Effortless Red Velvet Cake Balls Recipe

Homemade Red Velvet Cake Balls Recipe: Irresistible Joy

Red velvet cake balls burst with Southern charm and culinary magic, transforming ordinary dessert moments into extraordinary experiences.

These crimson-kissed spheres of delight blend velvety cake crumbs with luscious frosting in perfect harmony.

Compact yet decadent, each bite delivers a symphony of rich flavors that dance across your palate.

Chocolate whispers softly beneath the signature ruby-red hue, creating an irresistible treat that beckons sweet lovers.

The delicate balance of tanginess and sweetness makes these cake balls a true celebration of indulgence.

Smooth, elegant, and utterly addictive, these miniature morsels promise to elevate any gathering with their luxurious charm.

Quick Recipe Overview

Quick Recipe Overview

Prep Time: 40 minutes

Cook Time: 30 minutes

Total Time: 1 hour 10 minutes

Calories: 240 kcal

Servings: 24

Ingredients for Red Velvet Cake Balls

For Cake Base:
  • Cake Mix: Choose a high-quality mix for a tender, moist texture.
  • Milk: Select whole milk for richer flavor and smoother consistency.
  • Melted Butter: Use unsalted butter for better control of saltiness.
  • Vanilla Extract: Opt for pure vanilla for deeper, more authentic taste.
For Binding and Moisture:
  • Vegetable Shortening: Pick a fresh, white shortening for easy pan greasing.
  • Flour: Use all-purpose flour for smooth pan dusting.
For Frosting and Coating:
  • Cream Cheese: Select full-fat, room temperature cream cheese for silky smoothness.
  • Butter: Use softened butter for effortless blending.
  • Powdered Sugar: Sift to prevent lumps and ensure creamy texture.
  • White Chocolate Wafers: Choose high-quality melting wafers for glossy finish.
  • Decorative Toppings: Select sprinkles or crushed nuts for added crunch and visual appeal.

Supplies to Shape Pioneer Woman Red Velvet Balls

  • Mixing bowl: Large, sturdy bowl for combining cake ingredients.
  • Electric mixer: Handheld or stand mixer for blending cake batter and frosting.
  • 13×9-inch baking pan: Rectangular pan for baking the cake base.
  • Vegetable shortening: For greasing the baking pan.
  • Flour: To dust the greased pan.
  • Toothpick: To check cake doneness.
  • Wire rack: For cooling the cake completely.
  • Large bowl: To crumble and mix cake with frosting.
  • Baking sheets: For forming and chilling cake balls.
  • Plastic wrap: To cover cake balls during refrigeration.
  • Fork: For dipping cake balls in melted chocolate.
  • Parchment paper: To line baking sheet for finished cake balls.
  • Microwave: To melt white chocolate wafers.
  • Refrigerator: For chilling cake balls and set chocolate coating.

Making Red Velvet Cake Balls Step-by-Step

Making Red Velvet Cake Balls Step-by-Step
  • Prepare the Cake Base

Preheat the oven and mix cake ingredients in a large bowl until smooth and creamy. Grease a baking pan and pour the batter evenly, ensuring a perfect foundation for your dessert.

  • Bake and Cool the Cake

Bake until golden and a toothpick comes out clean. Allow the cake to cool completely, giving it time to settle and develop a rich, tender texture.

  • Craft the Creamy Frosting

Blend cream cheese and butter until silky smooth. Gradually incorporate sugar and vanilla, whipping the mixture until it becomes light and luxurious.

  • Shape Delectable Cake Balls

Crumble the cooled cake and fold in frosting. Roll the mixture into bite-sized spheres, creating perfectly portioned treats that promise pure indulgence.

  • Final Chocolate Dipping

Melt white chocolate until glossy and smooth. Gently dip each cake ball, allowing excess chocolate to drip away. Sprinkle with decorative toppings and chill until the coating sets, transforming simple cake balls into elegant confections ready to delight.

Tips for Texture and Flavor in Cake Balls

Tips for Texture and Flavor in Cake Balls
  • Tweak the Texture: Experiment with different cake mix flavors like red velvet or chocolate to create unique cake ball variations. Each flavor brings its own delightful personality to these sweet bites.
  • Frost with Flair: Swap cream cheese frosting for alternative options like Nutella, peanut butter, or caramel frosting. These creative substitutions will add unexpected depth and excitement to your cake balls.
  • Decorate with Drama: Play with toppings beyond basic sprinkles. Crushed nuts, toasted coconut, mini chocolate chips, or edible glitter can transform these treats into stunning bite-sized masterpieces. Mix and match for a stunning visual feast.
  • Freeze for Future Fun: These cake balls are freezer-friendly superstars. Store them in an airtight container for up to 3 weeks. Simply thaw in the refrigerator for 30 minutes before serving, ensuring you always have a delectable dessert ready to impress.

How to Serve Red Velvet Cake Balls at Events

  • Serve at Party Gatherings: Arrange cake balls on a festive platter with colorful toothpicks for easy picking during social events or holiday celebrations.
  • Create Dessert Gift Boxes: Package 6-8 cake balls in cute mini gift boxes tied with ribbons, perfect for sharing with friends or as sweet homemade presents.
  • Pair with Beverage Companions: Complement these cake balls with hot coffee, cold milk, or a light tea to enhance the dessert's rich, creamy flavor profile.
  • Display with Decorative Flair: Arrange cake balls on a tiered serving stand or marble platter, garnishing with fresh mint leaves or edible glitter for an elegant touch.

Keeping Cake Balls Fresh for Days

  • Preserve Cake Balls' Perfection: Store these delectable treats in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 5 days, keeping them fresh and irresistible.
  • Freeze for Future Cravings: Wrap individual cake balls in plastic wrap, then place in a freezer-safe container. They'll stay delicious for 2-3 months, ready to satisfy sudden sweet tooth emergencies.
  • Prep-Ahead Party Trick: Assemble cake balls up to 2 days before your event. Keep them chilled and covered, ensuring they maintain their incredible texture and flavor.
  • Smart Serving Strategy: Remove cake balls from the refrigerator 15-20 minutes before serving to let them soften slightly, bringing out their rich, creamy texture and maximum flavor potential.
Print
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Effortless Red Velvet Cake Balls Recipe

Effortless Red Velvet Cake Balls Recipe


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4.8 from 9 reviews

  • Total Time: 1 hour 10 minutes
  • Yield: 24 1x

Description

Red velvet cake balls blend classic Southern charm with irresistible sweetness. Compact chocolate-kissed spheres offer delightful bite-sized indulgence you’ll crave again and again.


Ingredients

Scale
  • 1 package (15.25 oz / 432 g) red velvet cake mix
  • 1 cup (240 ml) whole milk
  • ⅓ cup (76 g / 2 ⅔ oz) melted salted butter
  • 3 packages (10 oz / 283 g each) white vanilla-flavored melting wafers
  • 1 package (8 oz / 226 g) cream cheese, softened
  • ½ cup (114 g / 4 oz) salted butter, softened
  • 4 cups (454 g / 16 oz) powdered sugar
  • 3 tsp vanilla extract
  • 1 tbsp vegetable shortening
  • 2 tbsps all-purpose flour
  • red and white sprinkles
  • red and white sanding sugars

Instructions

  1. Cake Preparation: Preheat oven to 350°F. Combine cake mix, milk, melted butter, and vanilla extract in a mixing bowl. Beat mixture until smooth and well-blended, approximately 3 minutes.
  2. Baking Process: Grease a 13×9-inch baking pan with vegetable shortening and dust with flour. Pour batter evenly into prepared pan and bake for 24-28 minutes. Confirm doneness with a toothpick test. Rest cake in pan for 15 minutes, then transfer to a cooling rack.
  3. Frosting Creation: Once cake is completely cooled, cream together cream cheese and butter until smooth. Gradually add powdered sugar and vanilla extract, whipping until light and fluffy.
  4. Cake Ball Formation: Crumble cooled cake into a large bowl. Incorporate cream cheese frosting, mixing thoroughly. Shape mixture into 48 uniform one-inch balls. Arrange on baking sheets, cover with plastic wrap, and refrigerate for 8 hours or overnight.
  5. Coating and Finishing: Melt white melting wafers according to package instructions. Dip each cake ball using a fork, allowing excess coating to drip off. Place on parchment-lined baking sheet and immediately garnish with sprinkles. Refrigerate for at least 1 hour to set and enhance flavor.

Notes

  • Chill for Success: Refrigerate cake balls for at least 8 hours to enhance texture and make coating easier, preventing crumbling during the dipping process.
  • Smooth Coating Technique: Use a fork when dipping cake balls in melted white chocolate to achieve a clean, professional-looking finish with minimal excess dripping.
  • Temperature Matters: Allow cake to cool completely (about 2 hours) before crumbling to ensure optimal texture and prevent moisture issues in the cake balls.
  • Precise Sizing: Create uniform 1-inch cake balls for consistent baking and an elegant presentation that ensures even coating and perfect bite-sized treats.
  • Prep Time: 40 minutes
  • Cook Time: 30 minutes
  • Category: Desserts, Snacks
  • Method: Baking
  • Cuisine: American

Nutrition

  • Serving Size: 24
  • Calories: 240
  • Sugar: 30g
  • Sodium: 200mg
  • Fat: 12g
  • Saturated Fat: 7g
  • Unsaturated Fat: 4g
  • Trans Fat: 0g
  • Carbohydrates: 34g
  • Fiber: 1g
  • Protein: 2g
  • Cholesterol: 25mg
Michael Thompson

Michael Thompson

Founder & Culinary Director

Expertise

Classical & Contemporary Cooking Techniques, Global Cuisine Appreciation, Nutrition & Menu Engineering, Sustainable Cooking Practices, Farm-to-Table Cuisine

Education

Southwestern Oregon Community College

  • Program: Culinary Arts, Associate of Applied Science
  • Focus: Emphasis on mastering core culinary competencies, like safety and sanitation, hot, cold, and pastry techniques, while cultivating appreciation of global cuisines and developing operational skills in nutrition, menu design, costing, purchasing, and supervisory management.

Michael grew up in Oregon, where he learned early that food tastes better when it’s fresh, local, and made with care. 

After earning his degree from the Southwestern Oregon Community College, he focused his career on teaching others how to cook with the seasons, reduce food waste, and reconnect with what’s on their plate.

Michael keeps his cooking simple, sustainable, and full of flavor. His favorite part of the process? Watching people realize how easy and satisfying it can be to cook a single great meal from scratch.

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