Moist Red Velvet Cake Pops are perfect for Valentine’s Day, Christmas, or any special occasion! Easy recipe with cake mix, cream cheese, and white chocolate. Slightly lower in sugar than regular cake pops. Best Valentine’s truffles!
These red velvet cake pops are a fun dessert for that special someone in your life. Pair them with champagne or red sangria; it’ll be a lovely evening! But they aren’t just for adults, kids, teens and college kids love them too!
Many recipes for cake pops use vanilla frosting and cream cheese frosting to bind the ingredients; my recipe is a little less sweet using all cream cheese, but it is still so delicious!
Why You Will Love This Recipe
- Valentine’s Day Treat – These tasty cake balls are coated with fun Valentine’s Day sprinkles and have a romantic, gorgeous red color at the center.
- Easy Recipe – You have tasty red velvet truffles with white chocolate, cake mix, cream cheese, and sprinkles in no time!
- Any Occasion – These cake pops are a delicious treat for weddings, baby showers, holidays, and summer BBQs. Just change the sprinkles to fit the special occasion.
When my boys were younger they LOVED cake pops — who am I kidding, they would still love these if I sent them in a college care package! Just shows, you are never too old for a fun treat!
I enjoy giving precise details in my recipe posts to lead my readers through any questions. If you’re just here for the printable recipe, use the Jump to Recipe to head straight there!
Simple Ingredients
- Cake mix | Use your favorite red velvet cake mix box and gather the ingredients it calls for, like eggs, water and vegetable oil.
- Cream cheese | Soften the cream cheese to room temperature for easier mixing.
- Chocolate | I use rough chopped white chocolate bar, but you may also use almond bark. Classic white chocolate candy melts or white chocolate chips also work.
- Sprinkles | Make the treat fit for any holiday with festive sprinkles.
Get the full recipe in the recipe card below.
How to Make Red Velvet Cake Balls
Step 1 | Make the cake
Set out your cream cheese to come to room temperature. Preheat your oven to the suggested package heat. Use the ingredients on the box of red velvet cake mix and pour batter into a greased 9×13-inch baking pan.
Once the cake is baked, remove it from the oven and let it cool before moving to the next step. You can even do this part the day before and cover the cooled cake with plastic wrap.
Step 2 | Form the dough balls and freeze
Trim the outer crisp edges and crumble the remaining soft cake into small pieces in a large bowl.
Mix with the softened cream cheese to form a dough.
Fresh Tips
- Combining the cake and cream cheese with your hands is easiest, but you can also use a hand mixer, stand mixer or just a rubber spatula if preferred.
Line a baking sheet with parchment paper, then, use a small or medium cookie scoop to scoop out the cake mixture and roll it into balls. Or use a teaspoon and roll into small balls.
Slip the tray into the freezer for about 30 minutes until the balls have hardened. That makes them so much easier to coat. You will probably need two cookie sheets.
Step 3 | Dip cake balls and add sprinkles
While your cake balls chill, melt the white chocolate in a microwave-safe bowl in 30-second bursts, being careful not to overheat the chocolate, causing it to seize. Stir well between each interval to help the chocolate melt evenly.
If preferred, melt the chocolate using the double boiler method. Place a glass or metal bowl over 1 inch of simmering water (without touching the water) and stir chocolate until melted.
Fresh Tips
- As you melt the chocolate, it continues to melt outside the microwave, which is why it helps stir it between heating. It takes two or three 30-second intervals.
- If preferred, melt the chocolate using the double boiler method. Place a glass or metal bowl over 1 inch of simmering water (without touching the water) and stir chocolate until melted.
Once they are good and frozen, dip the cake balls in the melted chocolate, tap off the excess, and set them back onto the baking sheet.
Spoon the remaining chocolate into a bag and snip the end to drizzle it over the truffles for a fun and festive design. Then, add the sprinkles before the chocolate hardens.
Fresh Tips
- Make them cake pops instead of truffles, press a lollipop sticks into the cake pop and use it to help dip into the chocolate, then use a box with pre-punched holes or a styrofoam block until dried, similar to these Valentine’s cake pops.
Step 4 | Chill and serve!
Finally, place the tray back in the freezer to allow the chocolate to set and enjoy!
If you’re a chocolate lover, you’ll want to try these chocolate Valentine’s Cake Pops. And if you’re looking for more tasty Valentine’s Day treats, heart-shaped air fryer biscuit donuts, these gorgeous red velvet donuts and a delicious giant cookie cake heart!
Variations & Substitutions
- Chocolate Coating: If preferred, dip the cake pops into dark chocolate or milk chocolate. Use red candy melts for a bright and fun red coating!
- Add-Ins: Add chopped nuts or chocolate chips to the cake pop dough for texture.
- Cream Cheese Frosting: Mix the cake with canned or homemade cream cheese frosting or vanilla frosting for sweeter results.
- Toppings: Garnish the truffles with extra cake crumbles or chopped nuts instead of sprinkles. You can also drizzle the balls with milk chocolate or melted semi-sweet chocolate chips for a contrast in color and flavor.
- Cake Mix: Use your favorite flavor of cake mix, like vanilla cake or chocolate cake.
Gluten-Free Red Velvet Cake Pops
Use a gluten-free box cake mix and gluten-free chocolate to make gluten-free truffles.
Storage Tips
Refrigerate – Keep the cake pops in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to three days. Then, let them come to room temperature before serving again.
How to Freeze – Red velvet truffles freeze very well. Store them in an airtight, freezer-safe container or bag, and keep them for up to three months. Let them thaw in the fridge overnight before serving the next day.
If you plan on freezing ahead of time, keep the sprinkles off as they may bleed as the cake pops thaw, instead add a little fresh swizzles of chocolate and sprinkles.
Make-Ahead Tips
Cake pops are an excellent dessert to make in advance. Just bake the cake and store it in the fridge to cool. Then, crumble the cake, discarding the crisp edges. The following day, you can combine the cream cheese and cake, then dip them in chocolate. Or you can make the entire recipe and store the cake pops in the fridge until ready to serve.
Frequently Asked Questions
Sure! This is an excellent recipe to use for cupcakes or cake that’s leftover from another occasion or a batch that didn’t quite meet your standards.
If you prefer to make red velvet cake from scratch instead of from a boxed cake mix, go for it! Try my all-natural red velvet bundt cake and bake it in a 9×13-inch pan.
Red velvet cake is not the same as classic chocolate cake. In an authentic red velvet cake, the cocoa powder, vinegar, and buttermilk create a reaction that produces the red color. Sometimes, red dye is added to brighten the color.
These cake truffles are considered candy, being a chocolate confectionery.
My take on Red Velvet confections
Generally, I am not a fan of making anything with loads of artificial dyes in them, but for these cake pops, I am a believer in everything in moderation! If you or a family member has food dye sensitivities; use your favorite cake mix or bake your own cake instead and forgo the dye, they will be just as delicious!
Best Drinks for Red Velvet Truffles
Spend a romantic evening indulging in these delicious red velvet treats and sipping on something sweet, like this festive red pink lemonade vodka cocktail (+ mocktail), a pretty pink frozen paloma, or this strawberry refresher – Yum!
Easy Frozen Paloma Cocktail
Try our Frozen Paloma recipe made with grapefruit juice, lime juice, and simple syrup! This tangy and sweet drink is perfect for any occasion, and the frozen twist adds a unique touch to the classic Paloma. Don’t miss out on this crowd-pleaser!
Easy Elderflower French 75 Cocktail with St Germain
If you have never tried a French 75 Cocktail, you are in for a treat! This easy cocktail is a delightfully sparkling floral champagne cocktail with only four ingredients. And St. Germain elderflower liqueur adds sweet flavor and floral notes.
Best Pink Lemonade Vodka Cocktail Recipe (+ Mocktail)
A simple, 5-minute pink lemonade vodka cocktail! With a few simple ingredients, this fresh and all-natural pink lemonade vodka drink will become a summer favorite! The glass or pitcher can make this easy cocktail recipe! Mocktail instructions too!
Strawberry Refresher
The Strawberry Refresher is a light non-alcoholic drink made with summer fresh strawberry syrup, lime juice and your favorite mixer. Perfect for a warm spring or summer day, refreshing and delicious.
More Lovely Valentine’s Day Recipes
- Olive Garden Steak Alfredo (Copycat Recipe)
- Best Italian Braised Short Ribs Recipe
- Easy Champagne Chocolate Truffles Recipe
- Red Velvet Cake Donuts Recipe
- Original Red Velvet Cake Recipe Without Food Coloring
- Easy Strawberry Phyllo Cheesecake Cups Recipe
The best way to melt chocolate without seizing or breaking it is to heat it in short bursts and stir well between intervals, helping it melt outside the microwave. Check out my post on how to fix grainy or broken chocolate.
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Equipment
- Cookie Scoop Set, 3 PCS Ice Cream Scoop
Ingredients
- 15 ounce box red velvet cake mix Use your favorite brand, if less it won't impact the recipe
Ingredients for baking red velvet cake according to package directions
- 3 large eggs room temperature is best
- 1 cup water
- ⅓ cup vegetable oil Double check the mix you purchase and bake according to package directions, these are for nutrition estimation only
- 10 oz cream cheese room temperature, this is one 8 ounce brick plus 2 ounces
- 12 oz white chocolate white chocolate chips, almond bark (rough chopped) or white chocolate candy melts. May also use semi-sweet or milk chocolate chips.
- Festive sprinkles Match the occasion, I used festive Valentine's hearts
Instructions
- Preheat the oven to the temperature recommend on the cake mix packages. Prepare the red velvet cake, following the box instructions. Spray a 9×13 inch baking pan with baking spray. Allow to cool completely before moving to the next step.
- Trim the crisp outer edges of the cake and discard. Crumble the rest of the cake into small pieces in a large mixing bowl. Add the softened cream cheese and mix (easiest with hands) until a dough has formed.
- Use a 2 tablespoon cookie scoop and roll the cake mixture into 2 tablespoon sized balls and place on a baking sheet lined with parchment paper. Freeze for 30 minutes or until hardened.
- Place the white chocolate in a bowl and heat, stirring every 30 seconds until melted. Fresh Tip: Chocolate continues melting outside of the microwave, be sure to stir really well between heatings, should only take about 3 heatings.
- Dip each cake ball into the white chocolate and tap off any excess chocolate. Place back onto the parchment paper lined baking sheet.
- If desired, spoon leftover white chocolate into a baggie or piping bag and snip off a tiny piece, squeeze to drizzle over the tops of the truffles. If adding sprinkles, add immediately. You can also garnish with extra cake crumbs.
- Place back into the freezer for a few minutes to allow the white chocolate to set.
Notes
-
- Gluten-Free | Use a gluten-free box cake mix and gluten-free chocolate to make gluten-free truffles.
- Chocolate Coating: If preferred, dip the cake pops into dark chocolate or milk chocolate. Use red candy melts for a bright and fun red coating!
- Add-Ins: Add chopped nuts or chocolate chips to the cake pop dough for texture.
-
- Cream Cheese Frosting: Mix the cake with canned or homemade cream cheese frosting or vanilla frosting for sweeter results.
-
- Toppings: Garnish the truffles with extra cake crumbles or chopped nuts instead of sprinkles. You can also drizzle the balls with milk chocolate or melted semi-sweet chocolate chips for a contrast in color and flavor.
- Cake Mix: Use your favorite flavor of cake mix, like vanilla cake or chocolate cake.
- Add a stick to make them a traditional cake pop
Nutrition
Amy Nash
Adorable! And easy! Definitely making these again on Feb. 1.
Perfect for a February treat!
Janelle
We’re hosting a cake pop party and will be making these! Love how easy they are!
Cake pop party? I want to come! 🙂
Jenn
Cake pops are always so daunting to me but all your tips and tricks made these super easy to make. My kid’s class loved them! Room mom of the year!
Yay!! Win! Thanks, Jenn!
Jules
Such a beautiful cake pop and so delicious! My granddaughter loved helping me make them and while ours didn’t look quite as pretty, we were pretty proud to share our endeavors.
What a fun thing to make with your granddaughter!
Lynn
So simple and easy! Made them as a test run for a party we’re hosting for my kids!
Thank you, Lynn – so glad they passed the test!
Laura Ashley Johnson
Oh my word! These were absolutely DELICIOUS! I’m making these for our Valentine’s Day get together!
Yay!! Thanks for your sweet comment, Laura!