Description
Celebrate in style with these delightful Patriotic Chocolate Cake Balls, perfect for any festive occasion. These bite-sized treats combine rich chocolate cake with a creamy vanilla frosting, coated in vibrant red, white, and blue sprinkles for a fun, eye-catching presentation. Ideal for parties, potlucks, or holiday celebrations, these cake balls are easy to make and sure to impress your guests with their patriotic charm.
Ingredients
Cake Balls
- 1/2 cup granulated sugar
- 1/4 cup unsweetened dark cocoa powder
- 1/4 teaspoon baking soda
- 1/8 teaspoon kosher salt
- 10 ½ tablespoons (2/3 cup) unsalted butter, softened
- 1 large egg
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 1 ¼ cups all-purpose flour
- 1 cup red, white, and blue sprinkles
Frosting
- 8 tablespoons (1 stick) unsalted butter, softened
- 1 to 1 ½ cups powdered sugar
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- Red and blue icing color
Instructions
- Prepare the Cake Mixture: In a mixing bowl, combine 1/2 cup granulated sugar, 1/4 cup unsweetened dark cocoa powder, 1/4 teaspoon baking soda, and 1/8 teaspoon kosher salt. Add 10 ½ tablespoons of softened unsalted butter and mix thoroughly. Incorporate 1 large egg and 1 teaspoon vanilla extract, blending until smooth. Gradually stir in 1 ¼ cups all-purpose flour until fully combined into a batter.
- Bake or Cook the Cake: Although the original instructions don’t specify baking details, typically cake mix is baked at 350°F (175°C) for about 20–25 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted comes out clean. Allow the cake to cool completely before proceeding.
- Make the Frosting: In a separate bowl, beat 8 tablespoons of softened unsalted butter until creamy. Gradually add between 1 and 1 ½ cups powdered sugar and 1 teaspoon vanilla extract, mixing continuously until smooth and fluffy. Divide the frosting into portions and tint with red and blue icing colors as desired.
- Form Cake Balls: Crumble the cooled cake into fine crumbs using your hands or a fork. Mix in frosting gradually until the mixture holds together but is not overly sticky. Roll the mixture into small, bite-sized balls.
- Decorate and Chill: Roll each cake ball in red, white, and blue sprinkles, pressing gently to adhere. Place the decorated cake balls on a baking sheet lined with parchment paper and refrigerate for at least 1 hour to set.
- Serve: Once firm, arrange the patriotic cake balls on a platter. Enjoy these festive treats at your next celebration!
Notes
- Ensure the cake is completely cooled before crumbling to avoid a gummy texture in the cake balls.
- Adjust the amount of frosting to get the right consistency for rolling.
- You can use store-bought cake mix and frosting as a shortcut if desired.
- Refrigerate cake balls in an airtight container and consume within 3-4 days for best freshness.
- For added flavor, consider mixing in a teaspoon of liqueur or espresso powder to the frosting.
