Strawberry Cake Truffles
Imagine biting into a blissful morsel of cake, the delightful aroma of fresh strawberries wafting through the air, silky cream cheese melding perfectly with smooth vanilla coating. It’s a sweet experience that makes every moment feel special. Strawberry Cake Truffles offer that charming sweetness and nostalgia with each delicious bite. I still remember the first time I made these little treasures for a summer picnic, and how everyone couldn’t resist asking for more.
Table of Contents
These truffles are perfect for celebrating life’s special moments—birthdays, bridal showers, or simply sunny afternoons spent with friends. Whether you’re savoring them solo or sharing with loved ones, these truffles create happy memories worth savoring. Get ready to add a splash of color and sweetness to your gatherings by whipping up a batch of these delightful treats!
Why You’ll Love This Recipe
- Simple & Quick: You can whip up these delectable truffles in about 30 minutes (plus chilling time)!
- Irresistible Flavor: The rich strawberry and cream cheese blend to create a divine taste with every bite.
- Eye-Catching Appeal: Their vibrant colors and fun sprinkles make them perfect for parties or just for fun.
- Flexible Serving: Enjoy them as dessert, an afternoon snack, or a crowd-pleasing treat at celebrations.
- Diet-Friendly Options: You can easily tweak ingredients for gluten-free or vegan versions if desired.
Ingredients You’ll Need
- Strawberry Cake Mix (15.25 ounces): I recommend using Betty Crocker for its delicious flavor profile. It forms the foundation of our truffle filling. If you prefer, you could substitute with any other brand or a homemade version.
- Cream Cheese (8 ounces): Use a full-fat block and let it soften to room temperature. Cream cheese provides the rich, creamy texture and flavor that truly elevates these truffles.
- Cream Cheese Chips (⅓ cup): Roughly chopped, these add extra creaminess and a delightful bite. If unavailable, you can substitute with white chocolate chips.
- Ghirardelli Vanilla Melting Wafers (2 10 oz bags): These give a smooth coating. Alternatively, use good quality white chocolate; just be mindful of melting properly.
- Wilton Pink and Bright Pink Candy Melts (½ cup each): These are perfect for finishing touches. If you can’t find them, feel free to use any color of candy melts or even food coloring.
- Sprinkles (optional): Use as a fun decoration; they may be essential for that festive touch and to add a pop of color.
How to Make Strawberry Cake Truffles Recipe
Preheat and Prepare: Begin by preheating your oven to 350°F. Line a baking sheet with parchment paper to make cleanup a breeze. You’ll need to heat treat the cake mix to eliminate any potential bacteria. Simply spread the cake mix evenly across the prepared baking sheet and bake for 5 minutes. Let it cool completely on a wire rack before moving on.
Beat Cream Cheese: While your cake mix cools, grab a medium mixing bowl and let’s get creamy! Add the softened cream cheese to the bowl and beat it using a hand mixer at medium-high speed until it’s smooth and creamy. This step is crucial because the cream cheese brings the truffles to life with its rich flavor.
Combine Ingredients: Once your cake mix has cooled, add it to your bowl of whipped cream cheese. Start folding them together gently with a rubber spatula; this helps avoid a flour explosion! After a few folds, mix on medium-high speed until you achieve a dough-like consistency. You’ll know it’s ready once it holds together nicely.
Add Cream Cheese Chips: Carefully fold in the cream cheese chips until evenly distributed throughout your dough. This extra touch adds delightful pockets of creaminess that make every bite of your **Strawberry Cake Truffles** a joy.
Chill the Dough: Now, cover the cake mix dough with plastic wrap and let it chill in the refrigerator for about 2 hours. This ensures it firms up enough to roll without falling apart. While you wait, you might just find a little time for a coffee break – you deserve it!
Form the Truffles: After chilling, line two baking sheets with parchment paper again. Using a 1½ tablespoon cookie scoop, portion out the dough and place them on the baking sheets. With your hands, roll each portion into smooth, uniform balls. Oh, and don’t forget to let them sit for about 15 minutes so they can expand a bit; this reduces the risk of cracking later on!
Melt Vanilla Wafers: Get your double boiler ready (or a microwave-safe bowl if you prefer). Melt the Ghirardelli vanilla melting wafers over low heat, stirring until smooth. If you choose the microwave, do it in 30-second increments, stirring in between. Consistency is key here; you want those wafers to be velvety.
Coat the Truffles: Grab a fork, and using it, dip one dough ball into the melted vanilla wafers, ensuring it’s fully coated. Lift it out, tapping gently against the bowl to remove excess coating; a good shake helps too. Place the coated truffle back onto the lined baking sheet with enough space (about 2 inches!) between each one to ensure they don’t stick together.
Add Fun Toppings: Before the coating sets, take a moment to sprinkle fun sprinkles on half of your truffles for that playful touch! It’s a small step that can bring a whole lot of joy to the finished product.
Melt the Candy Melts: Place the pink candy melts into two separate microwave-safe piping bags. Microwave each bag on a low setting until fully melted. Once melted, carefully cut a small piece of the tip and drizzle the vibrant melts over the remaining coated truffles, adding a cheerful flair.
Set and Enjoy: Allow your gorgeous **Strawberry Cake Truffles** to set completely before indulging. The wait is torturous, but trust me—your patience will pay off. Enjoy these little bites of happiness!
Storing & Reheating
You can keep your Strawberry Cake Truffles at room temperature for about 3-4 days if stored in an airtight container. For longer-lasting freshness, store them in the refrigerator; they’ll stay good for up to 1 week. If you’re looking to keep them for a while, freezing is a great option: just place the truffles in a freezer-safe container and they can last for up to 3 months. When you’re ready to enjoy again, thaw them in the refrigerator and allow them to come to room temperature for the best flavor and texture.
Chef’s Helpful Tips
- Avoid overmixing when combining the cream cheese and cake mix, as this can affect texture.
- Make sure your cream cheese is at room temperature for smooth blending.
- If your coating cracks, try letting the dough balls chill longer before dipping them.
- Want a hint of citrus? Add a splash of lemon juice to the batter for a refreshing twist.
- These truffles can be made ahead of time and stored for a last-minute treat, perfect for unexpected guests!
Recipe FAQs
Can I use a different flavor of cake mix?
Absolutely! Feel free to experiment with other cake mix flavors, such as vanilla or lemon. Just remember to adjust any complementary flavors accordingly, ensuring the cream cheese paired with your chosen cake mix still creates a delightful balance.
What are good storage options for these truffles?
Storing your truffles in an airtight container is key. Room temperature storage is typically fine for a few days. If you seek longevity, refrigerate them for up to a week or freeze them and enjoy for up to three months. Just remember to let them thaw before enjoying!
Can I make these truffles vegan?
Yes! For a vegan version, substitute the cream cheese for a plant-based alternative, use a vegan cake mix, and replace the melting wafers with vegan chocolate or candy melts. Just check the labels, and you’ll be good to go!
What can I do if my coating is too thick?
If your coating is on the thicker side, gently warming your melting wafers may help. Stir in a teaspoon of vegetable oil to thin them out, making it easier to dip and coat your truffles evenly. Enjoy the painting process!
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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: No-Bake
- Cuisine: American
Description
These Strawberry Cake Truffles are bursting with flavor! With rich cream cheese and a touch of sweetness, they are a delightful treat for any occasion, perfect for parties or a simple afternoon 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 and Bright Pink Candy Melts (½ cup each)
- Sprinkles (optional)
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 350°F and bake cake mix for 5 minutes; let cool.
- Beat softened cream cheese until smooth.
- Combine cooled cake mix and cream cheese; mix to a dough-like consistency.
- Fold in cream cheese chips.
- Chill dough for 2 hours in the refrigerator.
- Form dough into balls and let sit for 15 minutes.
- Melt vanilla wafers; dip each truffle to coat.
- Sprinkle with toppings before coating sets.
- Melt candy melts and drizzle over truffles.
- Let truffles set completely before serving.
Notes
These truffles can be made in advance and stored in an airtight container.
For the best flavor, let the truffles come to room temperature before serving.
Experiment with different cake mix flavors for a variety of tastes.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 truffle
- Calories: 150
- Sugar: 16g
- Sodium: 100mg
- Fat: 7g
- Saturated Fat: 4g
- Unsaturated Fat: 2g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 20g
- Fiber: 0g
- Protein: 1g
- Cholesterol: 15mg
