What are cake balls made of and how do they differ from cake pops?

Cake balls are made by combining crumbled cake with frosting to create a soft dough, which is then shaped into small balls. Cake pops are essentially cake balls attached to sticks, making them easier to hold and eat. Both are dipped in candy or chocolate coating and decorated, but cake pops have the added element of the lollipop stick for presentation and convenience.

How can I prevent the chocolate coating on cake balls from cracking?

To avoid cracking, let the melted chocolate or candy coating cool for about 5 minutes before dipping the chilled cake balls. Using coating that is too hot causes it to shrink and crack as it cools. Also, make sure the cake balls are well chilled to ensure the coating sets smoothly without breaking.

Can cake balls be prepared ahead of time and how should they be stored?

Yes, cake balls can be made in advance. The shaped cake balls can be refrigerated for up to two days or frozen for up to three months before dipping. Once coated, store cake balls in an airtight container at room temperature for 5-7 days or refrigerate to keep them fresh for up to 10 days.

Is it possible to customize the flavor and color of cake balls?

Absolutely. You can change the flavor by using different cakes, frostings, and dipping chocolates such as white, dark, or flavored melts. The coating color can be customized by using colored candy melts or adding gel-based food coloring to white chocolate. Adding various sprinkles also helps personalize the appearance.

How many cake balls can I expect to make from a standard cake recipe?

A typical recipe using a 9"x13" cake and standard frosting yields about 40 cake balls, depending on their size. Shaping the balls to about 1½ inches gives a consistent batch size and ensures easy handling when dipping and decorating.

Cake Balls Recipe: 7 Tips For Perfect Homemade Pops

Ingredients

Scale

1 box cake mix (any flavor)
3 large eggs
1/2 cup vegetable oil
1 1/4 cups water
1 cup plus 2 tablespoons canned or homemade frosting
8 oz cream cheese (optional for chocolate variations)
2 tablespoons cocoa powder (optional)
8 to 24 ounces candy melts or chocolate melting wafers
1 to 2 teaspoons shortening or coconut oil (if needed)
Decorations: 1/2 cup sprinkles, mini chocolate chips, coconut shreds, toffee bits

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Instructions

1. Prepare the cake according to the package or recipe instructions with eggs, oil, and water. Bake and cool the cake completely.
2. Crumble the cooled cake into fine crumbs using a mixer or by hand.
3. Gradually mix in frosting until a soft dough forms. Add cream cheese and cocoa powder if using for chocolate variation.
4. Roll dough into tablespoon-sized balls and place them on a parchment-lined sheet.
5. Chill the cake balls for at least 1 hour.
6. Melt candy melts or chocolate in batches, stirring until smooth. Add shortening or coconut oil to thin if necessary.
7. Dip a lollipop stick into the melted coating and insert into each ball. Then dip the entire cake ball in the coating.
8. Tap off excess and place on parchment paper, adding sprinkles or decoration before it sets.
9. Let coating harden at room temperature or refrigerate, then store in an airtight container.

Last Step:

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Notes

🥄 Use a deep container for dipping to get a smooth finish.
❄️ Chill cake balls until firm to avoid crumbling during dipping.
🌈 Experiment with different flavor combinations and decorations for personalized treats.

Author: Brandi Oshea
Prep Time: 30 minutes
Chilling Time: 1 hour
Cook Time: 36 minutes
Category: Dessert
Method: Baking
Cuisine: American
Diet: Vegetarian

Nutrition

Serving Size: 1 cake ball
Calories: 150
Sugar: 15 grams
Sodium: 114 mg
Fat: 9 grams
Saturated Fat: 3 grams
Unsaturated Fat: 6 grams
Trans Fat: 0 grams
Carbohydrates: 21 grams
Fiber: 0 grams
Protein: 1 gram
Cholesterol: 15 mg