If you need a simple, crowd-pleasing dessert for any occasion, this Easy Cake Balls recipe will become a favorite. They’re tasty, portable, and perfect for parties, school events, or an everyday treat. With countless flavor combinations and easy ingredients, these cake balls are a reliable and delicious solution whenever you need a quick dessert.
Why I Love This Recipe
I started making these cake balls more than ten years ago when cake pops became popular. They’re compact, rich, and always disappear fast. I often get asked to bring them to gatherings because they’re easy to make in large batches and everyone enjoys them.
What Are Cake Balls?
Cake balls are small, round treats made from crumbled cake mixed with frosting, then coated in melted candy or chocolate. Their texture is dense and moist—almost truffle-like—and when decorated with sprinkles they feel festive and fun. Unlike traditional cake slices, these bites combine cake, frosting, and a candy shell for a concentrated burst of flavor.
Key Ingredients For This Recipe
- Boxed cake mix
- Canned frosting
- Candy coating (almond bark or candy melts)
- Colored sprinkles
See the recipe card below for exact quantities and full details.
Flavor Combinations to Try
These cake balls are very versatile. A few popular combinations:
- Spiced cake + cream cheese frosting
- Strawberry cake + strawberry frosting
- Funfetti cake + funfetti frosting
- Chocolate cake + chocolate frosting
- Chocolate cake + coconut pecan frosting
- Gingerbread cake + vanilla frosting
- Carrot cake + cream cheese frosting
You can use any boxed mix or homemade cake and switch the frosting to suit your taste. I often use store-bought cake mix and frosting for convenience, but homemade versions work well too.
How to Make Easy Cake Balls
Step 1: Bake the boxed cake according to the package directions. Let it cool completely before handling so it crumbles easily.
Step 2: Break the cooled cake into pieces in a large bowl and crumble by hand or with a spoon. Add the frosting and mix thoroughly with a spatula or large spoon until the crumbs come together into a dough-like consistency.
Step 3: When the cake and frosting are combined you should have a pliable mixture that holds together when pressed.
Step 4: Line a baking sheet with wax paper. Scoop about 1 tablespoon of the mixture, roll into a ball with clean hands, and place on the prepared sheet. Continue until all the mixture is used.
Step 5: Melt the candy coating in a microwave-safe bowl: heat for 45 seconds, stir, then continue in 20-second intervals until smooth. A double boiler also works well.
Step 6: Dip each ball into the melted coating, tap off excess, return to the wax paper, and immediately add sprinkles so they stick before the coating sets. Let the balls set completely before serving.
Expert Tips to Make the Best Cake Balls
- If you prefer not to crumble by hand, pulse small cake pieces in a food processor until crumb-sized.
- Spray your hands lightly with non-stick cooking spray when rolling to prevent sticking.
- After dipping, tap the spoon on the bowl’s edge to remove excess coating so it doesn’t pool under the ball.
- Keep water away from melted candy coating—moisture will cause it to seize and become unusable.
- To cool the cake faster, place the pan in the refrigerator, taking care with the hot pan.
- Work in small batches when coating: about five or six balls at a time so sprinkles can be added before the coating sets.
- Store cake balls in an airtight container in the refrigerator for a few days, or freeze them for longer storage.
If you make these Easy Cake Balls, share your photos on social media and tag the recipe creator to show off your results. Enjoy making and sharing these delightful little treats!
Easy Cake Balls
Equipment
- medium mixing bowl
- hand mixer (optional)
- 9×13 cake pan (or similar)
- baking sheets
- wax paper
- large mixing bowl
- microwave-safe bowl
- rubber spatula
- long-handled spoon
Ingredients
- 1 box cake mix (I used white)
- Ingredients called for on cake mix box (oil, eggs, etc.)
- 24 ounces vanilla candy coating (almond bark or candy melts)
- 1 can frosting (I used cream cheese)
- Colored sprinkles of your choice
Instructions
- Make the boxed cake according to package directions and allow it to cool completely.
- Cut the cooled cake into small pieces and place in a large bowl. Crumble by hand or with a spoon until fine crumbs form.
- Add the frosting and mix until the crumbs come together into a dough-like consistency.
- Line a cookie sheet with wax paper. Scoop about 1 tablespoon of mixture, roll into a ball, and set on the prepared sheet. Repeat until all mixture is used.
- Melt the candy coating in a microwave-safe bowl: heat 45 seconds, stir, then continue in 20-second intervals until smooth. A double boiler also works.
- Dip each ball in the melted coating, tap off excess, return to the wax paper, and immediately add sprinkles so they adhere. Let set completely before serving.
Notes
- Pulse cake pieces in a food processor for faster crumbling if desired.
- Spray your hands lightly with non-stick spray to prevent sticking when rolling.
- Tap the spoon to remove excess coating to avoid pools under the balls.
- Keep water away from melted coating—moisture will make it seize.
- Chill the cake to speed cooling, but handle the hot pan with care.
- Coat 5–6 balls at a time so sprinkles can be added before the coating sets.
- Store in an airtight container in the fridge for a few days or freeze for several weeks.
Nutrition
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Calories: 197 kcal
Nutrition values are estimates. Verify using your own calculations if needed.