Strawberry Cake Truffles
Strawberry Cake Truffles are delightful bite-sized treats that capture the essence of spring with every creamy morsel. These truffles combine the vibrant flavor of strawberry cake with a smooth cream cheese center, all elegantly coated in luscious vanilla melts. Each one is a perfect balance of sweetness and rich texture, making them a crowd-pleaser for any occasion. Whether you’re hosting a birthday party, celebrating an anniversary, or simply indulging in a sweet craving, these truffles are irresistible and sure to impress your guests.
Table of Contents
I remember the first time I made these Strawberry Cake Truffles. I had a craving for something sweet but didn’t want a heavy dessert. The vibrant pink color and the delightful taste reminded me of those luscious summer days filled with sun and laughter. As soon as I brought these beauties to the table, friends couldn’t resist reaching for more. This simple yet stunning treat has become a staple in my dessert repertoire. With their charming presentation, tasty flavor, and easy preparation, I can’t wait for you to experience the joy of making them too!
Why You’ll Love This Recipe
- Simple & Quick: These truffles come together in just a few hours, including chilling time.
- Irresistible Flavor: The strawberry and cream cheese blend creates a creamy, fruity experience that’s hard to resist.
- Eye-Catching Appeal: They look adorable with their pops of pink and festive sprinkles, perfect for any celebration.
- Flexible Serving: Enjoy them as a treat for afternoon snacks, dessert at gatherings, or even a sweet breakfast bite.
- Diet-Friendly Options: A gluten-free cake mix can easily replace the standard mix for those avoiding gluten.
Ingredients You’ll Need
- 15.25 ounce strawberry cake mix (I used Betty Crocker): This forms the base of the truffles, ensuring a rich strawberry flavor. You can substitute it with a gluten-free cake mix if needed.
- 8 ounce block cream cheese (softened to room temperature): Provides a creamy texture that beautifully complements the cake mix. Use full-fat cream cheese for the best flavor.
- ⅓ cup cream cheese chips (roughly chopped): These add bursts of creamy richness. White chocolate chips can be a substitute if you can’t find cream cheese chips.
- 2 10 oz bags Ghirardelli vanilla melting wafers: Perfect for coating your truffles. You can use chocolate melting wafers or almond bark for a different flavor.
- ½ cup Wilton pink candy melts: These give the truffles a vibrant pink drizzle. If unavailable, you can color white chocolate with candy coloring or skip this step altogether.
- ½ cup Wilton bright pink candy melts: Adds a fun, bright contrast in color; feel free to use only one color or mix it up with sprinkles.
- Sprinkles (optional): They provide a fun finishing touch—perfect for special occasions or to elevate your presentation.
How to Make Strawberry Cake Truffles Recipe
Preheat the Oven: Begin by preheating your oven to 350°F. This step is essential for heat treating the cake mix to eliminate any bacteria.
Bake the Cake Mix: Spread the 15.25 ounces of strawberry cake mix onto a lined baking sheet. Bake for 5 minutes, then remove it from the oven and let it cool completely on a wire rack.
Mix the Cream Cheese: While the cake mix cools, take your 8-ounce block of softened cream cheese and place it in a medium mixing bowl. Using a hand mixer on medium-high speed, beat it until it becomes smooth and creamy—this should only take a minute or two.
Combine the Mixtures: Fold the cooled cake mix into the bowl with the cream cheese using a rubber spatula a few times to prevent a floury mess. Then, mix these together with your hand mixer on medium-high speed until fully combined and a dough-like consistency forms.
Incorporate Cream Cheese Chips: Gently fold in ⅓ cup of roughly chopped cream cheese chips until they’re evenly distributed throughout the dough—this adds those creamy pockets of flavor.
Chill the Mixture: Cover the bowl with plastic wrap and place it in the refrigerator. Allow the dough to chill for 2 hours. This step helps to firm up the mixture, making it easier to form truffles later.
Shape the Dough: Once chilled, line two baking sheets with parchment paper. Using a 1½ tablespoon cookie scoop, scoop your dough onto the baking sheets. Roll each scoop into smooth balls with your hands and allow them to expand for about 15 minutes—this precaution helps prevent cracking during coating.
Melt the Wafers: Prepare a double boiler on your stovetop to melt the 2 bags of Ghirardelli vanilla melting wafers over low heat. You can also use the microwave by heating the wafers in 30-second intervals, stirring in between, until fully melted. I prefer the double boiler method for a smoother melting process.
Coat the Dough Balls: Taking one dough ball, place it on a fork and dip it into the melted vanilla wafers until fully coated. Lift it out, letting any excess coating drip off into the bowl or pot. Carefully place the coated balls back onto your lined baking sheets, spacing them about 2 inches apart.
Sprinkle: Before the coating dries, feel free to sprinkle your chosen sprinkles on top of half of the prepared dough balls for an extra touch of fun!
Melt the Pink Candy Melts: Place the two colors of Wilton pink candy melts into separate small microwave-safe piping bags. Microwave on a low setting until fully melted, then cut a small tip off the bags.
Drizzle the Coating: Drizzle the melted pink candy melts over the remaining coated cake balls for that playful pop of color.
Set and Serve: Allow the truffles to set completely before serving. Once they are firm, enjoy your delightful Strawberry Cake Truffles!
Storing & Reheating
To savor your Strawberry Cake Truffles longer, store them in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 3 days. For more extended storage, refrigerate them for up to a week. If you choose to freeze, place them in a freezer-safe container and they can stay fresh for up to 3 months. When ready to enjoy, simply let them thaw at room temperature. Keep in mind that the texture and flavor may slightly change after freezing, but a brief return to room temperature usually refreshes them nicely.
Chef’s Helpful Tips
- Make sure your cream cheese is soft; letting it sit out for about 30 minutes before mixing will yield better results.
- Avoid overmixing the dough, especially after adding the cake mix, to keep the texture light.
- If the dough becomes too sticky while shaping, chilling for another 15 minutes can make it easier to work with.
- Experiment with different sprinkles or toppings to tailor your truffles to any occasion—chocolate drizzles or nut toppings can add exciting variations!
- Consider making a double batch—these truffles disappear quickly, and they’ll make great gifts as well.
Strawberry Cake Truffles are more than just a treat; they are an experience filled with flavor, color, and fun. Each bite brings a burst of sweetness that will remind you of summer days and joyful moments. Whether you’re sharing these with friends or enjoying them all to yourself, don’t hesitate to experiment with the presentation and flavors. Take a moment to savor each bite and embrace the joy of homemade delights. Enjoy!
Recipe FAQs
Can I use a different flavor of cake mix?
Absolutely! Feel free to swap the strawberry cake mix for another flavor such as vanilla, chocolate, or even lemon. Just keep in mind that the overall taste will change, but it will still be delicious!
How do I prevent cracking in the chocolate coating?
To prevent cracking, allow the truffle balls to rest and expand for about 15 minutes before coating them. Additionally, using a slightly thicker coating of melted wafers can help seal in the moisture and prevent cracks from forming as they cool.
Can I make these in advance?
Yes, you can definitely make these truffles a day or two in advance. Just store them in an airtight container in the refrigerator to keep them fresh. They can also be frozen for up to three months, allowing you to enjoy them later!
What can I use instead of cream cheese?
If you want a different flavor, you can substitute the cream cheese with a mascarpone cheese, which offers a similar creamy texture. Alternatively, you could use a dairy-free cream cheese if you’re looking for a vegan option!
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📖 Recipe Card
Strawberry Cake Truffles
- Prep Time: 2 hours (chill time not included)
- Cook Time: 5 minutes
- Total Time: 2 hours 5 minutes
- Yield: 20 truffles 1x
- Category: Desserts
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
Description
These Strawberry Cake Truffles are a delightful treat made with strawberry cake mix and cream cheese. Perfect for parties or a sweet snack, these truffles are easy to whip up and packed with flavor. Treat yourself and your loved ones to a bite of this deliciousness!
Ingredients
- 15.25 ounce strawberry cake mix
- 8 ounce block cream cheese softened to room temperature
- ⅓ cup cream cheese chips roughly chopped
- 2 10 oz bags ghirardelli vanilla melting wafers
- ½ cup wilton pink candy melts
- ½ cup wilton bright pink candy melts
- Sprinkles optional
Instructions
- Preheat the oven to 350°F and line a baking sheet with parchment paper. Bake the cake mix on the sheet for 5 minutes to heat treat it and eliminate bacteria, then let it cool completely on a wire rack.
- While the cake mix cools, beat the softened cream cheese in a medium bowl with a hand mixer on medium-high speed until smooth.
- Fold in the cooled cake mix with a rubber spatula, then mix until a dough forms using the hand mixer.
- Gently fold in the cream cheese chips until well distributed.
- Cover the dough with plastic wrap and refrigerate for 2 hours to chill.
- Line two baking sheets with parchment paper. Scoop the dough with a 1 ½ tablespoon cookie scoop and roll into balls. Let them sit for about 15 minutes to expand, preventing cracking when coating.
- Melt the vanilla wafers in a double boiler over low heat or in a microwave-safe bowl in 30-second increments, stirring in between, until fully melted.
- Dip each dough ball into the melted vanilla wafers using a fork. Tap off excess coating and place on the lined baking sheet. Sprinkle half with your choice of sprinkles before the coating sets.
- Melt the pink candy melts in separate microwave-safe piping bags. Cut a tiny tip off the bags and drizzle over the remaining un-sprinkled coated cake balls.
- Allow all to set completely before serving.
Notes
Ensure the cake mix is thoroughly cooled before mixing with the cream cheese to achieve the best texture.
You can use different colors of melting wafers for a festive look, perfect for parties or celebrations.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 truffle
- Calories: 120
- Sugar: 10g
- Sodium: 50mg
- Fat: 7g
- Saturated Fat: 3g
- Unsaturated Fat: 4g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 14g
- Fiber: 0g
- Protein: 1g
- Cholesterol: 15mg
