Name: Cake Ball Ornaments Recipe
Prep time: 25 min
Cook time: 30 min
Total time: 2 h 15 min
Cuisine: American
Ingredients: Cooking spray, for greasing; 1 (15.25-oz.) box red velvet cake mix, plus ingredients called for on box (usually eggs, oil, and water); 4 oz. cream cheese, softened; 4 tbsp. unsalted butter, softened; 1 1/2 cups (170 g) confectioners’ sugar; 1/2 tsp pure vanilla extract; Kosher salt, a pinch; 1/4 cup Frosted Cheerios (about 70 pieces); 1 (12-oz.) bag green candy melts, melted; 1 (12-oz.) bag red candy melts, melted; 2 (12-oz.) bags white candy melts, melted; Sanding sugar, for decorating

Ingredients

Cooking spray

1 (15.25-oz.) box red velvet cake mix, plus ingredients called for on box

4 oz. cream cheese, softened

4 tbsp. unsalted butter, softened

1 1/2 cups (170 g) confectioners’ sugar

1/2 tsp pure vanilla extract

Kosher salt (a pinch)

1/4 cup Frosted Cheerios (about 70 pieces)

1 (12-oz.) bag green candy melts, melted

1 (12-oz.) bag red candy melts, melted

2 (12-oz.) bags white candy melts, melted

Sanding sugar, for decorating

Instructions

Step 1: Preheat oven to 350°F. Grease a 13″ x 9″ baking pan with cooking spray. In a large bowl, prepare the red velvet cake mix according to the package directions. Pour the batter into the prepared pan.

Step 2: Bake the cake for 25 to 30 minutes, or until a tester inserted into the center comes out clean. Allow the cake to cool completely.

Step 3: In a large bowl, beat the softened cream cheese and butter together using a handheld mixer on medium-high speed until light and fluffy, about 2 to 3 minutes.

Step 4: Add the confectioners’ sugar and beat until combined. Mix in the vanilla extract and a pinch of kosher salt.

Step 5: Crumble the cooled cake into the frosting mixture and stir until fully combined. Shape the mixture into 1 1/2-inch balls (about 34 total). Place the cake balls on a baking sheet and refrigerate until firm, about 1 hour.

Step 6: To make the ornament hooks, arrange 34 Frosted Cheerios flat on a baking sheet. Dip the bottom of one remaining cereal piece into melted white candy and attach it upright to the center of a flat cereal piece. Repeat with the others.

Step 7: Dip one-third of the cake balls into melted green candy melts, one-third into melted red candy melts, and the remaining third into melted white candy melts. Tap off any excess coating. Before the candy hardens, sprinkle some of the balls with sanding sugar. Let set on the baking sheet for 15 to 20 minutes.

Step 8: Transfer three-quarters of the remaining melted white candy to a resealable plastic bag and cut a tiny corner off. Pipe decorative designs onto the cake balls and sprinkle with sanding sugar before the candy hardens.

Step 9: Dip the bottom of each hook into the remaining white candy (reheat if necessary) and attach to the top of each cake ball to complete the ornament look.

Tips & Variations

Use different colored candy melts to customize the ornaments to match your holiday décor.

For sturdier hooks, you can use edible ornament hangers instead of cereal pieces.

If you don’t have sanding sugar, granulated sugar works in a pinch for decoration.

Chill the cake balls longer if they are too soft for dipping to avoid breaking.

FAQs

Can I make these cake balls with a different cake flavor?

Yes, you can substitute the red velvet cake mix with any cake mix of your choice; just adjust decorations and candy melt colors to suit the flavor and occasion.

How do I prevent the candy coating from cracking?

Make sure the cake balls are well chilled before dipping and allow excess candy to drip off before setting. Avoid touching the coating until fully hardened to prevent cracks and fingerprints.