Festive Cake Ball Ornaments Recipe

If you’re looking for a festive treat that doubles as adorable holiday décor, you’re going to fall head over heels for this Festive Cake Ball Ornaments Recipe. These cake balls look just like Christmas tree ornaments and taste like a little bite of velvet-smooth holiday magic. I absolutely love how they bring that extra sparkle to our festivities, and the best part? They’re surprisingly easy to make, even if you’re not a seasoned baker. Stick around, and I’ll walk you through every step so your cake ball ornaments turn out perfectly every time.

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Ingredients You’ll Need

These ingredients come together beautifully to create cake balls that are moist and flavorful, with just the right touch of sweetness and creaminess. When shopping, I find the red velvet cake mix is easiest to find this time of year, and the candy melts come in festive colors that make decorating fun and foolproof.

• Red velvet cake mix: This gives the balls that signature festive red tint and rich cocoa flavor.
• Cream cheese: Softened cream cheese adds a delicious tang and creamy texture inside the balls.
• Unsalted butter: Helps keep the mixture smooth without overpowering the cream cheese flavor.
• Confectioners’ sugar: Adds sweetness and helps bind the mixture.
• Vanilla extract: Just a splash for warmth and depth of flavor.
• Kosher salt: Balances sweetness perfectly.
• Frosted Cheerios: Extra crunchy cereal pieces that become the “hooks” for hanging your ornament cake balls.
• Green, red, and white candy melts: Melted for coating the cake balls and decorating—think of it as edible ornament paint!
• Sanding sugar: For adding sparkle and a festive finish.
• Cooking spray: To grease your pan, so your cake bakes evenly without sticking.

Variations

I love how versatile this Festive Cake Ball Ornaments Recipe is—you can switch up the cake mix or decorations to suit your style and pantry. Feel free to get creative; each variation brings a new spin to this festive favorite.

• Flavor Swap: I once used a peppermint cake mix instead of red velvet, and it gave the ornaments a lovely holiday minty twist that my family adored.
• Gluten-Free Option: Using a gluten-free cake mix works great here, just make sure your candy melts and toppings are GF too.
• Decorating Themes: Try gold or silver candy melts for an elegant look, or add edible glitter for extra sparkle.
• Nut Mix-ins: If you don’t have little ones around, folding in some finely chopped nuts adds a satisfying crunch inside the cake balls.

How to Make Festive Cake Ball Ornaments Recipe

Step 1: Bake Your Red Velvet Cake

Start by preheating your oven to 350°F and greasing a 13″ x 9″ pan with cooking spray—this ensures easy cake removal. Mix your cake batter exactly as the package instructs. Pour it evenly into the pan and bake for about 25 to 30 minutes until a toothpick comes out clean. I’ve found letting the cake cool fully at room temperature is key—warm cake will make mixing tricky later.

Step 2: Mix the Cream Cheese Frosting

While the cake cools, beat together softened cream cheese and butter until they’re nice and fluffy—about 2 to 3 minutes on medium-high speed. Then add the confectioners’ sugar, vanilla, and a pinch of kosher salt. Beat until it’s all smooth and combined. This luscious frosting is the secret that keeps the cake balls perfectly moist and flavorful.

Step 3: Combine & Chill the Cake Balls

Crumble the cooled cake into fine pieces in a large bowl, then stir in the cream cheese frosting using your hands or a spatula. Mix until you get a sticky dough. When I do this, I sometimes break up any lumps with my fingers so all the crumbs absorb that creamy frosting. Roll the mixture into 1½-inch balls—about 34 of them—and lay them on a baking sheet. Pop them in the fridge for about an hour so they firm up nicely before decorating.

Step 4: Make Your Candy Melt Hooks

To create the little “hooks” that look like ornament hangers, lay 34 Frosted Cheerios flat on a baking sheet. Hold an extra Cheerio upright, dip its bottom into white melted candy, and attach it to the center of one of the flat ones. Repeat until all hooks are ready. This is a small step but so worth the effort—those hooks make your cake balls look like real ornaments! I discovered this trick after trying all sorts of ideas; cereal pieces stick well and look adorable.

Step 5: Dip and Decorate Your Cake Balls

Divide your cake balls into three groups. Dip one-third into green candy melts, another third into red, and the rest into white. Let excess chocolate drip off before laying them back on your baking sheet. Before the coating hardens, sprinkle some with sanding sugar for a sparkly finish. After about 15-20 minutes, when the coating is set, transfer most of the remaining white candy melt to a plastic bag with a tiny cut in the corner and pipe festive designs on your cake balls. Again, sprinkle sanding sugar while the drizzle is still wet for that twinkle. Finally, dip the hook bottoms into leftover white candy melts and attach them to the top of the cake balls. Let everything set fully before displaying or eating.

How to Serve Festive Cake Ball Ornaments Recipe

Garnishes

I love adding sanding sugar on top—it mimics the look of twinkling snowflakes on real ornaments. Sometimes I sprinkle crushed peppermint candy for a burst of minty crunch and extra Christmas vibes. If I’m going for a rustic vibe, a little drizzle of melted dark chocolate over the candy coating adds a delicious contrast and charm.

Side Dishes

These cake ball ornaments are sweet enough to shine alone, but I like serving them alongside a cup of rich hot chocolate or a spiced holiday coffee. They also pair beautifully with a cheese board during parties—balancing the savory flavors with something sweet and joyful.

Creative Ways to Present

One of my favorite ideas is to hang these cake ball ornaments on a faux mini Christmas tree at dessert tables—they’re both décor and dessert! Another fun presentation is arranging them in a clear glass bowl like festive candy, or packaging them in cello bags tied with bright ribbons for gifts. It’s such a crowd-pleaser every time.

Make Ahead and Storage

Storing Leftovers

I keep leftover cake ball ornaments in an airtight container in the fridge. They hold up well for about a week. Just make sure they’re stored in a single layer or separated with parchment to keep your candy coating from sticking to each other.

Freezing

If you want to make these ahead of time for a party, you can freeze the cake balls after they are coated and fully set. I wrap each one gently in wax paper and place them in a freezer-safe container. When you thaw them overnight in the fridge, they taste just as fresh as the day you made them.

Reheating

Since these are best enjoyed cold, I usually serve them chilled. However, if you want to soften the coating slightly before serving, just let them sit at room temperature for 10–15 minutes—no microwave needed. That way, you keep the delicate decoration intact while enhancing flavor and texture.

FAQs

Final Thoughts

Making this Festive Cake Ball Ornaments Recipe has become one of my favorite holiday traditions. There’s something so joyful about turning something delicious into something visually magical that everyone can admire—and eat! I honestly think these cake ball ornaments add an extra dash of cheer that makes the season feel even more special. So grab your cake mix, gather your decorations, and dive in—you’re going to love how easy and fun these are. Happy holidays and happy baking!

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