Cake Balls

Craving a dessert that’s equal parts whimsical and delicious? Look no further than these four-ingredient cake balls! This clever recipe takes the guesswork out of baking, transforming a humble box of cake mix into five dozen bite-sized treats.

What sets this cake balls recipe apart is its simplicity and versatility. By starting with a box of funfetti cake mix, we’ve eliminated the need for measuring multiple ingredients without sacrificing any of the flavor. The addition of creamy frosting, a quick dip in candy coating and a sprinkle of colorful jimmies transforms the humble cake into an eye-catching dessert that’s perfect for everything from birthday and holiday gatherings to everyday afternoon snacks.

Best of all, our funfetti version adds a burst of color and a nostalgic flavor that’s reminiscent of childhood birthday parties.

Ingredients for Cake Balls

• Funfetti cake mix: Boxed cake mix adds the perfect amount of color and flavor to the base of your cake balls and keeps this recipe as easy as possible.
• Funfetti vanilla frosting: Creamy vanilla frosting binds the crumbled cake together to form moist cake balls, and the candy bits in the frosting add an extra pop of color. Using store-bought frosting is a convenient time-saver.
• White candy coating: Candy coating is used for dipping the rolled cake balls, creating a smooth shell around each one.
• Rainbow jimmies or nonpareils: These fun rainbow sprinkles give the cake balls a colorful and festive finish.

Directions

Step 1: Bake the cake

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Prepare and bake the funfetti cake mix according to the package directions, using a greased 13×9-inch baking pan. Allow the cake to cool completely on a wire rack.

Editor’s Tip: For extra flavor in your cake base, try adding a teaspoon of vanilla extract or almond extract to the cake batter.

Step 2: Crumble and mix

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Crumble the cooled cake into a large bowl. Add the frosting, and mix well until thoroughly combined.

Step 3: Shape the balls

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Using your hands, shape the cake mixture into 1-1/4-inch balls. Place them on a baking sheet lined with parchment paper, then freeze them for at least two hours, or refrigerate them for at least three hours, until they’re firm.

Editor’s Tip: Slightly damp hands can make rolling the cake balls easier and prevent the mixture from sticking to your fingers.

Step 4: Melt the coating

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In a microwave, melt the white candy coating according to the package directions.

Editor’s Tip: Work in small batches to keep the coating for these cake balls at the right consistency. If it starts to harden, reheat it briefly.

Step 5: Dip and decorate

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Dip each chilled cake ball in the melted coating, allowing any excess to drip off. Sprinkle them immediately with the rainbow jimmies or nonpareils. Let the coated cake balls stand at room temperature until the coating is completely set.

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Cake Ball Variations

• Make them chocolate rich: Use chocolate cake mix, chocolate frosting and a dark chocolate coating for a rich and decadent version of this cake ball recipe.
• Give them a holiday twist: Use red and green sprinkles for a Christmas version or pastel sprinkles for a cute Easter treat.
• Switch up the frosting flavors: Try different frosting flavors, like cream cheese or peanut butter, to change the flavor profile of these cake balls.
• Citrus them up: Use lemon cake mix, lemon frosting and yellow candy coating to give these cake balls a lemony twist. Don’t forget to sprinkle them with lemon zest before the coating sets for an additional burst of citrus flavor in each bite.

How to Store Cake Balls

Store dipped cake balls in an airtight container at room temperature for up to a week. Store undipped cake balls in a sealed container or storage bag in the refrigerator for up to three days. For the best texture, bring them to room temperature before serving.

Can you freeze cake balls?

Yes, you can freeze cake balls. Store undipped cake balls in the freezer for up to six months. Allow them to thaw in the refrigerator before dipping them in the candy coating and serving. For dipped cake balls, place the fully set ones in a single layer on a baking sheet and freeze them until firm. Transfer the frozen cake balls to a freezer-safe container or bag for up to three months.

Cake Ball Tips

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How do you dip cake balls?

To make easy work of dipping the cake balls, insert a wooden skewer into each one and gently dip it in the melted candy coating. Allow the access to drip off before setting each ball on waxed paper to dry. If you’re adding sprinkles or other edible accents, sprinkle them on immediately, then allow the cake balls to rest until the coating has set. You can use a microwave to melt the candy coating or get fancy with a candy melting pot. Leave the skewers in to turn the cake balls into cake pops.

How can you make cake balls your own?

There are lots of easy ways to get creative with cake balls. Experiment with different cake mixes and frosting flavors, such as vanilla cake with vanilla frosting, chocolate cake with chocolate frosting, carrot cake with cream cheese frosting, strawberry cake with strawberry frosting, lemon cake with lemon frosting and red velvet cake with cream cheese frosting.

Candy wafers are available in a variety of colors, so select one that matches your cake or theme. After dipping and allowing the candy coating to thoroughly dry, add a white or dark drizzle around each cake ball for extra flair.

How can I prevent my cake balls from falling apart?

If you find that your cake balls are crumbly, dry and falling apart, add more frosting to the mixture. If it’s too wet, add more crumbled cake. You’ll also want to make sure that your cake and frosting mixture is well mixed and chilled thoroughly before coating.

Can I use homemade cake and frosting for cake balls?

Certainly! Now that you know how to make cake balls with this recipe that uses boxed mix and canned frosting for convenience, you can absolutely use your favorite homemade cake and frosting recipes. The cake should be completely cooled before crumbling and mixing into cake balls.