Valentine Strawberry Cake Truffles
Valentine’s Day is just around the corner, and what could be better than homemade Valentine Strawberry Cake Truffles? These delightful bites are a sweet fusion of soft strawberry cake and creamy frosting, coated in luscious vanilla melts and adorned with colorful sprinkles. Each truffle is a pop of flavor, perfect for sharing (or keeping all to yourself!). They are simply irresistible and sure to bring a smile to anyone’s face.
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I first made strawberry cake truffles for a friend’s birthday party, and let me tell you, they were an instant hit. The vibrant pink hues combined with that addictive flavor of strawberries and cream were a delightful surprise to everyone. Best of all, they are incredibly fun to make, and whether you’re a beginner or a seasoned baker, this recipe is super easy to follow. So why not whip up a batch and get ready to impress your loved ones?
Why You’ll Love This Recipe
- Simple & Quick: With just a few easy steps, you can prepare these truffles in no time, making them perfect for spontaneous celebrations.
- Irresistible Flavor: The combination of strawberry cake and cream cheese creates a deliciously moist and rich treat that melts in your mouth.
- Eye-Catching Appeal: Dressed in bright pink and adorned with sprinkles, these truffles are as fun to look at as they are to eat!
- Flexible Serving: Perfect for Valentine’s Day, birthday parties, or just a little indulgence – you can enjoy them anytime.
- Diet-Friendly Options: Consider swapping out the cream cheese for a dairy-free alternative, making them suitable for different dietary needs.
Ingredients You’ll Need
- 15.25 ounces strawberry cake mix: I used Betty Crocker for its moist texture; other brands work too, but adjust baking times accordingly.
- 8 ounces cream cheese: Softened to room temperature, this brings a rich creaminess to your truffles. For a lighter version, try Neufchâtel cheese.
- ⅓ cup cream cheese chips: These add extra creaminess and flavor. If unavailable, mini chocolate chips can be a nice alternative.
- 2 10-ounce bags Ghirardelli vanilla melting wafers: They create a silky coating. Ensure you melt them gently to keep them smooth.
- ½ cup Wilton pink candy melts: These add a beautiful color and a distinct candy flavor. Substituting with white chocolate is possible for a milder taste.
- ½ cup Wilton bright pink candy melts: Similar to the previous item, these intensify the pink hue of your truffles.
- Sprinkles (optional): Add them for a pop of color and texture, making your truffles feel festive.
How to Make Valentine Strawberry Cake Truffles Recipe
Prepare the Cake Mix: Preheat your oven to 350°F and line a baking sheet with parchment paper. You’ll first heat treat the cake mix to eliminate any bacteria. Spread the 15.25 ounces of strawberry cake mix onto the prepared baking sheet and bake for 5 minutes. Once done, allow it to cool completely on a wire rack.
Cream the Cheese: While the cake mix cools, take the 8 ounces of softened cream cheese and place it in a medium mixing bowl. Beat with a hand mixer on medium-high speed until it’s smooth and creamy. Trust me, this step is essential for a luscious truffle texture!
Combine Ingredients: Now, add the cooled cake mix into the bowl with the cream cheese. Use a rubber spatula to fold it a few times, ensuring that it doesn’t become too messy. Finish mixing with your hand mixer on medium-high speed until you achieve a dough-like consistency. I love folding first to save an explosion of flour!
Add Cream Cheese Chips: Gently fold in the ⅓ cup of cream cheese chips until they are evenly distributed throughout the dough, enhancing the truffle’s richness.
Chill the Dough: Cover your cake mix dough with plastic wrap and pop it in the refrigerator to chill for 2 hours. This step is crucial as it helps the dough hold its shape during the rolling process.
Scoop and Roll: After chilling, prepare two baking sheets lined with parchment paper again. Use a 1 ½ tablespoon cookie scoop to portion out the dough, shaping each into smooth balls with your hands. Let these sit for about 15 minutes to expand a bit—this will help prevent cracking later.
Melt the Coating: Prepare a double boiler or a microwave-safe bowl to melt the vanilla melting wafers. If using a microwave, do so in 30-second increments, stirring in between until fully melted. I prefer the double boiler method as it provides better temperature control.
Dip the Truffles: Place one dough ball on a fork and dip it completely into the melted vanilla wafers. Lift it out and gently tap the fork against the edge of the bowl to shake off any excess coating. Then, place the coated truffles onto the lined baking sheet. Repeat this with all the dough balls, keeping them about 2 inches apart.
Add the Fun Colors: Before the coating sets, add sprinkles on half of the truffles for a festive touch. Melt the separate pink candy melts (½ cup each of Wilton pink and bright pink) in small microwave-safe piping bags. Once melted, drizzle them over the remaining coated truffles.
Let Set & Serve: Allow all the truffles to set completely before serving. Trust me, the wait will be worth it, as you will have a truly beautiful and delicious treat ready to share!
Storing & Reheating
To keep your Valentine Strawberry Cake Truffles fresh, store them at room temperature in an airtight container for up to 3 days. For longer storage, refrigerate them in the same container for up to a week. If you wish to freeze them, you can do so in a freezer-safe container for up to 3 months. To reheat, simply let them sit at room temperature for about 10-15 minutes to soften slightly. Keep in mind that freezing may slightly alter the texture, but they will still taste delightful.
Chef’s Helpful Tips
- Be sure the cream cheese is fully softened before mixing with the cake, as this helps achieve a smooth consistency.
- Avoid overmixing when incorporating the cake and cream cheese, as this might make the truffles denser than desirable.
- If you want a firmer texture for your truffles, consider chilling the rolled balls for an additional 30 minutes before coating.
- Experiment with different kinds of sprinkles for fun variations; they can change the whole look!
- Make a batch ahead of time for special occasions; they keep well and can save you time.
Creating these decadent Valentine Strawberry Cake Truffles is a fun process that truly showcases your baking skills. Not only are they delicious, but they also carry a personal touch that store-bought treats often lack. Don’t hesitate to play with colors and toppings—this recipe offers room for creativity, so let your imagination run wild!
Recipe FAQs
Can I use another cake mix flavor?
Absolutely! While strawberry cake mix gives a lovely pink hue and flavor, you can use vanilla or chocolate cake mix as well. Just adjust the add-ins to complement your chosen cake mix flavor.
How can I make these truffles vegan?
To make this recipe vegan-friendly, replace the cream cheese with a plant-based cream cheese alternative, and ensure the melting wafers are dairy-free. Always check ingredient labels for vegan options!
How do I fix a thick coating?
If your melting wafers are too thick, try adding a teaspoon of vegetable shortening or coconut oil to thin it out. This will give a smoother coating without compromising the flavor.
Can I add fruit to the mixture?
For a fruity twist, you could finely chop fresh strawberries and gently fold them into the mixture before rolling. Just ensure they’re well-drained to avoid excess moisture in the truffles.
More Desserts & Appetizers Recipes
- Fluffy & Healthy Greek Yogurt Bagels
- Sour Cream Sugar Cookies (Soft, Fluffy, Old-Fashioned)
- Orange Poppyseed Cake with Cream Cheese Frosting
- Chocolate Crinkle Cookies
- Chocolate Dipped Strawberries
Did You Enjoy Making This Recipe? Please rate this recipe with ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ or leave a comment.
📖 Recipe Card
Valentine Strawberry Cake Truffles
- Prep Time: 2 hours
- Cook Time: 5 minutes
- Total Time: 2 hours 5 minutes
- Yield: 20 1x
- Category: Desserts & Appetizers
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
Description
These Valentine Strawberry Cake Truffles are a sweet treat with irresistible flavors and simple prep. Combining strawberry cake mix with cream cheese, they are perfect for a special occasion or as a delightful dessert at home.
Ingredients
- 15.25 ounce strawberry cake mix
- 8 ounce block cream cheese softened to room temperature
- ⅓ cup cream cheese chips roughly chopped
- 2 10 oz bags ghirardelli vanilla melting wafers
- ½ cup wilton pink candy melts
- ½ cup wilton bright pink candy melts
- Sprinkles optional
Instructions
- Preheat the oven to 350°F and line a baking sheet with parchment paper. Heat treat the cake mix for safety.
- Spread the cake mix on the baking sheet and bake for 5 minutes. Cool completely on a wire rack after baking.
- In a mixing bowl, beat the softened cream cheese with a hand mixer until it's smooth and creamy.
- Fold the cooled cake mix into the cream cheese mixture using a spatula, then mix fully with a hand mixer until a dough forms.
- Incorporate the cream cheese chips until evenly distributed throughout the dough.
- Cover the dough with plastic wrap and chill in the refrigerator for 2 hours.
- After chilling, line two baking sheets with parchment paper. Scoop 1½ tablespoon of dough and roll into smooth balls.
- Let the rolled balls sit for 15 minutes to expand and reduce the risk of cracking during coating.
- Melt the vanilla melting wafers using a double boiler or microwave at low heat until fully melted.
- Dip each dough ball in the melted vanilla wafers, tapping the fork to remove excess coating, and place on the baking sheets.
- Sprinkle desired toppings on half of the dough balls before the coating sets.
- Melt the pink candy melts in small piping bags and drizzle over the remaining dough balls.
- Allow the truffles to set completely before serving.
Notes
Make sure to heat treat the cake mix to eliminate any potential bacteria.
Chilling the dough is essential for proper texture and coating adherence.
Use various sprinkles for a festive touch to your truffles.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 truffle
- Calories: 120
- Sugar: 9g
- Sodium: 50mg
- Fat: 6g
- Saturated Fat: 3g
- Unsaturated Fat: 2g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 16g
- Fiber: <1g
- Protein: 2g
- Cholesterol: 15mg
