Description
Festive Red White and Blue Cake Balls with a soft, creamy cake center and crisp candy shell. Perfect for 4th of July parties, summer cookouts, patriotic holidays, birthdays, and celebrations.
Ingredients
15.25 oz white cake mix plus ingredients required on the box, typically eggs, oil, and water
Red food coloring
Blue food coloring
8 oz cream cheese, softened
10 oz vanilla melting wafers
1/2 cup red candy melts
1/2 cup blue candy melts
Red, white, and blue sprinkles
Instructions
1. Preheat oven to 350°F and grease three 8×8-inch pans.
2. Prepare cake batter according to package directions.
3. Divide batter evenly into three bowls.
4. Tint one bowl red, one bowl blue, and leave the third bowl plain.
5. Pour each color into separate prepared pans.
6. Bake for 14–16 minutes until fully cooked.
7. Cool cakes completely.
8. Crumble each cake color into separate bowls.
9. Beat softened cream cheese until smooth.
10. Divide cream cheese evenly between the three bowls.
11. Mix gently so the colors stay separate.
12. Line baking sheets with parchment paper.
13. Take small portions from each cake color and roll together into 1-inch balls.
14. Chill cake balls for 1–2 hours until firm.
15. Melt vanilla wafers carefully in the microwave at 50% power in short intervals, stirring often.
16. Dip each cake ball into the melted coating and let excess drip off.
17. Add sprinkles immediately if using.
18. Melt red and blue candy melts separately.
19. Transfer melted candy to piping bags or plastic bags.
20. Drizzle red and blue candy melts over coated cake balls.
21. Refrigerate again for 15–20 minutes until fully set.
Notes
Do not overheat melting wafers or candy melts or they may seize and harden.
Chilling the cake balls before coating helps them hold their shape.
A small amount of vegetable or coconut oil can be added to melted coating for a smoother finish.
Store in an airtight container in the refrigerator for 4–5 days.
Freeze in an airtight container or freezer bag for up to 1 year.
White chocolate chips, almond bark, or white candy melts can replace vanilla wafers.
Different food coloring combinations can be used for other holidays or occasions.
Cake pops can be made by inserting lollipop sticks before coating.
Flavor variations such as lemon or almond extract can be added to the cake batter.
- Prep Time: 1 hour
- Cook Time: 16 minutes
- Category: Dessert
- Method: Bake
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 cake ball
- Calories: 106
- Fat: 4g
- Carbohydrates: 17g
- Protein: 1g