Cake Balls

Brian loves dessert. This is one of those recipes that once you try them, you have to make them. I originally got the idea from my counter part at work, and then found a great recipe online from Paula Dean. I then made this recipe for my small group at church and it was a great hit. I have had people ask how to make it, so I figure it should go on the blog! The recipe is below with my tweeks added in.

Paula’s Cake Balls
Paula’s own version of this trendy sweet!

Serves: 36

Cook Time: 20 Minutes

Ingredients
· 1 (18.25 ounce) package cake mix
· 1 (16 ounce) container prepared cake frosting
· 6 ounces of chocolate flavored confectioners coating disks or bar (available in white chocolate, dark or milk) --I used almond bark!
· Food Coloring (optional)

Paula's Favorite Combinations:

*Red Velvet Cake/Cream Cheese Frosting and dipped in white chocolate coating
*Strawberry Supreme Cake/Strawberries and Cream Frosting - Dipped in Chocolate Coating
*White Cake/Mint Chocolate Chip Frosting - Dipped in Chocolate Coating
*Caramel Cake/Chocolate Mocha Frosting - Dipped in Chocolate Coating
*White Cake/Wild Cherry Vanilla Frosting - Dipped in Dark Chocolate Coating
*French Vanilla Cake/White Chocolate Almond Frosting - Dipped in Chocolate Coating
*Dark Chocolate Cake/Cream Cheese Frosting - Dipped in White Chocolate Coating
*Spice Cake/Cream Cheese Frosting - Dipped in White Chocolate Coating
*Lemon Cake/Lemon Frosting - Dipped in White Chocolate Coating
*Confetti Cake/Vanilla Frosting - Dipped in White Chocolate Coating

Steps
Prepare the cake mix according to the directions on the box. When cake is finished baking allow to cool for 30 minutes. Crumble the cake into a large bowl using a stand mixer or a hand mixer. Add the frosting and mix until well combined. Place the bowl in the refrigerator for at least 3 hours or overnight.

Line a baking tray with wax paper. Use a melon baller as a scooper to form balls with the cake mixture. Place on wax paper. Once you have used all of the cake mixture, place the baking tray in the freezer for 1 hour.

Melt the chocolate in a glass bowl of the microwave, stirring every 5-10 seconds until smooth. At this point you can add a bit of food coloring if you are using white chocolate. Remove the balls from the freezer. Using one toothpick, pick up the balls one at a time and dip in the chocolate. Use a second toothpick to slide the ball off the first toothpick onto the wax paper lined baking tray.

If the balls fall off the toothpick into the chocolate, they are not firm enough to work with and you'll need to place them back in the freezer for additional time

Once you have covered all the balls in chocolate coating place the tray in the refrigerator until the chocolate coating is set. At this point you can drizzle other chocolate on the balls for decoration.

Serving Suggestions
Serve with a cold glass of milk!