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Cake balls help (and a re-intro)
I guess I'm new here, since it's been years since I've been a regular on this board . . . so, Hi! I'm Susie. I was a regular on the RI Knot before I got married in 2007, and on here for a while after that, but somewhere between then and now, I drifted away, and usually only come back for local advice/recommendations, but when I came here for local advice yesterday, I got a little sucked in, so I think I may stick around for a while now.
Aaaaanyway, since I'm hanging out here now, and I know you guys are all fabulous cooks, I thought maybe you guys can help me with this too.
I've never made these before, but I've gotten it into my head that I'm going to make Easter egg cake balls this weekend. I'm using box cake mix and jar frosting, and I was planning to get colored chocolate melties from the party store to coat them and decorate them. I think I have some sprinkles and cake decorating candy at home too.
Any recommendations or tips? I was thinking funfetti cake and vanilla frosting, yes? Do I need to do anything to the chocolate, or just melt it down and dip them in? Any recs for certain types of chocolate that might work better than others? I've heard these are "SO easy" to make, but I bet I'll manage to just make a big mess. . .
Re: Cake balls help (and a re-intro)
Freeze your cake balls before dipping/coating them in chocolate. Let them stay in the freezer for a couple hours, and there will be less crumbs to deal with that way! I put mine on a cookie sheet and left them in the freezer... Then just took out a few at a time to coat.
I've used the "hard shell" dipping chocolate (at least that's what I called it... I think it's Bakers brand) you buy at the grocery and just microwave in the bowl it comes in. I really liked them that way!
I've made them with semisweet chocolate chips (and milk chocolate chips) + a little vegetable shortening. Again, I microwaved. Didn't like these as much because they had the tendency to melt in my hands... Also, when using the chocolate chip mixture, it started to harden quicker (probably because I was dipping frozen balls) and was not as "dippable" so I had to re-melt it. I think next time, I'll use a double-boiler or my fondue set, and dip them while the chocolate is being kept warm.
I haven't used the colored candy/chocolates for them... yet!
I stored my coated cake balls in a tupperware container in my fridge.
I rolled mine by hand, and after the first couple, I put on a pair of plastic gloves (I was making red velvet and it was starting to stain my hands). Wearing the gloves, I found the cake/frosting stuck a bit more, but I used the tiniest amount of vegetable oil on them and it helped.
BALLS!
I love whenever we have a cake balls discussion. I just love yelling BALLS!
Yeah...so, I've used the candy melts (like you buy at AC Moore). They worked MUCH better than melted chocolate chips IMO. And definitely buy more than you think you need.
And I totally ditto everything else Alicia said.
Alicia...heh heh heh...I dittoed you!
They're pretty easy but also tedious and messy. But so worth it!
Freezing the cake balls helps, as does melting your chocolate over a double boiler (I don't have one but I just use a glass bowl over a small pot of simmering water). I use the candy melts, either colored or plain chocolate ones. Dove chocolates work well too. Get more than you think you will need.
I would do plain vanilla or yellow cake instead of the Funfetti cake. You probably won't see the Funfetti bits once you crumble up the cake and mix it with the frosting. You could get colored sprinkles and sprinkle them on before the chocolate hardens. You need to be fast, especially if the cake balls are frozen. Or get a helper.
Running on the Rhode
I hate you very much
hey Susie!!! nice to see you back here! congrats again on your arrival in sept.
i agree with everyone about the BALLS. did someone say balls????? easy but time consuming. good luck!
mmmmm .... cake balls!!! These are the best things ever! I may have to make some cake balls for easter.
Okay ... I agree with a lot of what others have said. Recommend using a double boiler (or metal or glass bowl over simmering water on stove). Oh and freezing before dipping is a must.
Also recommend using the chocolate melts from michaels/ac moore vs melting chocolate chips. If you do use chocolate chips you need to add veggie oil or heavy cream to thin it out. Also don't recommend using hte funfetti cake ... I don't think you'll see the funfetti when your done.
My favorite cake frosting combo is red velvet and cream cheese frosting!
Make a pregnancy ticker
They are so easy. I make them all the time. I used to roll them by hand but have started using a small cookie scoop instead. They come out perfectly and I just shape them slightly on the bottom so they aren't flat.
For dipping tips, watch the video that is here: Bakerella is Awesome
After I watched that video, the whole process of dipping became a million times easier. I don't make pops as Bakerella does, but I do use the stick to dip them, then remove the stick after dipping. "But then what about the hole?" Have a plastic spoon on hand to add a bit of chocolate to fill it in.
I use the candy melts and I melt them in the microwave. And definitely use more chocolate than you think you will need. Particularly if you are going to do the submerging method in the video. I went through 2 bags of chocolate per 50 cake balls last time I did them. But they looked pretty perfect, so it was worth it.
Hi Dee! Thanks. Congratulations on your arrival next month!
And thanks everyone for the tips! You guys are probably right about the funfetti - maybe I'll just see what jumps out at me when I go to buy the cake mix.
Sugar & Spice