If you’re looking for a fun, easy-to-make dessert that will WOW your friends and family, I’ve got just the thing for you. This Strawberry Cake Truffles Recipe is one of those joyful little treats I absolutely love because it’s decadent, perfectly sweet, and just the right size to nibble on without any guilt. When I first tried making these truffles, I was amazed at how simple the process was—and how irresistible the outcome. So grab your apron, and let me walk you through everything you need to know to nail these strawberry cake truffles yourself!
Why You’ll Love This Recipe
- Simplicity: You don’t need to be a seasoned baker to get perfect truffles every time.
- Deliciously Moist: Using cream cheese gives a rich, melt-in-your-mouth texture you’ll crave.
- Customizable Look: With candy melts and sprinkles, you can get creative and make them festive.
- Make-Ahead Friendly: These truffles keep well in the fridge, so they’re perfect for parties or gifts.
Ingredients You’ll Need
This Strawberry Cake Truffles Recipe uses familiar and easy-to-find ingredients that blend perfectly. The cake mix provides the strawberry flavor base, and when paired with cream cheese, it creates a luscious dough that tastes like a creamy strawberry delight. Plus, the candy melts make decorating super fun!
- Strawberry cake mix: I like using a boxed mix like Betty Crocker for consistent flavor and no fuss.
- Cream cheese: Make sure it’s softened to room temperature for smooth mixing.
- Cream cheese chips: These add little pockets of creamy surprise inside your truffles.
- Vanilla melting wafers: Great for the smooth coating that hardens nicely; Ghirardelli is a personal favorite.
- Pink candy melts: Using two shades of pink adds a beautiful touch and lets you get playful with design.
- Sprinkles (optional): They bring an extra dose of fun and color—perfect for celebrations.
Variations
One of the things I love about this Strawberry Cake Truffles Recipe is how easy it is to tweak. I often switch up the colors or the extra mix-ins depending on the season or occasion. Don’t be shy to make it your own!
- Chocolate lovers unite: Swap some of the pink candy melts for dark or milk chocolate melts for a two-tone effect that’s irresistible.
- Berry burst: Add freeze-dried strawberry powder or fresh strawberry bits to the dough for an extra punch of real fruit flavor.
- Gluten-free option: Use a gluten-free strawberry cake mix to make these suitable for friends with dietary restrictions.
- Festive flavors: Add a drop of vanilla or almond extract to the cream cheese mixture to elevate the taste.
How to Make Strawberry Cake Truffles Recipe
Step 1: Heat Treat Your Cake Mix
To keep things safe, especially if you’re using a boxed cake mix that might have raw flour, preheat your oven to 350°F and spread the cake mix onto a parchment-lined baking sheet. Bake it for 5 minutes and then let it cool completely on a wire rack. This little step ensures there’s no risk from raw ingredients and it also gives the mix a toasted flavor that’s subtle but adds depth.
Step 2: Cream the Cream Cheese and Mix Dough
While the cake mix cools, beat the room-temp cream cheese with a hand mixer on medium-high until it’s totally smooth and creamy. Folding in the cooled cake mix in two parts is my secret to preventing a big flour cloud—start folding carefully with a spatula, then finish mixing at speed until you get a dough-like consistency. Finally, gently fold in those delightful cream cheese chips. This layer of creaminess really takes the truffles to the next level.
Step 3: Chill and Scoop Your Truffle Dough
Cover the dough tightly with plastic wrap and pop it into the fridge for about 2 hours. Chilling solidifies the mixture, making it much easier to scoop and roll around without a sticky mess. When ready, use a 1½ tablespoon cookie scoop to portion out your dough onto parchment-lined baking sheets. Roll into smooth balls, then set aside for about 15 minutes—this resting period helps the truffles expand slightly, preventing cracks in the coating later.
Step 4: Dip and Decorate Your Truffles
Now for the fun part! I like using a double boiler to melt the vanilla melting wafers slowly and gently, which keeps the chocolate smooth and shiny. Dip each dough ball on a fork and coat thoroughly, tapping off any extra coating gently before setting it on the parchment. Work quickly but carefully to sprinkle the tops of some before the coating dries, and for others, drizzle with the two shades of melted pink candy melts for a playful look. Patience here really pays off—once coated, let everything set completely before indulging.
Pro Tips for Making Strawberry Cake Truffles Recipe
- Softening the Cream Cheese: Let it come to room temperature naturally, avoid the microwave—it can turn gritty and hard to blend smoothly.
- Chilling Time Is Key: Don’t skip the 2-hour chill. This firm dough rolls easier and helps keep your truffles from cracking after dipping.
- Double Boiler Over Microwave: I learned that melting candy melts gently on a double boiler keeps the texture silky and less prone to burning.
- Let Truffles Rest Before Dipping: Giving the rolled truffles 15 minutes to “breathe” prevents the chocolate from cracking once coated.
How to Serve Strawberry Cake Truffles Recipe
Garnishes
I usually stick with classic rainbow or heart-shaped sprinkles for a festive vibe—especially if it’s a birthday or Valentine’s Day treat. Sometimes, I sprinkle a tiny pinch of edible glitter for that extra sparkle. It’s a small touch, but it elevates these truffles from homemade to party-ready in a snap.
Side Dishes
These truffles pair beautifully with a simple cup of tea or fresh berries on the side. I’ve sometimes served them alongside a light vanilla ice cream or a fruity sparkling wine for grown-up celebrations—everyone loves that combo!
Creative Ways to Present
For special occasions, I’ve arranged them in cute mini cupcake liners on a decorated platter or boxed them up in colorful treat boxes tied with ribbon. You could even skewer them on sticks and dip them in chocolate for cake pops, turning these delightful bites into handheld party treats.
Make Ahead and Storage
Storing Leftovers
I keep leftover truffles in an airtight container in the refrigerator, and they stay moist and delicious for about 5 days. If I’m prepping for a party, I’ll make them a day ahead and let them chill until just before serving—they hold their freshness really well.
Freezing
If you want to freeze these truffles, wrap them individually in plastic wrap and place them in a freezer-safe container. I’ve done this a few times, and after thawing overnight in the fridge, they taste just as good as fresh. Freezing is a great way to prep for holidays or special events well in advance.
Reheating
Truffles are best served cold or at room temperature, so reheating isn’t really necessary. Just take them out of the fridge 15 minutes before serving, and they’ll soften slightly, giving you the perfect creamy bite.
FAQs
-
Can I use a homemade strawberry cake instead of a boxed mix?
Absolutely! Just remember to fully bake and cool your homemade cake before crumbling it into the cream cheese. The texture might be a bit different, but the truffles will still turn out delicious. Adjust the amount of cream cheese if the dough feels too dry or wet.
-
What if I don’t have cream cheese chips? Can I skip them?
You can definitely skip the cream cheese chips if you don’t have them on hand. They add an extra creamy texture, but the truffles will still taste fantastic without them. Alternatively, you could chop up white chocolate chips or freeze-dried strawberry pieces for a different twist.
-
How do I prevent cracking in the candy coating?
The biggest trick I learned is to let the rolled truffles rest for about 15 minutes after rolling and chilling, before dipping them in the melted wafers. This allows them to firm up and slightly expand, which reduces the chance of the coating cracking.
-
Can I make these truffles vegan or dairy-free?
You’d need to swap the cream cheese and candy melts for vegan or dairy-free alternatives that melt well and provide a similar texture. It might take some experimentation, but with the growing range of plant-based products, it’s definitely possible!
-
How long do Strawberry Cake Truffles last?
Stored properly in an airtight container in the fridge, these truffles stay fresh for up to 5 days. For longer storage, freeze them as I described above.
Final Thoughts
There’s something so rewarding about making these strawberry cake truffles from scratch—the mix of easy steps and stunning results always puts a smile on my face. Whether I’m bringing them to a potluck, surprising my family, or just treating myself, they’re always a hit. I hope you’ll enjoy making and savoring this Strawberry Cake Truffles Recipe as much as I do. Trust me, once you try them, they’ll become your go-to sweet little indulgence!
Print
Strawberry Cake Truffles Recipe
- Prep Time: 20 minutes
- Cook Time: 5 minutes
- Total Time: 2 hours 25 minutes
- Yield: 12 truffles
- Category: Dessert
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
- Diet: Vegetarian
Description
Delight in these Strawberry Cake Truffles, a luscious treat combining moist strawberry cake mix with creamy cream cheese, coated in smooth vanilla and pink candy melts. Perfect for parties or a sweet indulgence, these truffles feature an easy no-bake assembly after a brief bake to heat-treat the cake mix, creating rich, bite-sized delights with optional festive sprinkles and decorative drizzle.
Ingredients
Truffle Base
- 9.15 ounces strawberry cake mix (e.g., Betty Crocker)
- 4.8 ounces cream cheese, softened to room temperature
- 0.2 cup cream cheese chips, roughly chopped
Coating and Decoration
- 7.2 ounces Ghirardelli vanilla melting wafers
- 0.3 cup Wilton pink candy melts
- 0.3 cup Wilton bright pink candy melts
- Sprinkles (optional)
Instructions
- Heat Treat Cake Mix: Preheat oven to 350°F (175°C). Spread the strawberry cake mix evenly on a parchment-lined baking sheet and bake for 5 minutes to sterilize the mix by killing any bacteria. Remove from oven and cool completely on a wire rack.
- Prepare Cream Cheese Mixture: In a medium bowl, beat the softened cream cheese with a hand mixer at medium-high speed until smooth and creamy, about 1-2 minutes.
- Combine Cake Mix and Cream Cheese: Add the cooled cake mix to the bowl and fold gently with a rubber spatula a few times to avoid flour mess, then mix on medium-high speed until fully combined into a dough-like consistency.
- Fold in Cream Cheese Chips: Stir the cream cheese chips evenly into the dough to distribute throughout.
- Chill Dough: Cover the mixture with plastic wrap and refrigerate for 2 hours to firm up the dough, making it easier to handle.
- Form Truffle Balls: Line two baking sheets with parchment paper. Using a 1½ tablespoon cookie scoop, portion out dough and roll each into smooth balls by hand. Place on baking sheets spaced apart, then allow them to rest at room temperature for about 15 minutes to expand slightly—this helps prevent cracking of the coating.
- Melt Vanilla Wafers: Prepare a double boiler by heating a pot of simmering water with a heatproof bowl on top. Add the vanilla melting wafers to the bowl, stirring occasionally until fully melted and smooth. Alternatively, microwave in 30-second bursts on low, stirring between sessions.
- Dip Truffles in Coating: Using a fork, dip each dough ball entirely into the melted vanilla wafers. Tap off excess coating gently on the edge of the bowl and place onto the lined baking sheet. Repeat for all balls placing them about 2 inches apart.
- Add Sprinkles: Immediately sprinkle sprinkles on half of the coated truffles before the coating sets for decoration.
- Melt Pink Candy Melts: Place the bright and regular pink candy melts separately into small microwave-safe piping bags. Microwave on low setting until melted, then snip a small tip off each bag for drizzling.
- Decorate Truffles: Drizzle the melted pink candy melts decoratively over the remaining coated truffles for a festive look.
- Set and Serve: Allow the coated truffles to set completely at room temperature or in the refrigerator before serving. Enjoy the rich, creamy strawberry cake truffles!
Notes
- Store truffles in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 5 days.
- Chilling the dough dough makes it easier to shape and prevents cracking of the coating after dipping.
- Let the rolled truffles rest for 15 minutes before dipping to allow expansion and minimize cracks in the coating.
- If you prefer not to heat treat the cake mix in the oven, heat treat in a microwave-safe bowl for 3 minutes, stirring every 30 seconds to avoid hot spots.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 truffle
- Calories: 180
- Sugar: 18g
- Sodium: 110mg
- Fat: 10g
- Saturated Fat: 6g
- Unsaturated Fat: 3g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 20g
- Fiber: 0.5g
- Protein: 2g
- Cholesterol: 25mg
