Save Fun, whimsical cake balls combining moist cake, tangy cream cheese, crunchy pretzels, and a cheesy twist, all decorated to look like playful monsters. Perfect for parties or Halloween treats.
I made these cake balls with my kids last Halloween. They loved choosing colors for the monsters, and making silly faces with candy eyes. It quickly became our favorite creative baking project for celebrations!
Ingredients
- Cake Base: 1 box (425 g) yellow cake mix (plus required eggs, oil, and water per package instructions)
- Cheese & Cream Cheese Filling: 120 g (4 oz) cream cheese, softened
- Cheese & Cream Cheese Filling: 60 g (½ cup) shredded mild cheddar cheese
- Cheese & Cream Cheese Filling: 60 g (½ cup) powdered sugar
- Coating & Decorations: 300 g (10 oz) white chocolate or candy melts
- Coating & Decorations: Assorted colored candy melts (purple, green, blue, etc.)
- Coating & Decorations: 24 small pretzel twists, broken in half
- Coating & Decorations: Candy eyes (store-bought or homemade)
- Coating & Decorations: Sprinkles, as desired
- Optional: Food coloring gel (for extra vibrant monsters)
Instructions
- Bake the Cake:
- Preheat oven to 175°C (350°F). Prepare the yellow cake mix according to package instructions. Pour batter into a 23x33 cm (9x13 inch) pan and bake for 30–35 minutes, or until a toothpick comes out clean. Let the cake cool completely.
- Mix the Filling:
- In a medium bowl, beat together cream cheese, cheddar cheese, and powdered sugar until smooth and creamy.
- Make Cake Ball Dough:
- Crumble the cooled cake into a large bowl. Add the cheese-cream cheese mixture and mix thoroughly until a uniform, sticky dough forms.
- Shape the Balls:
- Scoop out heaping tablespoonfuls and roll into 24 balls. Place on a parchment-lined baking sheet and freeze for 20 minutes.
- Melt Coating:
- Melt white chocolate or base candy melts according to package directions. If desired, divide and tint with food coloring for colored monster coatings.
- Decorate Monsters:
- Dip each cake ball into the melted coating, letting excess drip off. Immediately add broken pretzel pieces for horns or arms, and attach candy eyes before the coating sets. Decorate with sprinkles for extra monster flair.
- Finish and Serve:
- Let cake balls set completely at room temperature or refrigerate for 10 minutes before serving.
Save Decorating these monster cake balls together gave us lots of laughs, especially when someone created a 'three-eyed creature'. Sharing them with friends made the celebration extra sweet.
Required Tools
Electric mixer, mixing bowls, baking pan (23x33 cm / 9x13 inch), parchment paper, baking sheet, spoon or cookie scoop
Allergen Information
Contains gluten (cake mix, pretzels), dairy (cream cheese, cheddar, chocolate), and eggs (cake mix). May contain soy or nuts (candy melts, sprinkles). Always check labels for potential allergens.
Nutritional Information
Each cake ball contains approximately 170 calories, 8 g total fat, 22 g carbohydrates, and 3 g protein.
Save These cake balls always bring smiles to the table. Serve chilled or at room temperature for a delightful treat at any festive gathering.
Cooking Questions
- → How do I achieve vibrant monster colors?
Use assorted colored candy melts and food coloring gel to tint melted chocolate for bold, playful hues.
- → Can these be made gluten-free?
Yes, substitute gluten-free cake mix and pretzels for a delicious gluten-free option that retains great texture.
- → What cheese works best for the filling?
Mild cheddar gives a savory twist, but mozzarella can be used for a milder flavor or experiment with your favorites.
- → How can I store these cake balls?
Keep in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 4 days to maintain freshness and texture.
- → Are these suitable for parties or kids?
Yes! Their playful decorations and manageable size make them ideal for festive gatherings and fun snacks for kids.
- → Are there any allergen concerns?
They contain gluten, dairy, eggs, and may have soy or nuts; always verify labels to ensure safety.