If you have a serious sweet tooth—or just love bite-sized desserts that pack a flavorful punch—you’re in for a treat with this Strawberry Cake Truffles Recipe. I absolutely love how these little gems combine the light, fruity sweetness of strawberry cake with the creamy richness of cream cheese and a smooth vanilla coating. They’re perfect for parties, gifts, or simply because you deserve a special indulgence. Trust me, once you try these, you’ll find yourself coming back for more!
Why You’ll Love This Recipe
- Deliciously Simple: You only need a handful of everyday ingredients to make these irresistible treats.
- Perfect Texture: The cream cheese softens the cake mix into a moldable dough that’s tender and rich.
- Customizable Coatings: The vanilla and pink candy melts let you get creative with decorations and colors.
- Great for Any Occasion: Whether it’s a casual snack or a fancy party favor, these truffles steal the show.
Ingredients You’ll Need
The beauty of this Strawberry Cake Truffles Recipe is in the way these ingredients come together so effortlessly. Each plays a key role—whether it’s flavor, texture, or that luscious coating—and I’ve included tips to help you pick the best versions for your kitchen.
- Strawberry cake mix: I use Betty Crocker because it bakes up moist and has that bright strawberry flavor you want in a truffle.
- Cream cheese: Soften it to room temperature for easy mixing—it makes the cake mix dough incredibly smooth.
- Cream cheese chips: These add little pockets of extra creaminess; you can find them in specialty baking aisles.
- Vanilla melting wafers: These create that silky outer shell; Ghirardelli vanilla wafers melt beautifully without clumping.
- Pink candy melts: Using both Wilton pink and bright pink candy melts gives a fun, vibrant drizzle effect.
- Sprinkles (optional): They add a playful crunch and a pop of color—great for making your truffles extra festive.
Variations
I love that this Strawberry Cake Truffles Recipe is flexible enough to make your own! Over time, I’ve tweaked it here and there to fit different occasions and dietary needs—so don’t hesitate to experiment and make these uniquely yours.
- Gluten-Free Cake Mix: I once swapped the regular mix for a gluten-free one, and the truffles held together beautifully with just a slightly different crumb.
- Chocolate Coating: Instead of vanilla wafers, try dark or white chocolate melts for a different flavor profile that still pairs perfectly with strawberry.
- Fruit Mix-Ins: Adding finely chopped freeze-dried strawberries gives an extra burst of fruit flavor and little crunchy surprises.
- Nutty Twist: Mixing in crushed nuts or pressing them onto the coating adds a lovely texture contrast.
How to Make Strawberry Cake Truffles Recipe
Step 1: Heat Treat the Cake Mix
Before we start mixing, it’s important to heat treat the dry cake mix to get rid of any bacteria—especially because it won’t be baked again after combining with cream cheese. Preheat your oven to 350°F and spread the cake mix evenly on a parchment-lined baking sheet. Bake it for about 5 minutes, then let it cool completely on a wire rack. This little step helped me feel more confident about using the dry mix this way!
Step 2: Mix Cream Cheese and Cake
While the cake mix cools, beat your softened cream cheese with a hand mixer until it’s completely smooth and creamy—that’s key for a silky dough. Then fold the cooled cake mix into the cream cheese gently with a spatula to avoid flour flying everywhere. Once loosely combined, switch back to the mixer to fully incorporate everything into a soft dough consistency. This two-step mixing saves mess and gives you perfect texture every time.
Step 3: Add Cream Cheese Chips and Chill
Fold in the chopped cream cheese chips for extra melty bits in every bite. Then cover the bowl tightly with plastic wrap and refrigerate the dough for 2 hours. This chilling step is crucial—it helps the dough firm up so it’s easier to roll and prevents cracking when you dip the balls later.
Step 4: Form the Truffles
Line two baking sheets with parchment paper and scoop about 1½ tablespoons of dough at a time using a cookie scoop. Roll each portion into a smooth ball—try to keep them even for consistent size and baking times. Set them aside on the sheets and let the balls sit for 15 minutes before coating; this resting lets them expand slightly, reducing the chance of cracking your gorgeous vanilla shell.
Step 5: Dip in Vanilla Melting Wafers
Melt the vanilla wafers using a double boiler over low heat, which keeps the melting smooth and under control. Alternatively, microwave in short bursts (30 seconds with stirring) if you’re in a hurry, but be careful not to overheat. Using a fork to dip each truffle into the melted coating, lift and gently tap off excess coating before placing it back on the parchment. This method helps create a uniform shell without drips pooling around the truffles.
Step 6: Decorate and Set
Before the coating dries, sprinkle some truffles with your favorite sprinkles for extra flair. Then melt your pink candy melts in two separate microwave-safe piping bags on a low setting until smooth. Cut a tiny tip off each bag and drizzle over the rest of the truffles to create a pretty contrast. Let everything set completely at room temperature or in the fridge before digging in. Your kitchen is going to smell amazing!
Pro Tips for Making Strawberry Cake Truffles Recipe
- Chill Time Is Essential: Don’t rush the dough chilling — it keeps your truffles from falling apart and helps with smooth rolling.
- Use a Double Boiler: I prefer this for melting wafers because it prevents overheating and keeps the coating silky.
- Let Truffles Rest Before Dipping: Waiting 15 minutes after rolling lets the dough expand and reduces cracking in the coating.
- Tap Off Excess Coating: This little trick keeps your truffles looking neat — no drips pooling on your parchment.
How to Serve Strawberry Cake Truffles Recipe
Garnishes
My go-to garnishes are colorful sprinkles or edible glitter because they add that festive sparkle and a slight crunch. But sometimes, I like to dust them lightly with freeze-dried strawberry powder to boost the fruity vibe—plus, it looks super cute on a dessert platter.
Side Dishes
These truffles shine solo, but whenever I’m serving a dessert spread, I like pairing them with fresh fruit slices—like kiwi or mango—to balance out the sweetness. They’re also a great match alongside a cold glass of milk or a cup of herbal tea for an afternoon treat.
Creative Ways to Present
For birthdays or showers, I love arranging the truffles in a flower shape on a pretty platter and sprinkling edible flowers around. Another fun idea is to present them in colorful mini cupcake liners, which makes grabbing one super mess-free and perfect for gift boxes.
Make Ahead and Storage
Storing Leftovers
I store leftover cake truffles in an airtight container in the fridge, and they stay fresh up to 5 days. Before eating, let them come to room temperature for about 15 minutes so the cream cheese inside softens up just right. This way, they taste almost as fresh as the day you made them.
Freezing
If I’m prepping in advance, I freeze the truffles in a single layer on a baking sheet, then transfer them to a freezer-safe container once solid. They freeze beautifully for up to 2 months without changes in texture or flavor—super handy for holiday prepping.
Reheating
When reheating after freezing, I thaw the truffles overnight in the fridge and then bring them to room temperature before serving. Avoid microwaving—heat can change the texture of both the coating and the cream cheese center.
FAQs
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Can I use homemade strawberry cake instead of cake mix for this recipe?
Yes, you can! Using homemade strawberry cake works well, but it’s best to dry it out a bit before mixing with cream cheese so your dough isn’t too wet. You can crumble the cake, then bake it in a low oven for a few minutes to remove some moisture, mimicking the heat-treated cake mix texture.
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Why do I need to heat treat the cake mix?
Heat treating the cake mix is important because it helps eliminate any bacteria present in the dry mix. Since you’re combining the mix with cream cheese and not baking it again, this step ensures your truffles are safe to eat.
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Can I skip the cream cheese chips in the Strawberry Cake Truffles Recipe?
Absolutely! The cream cheese chips add a nice melty texture inside the truffles, but the recipe still works without them. You might miss that little surprise in every bite, though—so I recommend keeping them if you can.
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How do I prevent the coating from cracking after dipping?
Letting the truffle dough balls rest for about 15 minutes after rolling before dipping is the key. This rest time allows them to expand slightly, reducing stress on the coating and preventing those frustrating cracks.
Final Thoughts
This Strawberry Cake Truffles Recipe has quickly become one of my favorite go-tos for a quick dessert that feels special. I love sharing these with friends and watching their faces light up with each bite. Give it a try—you might find, like me, that these tiny treats pack a whole lot of joy in every delicious mouthful!
Print
Strawberry Cake Truffles Recipe
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 5 minutes
- Total Time: 2 hours 20 minutes
- Yield: 12 truffles
- Category: Dessert
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
Description
Delight in these Strawberry Cake Truffles, a perfect bite-sized dessert combining moist strawberry cake with creamy cream cheese, coated in smooth vanilla and pink candy melts. These colorful, festive truffles are easy to prepare, featuring a unique heating step to ensure safety and a luscious texture accented with optional sprinkles for a fun finish. Ideal for parties, gifting, or a sweet treat anytime.
Ingredients
Cake Base
- 9.15 ounces strawberry cake mix (e.g., Betty Crocker)
Filling
- 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 your oven to 350°F and line a baking sheet with parchment paper. Spread the dry strawberry cake mix evenly on the baking sheet and bake for 5 minutes to heat treat and eliminate any bacteria. Once baked, transfer to a wire rack and allow the cake mix to cool completely.
- Create Cream Cheese Mixture: In a medium mixing bowl, beat the softened cream cheese using a hand mixer on medium-high speed until smooth and creamy to ensure a velvety base for your truffles.
- Combine Cake Mix and Cream Cheese: Add the cooled cake mix into the bowl with the cream cheese. Gently fold the cake mix into the cream cheese using a rubber spatula to minimize flour mess, then finish mixing with the hand mixer on medium-high speed until fully combined into a dough-like consistency.
- Incorporate Cream Cheese Chips: Fold the roughly chopped cream cheese chips evenly into the dough to add delightful bursts of creamy texture within the truffles.
- Chill the Dough: Cover the dough with plastic wrap and refrigerate for 2 hours, allowing it to firm up for easier shaping.
- Scoop and Shape Truffles: Line two baking sheets with parchment paper. Using a 1½ tablespoon cookie scoop, scoop dough portions onto the sheets and roll each into smooth, even balls by hand. Set them aside to rest and expand for about 15 minutes to prevent cracking of the coating.
- Melt Vanilla Melting Wafers: Set up a double boiler on the stovetop over low heat and melt the Ghirardelli vanilla melting wafers, stirring gently until smooth. Alternatively, melt them in a microwave-safe bowl in 30-second increments on low power, stirring between each until fully melted.
- Dip Truffles in Coating: Using a fork, dip each dough ball fully into the melted vanilla wafers. Lift out and tap the fork gently on the pot’s edge to remove excess coating. Place dipped truffles on the lined baking sheet, spacing them about 2 inches apart.
- Add Sprinkles: Before the coating sets, sprinkle your choice of sprinkles onto half of the coated truffles for a decorative and festive touch.
- Melt Candy Melts for Drizzling: Place the pink and bright pink Wilton candy melts into separate small microwave-safe piping bags. Microwave on low in short intervals until melted, then snip a small tip off each bag to drizzle the candy over the remaining plain coated truffles.
- Set and Serve: Allow the truffles to completely set at room temperature before serving. Enjoy these rich, creamy, and colorful strawberry cake truffles as a sweet treat or party dessert.
Notes
- Store truffles in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 5 days to maintain freshness.
- Chilling the dough makes it easier to roll and helps prevent cracking of the coating by allowing the truffles to expand before dipping.
- If you prefer not to heat treat the cake mix in the oven, you can microwave it in a microwave-safe bowl for 3 minutes, stirring every 30 seconds to ensure even heating and eliminate bacteria.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 truffle
- Calories: 160
- Sugar: 12g
- Sodium: 90mg
- Fat: 9g
- Saturated Fat: 5g
- Unsaturated Fat: 3g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 18g
- Fiber: 0.5g
- Protein: 2g
- Cholesterol: 25mg
