Looking for a fun and versatile dessert that never fails to impress? These delightful ball cakes (also known as cake balls) are the perfect bite-sized treats that combine the richness of cake with a beautiful chocolate coating. Whether you're planning a party, looking for a creative baking project, or just craving something sweet, this ball cake recipe will become your go-to favorite.
Why You'll Love This Easy Ball Cake Recipe
Ball cakes gained popularity as a creative way to transform ordinary cake into elegant, portable treats. They're perfect for parties, holiday gatherings, or any special occasion where you want to serve something that looks as amazing as it tastes. What makes these treats so special is their versatility – you can customize them with different cake flavors, frostings, and coatings to create endless variations.
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Ingredients
the Cake Base:
- 1 box cake mix (any flavor of your choice)
- 3 large eggs
- ½ cup vegetable oil
- 1 cup water
- 1 container (16 oz) prepared frosting
the Coating:
- 24 oz chocolate melting wafers (dark, milk, or white chocolate)
- 2 tablespoons vegetable shortening (optional, for thinning chocolate)
Decoration:
- Sprinkles
- Colored sugar
- Crushed nuts (optional)
Instructions
Preparing the Cake
- Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C).
- Grease and flour a 9x13 inch baking pan.
- Mix the cake mix, eggs, oil, and water in a large bowl until well combined.
- Pour the batter into the prepared pan.
- Bake for 30-35 minutes or until a toothpick inserted comes out clean.
- Allow the cake to cool completely (about 1 hour).
Creating the Cake Balls
- Crumble the cooled cake into fine crumbs in a large bowl.
- Add about ¾ of the frosting container to the cake crumbs.
- Mix with your hands until the mixture is well combined and can hold its shape when rolled.
- Roll the mixture into 1-inch balls and place them on a parchment-lined baking sheet.
- Refrigerate for at least 2 hours or freeze for 1 hour until firm.
Coating the Balls
- Melt the chocolate wafers according to package instructions.
- Add shortening if needed to thin the chocolate for easier dipping.
- Dip each chilled cake ball into the melted chocolate using a fork or dipping tool.
- Tap off excess chocolate and place on parchment paper.
- Add sprinkles or other decorations before the chocolate sets.
- Let set completely at room temperature or refrigerate for faster setting.
Hints and Tips
The key to perfect ball cakes lies in the consistency of your cake and frosting mixture. If it's too dry, add more frosting; if too wet, add more cake crumbs. The mixture should be similar to play-dough consistency.
Dietary Benefits & Serving Suggestions
These ball cakes are perfect for portion control as each one is a single serving. They can be adapted for various dietary needs:
- Use gluten-free cake mix for gluten-free ball cakes
- Choose dairy-free frosting and chocolate for dairy-free options
- Select organic ingredients for a more natural version
Serve these treats at room temperature for the best flavor and texture. They pair wonderfully with:
- Coffee or tea
- Cold milk
- Holiday punch
- Ice cream (as a topping)
Recipe Variations & Substitutions
- Red Velvet: Use red velvet cake mix with cream cheese frosting
- Chocolate Lovers: Devil's food cake with chocolate frosting
- Lemon Burst: Lemon cake with vanilla frosting
- Birthday Cake: Funfetti cake mix with vanilla frosting
- Mint Chocolate: Chocolate cake with mint frosting
Equipment
- 9x13 inch baking pan
- Large mixing bowls
- Hand mixer or stand mixer
- Cookie scoop (optional, for uniform sizing)
- Parchment paper
- Microwave-safe bowl for melting chocolate
- Fork or specialized dipping tools
Storage
- Room Temperature: Store in an airtight container for up to 3 days
- Refrigerator: Keep fresh for up to 1 week
- Freezer: Store for up to 3 months in a freezer-safe container
Top Tip
For the smoothest coating, make sure your cake balls are very cold before dipping them in chocolate. If they start to soften while you're working, return them to the freezer for 15 minutes.
FAQ
Yes! You can prepare the balls and freeze them uncoated for up to a month. Thaw slightly before coating with chocolate.
This usually happens when the balls aren't cold enough or the chocolate is too hot. Make sure the balls are thoroughly chilled and the chocolate isn't overheated.
This recipe yields approximately 40-50 cake balls, depending on the size you make them.
Easy Ball Cake recipe! These delightful cake balls are perfect for any occasion, from birthday parties to casual get-togethers. If you enjoyed making these sweet treats, you might also love our Cherry Dump Cake Recipe.
Did you make these cake balls? We'd love to hear about your experience! Please take a moment to rate this recipe and share your thoughts in the comments below. Your feedback helps other bakers and allows us to keep improving our recipes. Don't forget to tell us about any creative variations you tried - maybe you used different cake flavors or added your own special touch to the decoration!
Happy baking, and remember - every baker was once a beginner, so don't hesitate to ask questions if you need help!
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Equipment
- 9x13 inch baking pan
- Large mixing bowls
- Hand mixer or stand mixer
- Cookie scoop (optional, for uniform sizing)
- Parchment paper
- Microwave-safe bowl for melting chocolate
- Fork or specialized dipping tools
Ingredients
the Cake Base
- 1 box cake mix any flavor
- 3 large eggs
- ½ cup vegetable oil
- 1 cup water
- 1 container 16 oz prepared frosting
the Coating
- 24 oz chocolate melting wafers
- 2 tablespoons vegetable shortening optional
Decoration
- Sprinkles
- Colored sugar
- Crushed nuts optional
Instructions
Bake the Cake
- Preheat oven to 350°F (175°C)
- Mix cake mix, eggs, oil, and water
- Bake in 9x13 pan for 30-35 minutes
- Cool completely
Form the Balls
- Crumble cooled cake into fine crumbs
- Mix with frosting until moldable
- Roll into 1-inch balls
- Chill for 2 hours or freeze for 1 hour
Coat the Balls
- Melt chocolate with shortening if needed
- Dip chilled balls in chocolate
- Add decorations before setting
- Let set completely
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