How to Make an Easy Pumpkin Cake Balls Recipe
Use simple ingredients to make the best pumpkin cake balls recipe that is full of pumpkin flavor, cream cheese icing. Get a little bit of fall flavor in every bite with this ultimate seasonal dessert.
More Fall Recipes to Try: Apple Crisp, Apple Crumble Pie, and S’more Rice Krispie Treats.
What are Pumpkin Cake Balls?
Pumpkin cake balls are delightful, bite-sized treats that capture the essence of autumn in a single, two-bite sweet morsel. Combining the rich, spiced flavor of pumpkin cake with the creamy goodness of a cream cheese frosting, and encased in a smooth white chocolate shell, these cake balls are perfect for any fall gathering. Whether you’re looking for a dessert that’s easy to share at a party or a festive treat to enjoy with a cup of coffee, pumpkin cake balls are sure to satisfy your seasonal cravings.
Why You’ll Love This Recipe
Pumpkin cake balls are incredibly easy to make and require minimal prep time, making them an ideal choice for busy bakers or those new to the kitchen. The process involves just a few simple steps: mixing the cake and frosting, forming the balls, and coating them in white chocolate. With no baking required, these treats come together quickly and can be made ahead of time, giving you more freedom to focus on other aspects of your event or simply relax.
Another reason to love this recipe is its versatility. You can easily adapt the flavors and decorations to suit your preferences or the theme of your gathering. The combination of pumpkin, cream cheese, and white chocolate creates a harmonious blend of flavors that will impress your guests and leave them reaching for more. Plus, the visual appeal of these little cake balls, dusted with pumpkin pie spice, makes them a standout addition to any dessert table.
Ingredients
Here is what you will need to make your own pumpkin spice cake balls:
- 1 premade pumpkin cake or pumpkin bread loaf (Make your own using a pumpkin or spice cake mix with pumpkin puree, use leftover cake, or make a pumpkin cake from scratch using pumpkin puree)
- 6 oz cream cheese, softened
- ⅓ cup unsalted butter, softened
- 3 cups powdered sugar
- 10 oz white chocolate chips or almond bark
- Pumpkin pie spice, to decorate
- Lollipop sticks/cake pop sticks if you wish to make these pumpkin cake pops
How to Make Pumpkin Cake Balls
- Prepare the Frosting:
- In the bowl of a stand mixer or in a large bowl with a hand mixer, combine 6 oz softened cream cheese and ⅓ cup softened unsalted butter. Mix until smooth, scraping the sides often.
- Add 3 cups of powdered sugar to the bowl. Start mixing on low until the sugar is incorporated, then increase the speed to medium. Continue mixing for about 1 minute until the frosting is smooth and fluffy.
- Prepare the Cake Mixture:
- In another bowl, crumble the premade pumpkin cake or bread loaf into small pieces to make fine crumbs. If you are making the cake, make sure to let the cake cool.
- Add about half of the frosting to the crumbled cake. Mix until the cake and frosting are well combined. You should be able to press the mixture together and form a ball. Add more frosting if needed to achieve this consistency.
- Chill the Mixture:
- Chill the cake ball mixture in the refrigerator for approximately 20-30 minutes or until firm.
- Form the Cake Balls:
- Once chilled, remove the mixture from the fridge. Use a small ice cream scoop, cookie scoop or a tablespoon to measure out even portions of the mixture.
- Roll each portion between your hands to form a smooth sphere. Place the formed cake balls on a sheet of parchment paper lined baking sheet.
- Coat with White Chocolate:
- Melt 10 oz of white chocolate chips or bark in a microwave-safe bowl, heating in 30-second increments until smooth. Or if you prefer you can use the double boiler method to make the melted candy melts.
- Dip each cake ball into the melted white chocolate, using a spoon or fork to ensure it is fully coated. Tap off the excess chocolate and place the coated cake balls back on the parchment paper or wax paper to harden.
- Decorate and Serve:
- Once the chocolate coating has solidified, sprinkle the cake balls with pumpkin pie spice to decorate.
- Enjoy your delicious pumpkin cake balls!
Places to Take or Use This Recipe
Pumpkin cake balls are perfect for a variety of occasions. Here are some ideas:
- Holiday Parties: Bring these festive treats to Thanksgiving or Halloween gatherings. Their bite-sized nature makes them easy to share and enjoy.
- Office Potlucks: Impress your coworkers with these delightful cake balls. They’re easy to transport and make a great addition to any potluck spread.
- Family Get-Togethers: Share the joy of homemade treats with your loved ones at family dinners or weekend brunches.
Variations for the Recipe
Want to change things up a bit? Here are some variations to try to make festive pumpkin cake pops:
- Chocolate Coating: Swap the white chocolate for milk or dark chocolate to give your cake balls a richer flavor. Or for a festive touch use orange candy melts.
- Spice It Up: Add a pinch of cinnamon or nutmeg to the cake mixture for an extra layer of autumnal spice.
- Decorative Touches: Use colored sprinkles, crushed nuts, reserved cake crumbs or a drizzle of contrasting chocolate to decorate the cake balls and make them even more eye-catching.
Can the Recipe Be Stored or Made Ahead?
Yes, pumpkin cake balls can be stored and made ahead with ease:
- Storage: Place the cake balls in an airtight container and store them in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. For longer storage, you can freeze them for up to 3 months. Simply thaw in the refrigerator before serving. This is a great thing about these, how long they last when frozen.
- Make Ahead: Prepare the cake ball mixture and form the balls of cake a day in advance. Store them in the fridge, and then coat with white chocolate and decorate the next day for the best results. A great way to prep ahead of time!
Common Questions About Pumpkin Cake Balls Recipe
- Can I use homemade pumpkin cake instead of premade?
- Absolutely! Homemade pumpkin cake will work just as well and might even enhance the flavor of your cake balls.
- Can I use different types of frosting?
- Yes, you can experiment with different frostings, such as vanilla or chocolate, to find the perfect match for your taste buds.
- What if I don’t have white chocolate chips?
- You can use white chocolate bark or candy melts as a substitute. Just ensure you melt them properly for a smooth coating.
Pumpkin Cake Balls
Ingredients
- 1 premade Pumpkin cake or bread loaf Use a box mix, purchase from store, or make one from scratch, if making be sure to cool before making cake balls.
- 6 oz cream cheese softened
- ⅓ c unsalted butter softened
- 3 c powdered sugar
- 10 oz white chocolate chips or bark
- Pumpkin pie spice to decorate
Instructions
- In the bowl of a stand mixer, combine the softened cream cheese and butter and mix until smooth – scraping the sides often.
- Add in the powdered sugar and combine on low until combined.
- Bump up the speed and mix on medium for an additional minute or until frosting is smooth and fluffy looking.
- In another bowl of a stand mixer, crumble the premade pumpkin cake (or loaf).
- Add in about half of the frosting to begin. Mix with the cake crumbles and add additional frosting if needed to combine the crumbs. You should be able to press the cake together and form a ball. Continue to add frosting until this consistency is achieved.
- Chill the cake ball mixture for approximately 20-30 or until firm.
- Meanwhile, melt the white chocolate in a microwave safe bowl in 30 second increments until smooth.
- Once the cake ball mix is chilled, remove from the fridge and use a small ice cream scoop or tablespoon to measure out the cake ball mixture into even portions. Roll between your hands to form a sphere.
- Place the cake balls on a sheet of parchment and repeat until the entire mixture is shaped.
- Use a spoon or a fork to dip each cake ball into the melted white chocolate. Tap the spoon/fork on the side of the bowl to tap off the excess white chocolate. Place on the parchment to harden. Repeat with the remaining cake balls.
- Once all the cake balls have been dipped and solidified, sprinkle with additional pumpkin pie spice to decorate.
Notes
Conclusion
Pumpkin cake balls are a delightful and versatile treat that brings the flavors of fall into every bite. Easy to make and perfect for any occasion, these cake balls are sure to become a favorite in your dessert repertoire. Whether you’re hosting a party, attending a potluck, or simply craving a sweet snack, pumpkin cake balls are the answer.
Try this recipe today and share your creations with friends and family. Don’t forget to experiment with different variations and decorations to make this recipe your own. Happy baking!
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Even More Pumpkin Recipes to make the most of pumpkin season:
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Hi there!
I’m Emily, a mom and wife with a passion for crafting, celebrating holidays, and creating memorable moments. From Idaho to the world, The Benson Street is a treasure trove of easy, fun DIY projects, delightful printables, and delicious recipes. With over a decade of experience in blogging and a love for all things seasonal, I’m here to share my tips, ideas, and occasional mishaps. Join me in adding a dash of joy and creativity to every day! Read more…
