Get ready to transform your holiday dessert table with these adorable and irresistible Christmas Tree Cake Balls! Imagine bite-sized chocolate cake treats dressed up in vibrant green candy coating, sparkling with festive sprinkles, and looking just like miniature Christmas trees. These delightful treats are not just a dessert—they're an experience that will bring joy, whimsy, and a touch of culinary magic to your holiday celebrations. Perfect for parties, family gatherings, or as a fun baking activity with kids, these cake balls are about to become your new favorite seasonal sensation!
Prep Time: 30 mins
Cook Time: 25 mins
Total Time: 55 mins
Cuisine: American
Serves: 30 cake balls
Ingredients
- 1 box chocolate cake mix
- Ingredients for cake mix (water, oil, eggs)
- 1 can (16 oz) chocolate frosting
- 1 package (12 oz) green candy melts
- Sprinkles for decoration
- 30 lollipop sticks
Instructions
- Prepare the cake mix according to package directions in a 9x13 inch baking pan. Allow cake to cool completely at room temperature for approximately 1 hour.
- Crumble the cooled chocolate cake into a large mixing bowl, ensuring no large chunks remain. The cake should resemble fine crumbs.
- Add the entire can of chocolate frosting to the crumbled cake. Mix thoroughly using a spatula or clean hands until the mixture becomes a uniform, moldable consistency.
- Cover a baking sheet with parchment paper. Using your hands, roll the cake mixture into uniform balls approximately
- 5 inches in diameter. Place each ball on the prepared baking sheet.
- Insert a lollipop stick into the center of each cake ball, pressing gently but firmly to ensure stability. Refrigerate the cake balls for 15-20 minutes to firm up.
- Melt the green candy melts in a microwave-safe bowl, heating in 30-second intervals and stirring between each interval until smooth and fully melted.
- Remove cake balls from refrigerator. Dip each ball into the melted green candy coating, ensuring complete and even coverage. Gently tap off excess coating.
- Place the coated cake balls back on the parchment paper. While the coating is still wet, sprinkle with festive holiday sprinkles to create a decorative tree-like appearance.
- Allow cake balls to set at room temperature for 10-15 minutes until the candy coating hardens completely.
- Optional: For additional decoration, use white or silver sprinkles to create a "snow" effect or add small candy star decorations at the top of each "tree".
- Store cake balls in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 5 days. Allow to come to room temperature before serving.
Tips
- Ensure your cake is completely cooled before crumbling to prevent a sticky mixture.
- Use clean hands when mixing cake and frosting for the most even consistency.
- Refrigerate cake balls before dipping to help them maintain their shape during coating.
- Melt candy melts slowly and stir frequently to prevent burning.
- Work quickly when adding sprinkles to ensure they stick to the wet candy coating.
- Use a deep, narrow container for easier candy melt dipping.
- For a smoother coating, let excess candy melt drip off before placing on parchment paper.
- Experiment with different sprinkle colors for unique tree designs.
- Keep cake balls refrigerated to maintain their shape and freshness.
- Let cake balls sit at room temperature for 10-15 minutes before serving for the best texture.
Nutrition Facts
Calories: 131kcal
Carbohydrates: 20g
Protein: 1g
Fat: 5g
Saturated Fat: 2g
Cholesterol: 0mg
