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, these little bites are sure to bring smiles to anyone who tries them.
When I first made these for our family Halloween party, the kids couldn't stop giggling at the silly monster faces. It quickly became everyone’s favorite treat to make and decorate together.
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; 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 (store-bought or homemade); 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 following the package instructions. Pour batter into a 23x33 cm (9x13 inch) pan and bake for 30–35 minutes, or until a toothpick comes out clean. Cool the cake completely.
- Prepare the filling:
- In a medium bowl, beat together cream cheese, cheddar cheese, and powdered sugar until smooth and creamy.
- Combine and shape:
- Crumble the cooled cake into a large bowl. Add the cheese-cream cheese mixture and blend thoroughly until a sticky dough forms.
- Form cake balls:
- Shape heaping tablespoonfuls of the dough into 24 balls. Place on a parchment-lined baking sheet and freeze for 20 minutes.
- Melt the coatings:
- Melt white chocolate or candy melts according to package directions. Optionally, divide and tint with food coloring for fun monster hues.
- Decorate the monsters:
- Dip each cake ball into melted coating, allowing excess to drip off. Immediately add pretzel pieces for horns or arms, and attach candy eyes before the coating sets. Garnish with sprinkles as desired.
- Set and serve:
- Let cake balls set at room temperature or refrigerate for 10 minutes before serving.
Save Decorating these monster cake balls together always brings the family to the kitchen table for laughs and creativity. Each person comes up with a new creature to surprise everyone!
Required Tools
Electric mixer, mixing bowls, baking pan (23x33 cm / 9x13 inch), parchment paper, baking sheet, spoon or cookie scoop
Allergen Information
Contains gluten, dairy, and eggs; candy melts and sprinkles may contain soy or nuts. Always check labels for potential allergens.
Nutritional Information
Per cake ball: Calories 170, Total Fat 8 g, Carbohydrates 22 g, Protein 3 g
Save Serve chilled or at room temperature, and let creativity shine when decorating your monsters. They’re sure to be the star attraction at any celebration.
Recipe FAQs
- → How do I get vibrant monster colors?
Use colored candy melts or tint white chocolate with gel food coloring for bright, playful coatings.
- → Can I make these cake balls gluten-free?
Yes, substitute gluten-free cake mix and pretzels to create gluten-free cake balls with the same fun effect.
- → What kind of cheese works best for the filling?
Mild cheddar pairs well with cream cheese for tang and creaminess. Mozzarella offers a milder flavor if desired.
- → How do I store finished cake balls?
Place in an airtight container and refrigerate; they’ll stay fresh for up to 4 days.
- → What decorations can be used for monster features?
Pretzel pieces make horns, candy eyes add personality, and sprinkles bring extra color and flair.
- → Can I use homemade cake instead of boxed mix?
Absolutely! Use any favorite yellow cake recipe for a personalized touch to your cake balls.