprinkles ‐ Chopped nuts
‐ Crushed peppermint
*You can also add lollipop sIcks before you freeze the balls. Then dip into the chocolate…. cake pops!*
Storage: Place in refrigerator to store. They can be stored in a freezer for about 2 weeks, and airHght in the freezer for about 1 month. You don't have to eat them chilled, but they tend to stay together, stay fresher, and taste beQer a bit chilled.
NOTES:
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