Cake balls are delicious balls of moist cake dipped in candy melts. A perfect bite-sized dessert for parties and holidays!
We love this easy cake ball recipe! Make it with your favorite combination of cake and icing and coat in your favorite fun colors and sprinkles! Serve it for your next celebration with crispy baked chicken wings and cream cheese dip.
Cake Balls
Cake Balls
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Cake Ball Ingredients
- Cake – Any flavor works! We used a vanilla cake. You can make one from a box mix or prepare it from scratch.
- Frosting – Again, you can use whatever flavor you like. We used vanilla to go with our vanilla cake. I like to use a tub of store bought, but you could make your own if you prefer.
- Candy melts – We used white/vanilla (again, haha!) but use whatever flavor or color tickles your fancy.
- Optional – Sprinkles, candy for topping.
Crumble the cooled cake, mix with icing, form into balls, chill, then coat!
How do you make cake balls? (Step-by-step)
⭐ First, crumble the cake into a large bowl.
⭐ Next, add some frosting to the cake crumbles and mix well. Continue to add frosting until you reach the consistency of play-doh.
⭐ Then, form cake and frosting mixture into small balls on a parchment lined baking sheet. Chill.
⭐ Finally, melt candy melts according to package directions and dip the cake balls until entirely coated, shaking off the excess. Allow to set.
Top with sprinkles for a pop of color!
Preparation
Can you make cake balls ahead of time?
Yes, absolutely! We like to make them a few days advance for parties and holiday treats. You can also pop them in the freezer if you want to prepare them sooner.
Can I freeze undipped cake pops?
Yes! Freezing them before you dip is my favorite way to be prepared for anything. They will keep for at least 6 months in the freezer so you can easy dip them to match whatever occasion comes up.
Can I freeze dipped cake pops?
Yes. Allow the candy melts to set completely then store them in a freezer safe container separated by layers of parchment paper for up to 3 months. Defrost in the refrigerator for several hours or overnight.
What flavor cake for cake pops?
You can use whatever flavor cake you enjoy. Some cakes will naturally hold more moisture, so make sure to add the icing incrementally so they don’t become too wet.
What flavor icing for cake pops?
Any flavor you love will work! Try out different cake and icing combinations until you find one you can’t live without.
What is the best way to coat cake balls?
We like to use a fork or slotted spoon to dip the balls and then drop them onto a parchment lined baking sheet to set. Make sure to add sprinkles right away so they stick!
We made ours with vanilla cake and vanilla frosting. What combo will you use?
Leftovers and storage
How long do cake balls last?
Cake balls will last up to a week if stored in a sealed container in a cool dry place. If you need them to keep longer we suggest refrigeration or freezing.
Do cake balls need to be refrigerated?
So long as they are kept in a cool, dry environment (think, air conditioned home), they do not require refrigeration. If they are in a warm or damp environment it’s better to stash them in the fridge.
Can you freeze leftover cake balls?
You can freeze leftover cake balls. Make sure they are cooled and set completely then store them in a freezer safe container with parchment paper between layers for up to 6 months.
Try red and green for Christmas cake balls or blue and white for Hanukkah cake balls!
Tips and tricks
🥣 Use an electric mixer to crumble the cake quickly and evenly.
🌈 Try using different color and flavor variations for holidays and celebrations. Christmas cake balls, anyone?
🥶 Stash uncoated cake balls in the freezer so you’ll always be ready with a quick dessert for any occasion.
🥥 Use mix-ins like coconut, toffee crumbles, or chocolate chips to add extra flavor and texture.
They don’t need refrigeration if you’re going to eat them in a few days.
What to eat with cake balls? (Serving suggestions)
We love to make these for holiday baskets or parties alongside easy sugar cookie bars, 7 layer bars, peanut butter oatmeal monster cookies, and peanut butter lush dessert. Oh, and don’t forget the sherbet punch in a fancy punch bowl!
My kids like to add sprinkles to the inside too (I like to add coconut)!
More delicious cake recipes
- Strawberry jello poke cake
- Peach dump cake recipe
- Easy apple bundt cake
- Cranberry upside down cake
- See all our easy cake recipes!
Other yummy balls 🤣
The center should be a similar texture to play-doh (but taste a whole lot better).
Tools we love
- Bakeware set – If you need new bakeware, this 10 piece set from Calphalon has you covered!
- Electric hand mixer – I love love love my hand mixer. I use it way more than my big stand mixer.
😍😍😍
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How to Make Cake Balls
Cake Balls
Ingredients
- 1 baked cake cooled/crumbled
- 1 container frosting 16 ounces
- 1 package candy melts 12 ounces
- sprinkles/candies optional
Instructions
- Crumble the cake into a large bowl. I like to use an electric mixer for this, but roughly crumbled with your hands works as well.
- Add some frosting to the cake crumbles and mix well. Start with about a quarter of the container and add more as needed. You don't want your mixture to be too soft, it should have the consistency of play dough.
- Form mixture into 1 inch balls, place on a parchment lined baking tray and chill until firmed up a bit, about 20 minutes.
- Melt candy melts according to package directions and dip the cake balls until entirely coated, shaking off the excess. Immediately decorate with sprinkles, if desired, and allow to set. Makes about 24 balls.
Video
Notes
Nutrition
Cake Balls
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Lily says
These were incredible, such a simple and delicious dessert.
Eden says
These were so fun to make and perfect for the little party we had! Turned out great, thanks for the idea!
Jennifer says
These cake balls are a favorite in our house! Such a simple but tasty dessert we keep coming back to!
nancy.plunk69@gmail.com says
I know this is going to seem like a dumb question. anyway, that’s my superpower, smiling. I don’t have any ready-made frosting in the house, can I substitute a package of cream cheese! thanks for humoring me!
April Woods says
I don’t think I’d use straight cream cheese. Maybe if you whip in a whole lot of powdered sugar?
JR says
Made these today very delicious and easy to make. We made homemade dark chocolate cake with homemade dark chocolate icing. Used half of icing with cake and made 24 – 44grams cake balls coated with Ghirardelli dark chocolate melts. Already have plans for strawberry cake with white chocolate coating.
Danielle says
If not serving right away, like next day or couple days, should they go in fridge? How long are they good for after made?