Name: Grinch cake balls
Prep time: 20 min
Cook time: 10 min
Total time: 30 min
Ingredients: 1 box Cake mix (White or vanilla); 16 oz Cream cheese frosting; 12 oz Green candy melts; 0.25 cup Red heart sprinkles

Okay, picture this: I am It’s almost Christmas, you’re feeling festive, and you want something fun and delicious to make with it. The kids (or, let’s be honest, for yourself). What are Grinch cake balls? What is a Grinch cake pop? Think bright green, a little bit gooey, and oh-so-delicious. What are the best ways to make a cake from scratch? What are some good Christmas party recipes? If you love cake pops, you’re going to obsess over these!

What are Grinch Cake Balls?

What are Grinch cake balls? Well, think of them as deconstructed Grinch-themed cake, rolled into bite-sized balls of festive cake. It’s essentially a doctored-up cake mix (don’t tell anyone! ), mixed with cream cheese frosting to create a wonderfully moist and gooey texture. We then dip them in melted green candy melts to give them that iconic Grinchy color. The name comes from that famous green Christmas character we all know and love… Is it true that these are more lovable than the Grinch himself?

Why you’ll love this recipe?

Where do I begin? What is the perfect balance of sweet cake, tangy cream cheese, and that satisfying candy coating? Is it addictive? What are some easy recipes to make? Is this a no bake treat? They’re surprisingly cost-effective too! What are some of the best cake mixes you’ve ever had? What I love most about these are their versatility. Can you change up the cake flavor, add different sprinkles, or even drizzle them with white chocolate? Chocolate for extra flair. What are some of the best holiday activities for kids? What are some of the best edible gifts to give as a gift? Compared to making sugar cookies, these are a breeze. What are some of the cutest little girls?

How do I make Grinch cake balls?

Quick Overview

How do you make Grinch cake balls? If you want to make a cake, you’ll bake it, crumble it up, and mix it. What is a cream cheese frosting? What is the best way to make a green candy melt? Is it easier to make festive sprinkles? What’s the best part? No fancy equipment needed!

Ingredients

For the Cake:
25 oz) white cake mix (plus ingredients called for on the box – usually eggs, oil, and water).
*Green gel food coloring. Use gel because you don’t want to change the consistency of the batter.

For the Filling:
* 8 oz cream cheese, softened. Make sure it’s *really* soft so it mixes well!
* 1/2 cup (1 stick) unsalted butter, softened. Same as above. Softened is key!
* 3 cups powdered sugar. Sift this if you want a really smooth frosting.
* 1 teaspoon vanilla extract. Pure vanilla is always better in my opinion!

For the Glaze:
Is there a recipe for 12 oz green candy melts?
What’s your favorite Grinchy to make with red, white and green sprinkles?

How do I follow step

Step 1: Preheat & Prep Pan

Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Grease and flour a 9×13 inch baking pan. I always line my cake with parchment paper. Just to make sure the cake comes out easily.

Step 2: Mix Dry Ingredients

In a large bowl, combine the white cake mix with the dry ingredients called for on the box. How do you whisk the ingredients together to get rid of any lumps. This ensures a nice, even texture in the final cake.

Step 3: Mix Wet Ingredients

In a separate bowl, combine the wet ingredients (usually eggs, oil, and water) called for on the package. Add a generous amount of green gel food coloring – you want grainy green! Mix well until everything is combined.

Step 4: Combine

Gradually add the wet ingredients to the dry ingredients, mixing on low speed until just combined. Be careful not to overmix – this can make the cake tough. A few lumps are okay!

Step 5: Bake

Pour the batter into the prepared baking pan and spread it evenly. Bake for 25-30 minutes, or until a wooden skewer inserted into the center comes out clean. Keep an eye on it – every oven is different!

Step 6: Cool Cake

Let the cake cool in the pan for 10 minutes before transferring it to a wire rack to cool completely. This is important – you need a completely cool cake before you can crumble it.

Step 7: Make the Frosting

While the cake is cooling, make the cream cheese frosting. In a large bowl, beat the softened cream cheese and butter until smooth and creamy. Gradually add the powdered sugar, beating on low speed until combined. Stir in the vanilla extract.

Step 8: Crumble & Mix

Once the cake is completely cool, crumble it into a large bowl. Add the cream cheese frosting and mix well with your hands (or a spatula) until everything is evenly distributed. How do you make a sticky paste? It should be moist enough to hold its shape.

Step 9: Roll & Chill

What is the best way to roll the cake mixture into 1-inch balls and place them on a baking sheet lined with parchment paper? Chill them in the refrigerator for at least 30 minutes. What makes them easier to dip?

Step 10: Dip & Decorate

How do you melt green candy melts according to package directions? How do you dip a cake ball into the melted candy? Let the excess drip off, then place the dipped cake ball back on the parchment-lined baking sheet. What are some of the best festive sprinkles to sprinkle on your favorite candy before it sets?

Step 11: Set & Serve

Let the candy melt completely before serving. How do I make a baking sheet in the refrigerator for ten minutes? What are Grinch cake balls?

What should I serve it with?

These Grinch cake balls are pretty amazing on their own, but here are some fun ways to serve them!

What are some ideas for a holiday party? Arrange them on a festive platter with other holiday treats like cookies and brownies. They look especially cute displayed on a tiered serving stand.

As a Gift: Package them in a cute little box or bag and tie it with a ribbon. They make a wonderful homemade gift for friends, family, or neighbors. People love them!

For a Movie Night: What are some suggestions? Serve them with a big bowl of popcorn while watching “How the Grinch Stole Christmas.” It’s the perfect festive snack combo!

What is hot chocolate with? Warm up with a mug of hot chocolate and a couple of Grinch cake balls. The sweetness of the cake balls pairs perfectly with the rich chocolatey drink.

My family loves these with a tall glass of cold milk! It brings back all those childhood memories of eating cookies with milk. They also pair nicely with a slightly tart cranberry juice, which cuts through the sweetness. Don’t be afraid to experiment and find your favorite combo!

How do you make a Grinch cake?

Okay, so here are a few tricks I’ve learned over the years to make these Grinch cake balls absolutely perfect:

Cream Cheese is Key: Make sure your cream cheese and butter are *really* softened. If they’re too cold, they won’t mix properly and you’ll end up with lumpy frosting.

Don’t Overbake: Overbaking the cake will result in dry cake balls. Keep a close eye on it and take it out of the oven as soon as a wooden skewer comes out clean.

Chill Time is Important: Don’t skip the chilling step! This helps the cake balls firm up and prevents them from falling apart when you dip them in the candy melts.

Melt Candy Melts Carefully: Follow the package directions for melting the candy melts, and be careful not to overheat them. If they get too hot, they can seize up and become unusable. I always add a tiny bit of shortening to help them melt smoothly.

Get Creative with Sprinkles: Don’t be afraid to get creative with your sprinkles! Use a mix of different colors, shapes, and sizes for a festive and eye-catching look. I like to have a few different bowls of sprinkles so everyone can customize their cake balls.

Troubleshooting: If your cake balls are too dry, add a little more frosting. If they’re too wet, add a little more crumbled cake. It’s all about finding the right balance.

One thing I always do is test a small batch of frosting before mixing it all in. This helps me adjust the sweetness and flavor to my liking. Also, when dipping, I use a toothpick to poke a hole in the top of the cake ball before dipping it. This helps prevent air bubbles from forming in the candy coating.

Storing and Reheating Tips

Here’s how to keep your Grinch cake balls fresh and delicious!

Room Temperature: You can store them at room temperature in an airtight container for up to 2 days. Keep them away from direct sunlight and heat.

Refrigerator Storage: For longer storage, keep them in the refrigerator in an airtight container for up to a week. The candy coating might get a little sticky, but they’ll still taste great.

Freezer Instructions: If you want to store them for even longer, you can freeze them for up to 2 months. Wrap them individually in plastic wrap and then place them in a freezer-safe container. Thaw them in the refrigerator before serving.

Glaze Timing Advice: It’s best to add the sprinkles immediately after dipping the cake balls in the candy melts, as the coating sets quickly. If you’re storing them in the refrigerator or freezer, you might want to wait to add the sprinkles until just before serving, to prevent them from getting soggy.

I always find that freezing them without the sprinkles and then adding them after thawing works best. Also, when thawing, place them on a wire rack to prevent them from getting soggy.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I make this gluten-free?

Yes, you can! Just use a gluten-free cake mix and make sure all your other ingredients (especially the sprinkles!) are also gluten-free. The texture might be slightly different, but they’ll still be delicious. I’ve tested this with a few different brands of gluten-free cake mix, and they all worked well.

Can I use a different flavor of cake mix?

Absolutely! Chocolate cake, vanilla cake, or even red velvet cake would all be delicious. Just adjust the food coloring accordingly – you might want to use a different color if you’re not using white cake mix.

What if I don’t have candy melts?

You can use white chocolate or dark chocolate instead. Just add some green food coloring to get the Grinchy color. Be careful not to add too much liquid food coloring, as it can make the chocolate seize up.

How can I make these ahead of time?

You can make the cake balls up to 2 days in advance and store them in the refrigerator. Just wait to dip them in the candy melts until just before serving.

My candy melts are too thick. What should I do?

Add a teaspoon of vegetable shortening or coconut oil to the candy melts and stir until smooth. This will help thin them out and make them easier to dip.

Final Thoughts

I really hope you give these Grinch cake balls a try! They’re such a fun and festive treat, and they’re always a hit with kids and adults alike. The combination of the moist cake, creamy frosting, and crunchy candy coating is simply irresistible. Plus, they’re so easy to make, even if you’re not a seasoned baker. If you love these, you might also enjoy my gingerbread cookies or my peppermint bark recipe – they’re all perfect for the holiday season! Happy baking, and I can’t wait to hear how yours turn out! Don’t forget to leave a comment and let me know if you made any fun variations. And please share photos if you make this recipe!