Save Fun and whimsical, these Cheesy Pretzel Cream Cheese Monster Cake Balls are playful treats combining moist cake, tangy cream cheese, crunchy pretzels, and cheesy flair. They are perfect for parties or Halloween gatherings, bringing smiles to every dessert table.
My first batch of monster cake balls was a hit at my niece's birthday. The kids loved shaping their own monsters, and the blend of cake and cream cheese with crunchy pretzel horns created the perfect sweet-and-salty bite.
Ingredients
- Cake Base: 1 box (425 g) yellow cake mix (plus eggs, oil, and water per package instructions)
- Cheese & Cream Cheese Filling: 120 g (4 oz) cream cheese, softened, 60 g (½ cup) shredded mild cheddar cheese, 60 g (½ cup) powdered sugar
- Coating & Decorations: 300 g (10 oz) white chocolate or candy melts, assorted colored candy melts (purple, green, blue, etc.), 24 small pretzel twists, broken in half, candy eyes, sprinkles as desired
- Optional: Food coloring gel
Instructions
- Prepare and Bake Cake:
- Preheat oven to 175°C (350°F). Make yellow cake mix according to package instructions. Pour batter into 23x33 cm (9x13 inch) pan and bake for 30 to 35 minutes, or until a toothpick comes out clean. Cool cake completely.
- Make Cheese Filling:
- Beat softened cream cheese, shredded cheddar, and powdered sugar in a medium bowl until smooth and creamy.
- Combine Cake and Filling:
- Crumble cooled cake into a large bowl. Add the cheese-cream cheese mixture and blend until a uniform, sticky dough forms.
- Form Cake Balls:
- Roll heaping tablespoonfuls of dough into 24 balls. Place on 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 gel.
- Decorate Monsters:
- Dip each ball into melted coating, letting excess drip off. Immediately add pretzel pieces for monster horns or arms and attach candy eyes before coating sets. Decorate with sprinkles as desired.
- Set and Serve:
- Let cake balls set fully at room temperature or refrigerate for 10 minutes before serving.
Save My family loves assembling monster cake balls together. It's a tradition every Halloween, turning our kitchen into a little monster workshop while we laugh and get creative with the decorations.
Required Tools
Electric mixer, mixing bowls, baking pan (23x33 cm / 9x13 inch), parchment paper, baking sheet, spoon or cookie scoop
Allergen Information
Contains gluten from cake mix and pretzels, dairy from cream cheese and cheddar, and eggs from cake mix. Candy melts and sprinkles may contain soy or nuts; always check product labels.
Nutritional Information
Each cake ball has about 170 calories, 8 g total fat, 22 g carbohydrates, and 3 g protein.
Save Serve your monster cake balls cold for the best texture, and let everyone choose their favorite monster face. They're sure to vanish quickly at any party!
Recipe FAQs
- → What type of cheese works best?
Mild cheddar adds a nice flavor, but mozzarella can be substituted for a mellower taste.
- → Can I make the cake balls gluten-free?
Yes, use a gluten-free cake mix and pretzel twists to accommodate dietary needs.
- → How do I get vibrant monster colors?
Divide and tint your candy melts with food coloring gel for bold, playful decorations.
- → How long do these treats last?
Store in an airtight container in the fridge for up to four days to keep them fresh.
- → Can kids help with decorating?
Absolutely! Let kids add candy eyes and sprinkles for a fun, hands-on activity.