Strawberry Cake Truffles
When you take a moment to gaze at those luscious strawberry cake truffles, the bright, pink swirls, and sprinkles almost leap out at you. As you bring one closer, the sweet aroma envelops you—think sun-ripened strawberries combined with fluffy cake and rich cream cheese. The texture is a dream, smooth but with a satisfying bite. Each truffle encapsulates the joy of summer and special occasions, making it a delightful treat for gatherings, picnics, or just because!
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I can’t help but recall the carefree days of my childhood, the warmth of the sun on my skin, and the laughter of friends. My grandmother would whip up the most incredible desserts, and these strawberry cake truffles remind me of those sweet afternoons spent in her kitchen. Whether it’s a birthday celebration or an impromptu treat, these truffles will make your heart sing! So, are you ready to create this joyful indulgence? Let’s dive into this Strawberry Cake Truffles Recipe together!
Why You’ll Love This Recipe
- Simple & Quick: This treat comes together in just about 30 minutes (plus chilling time), making it easy to whip up whenever a sweet craving strikes.
- Irresistible Flavor: Creamy, dreamy, and bursting with strawberry sweetness, these truffles are an explosion of flavor in every bite.
- Eye-Catching Appeal: The sprinkle-covered and drizzled surfaces make these truffles not just delicious but also a showstopper on any dessert table.
- Flexible Serving: Perfect for parties, snack time, or even as a sweeter breakfast option, they fit seamlessly into any occasion.
- Diet-Friendly Options: With a few substitutions, this recipe can be adapted to cater to gluten-free or vegan diets!
Ingredients You’ll Need
- Strawberry Cake Mix (15.25 ounces): A reliable brand, like Betty Crocker, gives a flavorful base for your truffles. Feel free to substitute with homemade strawberry cake for a personal touch.
- Cream Cheese (8 ounces): Softened to room temperature, this ingredient adds a rich creaminess. For a lighter version, consider using Neufchâtel cheese.
- Cream Cheese Chips (⅓ cup): Roughly chopped for texture, they enhance the cream cheese flavor. If unavailable, you could use white chocolate chips.
- Ghirardelli Vanilla Melting Wafers (2 – 10 oz bags): These melt effortlessly, providing a smooth coating. If you can’t find them, any good-quality vanilla chocolate will work.
- Wilton Pink Candy Melts (½ cup): Add a vibrant pop of color and complementary flavor. You could swap them with white chocolate colored with food dye if necessary.
- Wilton Bright Pink Candy Melts (½ cup): These give a beautiful hue for decorating. Again, feel free to swap with colored chocolate.
- Sprinkles (optional): I love adding sprinkles for that festive flair! Use any sprinkles that catch your eye.
How to Make Strawberry Cake Truffles Recipe
Preheat and Prepare: Start by preheating your oven to 350°F. While it’s heating, line a baking sheet with parchment paper. We need to bake the cake mix for just a few minutes to eliminate any bacteria. This is a crucial step to ensure our truffles are safe to enjoy!
Bake the Cake Mix: Spread the cake mix evenly on the prepared baking sheet and pop it into the oven for 5 minutes. Keep an eye on it—once it’s done, remove it from the oven and let it cool completely on a wire rack. You want it to be fragrant, just like a freshly baked cake!
Beat the Cream Cheese: While your cake mix cools, grab a mixing bowl and beat the softened cream cheese with a hand mixer on medium-high speed. You’re looking for a smooth, creamy consistency, which sets the stage for blending those flavors together beautifully.
Combine Cake Mix: Add the cooled cake mix to the bowl and gently fold it in using a rubber spatula. After a few folds, switch back to your hand mixer and mix until you achieve a dough-like consistency. I recommend folding at first to avoid a flour explosion!
Fold in Cream Cheese Chips: Once the dough is well-mixed, fold in the chopped cream cheese chips until they are evenly distributed throughout the mixture. This will give your truffles that extra creaminess and delightful sweetness.
Chill the Dough: Cover the bowl with plastic wrap and let the cake mix dough chill in the refrigerator for about 2 hours. This step helps the truffles hold their shape better and enhances the flavors.
Form the Balls: After chilling, line two baking sheets with parchment paper again. Use a 1 ½ tablespoon cookie scoop to portion out the dough, and roll each scoop into smooth balls with your hands. Allow them to sit for about 15 minutes to expand slightly; this helps prevent cracking during coating!
Prepare to Melt: Set up a double boiler on your stovetop over low heat to melt the vanilla melting wafers, or simply use a microwave-safe bowl. If using a microwave, warm in 30-second increments, stirring in between until you have a smooth, melted consistency. I prefer double boiling; it keeps the chocolate at the right temperature!
Dip the Truffles: Place one dough ball on a fork and dip it into the melted vanilla wafers entirely. Lift it out, and gently tap the fork against the edge of the bowl to remove excess coating. Then, place the coated truffles onto your lined baking sheet, ensuring there’s space (about 2 inches) between them.
Decorate with Sprinkles: Quickly, while the coating is still wet, sprinkle your choice of sprinkles on half of the coated truffles. They add a colorful and festive touch! For the other half, we’ll be using melted pink candy melts.
Prepare for Drizzling: Microwave the two pink candy melts in small piping bags until fully melted, being careful not to overheat. This usually takes just a couple of short bursts in the microwave, so keep an eye on them!
Drizzle Away: Once melted, cut a tiny tip from the piping bags and drizzle the contrasting pink melts over the remaining truffles. Get creative with your designs; it’s fun to mix and match!
Let Set: Allow the truffles to set completely at room temperature before serving. It’s worth the wait, so be patient and enjoy the delightful aroma filling your kitchen!
Storing & Reheating
Once you’ve indulged in these delightful truffles, storing them is essential for freshness! Keep your truffles at room temperature in an airtight container for about 1 week. If you need to store them longer, pop them in the fridge for up to 2 weeks. To freeze, line an airtight container with wax paper, place truffles in, and freeze for up to 3 months. When ready to enjoy again, let them thaw overnight in the fridge, then bring to room temperature. Just a heads-up—freezing may alter their texture slightly, but a quick dip in melted chocolate can bring back that indulgent feel.
Chef’s Helpful Tips
- Make sure your cream cheese is at room temperature; cold cream cheese is harder to mix smoothly.
- Don’t skip the chilling time; it’s crucial for the dough to firm up and hold its shape when rolling.
- If your dough feels too soft, consider chilling it longer to make rolling easier.
- Experiment with flavors! Add a splash of vanilla extract or a hint of almond extract to the dough for added depth.
- You can always customize the toppings—coconut flakes, chopped nuts, or even a drizzle of caramel sauce could be fun!
- Consider making these truffles ahead of an event; they keep beautifully!
With these delightful strawberry cake truffles, you not only get a taste of joy but also the satisfaction of creating something beautiful and delicious. The cream cheese mingles beautifully with the strawberry flavor, making your taste buds dance with delight. Don’t hesitate to experiment with colors and toppings, making each batch unique to you.
Enjoy every crumb and share the love with your family and friends!
Recipe FAQs
Can I use a different cake mix flavor?
Absolutely! Feel free to experiment with different cake flavors. Chocolate cake mix or vanilla can be fantastic alternatives, just remember to adjust your toppings accordingly to complement the new flavor profile!
How can I make this recipe gluten-free?
To adapt this recipe for gluten-free diets, use a certified gluten-free cake mix. The rest of the ingredients should be gluten-free as well; just double-check the labels of your melting chocolates and cream cheese.
How do I know when the truffles are set?
You can tell the truffles are set when the chocolate coating is firm to touch and no longer tacky. This usually takes about 30 minutes at room temperature. For quicker results, popping them in the fridge for a bit can speed things up!
Can I leave out the cream cheese chips?
Certainly! If you prefer a more classic instead of creamy texture, you can omit the cream cheese chips. However, they do enhance the taste of the truffles, so I recommend trying them at least once!
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📖 Recipe Card
Strawberry Cake Truffles
- Prep Time: 30 minutes
- Cook Time: 5 minutes
- Total Time: 35 minutes
- Yield: 24 truffles
- Category: Dessert
- Method: Baking and Refrigeration
- Cuisine: American
Description
These Strawberry Cake Truffles are a delightful treat, bursting with strawberry flavor and easy to make. Perfect for parties, gatherings, or a sweet snack!
Ingredients
- Strawberry Cake Mix (15.25 ounces)
- Cream Cheese (8 ounces)
- Cream Cheese Chips (⅓ cup)
- Ghirardelli Vanilla Melting Wafers (2 – 10 oz bags)
- Wilton Pink Candy Melts (½ cup)
- Wilton Bright Pink Candy Melts (½ cup)
- Sprinkles (optional)
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 350°F and line a baking sheet with parchment paper.
- Spread the cake mix on the baking sheet and bake for 5 minutes.
- Let the cake mix cool completely on a wire rack.
- Beat softened cream cheese until smooth.
- Mix in the cooled cake mix and combine until a dough forms.
- Fold in the chopped cream cheese chips.
- Chill the dough in the refrigerator for 2 hours.
- Form the dough into balls and let sit for 15 minutes.
- Melt vanilla melting wafers until smooth, dip truffles, and place on lined baking sheet.
- Decorate with sprinkles and drizzle melted pink candy melts on truffles.
- Allow the truffles to set at room temperature before serving.
Notes
Use softened cream cheese for easy mixing.
Chill the dough to help maintain shape when rolling.
Customize toppings to fit your taste preferences.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 truffle
- Calories: 150
- Sugar: 12g
- Sodium: 100mg
- Fat: 7g
- Saturated Fat: 3.5g
- Unsaturated Fat: 2g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 20g
- Fiber: 0g
- Protein: 2g
- Cholesterol: 15mg
