Description
Celebrate any festive occasion with these delightful Patriotic Chocolate Cake Balls. Bursting with rich chocolate flavor and decorated with vibrant red, white, and blue sprinkles, these bite-sized treats combine a moist chocolate cake base with a sweet, creamy frosting, making them perfect for parties or holiday gatherings.
Ingredients
Scale
Cake Balls
- 1/2 cup granulated sugar
- 1/4 cup unsweetened dark cocoa powder
- 1/4 teaspoon baking soda
- 1/8 teaspoon kosher salt
- 10 ½ tablespoons (2/3 cup) unsalted butter, softened
- 1 large egg
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 1 ¼ cups all-purpose flour
- 1 cup red, white, and blue sprinkles
Frosting
- 8 tablespoons (1 stick) unsalted butter, softened
- 1 to 1 ½ cups powdered sugar
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- Red and blue icing color
Instructions
- Prepare the Chocolate Cake Base: Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). In a mixing bowl, combine the granulated sugar, unsweetened cocoa powder, baking soda, and kosher salt until well mixed. Add the softened butter, large egg, and vanilla extract, mixing until smooth and creamy. Gradually fold in the all-purpose flour until fully incorporated to create a thick cake batter.
- Bake the Cake: Pour the batter into a greased or lined 8-inch cake pan. Bake in the preheated oven for about 20 minutes or until a toothpick inserted in the center comes out clean. Remove the cake from the oven and allow it to cool completely on a wire rack to ensure it’s firm enough to handle.
- Crumble the Cake: Once completely cooled, crumble the cake into a large bowl using your hands or a fork until it resembles fine crumbs.
- Make the Frosting: In a separate bowl, cream together the softened butter and powdered sugar until light and fluffy. Stir in the vanilla extract and mix until smooth. Adjust the powdered sugar quantity to achieve a consistency that will hold the cake crumbs together without being too soft or sticky.
- Combine Cake and Frosting: Add the frosting to the cake crumbs a little at a time, mixing thoroughly until the mixture holds together and can be rolled into balls without falling apart.
- Form Cake Balls and Decorate: Using your hands, roll the mixture into small, bite-sized balls. Roll each ball in the red, white, and blue sprinkles to coat them evenly, giving them a festive appearance.
- Chill and Serve: Place the decorated cake balls on a baking sheet lined with parchment paper. Refrigerate for at least 30 minutes to help them firm up before serving. Enjoy your festive and tasty patriotic treats!
Notes
- Ensure the cake is completely cooled before crumbling to prevent a soggy consistency.
- Adjust powdered sugar in frosting to get the perfect consistency for binding.
- These cake balls can be stored in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 5 days.
- For an extra decorative touch, drizzle melted white chocolate over the balls before adding sprinkles.
