Description
Delightfully festive and colorful Cake Ball Ornaments made with moist red velvet cake crumbled into a creamy cream cheese mixture, coated in vibrant candy melts, and decorated with sanding sugar and Cheerios hooks to resemble holiday ornaments. Perfect for holiday parties and gifting.
Ingredients
Scale
Cake Balls
- 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
Decorations and Coating
- 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
- Prepare Cake: Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C) and 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 evenly.
- Bake Cake: Bake until a tester inserted into the center comes out clean, about 25 to 30 minutes. Allow the cake to cool completely to room temperature.
- Make Cream Cheese Frosting: In a large bowl, use a handheld mixer on medium-high speed to beat the softened cream cheese and butter until light and fluffy, about 2 to 3 minutes. Gradually add the confectioners’ sugar and beat until combined smoothly. Mix in vanilla extract and a pinch of kosher salt.
- Combine Cake and Frosting: Crumble the cooled cake into the bowl with the frosting. Mix thoroughly to create a moist, moldable mixture.
- Form Cake Balls: Shape the mixture into 1 1/2-inch balls, approximately 34 total. Place them on a baking sheet and refrigerate until firm, about 1 hour.
- Make Cereal Hooks: Arrange 34 Frosted Cheerios flat on a baking sheet. Take the remaining cereal pieces and hold one upright; dip the bottom into melted white candy melts and attach it to the center of a flat cereal piece to create hooks. Repeat with all pieces and let set.
- Coat Cake Balls: Dip about one-third of the cake balls into melted green candy melts, another third into melted red candy melts, and the final third into melted white candy melts, tapping off the excess coating each time. Before the candy sets, sprinkle some with sanding sugar for extra sparkle. Return to the baking sheet and let the candy coating set for 15 to 20 minutes.
- Decorate Cake Balls: Transfer 3/4 of the remaining melted white candy to a resealable plastic bag and cut off a tiny corner. Pipe decorative designs onto the coated cake balls. Sprinkle with sanding sugar before the candy hardens.
- Attach Hooks: Dip the bottom of each cereal hook into the remaining melted white candy (reheat if necessary), and press it gently onto the top of each decorated cake ball to create a festive ornament look.
Notes
- Make sure the cake is completely cooled before mixing with the cream cheese frosting to prevent melting the frosting.
- Use a small cookie scoop or spoon to form uniform cake balls for even baking and decoration.
- The Frosted Cheerios are used to create edible ornament hooks, giving a charming and practical finishing touch.
- Melt candy melts gently in a microwave or double boiler to avoid scorching.
- Refrigerate cake balls after assembling to help them hold their shape and keep candy melts firm.
- You can store completed cake ball ornaments in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 5 days.
- Prep Time: 30 minutes
- Cook Time: 30 minutes
- Category: Dessert
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
Keywords: cake balls, red velvet cake, cream cheese frosting, candy melts, holiday desserts, festive treats, Christmas ornaments, no-bake decorations
