Looking for the perfect party treat that won’t leave you stuck in the kitchen all day? We’ve all been there – trying to juggle event planning while making sure the desserts come out just right. Between coordinating decorations and managing guest lists, the last thing you need is a complicated recipe to stress over.
That’s why these vanilla cake balls are such a lifesaver: they’re super easy to make ahead of time, guaranteed to please a crowd, and can be decorated in countless ways depending on the occasion. Plus, they’re the perfect size for guests to grab and enjoy without the need for plates or utensils.
Why You’ll Love These Cake Balls
- No-fuss ingredients – With just three main ingredients – cake mix, frosting, and almond bark – you can create these sweet treats without a complicated shopping list.
- Perfect for parties – These bite-sized treats are ideal for sharing at parties, potlucks, or holiday gatherings – plus, they’re easy to transport and serve.
- Make-ahead friendly – You can prepare these cake balls in advance and store them in the fridge or freezer until you’re ready to serve them.
- Customizable recipe – Start with this basic vanilla version, then experiment with different cake flavors, frostings, and coatings to create your own unique combinations.
What Kind of Cake Mix Should I Use?
For cake balls, a classic white or vanilla cake mix will give you the most traditional flavor, but honestly, any flavor can work as your base. Most major brands like Betty Crocker, Duncan Hines, or Pillsbury will do the job just fine – just pick whichever one you usually prefer. If you’re making these for the first time, stick with a basic vanilla or white cake mix since it pairs well with pretty much any frosting flavor you choose. Just make sure to grab a regular-sized box (15.25 to 16.5 ounces), not a family-size one, to keep your cake-to-frosting ratio right. And here’s a little tip: avoid the ones labeled “super moist” as they can sometimes make your cake balls too soft to work with.
Options for Substitutions
This simple treat is pretty flexible with substitutions! Here’s what you can swap:
- Cake mix: Any flavor cake mix works great here – try chocolate, red velvet, or lemon! You can also use a homemade cake recipe that makes a 9×13 inch cake if you prefer to skip the box mix.
- Frosting: Store-bought frosting is quick and easy, but you can use homemade buttercream too. Just make sure it’s thick enough to bind the cake crumbs. Different flavors work well – try chocolate, cream cheese, or strawberry frosting to mix things up!
- Vanilla almond bark: Candy melts, white chocolate chips, or regular chocolate chips all work as coating alternatives. If using chocolate chips, add 1-2 teaspoons of coconut oil or shortening to thin the coating and make it easier to dip. Just avoid using regular baking chocolate as it won’t set properly.
Watch Out for These Mistakes While Baking
The biggest challenge when making cake balls is getting the right consistency in your cake-frosting mixture – too much frosting will make them too soft to work with, while too little will result in dry, crumbly balls that won’t hold their shape. Start by adding frosting gradually, about 1/4 cup at a time, until the mixture holds together when rolled but isn’t sticky or gooey. Another common mistake is trying to dip the balls while they’re room temperature – for best results, freeze them for at least 15 minutes first, which helps them stay intact during coating and creates a smoother finish. When it comes to melting the almond bark, avoid overheating it or getting any water in the mixture, as this will cause it to seize up and become grainy – instead, melt it slowly in 30-second intervals in the microwave, stirring between each interval. For the smoothest coating, let any excess bark drip off completely before placing your cake balls on wax paper, and don’t move them until the coating has fully set.
What to Serve With Cake Balls?
These sweet little cake balls are perfect for serving at parties alongside other bite-sized desserts and drinks! A hot cup of coffee or cold glass of milk makes the perfect beverage pairing – the vanilla flavor really shines when you have something to sip between bites. For a dessert spread, try placing these cake balls on a platter with some fresh berries and chocolate-covered strawberries for color contrast. If you’re serving these at a party, they go great with other finger foods like cookies, brownies, or even some salty snacks like pretzels to balance out the sweetness.
Storage Instructions
Keep Fresh: These yummy cake balls stay fresh when kept in an airtight container in the fridge. They’ll be good for up to 2 weeks! I like to place them in a single layer, but if you need to stack them, put some wax paper between layers to prevent them from sticking together.
Freeze: Want to make these ahead? Once the coating has completely hardened, place your cake balls in a freezer-safe container with wax paper between layers. They’ll keep in the freezer for up to 6 weeks. This is super handy when you’re planning ahead for parties!
Thaw: When you’re ready to enjoy your frozen cake balls, just transfer them to the fridge and let them thaw overnight. You can also let them sit at room temperature for about 30 minutes before serving – they taste best when they’re not too cold!
| Preparation Time | 20-30 minutes |
| Cooking Time | 30-60 minutes |
| Total Time | 50-90 minutes |
| Level of Difficulty | Easy |
Estimated Nutrition
Estimated nutrition for the whole recipe (without optional ingredients):
- Calories: 2500-3000
- Protein: 20-30 g
- Fat: 120-150 g
- Carbohydrates: 350-400 g
Ingredients
- 1 package cake mix
- *follow the directions on the cake mix box for additional ingredients.
- 1 and 1/2 containers frosting
- 1 packet vanilla almond bark
Step 1: Prepare and Cool the Cake
Start by preparing the cake mix according to the package directions, using a 9×13-inch baking pan.
Once baked, allow the cake to cool for about 15 minutes.
When cool enough to handle, crumble the entire cake into fine pieces.
Step 2: Combine Cake Crumbles with Frosting
Transfer the crumbled cake into a large mixing bowl.
Scoop all of the frosting into the bowl with the cake crumbles.
Using a wooden spoon, mix the frosting and cake crumbles thoroughly until well combined and a dough-like consistency is achieved.
Step 3: Form Cake Balls
Take small amounts of the mixture (approximately a tablespoon each) and roll them into balls with your hands.
Repeat this process until all the cake mixture is formed into balls.
Arrange the cake balls on a baking sheet and freeze them for at least 1 hour to set.
Step 4: Coat Cake Balls with Almond Bark
While the cake balls are freezing, melt the almond bark following the package instructions.
Once the almond bark is melted and smooth, dip each frozen cake ball into it, ensuring each ball is fully coated.
Place the dipped cake balls on a cookie sheet to cool.
Step 5: Decorate and Serve
For extra flair, sprinkle each cake ball with sprinkles before the coating hardens.
Allow the coated cake balls to cool and set at room temperature for 3-4 hours, or speed up the process by refrigerating them for 1 hour.
Once set, the cake balls are ready to serve and enjoy.
Bon appétit!
