These strawberry cake balls are like tiny bites of sunshine! They’re made with moist strawberry cake, rolled into little balls, and dipped in creamy chocolate. Yum!
Bite-sized treats are always a hit at parties and they’re so much fun to make. I love making them with my kids—they get a little messy, but that just adds to the fun! 🍓🍫
Key Ingredients & Substitutions
Strawberry Cake Mix: This is the heart of the recipe, giving the cake balls their flavor. If you can’t find strawberry cake mix, you can use a vanilla or yellow cake mix and add strawberry extract or puree for a similar taste.
Cream Cheese: Soften this to make mixing easier. For a lighter option, you can use Greek yogurt or a dairy-free cream cheese if you’re avoiding dairy.
White Chocolate or Candy Melts: These give the cake balls a nice sweet coating. If you’re looking for a healthier option, dark chocolate can work, but be sure to adjust the sweetness since it’s less sweet than white chocolate.
Pink Candy Melts: These are primarily for decoration. If you can’t find them, simply use more white chocolate colored with pink food dye, or skip the drizzle altogether for a simpler look.
Freeze-Dried Strawberries: These add a unique crunch and intense strawberry flavor. If you can’t find them, you can use regular crushed strawberries, but be aware they may add moisture to your cake balls.
How Do I Make Sure My Cake Balls Hold Together?
Keeping your cake balls from falling apart can be tricky. The key is to make sure the cream cheese is well mixed in until everything holds together, and freezing them helps too. Follow these steps for best results:
- Start with a completely cooled cake to avoid melting the cream cheese.
- Crumble the cake finely so it mixes evenly with the cream cheese.
- Make sure to mix well until the mixture is moist enough to form balls without crumbling.
- Freezing the cake balls helps them maintain shape when they are dipped in chocolate. Aim for at least one hour in the freezer.
How to Make Strawberry Cake Balls
Ingredients You’ll Need:
For the Cake Balls:
- 1 box strawberry cake mix (plus ingredients needed to prepare the cake, typically eggs, oil, water)
- 1 cup cream cheese, softened
For Coating:
- 12 oz white chocolate or white candy melts
- 2-3 tbsp pink candy melts (for drizzling)
For Topping:
- Freeze-dried strawberries or crushed freeze-dried strawberry pieces (for topping)
- Optional: Red and white sprinkles for additional decoration
How Much Time Will You Need?
This recipe takes about 20 minutes to prepare, plus an additional hour for freezing. In total, you’ll need about 1 hour and 20 minutes to create these delightful strawberry cake balls. Most of the time is just waiting for the cake to cool and the balls to set!
Step-by-Step Instructions:
1. Prepare the Cake:
Start by making the strawberry cake according to the package instructions. Mix the ingredients as directed and bake the cake. Let the cake cool completely on a wire rack after baking; this is very important to avoid soggy cake balls!
2. Crumble the Cake:
Once the cake is cooled, crumble it into a large mixing bowl. Make sure the pieces are small so that they mix well with the cream cheese.
3. Mix in the Cream Cheese:
Add the softened cream cheese to the crumbled cake. Use a spoon or your hands to mix everything together until it’s fully combined and the mixture holds together like dough. It should be moist enough to form into balls without falling apart.
4. Form the Cake Balls:
Take a small amount of the mixture and roll it into 1.5-inch balls. Place each ball on a baking sheet lined with parchment paper, making sure they’re spaced out a bit so they don’t touch.
5. Freeze the Cake Balls:
Put the baking sheet with the cake balls in the freezer for at least 1 hour. This helps them firm up, making them easier to coat later.
6. Melt the Coating:
While the cake balls are freezing, melt the white chocolate or white candy melts. Do this in a microwave-safe bowl, stirring every 30 seconds until it’s smooth and fully melted.
7. Coat the Cake Balls:
Take each frozen cake ball and dip it into the melted white chocolate. Make sure each ball is fully coated and gently tap off any excess chocolate before placing them back on the parchment paper.
8. Prepare the Drizzle:
In a separate small bowl, melt the pink candy melts. Once melted, transfer them to a piping bag or a ziplock bag with a small corner cut off for easy drizzling.
9. Drizzle and Decorate:
Drizzle the pink candy melts over the coated cake balls in thin lines. This adds a pretty touch! While the coating is still wet, sprinkle the crushed freeze-dried strawberries on top for an extra burst of flavor.
10. Let Them Set:
Allow the coated cake balls to set completely at room temperature, or you can place them in the fridge for faster setting. They’re ready when the chocolate coating is firm.
11. Serve and Enjoy:
Your delicious strawberry cake balls are now ready to enjoy! Serve them at a party, create a lovely gift box, or simply treat yourself. Enjoy every bite!
Can I Use Different Cake Flavors?
Absolutely! While the recipe calls for strawberry cake mix, you can use vanilla or chocolate cake mix instead. Just adjust the toppings to complement the flavor, such as using chocolate drizzle for chocolate cake balls.
How Should I Store Leftover Cake Balls?
Store any leftover cake balls in an airtight container in the fridge for up to a week. You can also freeze them for longer storage—just make sure they are fully covered in chocolate to prevent freezer burn.
Can I Make These Cake Balls Vegan?
Yes! You can use a vegan strawberry cake mix and substitute cream cheese with a dairy-free alternative. Opt for vegan chocolate or candy melts for coating and decoration.
What If My Cake Balls Are Crumbling?
If your cake balls are crumbling when you try to roll them, it may be because the mixture is too dry. Try adding a bit more softened cream cheese until the mixture holds together better. Additionally, ensure the cake is completely cooled before crumbling it.