Red Velvet Cake Balls
If you’re searching for a dessert that’s bursting with flavor, visually stunning, and incredibly easy to enjoy, Red Velvet Cake Balls are the perfect treat. These bite-sized wonders bring together the classic rich, velvety chocolate flavor with a tangy hint of cream cheese, all wrapped in a smooth coating that makes every bite an irresistible delight. Whether you’re celebrating a special occasion or simply craving something sweet, Red Velvet Cake Balls combine moist, tender cake with luscious frosting in a handheld form that’s both elegant and fun.
Why You’ll Love This Recipe
- Convenient size: Perfectly bite-sized for easy snacking or passing around at parties.
- Moist and flavorful: Combines dense red velvet cake with creamy frosting for a balanced taste.
- Visually appealing: Their vibrant red color and smooth coating make them showstoppers on any dessert table.
- Versatile for occasions: Great for holidays, birthdays, or even casual treats.
- Easy to customize: Simple base recipe allows for delicious variations to suit any craving.
Ingredients You’ll Need
Creating Red Velvet Cake Balls is straightforward with basic ingredients that work harmoniously to deliver rich flavor, moist texture, and that iconic velvety crumb. Each component is essential to perfecting the balance of taste and appearance.
- Red velvet cake: Either homemade or store-bought, it provides the signature flavor and moist base.
- Cream cheese frosting: Offers tangy, smooth richness that binds the crumbs perfectly.
- White or dark chocolate coating: For a luscious shell that seals in flavor and adds crunch.
- Food coloring (optional): Boosts the red hue if using a less vibrant cake or homemade version.
- Vanilla extract: Adds a subtle depth that enhances the sweetness.
- Non-stick spray or parchment paper: Essential for easy handling and cleanup.
Variations for Red Velvet Cake Balls
One of the best things about Red Velvet Cake Balls is how adaptable they are. Feel free to experiment with different coatings, flavor add-ins, or toppings to make this dessert uniquely yours.
- Nutty crunch: Roll the finished balls in crushed pecans or walnuts for texture contrast.
- Chocolate drizzle: Add a drizzle of melted dark or white chocolate for extra flair and taste.
- Healthy twist: Substitute regular frosting with Greek yogurt mixed with a bit of honey for a lighter option.
- Spiced surprise: Incorporate cinnamon or nutmeg into the cake crumbs for a warm, cozy flavor.
- Festive toppings: Decorate with sprinkles, edible glitter, or crushed candy canes depending on your celebration.
How to Make Red Velvet Cake Balls
Step 1: Bake or Prepare the Red Velvet Cake
Bake your favorite red velvet cake recipe according to instructions or use a store-bought cake as a shortcut; allow it to cool completely before handling.
Step 2: Crumble the Cake
Break the cooled cake into fine crumbs using your hands or a fork, ensuring even texture without large chunks.
Step 3: Mix with Cream Cheese Frosting
Combine crumbled cake with cream cheese frosting a little at a time until the mixture sticks together but isn’t overly wet.
Step 4: Shape the Balls
Roll the mixture into uniform bite-sized balls using your hands or a small cookie scoop, then chill them in the refrigerator to set.
Step 5: Coat the Cake Balls
Dip chilled cake balls into melted chocolate coating, ensuring they’re fully covered, then place on parchment paper to harden.
Step 6: Add Finishing Touches
Decorate with sprinkles, drizzle chocolate, or nuts while the coating is still soft for a personalized look.
Pro Tips for Making Red Velvet Cake Balls
- Use chilled ingredients: Keep the cake balls cold before dipping for a smoother coating finish.
- Consistency check: Adjust the amount of frosting gradually to avoid overly sticky or dry mixture.
- Thin the coating: Add a little vegetable oil or shortening to melted chocolate for easier dipping.
- Handle gently: Use a fork or dipping tool to coat and prevent fingerprints or dents on the surface.
- Freeze before dipping: Freezing cake balls for 10-15 minutes can prevent cracking during the chocolate dip.
How to Serve Red Velvet Cake Balls
Garnishes
Garnish your Red Velvet Cake Balls with colorful sprinkles, edible glitter, or a light dusting of cocoa powder to match the occasion and elevate their appeal.
Side Dishes
Pair these cake balls with fresh berries, a dollop of whipped cream, or a glass of rich milk for a complete and satisfying dessert experience.
Creative Ways to Present
Arrange Red Velvet Cake Balls on a decorative platter with toothpicks for a party-friendly presentation or place them in small, elegant cupcake liners for individual servings.
Make Ahead and Storage
Storing Leftovers
Store Red Velvet Cake Balls in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to a week to keep them fresh and moist.
Freezing
Freeze cake balls on a baking sheet before transferring them to a sealed container; they can be kept frozen for up to three months and thawed in the fridge overnight.
Reheating
Allow frozen or refrigerated cake balls to come to room temperature before eating; avoid microwaving to maintain texture and prevent melting the coating.
FAQs
Can I use store-bought cake for Red Velvet Cake Balls?
Absolutely! Using a quality store-bought red velvet cake saves time and works perfectly when mixed with cream cheese frosting.
What kind of frosting should I use?
Cream cheese frosting is traditional for Red Velvet Cake Balls, offering the perfect balance of tang and sweetness.
How do I keep the cake balls from falling apart?
Ensuring the right frosting-to-cake ratio and chilling the mixture before shaping helps maintain the structure while coating.
Can these be made dairy-free?
Yes, substitute cream cheese frosting and chocolate coatings with dairy-free alternatives to accommodate dietary restrictions.
How long do Red Velvet Cake Balls last?
They stay fresh for about a week when refrigerated and can be frozen for longer storage up to three months.
Final Thoughts
Red Velvet Cake Balls are the ultimate sweet treat that combines ease, flavor, and elegance in every bite. Whether you’re a baking novice or a seasoned pro, this recipe invites you to enjoy a timeless dessert that’s guaranteed to make any moment extra special. So, grab your ingredients, have fun with the process, and treat yourself and your loved ones to the unforgettable taste of Red Velvet Cake Balls!
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PrintRed Velvet Cake Balls
Red Velvet Cake Balls are bite-sized, moist, and flavorful treats combining the classic red velvet cake with tangy cream cheese frosting, all coated in smooth chocolate. Perfectly sized for parties or casual snacking, they offer an elegant and fun way to enjoy a timeless dessert, customizable with various coatings and toppings.
- Prep Time: 30 minutes
- Cook Time: 1 hour (if baking cake from scratch)
- Total Time: 1 hour 30 minutes
- Yield: Approximately 24 cake balls
- Category: Dessert
- Method: Baking
- Diet: Gluten Free (if gluten-free cake and coatings used)
Ingredients
Base Ingredients
- Red velvet cake (homemade or store-bought) – enough to crumble into about 3 cups
- Cream cheese frosting – about 1 cup
- Vanilla extract – 1 teaspoon
Coating
- White or dark chocolate coating – 12 ounces, melted
- Vegetable oil or shortening (optional for thinning chocolate) – 1–2 teaspoons
Optional Additions
- Food coloring (optional, to enhance red color)
- Crushed pecans or walnuts (for rolling)
- Melted white or dark chocolate (for drizzling)
- Sprinkles, edible glitter, crushed candy canes (for decoration)
- Cinnamon or nutmeg (for spiced variation, about ½ teaspoon)
Supplies
- Non-stick spray or parchment paper
Instructions
- Bake or Prepare the Red Velvet Cake: Bake your favorite red velvet cake according to your recipe instructions or use a store-bought cake as a shortcut. Allow the cake to cool completely before handling to ensure ease in crumbling.
- Crumble the Cake: Using your hands or a fork, break the cooled cake into fine, even crumbs without any large chunks to ensure a uniform texture in the cake balls.
- Mix with Cream Cheese Frosting: Gradually combine the crumbled cake with cream cheese frosting and vanilla extract, adding a little frosting at a time until the mixture holds together well but is not overly wet.
- Shape the Balls: Roll the mixture into bite-sized, uniform balls using your hands or a small cookie scoop. Place them on a parchment-lined tray and chill in the refrigerator for at least 30 minutes to firm up.
- Coat the Cake Balls: Melt the white or dark chocolate coating, optionally thinning it with vegetable oil or shortening for easier dipping. Using a fork or dipping tool, dip each chilled cake ball completely into the coating and return to parchment paper to harden.
- Add Finishing Touches: While the coating is still soft, decorate with sprinkles, drizzle with additional melted chocolate, or roll in chopped nuts for a personalized look.
Notes
- Use chilled cake balls before dipping for a smoother coating finish.
- Adjust the amount of frosting slowly to balance the mixture consistency—too much makes it sticky, too little makes it dry.
- Adding vegetable oil or shortening to melted chocolate helps thin the coating and makes dipping easier.
- Handle coated balls gently using a fork or dipping tool to avoid fingerprints and dents.
- Freezing cake balls for 10–15 minutes before dipping reduces cracking during chocolate coating.
- Store leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to one week.
- Freeze cake balls on a baking sheet before transferring to airtight containers for storage up to three months.
- Thaw frozen cake balls overnight in the fridge; avoid microwaving to maintain texture.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 cake ball (about 20g)
- Calories: 110
- Sugar: 12g
- Sodium: 85mg
- Fat: 6g
- Saturated Fat: 3.5g
- Unsaturated Fat: 2g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 14g
- Fiber: 0.3g
- Protein: 1g
- Cholesterol: 15mg
Keywords: red velvet, cake balls, bite-sized dessert, cream cheese frosting, chocolate coating, party treats, easy dessert
