Make small green cake balls to celebrate St. Patrick’s Day. They are fun, sweet, and easy to share.
introduction
These St Patrick’s Day Cake Balls are small, green, and perfect for a party. You bake a simple cake, mix it with frosting, roll into balls, dip in white chocolate, and add sprinkles. For more simple recipe ideas that travel well to parties, see the best Moroccan salmon recipe for another easy dish.
why make this recipe
This recipe is quick and uses a boxed cake mix. You can make many cake balls fast. Kids and adults like them. They look festive and need little cleanup.
how to make St Patrick’s Day Cake Balls
Make the cake, cool it, make the frosting, and mix both to form dough. Chill the dough, roll into balls, melt white chocolate, dip each ball, and add sprinkles. Chill again until set.
Ingredients :
1 package white or yellow cake mix, 1 cup water, ½ cup oil, 3 eggs, Green food coloring, 4 cups powdered sugar, 1 cup unsalted butter, softened, 1 teaspoon vanilla, 1 teaspoon salt, 3 tablespoons milk, 2 cups white chocolate chips or candy melts, 3 tablespoons St. Patrick’s Day themed sprinkles
Directions :
Preheat the oven to 350 degrees. Spray or line a 13×9 cake pan. Set aside.
In the bowl of a stand mixer, combine the cake mix, water, oil and eggs. Mix thoroughly, scraping down the sides often.
Transfer the batter to the prepared baking dish and bake in the preheated oven for 30-35 minutes or until the center is set. Allow to cool completely.
For the frosting – in the bowl of a stand mixer, combine about half of the powdered sugar with the softened butter, vanilla and salt.
Mix on low speed until combined, scraping the sides often.
Add in the remaining powdered sugar and the milk. Mix on low until combined. Scrape down the sides and then mix on medium speed for about a minute or until the frosting is fluffy and smooth.
Once the cake is cool, break it into pieces and transfer to the bowl of a stand mixer.
Add in about 1 cup of the frosting (you can always add more if the cake appears dry and doesn’t stick together when pressed).
Using the paddle attachment, mix the crumbled up cake and the frosting on low just until combined.
Use a small ice cream scoop or a tablespoon to measure out and roll the dough into small balls.
Line on a sheet of parchment until all the dough is rolled out.
Transfer the dough to the fridge or freezer and allow to chill for about 15-30 or until firm.
Just prior to removing the dough balls from the fridge/freezer, melt the white chocolate.
Place the white chocolate / candy melts in a medium microwave safe bowl and heat in 30 second increments. Stir until smooth.
Remove the dough and use a spoon to dip one cake ball in the melted white chocolate at a time.
Carefully tap the excess white chocolate along the side of the bowl and transfer the dipped cake ball back to the parchment.
Immediately sprinkle with the St. Patrick’s themed sprinkles. White chocolate sets fast, especially on a chilled dough.
If dough begins falling apart, consider adding more frosting and/or chilling again to firm up the dough.
how to serve St Patrick’s Day Cake Balls
Serve them on a plate or in paper cups. Keep them cold until ready to eat. They work well on a dessert table and as party favors.
how to store St Patrick’s Day Cake Balls
Store in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 5 days. You can freeze them for up to 2 months; thaw in the fridge before serving.
tips to make St Patrick’s Day Cake Balls
- Chill the cake balls well before dipping. Cold balls hold shape and give a smooth coating.
- Use a small scoop for even sizes.
- If coating looks thin, reheat the chocolate in short bursts and stir.
- Add a few drops of green food coloring to the frosting for a brighter center if you like.
variation (if any)
- Use milk or dark chocolate instead of white for a different look.
- Add a teaspoon of mint extract to the frosting for a minty flavor.
- Roll some in crushed cookies or coconut instead of dipping.
FAQs
Q: Can I use homemade cake instead of box cake mix?
A: Yes. Use one baked 9×13 cake cooled and crumbled.
Q: How do I keep cake balls from falling apart while dipping?
A: Chill them well. If they fall apart, add more frosting and chill again.
Q: Can I bake the cake ahead of time?
A: Yes. Bake and cool the cake a day ahead. Store wrapped in the fridge.
Q: Do I need candy melts or can I use white chocolate chips?
A: You can use white chocolate chips. Candy melts melt easier, but chips work fine if melted slowly.
Q: How do I make them extra green inside?
A: Add more green food coloring to the cake batter or to the frosting before mixing.
St. Patrick’s Day Cake Balls
- Prep Time: 30 minutes
- Cook Time: 35 minutes
- Total Time: 1 hour 5 minutes
- Yield: 24 servings 1x
- Category: Dessert
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
- Diet: Vegetarian
Description
These festive cake balls are easy to make, perfect for sharing, and bring a sweet touch to any St. Patrick’s Day celebration.
Ingredients
- 1 package white or yellow cake mix
- 1 cup water
- ½ cup oil
- 3 eggs
- Green food coloring
- 4 cups powdered sugar
- 1 cup unsalted butter, softened
- 1 teaspoon vanilla
- 1 teaspoon salt
- 3 tablespoons milk
- 2 cups white chocolate chips or candy melts
- 3 tablespoons St. Patrick’s Day themed sprinkles
Instructions
- Preheat the oven to 350°F. Spray or line a 13×9 cake pan. Set aside.
- Combine cake mix, water, oil, and eggs in a stand mixer. Mix thoroughly.
- Transfer the batter to the prepared baking dish and bake for 30-35 minutes or until set. Allow to cool completely.
- For the frosting, combine half of the powdered sugar, softened butter, vanilla, and salt in a stand mixer.
- Mix on low speed until combined, then add the remaining powdered sugar and milk. Mix until fluffy.
- Break the cooled cake into pieces and add to the frosting. Mix on low until combined.
- Roll the dough into small balls using an ice cream scoop or tablespoon. Line on parchment and chill for 15-30 minutes.
- Melt the white chocolate in a microwave-safe bowl in 30 second increments until smooth.
- Dip each chilled cake ball in the melted chocolate, tapping off excess. Sprinkle with St. Patrick’s themed sprinkles immediately.
- Chill again if necessary until set.
Notes
Chill the cake balls well before dipping for a smooth coating. Add food coloring to the frosting for a brighter center if desired.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 ball
- Calories: 150
- Sugar: 15g
- Sodium: 120mg
- Fat: 8g
- Saturated Fat: 5g
- Unsaturated Fat: 3g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 18g
- Fiber: 0g
- Protein: 1g
- Cholesterol: 30mg
