Easy Cake Balls Recipe (2024)

Cake balls are delicious balls of moist cake dipped in candy melts. A perfect bite-sized dessert for parties and holidays!

We love this easy cake ball recipe! Make it with your favorite combination of cake and icing and coat in your favorite fun colors and sprinkles! Serve it for your next celebration with crispy baked chicken wings and cream cheese dip.

Cake Balls

Cake Ball Ingredients

• Cake – Any flavor works! We used a vanilla cake. You can make one from a box mix or prepare it from scratch.
• Frosting – Again, you can use whatever flavor you like. We used vanilla to go with our vanilla cake. I like to use a tub of store bought, but you could make your own if you prefer.
• Candy melts – We used white/vanilla (again, haha!) but use whatever flavor or color tickles your fancy.
• Optional – Sprinkles, candy for topping.

How do you make cake balls? (Step-by-step)

⭐ First, crumble the cake into a large bowl.

⭐ Next, add some frosting to the cake crumbles and mix well. Continue to add frosting until you reach the consistency of play-doh.

⭐ Then, form cake and frosting mixture into small balls on a parchment lined baking sheet. Chill.

⭐ Finally, melt candy melts according to package directions and dip the cake balls until entirely coated, shaking off the excess. Allow to set.

Preparation

Can you make cake balls ahead of time?

Yes, absolutely! We like to make them a few days advance for parties and holiday treats. You can also pop them in the freezer if you want to prepare them sooner.

Can I freeze undipped cake pops?

Yes! Freezing them before you dip is my favorite way to be prepared for anything. They will keep for at least 6 months in the freezer so you can easy dip them to match whatever occasion comes up.

Can I freeze dipped cake pops?

Yes. Allow the candy melts to set completely then store them in a freezer safe container separated by layers of parchment paper for up to 3 months. Defrost in the refrigerator for several hours or overnight.

What flavor cake for cake pops?

You can use whatever flavor cake you enjoy. Some cakes will naturally hold more moisture, so make sure to add the icing incrementally so they don’t become too wet.

What flavor icing for cake pops?

Any flavor you love will work! Try out different cake and icing combinations until you find one you can’t live without.

What is the best way to coat cake balls?

We like to use a fork or slotted spoon to dip the balls and then drop them onto a parchment lined baking sheet to set. Make sure to add sprinkles right away so they stick!

Leftovers and storage

How long do cake balls last?

Cake balls will last up to a week if stored in a sealed container in a cool dry place. If you need them to keep longer we suggest refrigeration or freezing.

Do cake balls need to be refrigerated?

So long as they are kept in a cool, dry environment (think, air conditioned home), they do not require refrigeration. If they are in a warm or damp environment it’s better to stash them in the fridge.

Can you freeze leftover cake balls?

You can freeze leftover cake balls. Make sure they are cooled and set completely then store them in a freezer safe container with parchment paper between layers for up to 6 months.

Tips and tricks

🥣 Use an electric mixer to crumble the cake quickly and evenly.

🌈 Try using different color and flavor variations for holidays and celebrations. Christmas cake balls, anyone?

🥶 Stash uncoated cake balls in the freezer so you’ll always be ready with a quick dessert for any occasion.

🥥 Use mix-ins like coconut, toffee crumbles, or chocolate chips to add extra flavor and texture.

What to eat with cake balls? (Serving suggestions)

We love to make these for holiday baskets or parties alongside easy sugar cookie bars, 7 layer bars, peanut butter oatmeal monster cookies, and peanut butter lush dessert. Oh, and don’t forget the sherbet punch in a fancy punch bowl!

More delicious cake recipes

• Strawberry jello poke cake
• Peach dump cake recipe
• Easy apple bundt cake
• Cranberry upside down cake
• See all our easy cake recipes!

Other yummy balls 🤣

• No bake peanut butter chocolate balls
• Cranberry goat cheese ball
• Cashew energy balls

Tools we love

• Bakeware set – If you need new bakeware, this 10 piece set from Calphalon has you covered!
• Electric hand mixer – I love love love my hand mixer. I use it way more than my big stand mixer.

How to Make Cake Balls