Save to Pinterest These decadent red velvet cake truffles transform leftover cake into impressive bite-sized treats. The process starts with baking a simple red velvet cake, which gets crumbled and mixed with softened cream cheese for a rich, dough-like consistency. After rolling into balls and chilling, each truffle receives a generous coating of melted white chocolate that creates a smooth, professional finish.
The resulting truffles offer the perfect balance of sweet vanilla cake and tangy cream cheese, all wrapped in creamy white chocolate. They're ideal for parties, holiday platters, or thoughtful homemade gifts. The recipe yields 24 truffles and can be customized with different chocolate coatings or sprinkles for various occasions.
The first time I made these truffles, it was actually a happy accident. I had baked a red velvet cake for a party that got postponed, and instead of letting all that gorgeous cake go stale, I crumbled it up and mixed it with some cream cheese I had in the fridge. When my friends finally did come over the following weekend, those little cake balls disappeared faster than the full cake ever would have.
Last December I brought a platter of these to my office holiday party, and I swear people were hovering around the dessert table waiting for me to set them down. My coworker Sarah took one bite and immediately asked for the recipe, then made three batches for her own family gatherings. Now theyre officially known as 'those red velvet things' at work.
Ingredients
- Red velvet cake mix: The box version works beautifully here since were crumbling it anyway, but homemade cake crumbs work just as well if you prefer
- Cream cheese: Must be completely softened or youll get lumps in your filling
- White chocolate: Use melting wafers if you can find them for the smoothest coating, but chips work fine too
- Coconut oil: This thins the chocolate so it coats evenly without being too thick
Instructions
- Bake the cake:
- Prepare and bake your red velvet cake according to package directions, then let it cool completely until you can handle it comfortably
- Make the filling:
- Crumble the cooled cake into fine crumbs and mix with softened cream cheese until it forms a dough that holds together when squeezed
- Form the truffles:
- Scoop tablespoon portions and roll into smooth balls, placing them on a parchment lined sheet
- Chill thoroughly:
- Freeze for at least 20 minutes until firm, otherwise theyll fall apart when you dip them
- Coat with chocolate:
- Melt the white chocolate with coconut oil in 20 second intervals, then dip each ball and tap off the excess
- Add the finishing touches:
- Sprinkle immediately while the chocolate is still wet, then chill until set
Save to Pinterest My daughter helped me make these for Valentines Day one year, and she took her job as chief sprinkle decorator incredibly seriously. Her technique involved dumping handfuls at a time until each truffle looked like a tiny glittery snowball. They werent exactly elegant, but everyone fought over the 'special ones' she made.
Making Them Ahead
You can form the cake balls up to three days before coating them, just store them in an airtight container in the freezer. Dip them the day before you need them and theyll be perfectly fresh.
Troubleshooting Coating Issues
If your white chocolate clumps up, try adding a teaspoon more coconut oil and stirring gently. Sometimes it just needs a little more fat to smooth out again.
Serving Suggestions
These truffles look gorgeous arranged on a vintage cake stand or decorative platter.
- Stack them in mini cupcake liners for easy grabbing
- Pair with coffee or red wine for a dessert that feels fancy
- Package them in clear bags tied with ribbon for gifts
Save to Pinterest There is something deeply satisfying about turning a simple cake mix into something that feels so indulgent and special.
Recipe Questions & Answers
- → How long do these truffles stay fresh?
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Store your truffles in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 5 days. The coating remains firm and the filling stays fresh when properly chilled.
- → Can I freeze these truffles?
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Yes, freeze the uncoated cake balls for up to 3 months. Thaw in the refrigerator before dipping in chocolate. Once coated, they can be frozen for 1-2 months.
- → What other chocolates work for coating?
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Dark chocolate, milk chocolate, or semi-sweet chips all create delicious coatings. White chocolate provides the classic look, but dark chocolate adds rich contrast to the red velvet.
- → Why is my coating cracking?
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Cracking occurs when the coating is too cold or the cake balls expand. Ensure truffles are chilled but not frozen, and let the melted chocolate cool slightly before dipping.
- → Can I make these gluten-free?
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Use a certified gluten-free red velvet cake mix and verify that your chocolate chips are manufactured in a gluten-free facility. The texture remains excellent with GF alternatives.
- → Do I need to make the cake from scratch?
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A boxed red velvet cake mix works perfectly and saves time. If you prefer homemade, prepare your favorite red velvet cake recipe and use it for the crumble base.
