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Chocolate cake balls (also known as chocolate truffles or cake pops) are easy to make, festive, and fun! Use boxed cake mix to whip up this easy recipe. Top with colorful sprinkles to make them festive for any holiday.
I make this chocolate cake balls recipe year round! I bet they will be your new go-to for any holiday. Christmas? Try red and green sprinkles! Valentine’s Day? Bring on the pink and red!
Use any flavor of cake mix you like, and white chocolate chips, milk or even dark chocolate and get the kids involved in the rolling and dipping! You can serve chocolate cake balls at parties or wrap some up and gift them to friends and neighbors for holidays.
Table of Contents
Ingredients for Chocolate Cake Balls
You only need a handful of super easy-to-find ingredients to make the best chocolate truffles!
- Boxed Chocolate Cake Mix
- Cake Mix Ingredients – The water, eggs, and oil that the boxed mix calls for.
- Chocolate Frosting – You can make your own or buy at the store.
- Milk Chocolate Chips or Candy Melts
- Sprinkles – Using different colored sprinkles is an easy way to make them festive for any holiday.
How to Make Cake Balls
- Bake cake – Start by baking the chocolate cake according to the box directions. Allow the cake to cool completely.
- Make cake ball mixture – Line a baking sheet with parchment paper or a silicone liner and set aside. Crumble the cooked and cooled cake into a large bowl. You want the entire cake to be crumbled into fine crumbs. Stir in the frosting to form a thick cake ball mixture.
- Form balls – Roll the mixture into 1.5 inch balls and set them on the lined baking sheet. Chill for 1 hour in the fridge.
- Dip in chocolate – Melt the chocolate chips or candy melts in the microwave. Do this carefully and in 20 second intervals to avoid scorching the chocolate. Dip each cake ball into the melted chocolate and allow the excess to drip off before placing back on the baking sheet.
- Add sprinkles – While the chocolate is still wet, you can top with sprinkles before setting in the fridge to chill for another hour so the chocolate can harden.
Frequently Asked Questions
Cake balls are similar to a chocolate truffle! It’s made of a mix of cake crumbs and frosting that is then rolled into a ball and dipped in melted chocolate! There are so many fun variations making that they can be perfect for any occasion!
You can easily turn this recipe into cake pops! When rolling your mixture into balls, stick a lollipop stick into the ball before chilling. Finally, just dip in chocolate and chill like the recipe states. They are super fun for kids’ parties!
How To Serve
These yummy chocolatey treats are great for any party – whether it’s for adults or kids! Arrange them on a pretty serving platter and set out for guests to enjoy.
They also make great gifts! For gifting, you can place the truffles in pretty cellophane bags or containers. They’re perfect for teacher or hostess gifts.
Storage
Storing: The best way to store these is to line an airtight container with a paper towel and place the balls on top of the towel. Cover tightly and store in the fridge for 5-7 days.
Freezer: Before coating in chocolate, you can store the formed balls in a freezer safe container for up to a month. Freezing is a great option if you want to make a lot in advance. Thaw overnight in the fridge before dipping in chocolate.
Variations
Cake – Really any flavor of boxed cake mix will work. Or you can even buy an unfrosted cake at the grocery store! Funfetti, vanilla, even carrot cake is delicious!
Frosting – Use a frosting that matches the flavor of the cake. So chocolate cake + chocolate frosting, vanilla cake + buttercream frosting, carrot cake + cream cheese frosting, etc.
Chocolate coating – You can use white, semi-sweet, dark, or milk chocolate chips. Or, if you want to get fancy with the colors, you can grab some Wilton’s candy melts. They are typically a white chocolate flavor but the colors can match any holiday or event theme. Almond bark will also work.
- Topping ideas – There are so many fun topping ideas! We love topping with sprinkles but you can also top with chopped nuts, flaked coconut, or mini chocolate chips.
- Dipping in chocolate – For easy dipping, I like to use a toothpick, fork, wooden skewer, or this dipping set to hold onto the cake ball when dunking in the melted chocolate.
- Don’t skip the chilling – It’s important to chill before dipping in the melted chocolate so they will hold their shape.
- Use a stand mixer – If you have a stand mixer, you can use the paddle attachment to quickly crumble the cake and mix in the frosting.
- Chocolate cake from scratch – if you would prefer not to use a box mix, you can use your favorite chocolate cake recipe.
More Chocolate Recipes You’ll Love
- Chocolate Covered Pretzels
- Easy Chocolate Snack Cake
- Chocolate Pudding Cake
- Cosmic Brownies
- Oreo Brownies
Valentine Chocolate Truffles
Ingredients
- 1 box chocolate cake made from a 15-16 ounce cake mix, prepared according to package directions
- 3 eggs or however many it calls for on the package
- 1/2 cup vegetable oil or however much it calls for on the package
- 3 tablespoons chocolate frosting
- 12 ounces milk chocolate chips
- sprinkles Valentine colors, or any colors you like
Instructions
- Line a large baking sheet with parchment paper and set aside.
- Using a fork, crumble entire cake into a large bowl.
- Mix the frosting into crumbled cake using clean hands or a wooden spoon until dough is able to be formed into balls. Add more frosting if needed, but be careful not to add too much.
- Roll dough into 1-inch balls and place them on a baking sheet lined with parchment paper. Place the whole sheet in the refrigerator and chill for 1 hour.
- Place the milk chocolate chips into a microwave safe bowl and microwave in 1-2 minutes, stirring at 20-30 second intervals. *Note – make sure that your bowl and spoon are completely dry or the chocolate will seize .
- Roll each truffle in melted chocolate, allowing excess to drip off. Set the ball on the tines of a fork, dip in the chocolate to completely coat, then gently tap the fork on the side of the bowl to let excess drip off. Gently place the chocolate coated cake ball back onto the lined baking sheet. You could also use a wooden skewer to pierce the chocolate ball and dip that way.
- Add sprinkles quickly before the chocolate hardens.
- Chill for at least 1 hour before serving.
I have to try these. Thank you for sharing.
You are so welcome Rebecca! Thanks for stopping.