Chef Mitchell preparing Red Velvet Cake Balls
👨‍🍳 Expert Chef

Recipe by Mitchell

🎓 10+ Years Experience ⏰ 1000+ Recipes Created 🍽️ Culinary School Graduate

❤️ My Recipe Story

"I stumbled upon Red Velvet Cake Balls while experimenting with leftover cake scraps. The result was a delightful surprise that quickly became a favorite among friends and family. Over time, I perfected the recipe, ensuring the perfect balance of flavors and textures. Now, they are one of my go-to treats for celebrations and gatherings."

Chef Mitchell has a passion for American cuisine, specializing in dessert recipes. With over ten years of experience, he has created delightful sweets that are loved by many. He believes in using high-quality ingredients to elevate classic recipes and create new favorites.

View All Mitchell's Recipes →
Delicious Red Velvet Cake Balls served on a plate

Why This Red Velvet Cake Balls Recipe Works

This recipe stands out because of its rich flavor profile and easy preparation. The combination of moist red velvet cake and creamy frosting creates a perfect bite-sized dessert. They're not only visually appealing but also incredibly delicious, making them a hit at any event.

The technique of chilling the cake balls before dipping ensures they maintain their shape and firmness. This step is crucial for achieving a smooth chocolate coating that looks as good as it tastes.

💡 Professional Tip

When melting chocolate, be sure to do it in short bursts in the microwave to avoid burning. Additionally, using a bit of shortening in the chocolate helps create a smoother consistency for coating the cake balls.

Frequently Asked Questions

Yes, you can prepare Red Velvet Cake Balls in advance. After forming the balls, you can refrigerate them for up to three days before coating them in chocolate. For longer storage, consider freezing the uncoated cake balls for up to a month and then dipping them in chocolate when ready to serve.

If you want to substitute the cream cheese frosting, you can use regular buttercream or a chocolate ganache. Just ensure it's creamy enough to hold the cake crumbs together. Alternatively, a whipped cream cheese can also work well to maintain that tangy flavor.

Red Velvet Cake Balls don't have a traditional 'done' state since they are no-bake after the initial cake is baked. The important part is ensuring the cake is baked fully and then cooling it completely before crumbling. The chilling step helps them firm up for coating.

Absolutely! You can freeze Red Velvet Cake Balls after they've been formed but before they're coated in chocolate. Place them in an airtight container or freezer bag, and they can last for about a month. Thaw them in the refrigerator before coating.

Red Velvet Cake Balls complement a variety of beverages. Serve them alongside coffee, tea, or even a glass of milk. They can also be paired with light desserts like fruit salads for a balanced treat.

In the refrigerator, Red Velvet Cake Balls can last for about 5-7 days if stored in an airtight container. Just make sure they are completely cooled and the chocolate coating is set before storing.

Yes, you can definitely make Red Velvet Cake Balls in advance. They are perfect for prepping ahead of events, as they can be stored in the fridge or freezer until you're ready to serve them.

Since Red Velvet Cake Balls are typically served cold or at room temperature, reheating is generally not necessary. If they have been refrigerated, let them sit at room temperature for about 10-15 minutes before serving for the best taste.

Recipe Troubleshooting Guide

✅

Too Dry

Problem: If your cake balls turn out too dry, it may be due to overbaking the cake or not enough frosting.

Solution: To remedy this, make sure to monitor the baking time closely next time. If they are already made, try adding a bit more frosting to the mixture to help moisten them.

✅

Not Crispy Enough

Problem: If the chocolate coating isn't crispy, it may be due to the chocolate not being tempered or the shortening not being mixed well.

Solution: Ensure you fully melt the chocolate and mix in the shortening thoroughly. You can also try chilling the cake balls longer before dipping them in chocolate.

✅

Overcooked

Problem: If your cake is overcooked, it can lead to dry and crumbly cake balls.

Prevention: To prevent this, always follow the recommended baking time and test with a toothpick. If overcooked, there’s little you can do to repair them, but ensure to keep an eye on the time next time.

✅

Undercooked Center

Problem: An undercooked center can happen if the cake wasn't baked long enough.

Recovery: Make sure to bake the cake until a toothpick comes out clean. For already made balls, store them back in the refrigerator to firm up if they feel too soft.

✅

Burnt Exterior

Problem: If the cake has a burnt exterior, it may be due to too high an oven temperature or leaving it in too long.

Prevention: Always check the oven temperature with a thermometer and adjust if necessary. Consider lowering the temperature slightly if you're consistently having issues with burning.

✅

Flavor Balance

Too Sweet: If your cake balls are too sweet, consider reducing the amount of frosting next time or adding a pinch of salt to balance the flavors.

Too Salty: If they taste too salty, ensure to check your ingredient measurements, especially for salt.

Bland: If the flavor is bland, try increasing the cocoa powder or vanilla extract for a richer taste.

Fresh ingredients for Red Velvet Cake Balls

Essential Ingredients for Red Velvet Cake Balls

The key ingredients include a quality red velvet cake mix, eggs, and cream cheese frosting. The cake mix provides the base flavor while the frosting adds moisture and richness. Using semi-sweet chocolate for coating ensures a delightful contrast to the sweet cake.

Always opt for high-quality chocolate and fresh eggs for the best results. The quality of your ingredients can significantly influence the final taste of the cake balls.

Essential Ingredient Notes

  • Red Velvet Cake Mix: Choose a reputable brand of red velvet cake mix to ensure rich flavor and color. This will set the base for your cake balls, giving them that signature taste.
  • Cream Cheese Frosting: Using homemade cream cheese frosting can elevate the taste of your cake balls. It’s fresher and free from preservatives, providing a creamy texture that binds the cake crumbs well.
  • Chocolate Coating: When selecting chocolate for coating, opt for high-quality semi-sweet or dark chocolate for a deeper flavor. Adding shortening can help achieve a smooth coating that's easier to work with.
Cooking process for Red Velvet Cake Balls

Step-by-Step Cooking Process

The cooking process for Red Velvet Cake Balls is straightforward and fun. By following the steps to bake the cake, crumble it, and mix it with frosting, you'll create a delicious mixture to form the cake balls. The chilling step is crucial for achieving the right texture.

Achieving perfect results means paying attention to the temperature of your ingredients and ensuring the chocolate is well melted. Each step contributes to the delightful outcome that these cake balls bring.

Key Technique for Perfect Red Velvet Cake Balls

The most important technique for making perfect Red Velvet Cake Balls is to ensure the cake is completely cooled before crumbling. This prevents the mixture from becoming too mushy and ensures that the cake balls hold their shape.

Red Velvet Cake Balls

Prep 15 min
Cook 45 min
Serves 6 servings
Level Easy

📋 Ingredients

Main Ingredients

  • 1 cup butter
    Room temperature
  • 1 cup heavy cream
    For richness
  • 1 cup powdered sugar
    For sweetness
  • 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
    For flavor
  • 2 tablespoons cocoa powder
    For depth

For the Sauce

  • 1 box red velvet cake mix
    For the base
  • 3 large eggs
    Binding agent
  • 1 cup vegetable oil
    For moisture
  • 1 cup water
    To mix
  • 1 cup cream cheese frosting
    For richness
  • 1 cup semi-sweet chocolate chips
    For coating
  • 1 tablespoon cocoa powder
    For flavor boost
  • 2 teaspoons vanilla extract
    For flavor
  • 1/2 teaspoon salt
    To balance flavor
  • 1/2 cup powdered sugar
    For sweetness
  • 1 cup white chocolate chips
    For decoration
  • Sprinkles for decoration
    Optional
  • 1 tablespoon shortening
    To smooth chocolate

Instructions

  1. Prepare the Cake

    Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). In a large bowl, combine the red velvet cake mix, eggs, vegetable oil, and water. Mix until smooth. Pour the batter into a greased cake pan and bake for 30-35 minutes or until a toothpick comes out clean.

  2. Cool the Cake

    Once baked, remove the cake from the oven and let it cool completely in the pan for about 10 minutes, then transfer it to a wire rack to cool completely.

  3. Crumble the Cake

    After the cake has cooled, crumble it into a large bowl. You should have fine crumbs that can be easily rolled into balls.

  4. Mix with Frosting

    Add the cream cheese frosting to the crumbled cake and mix until thoroughly combined. The mixture should be moist enough to hold its shape.

  5. Form Cake Balls

    Using your hands, roll the mixture into 1-inch balls and place them on a baking sheet lined with parchment paper. Refrigerate for 30 minutes to firm them up.

  6. Melt the Chocolate

    In a microwave-safe bowl, melt the semi-sweet chocolate chips in 30-second intervals until smooth. Stir in the shortening to thin the chocolate.

  7. Coat the Cake Balls

    Dip each cake ball into the melted chocolate, allowing excess to drip off, and return to the parchment-lined baking sheet.

  8. Decorate

    Before the chocolate sets, sprinkle the top with sprinkles for decoration. Allow the chocolate to harden completely.

Recipe Notes & Tips

Storage Tips

Store Red Velvet Cake Balls in an airtight container in the refrigerator to keep them fresh. They can last up to a week. For longer storage, freeze them uncoated for up to a month.

Serving Suggestions

Serve Red Velvet Cake Balls on a decorative platter for an eye-catching presentation. They pair well with a glass of milk or your favorite dessert wine for a delightful treat.

Recipe Variations

Consider adding crushed nuts or coconut to the filling for a different texture. You can also experiment with different flavored coatings like white chocolate or colored candy melts for festive occasions.