Monster Cake Balls

If you’re looking for a spooky yet delicious treat to impress your friends and family, look no further than Monster Cake Balls! These delightful little bites are perfect for Halloween parties or any monster-themed celebration. They’re not just adorable; they’re also a fun way to get everyone involved in the kitchen. I love how easy they are to prepare and how they bring out the creativity in everyone—after all, who doesn’t want to decorate their own monster cake balls?

This recipe is a favorite in my household because it combines the rich flavor of chocolate cake with fun toppings, making it a hit with kids and adults alike. Plus, these treats can be made ahead of time, ensuring you have more time to enjoy the festivities!

Why You’ll Love This Recipe

• Super Easy Preparation: With just a few simple steps, you can whip up these adorable treats without any fuss.
• Family-Friendly Fun: Get everyone involved in decorating! Kids will love adding candy eyes and gummy worms.
• Make Ahead Convenience: Prepare them in advance and store them until you’re ready to serve—perfect for busy days!
• Endless Customization: Personalize your cake balls with different colors and toppings for any occasion.
• Delicious Flavor: The combination of moist chocolate cake and creamy almond bark is simply irresistible.

Ingredients You’ll Need

Let’s gather our simple, wholesome ingredients to create these delicious Monster Cake Balls. You might already have some of these items at home!

For the Cake

• 15.25 ounce chocolate cake mix
• 3 large eggs
• 1/2 cup melted butter
• 1 1/4 cup water
• Butter or non-stick spray for the pan

For Coating and Decorating

• 2 pounds vanilla almond bark
• 34 pectin-based gummy candies
• Candy eyes
• Orange food coloring

Variations

This recipe is quite flexible, allowing you to adjust it according to your taste and preferences. Here are some fun ideas:

• Change up the Cake Flavor: Use vanilla or red velvet cake mix instead of chocolate for a different twist.
• Try Different Toppings: Swap gummy worms for other fun candies like sprinkles or mini marshmallows.
• Add Flavoring: Mix in a teaspoon of vanilla extract or almond extract into your cream cheese mixture for added depth.
• Go Gluten-Free: Use gluten-free chocolate cake mix to accommodate dietary preferences.

How to Make Monster Cake Balls

Step 1: Prepare the Cake Batter

Start by adding your cake mix, melted butter, eggs, and water into a mixing bowl. Beat everything together with an electric mixer until smooth—this should take about 2 minutes. This step is crucial as it ensures that your cake comes out fluffy and delicious!

Step 2: Bake the Cake

Pour the batter into a greased pan and bake according to the package directions. Once baked, let it cool completely at room temperature. Cooling is important because it makes crumbling easier later on.

Step 3: Make Cream Cheese Mixture

In a separate large bowl, beat some cream cheese until it’s nice and fluffy. This will add moisture and richness to your Monster Cake Balls.

Step 4: Combine Cake & Cream Cheese

Crumble your cooled cake into the bowl with cream cheese. Mix them together until they’re well combined—the texture should be crumbly but moldable.

Step 5: Form the Cake Balls

Using a medium-sized cookie scoop, form small balls from the mixture and place them on a parchment-lined baking sheet about an inch apart. This step is where your monsters start coming to life!

Step 6: Chill Your Cake Balls

Pop the baking sheet into the refrigerator for about 2 hours or into the freezer for 1 hour. Chilling helps them hold their shape when you dip them in chocolate.

Step 7: Melt Almond Bark

Chop your vanilla almond bark into small pieces and melt it over low heat or in a microwave-safe bowl, stirring until smooth. This will be what coats our little monsters!

Step 8: Dip Each Cake Ball

Carefully dip each chilled cake ball into the melted almond bark using two forks to help remove them without making too much of a mess. Place them back on the parchment-lined baking sheet—get ready for some decorating magic!

Step 9: Decorate with Candy Eyes & Gummy Worms

While the coating is still soft, add your candy eyes and gummy worms onto each ball. If necessary, use a bit of melted almond bark as glue if they don’t stick right away.

Step 10: Add Orange Spikes

Mix some orange food coloring into a portion of melted almond bark, pour it into a piping bag, and pipe spikes or dots onto each cake ball for that extra monster flair.

Step 11: Final Chill

Return everything back to the baking sheet one last time and refrigerate for another 15 minutes until set. Now they’re ready for party time!

Enjoy making these Monster Cake Balls—they’re sure to be loved by everyone!

Pro Tips for Making Monster Cake Balls

Creating Monster Cake Balls can be a delightful experience, and with these pro tips, you’ll ensure they turn out perfectly every time!

• Use Room Temperature Ingredients: Ensuring your eggs and cream cheese are at room temperature helps achieve a smoother batter, making it easier to combine with the crumbled cake.

• Don’t Overmix the Cake Mixture: Mixing just until combined will create a light texture. Overmixing can lead to dense cake balls that lose their delightful fluffiness.

• Chill Before Dipping: Chilling the formed cake balls ensures they hold their shape during the dipping process. This way, you’ll have perfectly round cake balls that look as good as they taste!

• Melt Almond Bark Slowly: Melting the almond bark over low heat or in short burst intervals in the microwave prevents scorching and clumping. Smooth melted chocolate is key for an even coating.

• Get Creative with Decorations: Feel free to mix up your gummy candies or add sprinkles for extra flair! Personalizing your decorations can make them even more fun and appealing for any celebration.

How to Serve Monster Cake Balls

Monster Cake Balls are not only delicious but also visually captivating! Here are some fun ideas for presenting these treats at your next gathering.

Garnishes

• Sprinkle of Edible Glitter: A light dusting of edible glitter adds a magical touch, perfect for Halloween or any festive occasion.
• Chocolate Drizzle: A drizzle of melted dark chocolate on top provides a rich contrast to the almond bark coating, enhancing both flavor and presentation.

Side Dishes

• Pumpkin Spice Muffins: These moist muffins filled with warm spices complement the sweetness of the cake balls, creating a cozy dessert table.
• Fruit Salad: A refreshing fruit salad made with seasonal fruits balances out the sweetness of the cake balls and adds a splash of color to your spread.
• Vanilla Ice Cream: Serve alongside a scoop of creamy vanilla ice cream for an indulgent treat that contrasts beautifully with the rich chocolate flavor.
• Hot Chocolate Bar: Set up a hot chocolate station with various toppings like whipped cream, marshmallows, and cinnamon sticks for a cozy pairing that kids and adults alike will enjoy.

With these tips and serving suggestions, your Monster Cake Balls will surely steal the show at any gathering! Enjoy creating and sharing these delightful treats!

Make Ahead and Storage

Monster Cake Balls are perfect for meal prep! You can make them in advance for parties or special occasions, allowing you to enjoy the festivities without the last-minute rush.

Storing Leftovers

• Store leftover Monster Cake Balls in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 3 days.
• If you prefer to keep them fresh longer, store them in the refrigerator for up to a week.

Freezing

• Freeze Monster Cake Balls by placing them in a single layer on a baking sheet until solid.
• Once frozen, transfer them to a freezer-safe container or zip-top bag, separating layers with parchment paper.
• They will keep well for up to 3 months in the freezer.

Reheating

• To enjoy frozen Monster Cake Balls, thaw them overnight in the refrigerator.
• You can serve them chilled or let them sit at room temperature for about 30 minutes before serving.

FAQs

If you have questions about making Monster Cake Balls, we’ve got you covered!

Can I use a different cake mix for Monster Cake Balls?

Absolutely! Feel free to experiment with any flavor of cake mix that you love. The process remains the same – just follow the recipe!

How do I decorate my Monster Cake Balls?

You can get creative with decorations! Use various colors of melted almond bark, different gummy candies, or sprinkles to create your own unique monster designs.

How long do Monster Cake Balls last?

When stored properly in an airtight container, Monster Cake Balls will last about 3 days at room temperature or up to a week in the refrigerator.

Can I make Monster Cake Balls ahead of time?

Yes! These treats are great for preparing ahead of time. They can be made a few days before your event or even frozen for later enjoyment!

Final Thoughts

I hope you enjoy making these delightful Monster Cake Balls as much as I do! They’re not only fun to create but also bring smiles and joy wherever they go. Whether it’s Halloween or just a casual get-together, these treats are sure to be a hit. Try them out and let your creativity shine — happy baking!