Cake balls are a fun and delicious treat that can be made for parties, gifts, or just to enjoy at home. They are formed from crumbled cake mixed with icing or frosting and shaped into balls, which are then dipped in melted chocolate, candy melts, or another coating. While the cake and frosting combo provides plenty of flavor, getting that perfect chocolate coating can take cake balls from good to great. Here are some tips and tricks for flawlessly dipping cake balls.
Use the Right Coating
When it comes to cake ball coatings, you have a few options to choose from. Candy melts, almond bark, chocolate, and yogurt- or candy-coated chocolate are all popular choices. Candy melts are wafers made from sugar, vegetable oil, and flavorings that melt smoothly at low temperatures. Almond bark contains almonds along with sugars and fats. Real chocolate provides indulgent flavor. And yogurt- or candy-coated chocolates like chocolate chips or M&Ms add fun colors and a delicious crunch.
Candy melts are the easiest to use for dipping since they melt smoothly at low temperatures and harden quickly at room temperature. Almond bark requires tempering to maintain a good dipping consistency. Real chocolate needs to be melted carefully in a double boiler or microwave to avoid scorching. Coated chocolates like chocolate chips may not provide as smooth of a coating. Candy melts come in a wide variety of colors and flavors, making them a versatile choice for cake ball dipping.
Candy Melt Flavor and Color Options
| Flavor | Color Options |
|---|---|
| Chocolate | Dark brown, milk chocolate, white chocolate |
| Vanilla | White, yellow |
| Strawberry | Red, pink |
| Mint | Green, white |
| Caramel | Cream, gold, brown |
| Butterscotch | Gold, cream, tan |
When selecting candy melts, opt for a flavor that will complement the cake ball flavors. You can also use coordinating colors for holidays, themed events, or just for extra visual appeal.
Prep the Cake Balls
Making sure your cake balls are well-formed and chilled is an important first step for clean dipping. After mixing the crumbled cake and frosting, roll the mixture into smooth, uniform balls about 1-2 inches in diameter. Slightly dampening your hands can help prevent sticking as you shape them. Place the shaped cake balls on a baking sheet or tray lined with parchment or wax paper and refrigerate for at least an hour, or up to overnight.
Chilling firms up the cake balls for a neater dip. Cold cake balls hold their shape better during dipping so you end up with a solid coating. Leaving them in the fridge until you are ready to dip ensures they do not soften up too much. Take the cake balls out of the fridge about 5-10 minutes before coating to take off the chill.
Ideal Cake Ball Size and Shape
| Diameter | Shape |
|---|---|
| 1-2 inches | Smooth, round |
Keep cake balls a manageable size and form them into perfect spheres for picture-perfect dipping.
Melt the Coating
To create a smooth, hard coating, the candy melts or chocolate must be completely melted and kept at the proper dipping consistency. There are a few ways to melt candy coatings:
- Microwave: Place candy melts in a microwave-safe bowl and microwave in 30 second intervals, stirring between each interval, until completely smooth. Be careful not to overheat or the coating may burn.
- Double boiler: Bring an inch or two of water to a simmer in the bottom pot of a double boiler. Place candy in the top pot and stir frequently until completely melted and smooth.
- Candy melting pot: Designed specifically for candy making, these pots provide gentle, even heating to melt coatings.
Melting the coating creates additional liquid so you may need to add more coating as you go to maintain the right dipping consistency. Keep melted coating at 90-95°F by keeping the bowl over a pot of simmering water or residual heat.
Ideal Dipping Consistency
| Consistency | Temperature |
|---|---|
| Smooth, liquid but not runny | 90-95°F |
Maintain melted coating at the correct temperature and viscosity for smooth dipping.
Set Up a Dipping Station
Once your coating is ready and your cake balls are chilled, it’s time to set up your cake ball dipping area:
- Line a baking sheet with parchment paper or a silicone mat.
- Pour melted coating into a deep, narrow bowl for easy dipping. Fill bowl about 1-2 inches deep.
- Have a spoon or dipping tool on hand.
- Keep prepared cake balls and dipping bowl within reach.
- Optional – place styrofoam, cake pop sticks, sprinkles, or other decorating items nearby.
Having everything conveniently located will make the dipping and decorating process easier. Place a few cake balls nearby to test out the dipping process and make any adjustments before beginning production dipping.
Dip the Cake Balls
Once your dipping station is fully prepped, you are ready to coat those cake balls!
Using a dipping tool or spoon, drop a cake ball straight down into the melted coating until fully submerged. Lift it out gently, allowing any excess coating to drip off. Gently tap the cake ball against the edge of the bowl to encourage drips.
Place the coated cake ball onto the prepared baking sheet. If adding decorations like sprinkles or candy to the tops, do this quickly while the coating is still wet.
Work in small batches, dipping just a few cake balls at a time before the coating has a chance to cool and thicken up. Reheat or add more coating as needed to maintain ideal dipping consistency.
Once all cake balls have been dipped and decorated, let them set up at room temperature until the coating has fully hardened, about 15-20 minutes. Refrigerating helps the coating harden even faster.
Dipping Tips
| Action | Result |
|---|---|
| Submerge completely | Smooth, complete coating |
| Gently tap off excess | Thin, uniform coating |
| Work in small batches | Ideal consistency maintained |
Proper dipping technique leads to picture-perfect cake balls.
Add Decorations (Optional)
While chocolate-dipped cake balls are perfect on their own, you can also add decorations for extra creativity and visual appeal. Here are some fun ways to decorate dipped cake balls:
- Sprinkles – While chocolate coating is still wet, roll cake balls in sprinkles or jimmies for color and texture.
- Crushed candy – Add crushed peppermint, candy canes, Oreos or other cookies to wet coating for crunchy candy bits.
- Nuts – Finely chopped nuts like pecans, walnuts, or peanuts make a nice topping.
- Coconut – For tropical flavor, coat with shredded coconut after chocolate sets.
- Drizzle – Use a spoon or zip-top bag to drizzle with melted white, dark, or colored chocolate.
Let your creativity run wild when it comes to decorating your cake balls. Colored candy melts, edible glitter, and chocolate transfer sheets offer even more dazzling options.
Storage
While freshly dipped cake balls taste amazing, you may want to prepare them in advance for gifting or bringing to an event. Properly stored, coated cake balls will stay fresh for up to:
- 1 week at room temperature
- 2-3 weeks in the refrigerator
- Up to 6 months in the freezer
For room temperature storage, place cake balls in single layers separated by parchment or waxed paper in an airtight container at cool room temperature out of direct sunlight.
For fridge or freezer storage, place cake balls in airtight containers with layers separated by parchment paper. Allow refrigerated cake balls to come to room temperature before serving for best flavor and texture.
Storage Tips for Dipped Cake Balls
| Storage Method | Storage Life |
|---|---|
| Room temperature | 1 week |
| Refrigerated | 2-3 weeks |
| Frozen | 6 months |
Follow proper storage guidelines for perfectly preserved cake balls.
Troubleshooting
While cake ball dipping does take some practice, you can troubleshoot any issues with this guide:
Cake Balls Crumbling During Dipping
If cake balls are falling apart in the coating, they may not be chilled properly. Return them to the fridge for 30-60 minutes until very firm before trying again. Use a smooth, gentle motion when dipping and tapping off excess. Refrigerate coated cake balls to help set coating quickly.
Thick, Uneven Coating
To create a smooth coating, maintain coating at the right dipping consistency and temperature. Reheat or add more coating as needed to keep it fluid. Allow excess to drip off well and turn cake ball to evenly coat all sides.
Coating Won’t Harden
If chocolate or candy melt coating remains sticky or soft, the coating may need to be thinned. Add a teaspoon or two of vegetable or coconut oil until dipping consistency is smooth but not runny. Let cake balls sit at room temperature or refrigerate to help coating fully set up.
White Streaks on Coating
White streaks or dots on the surface, called bloom, typically happen when chocolate has gotten too warm and cooled unevenly. Though unsightly, it won’t affect flavor. Prevent bloom by keeping coating at proper temperature and letting any excess drip off cake balls.
Conclusion
Dipping cake balls may seem intimidating, but with the right supplies, some practice, and these helpful tips, you can create flawless, decorative cake balls that look and taste amazing. Be sure to use the best quality candy, chocolate, or other coatings and maintain the right dipping consistency for smooth, professional results. Let your creativity run wild when decorating your cake balls.
Now that you know the secrets to cake ball dipping success, get ready to make these crowd-pleasing confections for your next party, gift, or sweet treat craving.