Go Back
–+ servings

Halloween Cake Balls

These little bite-sized cake bombs are the perfect mix of spooky and sweet—basically dessert’s answer to Halloween costumes. Moist cake mixed with frosting, dipped in chocolate, and decorated with creepy-cute designs… trust me, the kids (and your inner sugar monster) will thank you.
Print Recipe Pin Recipe
Prep Time 1 hour 30 minutes
Cook Time 35 minutes
Course Dessert
Servings 12 About 48 cake balls

EQUIPMENT (PAID LINKS)

  • Oven
  • 9-by-13-inch baking pan
  • Large mixing bowl
  • Two forks
  • Small cookie scoop or ice cream scoop
  • Freezer-safe tray
  • Parchment paper or wax paper
  • Double boiler or heatproof bowl and saucepan
  • Spoon
  • Lollipop sticks

Ingredients
  

  • 1 box 15–18 oz red velvet or yellow cake mix
  • Ingredients called for on cake mix box usually eggs, oil, and water
  • 1 container about 12 oz store-bought frosting
  • 1 bag 12–16 oz candy melts or melting chocolate, any color or combination
  • Lollipop sticks
  • Gel icing in various colors for decorating

Instructions

  • Bake Cake: Prepare cake mix according to package directions and bake in a 9-by-13-inch pan. Cover with a clean kitchen towel and let it cool completely.
    Ingredients called for on cake mix box, 1 box
  • Crumble Cake: Break cooled cake into large chunks and place one-fourth of it in a large bowl at a time. Use two forks to shred it into fine crumbs, adding more cake until all of it is crumbled.
  • Mix with Frosting: Add about three-fourths of the frosting to the crumbs and gently work it in with the forks until no streaks of frosting are visible. Add more frosting if needed for a moist, moldable texture.
    1 container
  • Form Balls: Scoop out walnut-sized portions and roll them into smooth balls. Place on a parchment-lined tray and freeze, uncovered, for at least 1 hour or up to a few hours, until very firm.
  • Melt Chocolate: In a double boiler or heatproof bowl set over simmering water, melt candy melts or chocolate, stirring until smooth. Optional—add a teaspoon of vegetable shortening to thin the chocolate for easier coating.
    1 bag
  • Insert Sticks: Push a lollipop stick into each cake ball, making sure the flat bottom of the ball is at the base of the stick. For truffle-style cake balls, skip the sticks.
    Lollipop sticks
  • Coat Cake Balls: Dip or spoon melted chocolate over each cake ball, making sure the base where the stick meets the cake is fully covered. Place back on parchment with the flat side down.
  • Decorate: While chocolate is still slightly soft, add sprinkles or use gel icing to draw spooky faces, eyeballs, or other Halloween designs. Let set before serving.
    Gel icing in various colors for decorating