What makes a party perfect is a bite sized treat like red velvet cake balls, made easy with cream cheese and chocolate, perfect for a quick homemade dessert, save this idea for your next gathering to impress your family and friends, try it soon

red velvet cake balls on a white plate

Introduction

Imagine the delight of biting into a tender, moist, and flavorful red velvet cake, but in a form that’s as visually appealing as it is delicious – the red velvet cake ball. This innovative dessert combines the classic flavors of red velvet cake with the fun and ease of cake pops, all presented on a pristine white plate. The best part? It’s incredibly easy to make, using everyday ingredients that you might already have in your pantry. With its perfect balance of flavors and textures, this dessert is sure to impress both kids and adults alike. Whether you’re a seasoned baker or a beginner in the kitchen, this recipe is a must-try for anyone looking to add a touch of creativity and whimsy to their dessert repertoire.

Why This Works

• Flavor balance and ingredient accessibility: The combination of red velvet cake mix, cream cheese frosting, and chocolate coating creates a delightful harmony of flavors that is both familiar and exciting. Plus, the ingredients are easily found in most grocery stores, making this dessert accessible to everyone.
• Ease of preparation: Despite its impressive appearance, the red velvet cake ball is surprisingly simple to prepare. The process involves mixing, baking, crumbling, and coating – all straightforward steps that require minimal specialized equipment or techniques.
• Impressive results with minimal effort: The presentation of these cake balls on a white plate is stunning, making them perfect for special occasions or as a unique treat for everyday enjoyment. The effort-to-impact ratio is high, meaning you get a lot of wow factor for relatively little work.

Key Ingredients

To make these delightful red velvet cake balls, you’ll need a few key ingredients. First, you’ll need a red velvet cake mix, which provides the base flavor and color of your cake balls. You’ll also need cream cheese frosting, which adds a tangy and creamy element to the dessert. For the chocolate coating, you can use either white, milk, or dark chocolate chips, depending on your preference. Additionally, you’ll need some vegetable shortening to help the chocolate set properly. If you want to get creative, you can also add some sprinkles or chopped nuts for extra texture and visual appeal. Practical substitutions can be made for some ingredients, such as using a homemade red velvet cake recipe instead of a mix, or experimenting with different types of frosting or chocolate.

Instructions

1. Step 1: Begin by preparing your ingredients. Bake the red velvet cake according to the mix instructions, then let it cool completely. Once cooled, crumble the cake into a large mixing bowl.
2. Step 2: Mix the crumbled cake with about half of the cream cheese frosting until you get a consistent dough. You can add more frosting if needed, but be careful not to make the mixture too wet.
3. Step 3: Use a small cookie scoop or your hands to shape the cake mixture into balls, about 1 inch in diameter. Place the balls onto a baking sheet lined with parchment paper.
4. Step 4: Melt the chocolate chips in a double boiler or in the microwave in 30-second increments, stirring between each interval until smooth. Dip the end of a lollipop stick or cake pop stick into the melted chocolate and then into each cake ball, using the stick to dip the cake ball into the chocolate, coating it completely. Tap off any excess chocolate by gently tapping the stick against the side of the bowl. Place the coated cake ball back onto the parchment-lined baking sheet. Repeat with the remaining cake balls.

Handy Tips

• To ensure that your cake balls are evenly coated, make sure the chocolate is at the right temperature. If it’s too hot, it will be too thin and might not set properly. If it’s too cool, it will be too thick and hard to work with.
• Experiment with different types of chocolate for the coating, such as white chocolate for a contrasting look or dark chocolate for a deeper flavor.
• Consider adding a few drops of food coloring to the melted chocolate to match the color of the occasion or your personal preference.

Heat Control

When melting the chocolate, it’s crucial to control the heat to avoid burning the chocolate. If using a double boiler, make sure the water is simmering and not boiling. If melting in the microwave, check and stir the chocolate every 30 seconds to prevent overheating. The ideal temperature for melted chocolate is between 105°F and 115°F for dark chocolate and slightly lower for milk or white chocolate.

Crunch Factor

The crunch factor in these red velvet cake balls comes from the outer chocolate coating. To achieve a nice crunch, make sure the chocolate is set properly before serving. You can speed up the setting process by placing the coated cake balls in the refrigerator for about 10 minutes. The cake itself should be tender and moist, providing a nice contrast to the crunchy chocolate exterior.

Pro Kitchen Tricks

• For a more professional look, use a candy melting pot to keep the chocolate at a constant temperature, making it easier to work with.
• To prevent the cake balls from becoming too dense, don’t overmix the cake and frosting mixture. Stop mixing as soon as the ingredients come together in a cohesive dough.
• Experiment with different shapes and sizes of cake balls to create a varied and interesting presentation on your white plate.

Storage Tips

• Store the red velvet cake balls in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 5 days. Let them come to room temperature before serving for the best flavor and texture.
• If you plan to serve the cake balls at a later date, you can also freeze them. Place the coated cake balls on a baking sheet lined with parchment paper and put it in the freezer until they are frozen solid, then transfer them to a freezer-safe bag or container for up to 2 months. Thaw frozen cake balls in the refrigerator overnight before serving.
• For the best presentation, assemble the cake balls on the white plate just before serving. You can arrange them in a pattern or simply place them in a decorative manner to add visual appeal.

Gift Packaging Ideas

These red velvet cake balls make perfect gifts for friends, family, or coworkers. Consider packaging them in cute gift boxes, paper cones, or even mason jars filled with the cake balls and decorated with ribbons and bows. For a more personalized touch, you can add a handmade card or a gift tag with a message. If you’re gifting them in a jar, you can also include a layer of decorative paper or tissue paper between the cake balls for a colorful and festive look.

Flavor Variations

• Different spices: Add a pinch of cinnamon, nutmeg, or cardamom to the cake mixture for a unique twist on the traditional red velvet flavor.
• Creative toppings: Experiment with different toppings such as chopped nuts, sprinkles, or shredded coconut to add texture and visual interest to your cake balls.
• Ingredient swaps: Try using different types of cake mix, such as carrot or chocolate, for a completely different flavor profile. You can also experiment with various frostings or fillings, like peanut butter or Nutella, for added flavor.

Troubleshooting

• Texture problems: If your cake balls are too dense, you might have overmixed the cake and frosting mixture. Try to mix the ingredients just until they come together in a cohesive dough. If they’re too crumbly, you can add a bit more frosting to help bind them together.
• Ingredient replacements: If you’re out of a specific ingredient, consider substitutions. For example, you can use buttercream frosting instead of cream cheese frosting, or milk chocolate instead of white chocolate for the coating.
• Over/undercooking signs: Make sure to bake the cake according to the package instructions to avoid overcooking, which can make the cake dry and crumbly. Undercooking can result in a cake that’s too moist and falls apart when handled.

FAQs

• Can I freeze it? Yes, you can freeze the red velvet cake balls for up to 2 months. Simply place them on a baking sheet lined with parchment paper and put it in the freezer until they are frozen solid, then transfer them to a freezer-safe bag or container.
• Is it gluten-free? The red velvet cake mix typically contains gluten, so this dessert is not gluten-free. However, you can experiment with gluten-free cake mixes for a gluten-free version.
• Can I double the recipe? Yes, you can easily double or triple the recipe if you need to make more cake balls. Just keep in mind that you’ll need more chocolate for coating and possibly more frosting to bind the cake mixture together.

Conclusion

Making red velvet cake balls on a white plate is a fun and rewarding baking project that’s perfect for any occasion. With its ease of preparation, impressive presentation, and delicious flavor, this dessert is sure to become a favorite among both beginners and seasoned bakers. Don’t be afraid to experiment with different flavors, toppings, and presentations to make this recipe your own. Whether you’re baking for a special occasion or just for the joy of it, these red velvet cake balls are a delightful treat that’s sure to bring smiles to everyone’s faces. So go ahead, get creative, and enjoy the process of making something truly special.