Easy Cake Balls

***Content source: http://www.parenting.com/article/easy-cake-balls-recipe

Makes 4 dozen cake balls

Ingredients

• 1 (18.25-ounce) package cake mix (any flavor)
• 1 (16-ounce) tub ready-to-spread frosting (any flavor)
• 3 cups chocolate chips (semisweet, bittersweet, milk, or white)
• 1 tablespoon vegetable shortening

1. Prepare and bake the cake mix as directed on package for a 13 x 9-inch cake. Cool completely. Crumble the cooled cake into a large bowl. Add the frosting. With an electric mixer on medium-low speed, mix until blended. Chill 1 hour.

2. Roll the mixture into 1-inch balls (use a cookie scoop for evenly sized balls). Place on an ungreased cookie sheet. Chill 3 to 4 hours until very firm.

3. Line a second cookie sheet with wax paper. Melt the chocolate chips and shortening in a medium bowl in the microwave according to directions on package.

4. Using a candy-dipping fork or kitchen fork, drop balls in melted chocolate to coat. Lift ball from chocolate, tapping off excess, and place on cookie sheet lined with wax paper. Repeat with remaining balls. Store, loosely covered, in refrigerator.

Variations

Cake Mix Pops: Prepare cake balls as directed. Dip the end of a lollipop stick in the melted chocolate and then insert into each ball (this ensures the stick will stay in). Dip pops in chocolate coating, gently tapping off excess. Place stick-side up on lined cookie sheet and chill as directed. Note: To stand pops upright, place pieces of Styrofoam or floral foam on a cookie sheet. Stick the coated pops into the foam so they can stand upright as the coating sets.

Candy Cane Cake Balls: Prepare as directed, but use a vanilla cake mix and vanilla frosting. Add 1 cup crushed candy canes to the cake-frosting mixture. Use semisweet, milk, or white chocolate chips for the coating. Suggested garnish: crushed candy canes.

Gingerbread Cake Balls: Prepare as directed, but use a spice cake mix and 1 3/4 cups vanilla frosting. Add 1/4 cup dark molasses, 2 teaspoons ground ginger, and 1 teaspoon cinnamon to the cake-frosting mixture. Use white chocolate chips for the coating. Suggested garnish: finely chopped crystallized ginger.

Red Velvet Cake Balls: Prepare as directed, but use a red velvet cake mix and cream cheese frosting. Use white chocolate chips for the coating. Suggested garnish: sprinkle of red colored sugar.

Lemon Cake Balls: Prepare as directed, but use a lemon cake mix and lemon frosting. Add 3 tablespoons fresh lemon juice to the cake mix-frosting mixture. Use white chocolate chips for the coating. Suggested garnish: sprinkle of yellow colored sugar.

Peanut Butter Cake Balls: Prepare as directed, but use a yellow cake mix and 1 3/4 cups creamy or chunky peanut butter. Use white or milk chocolate chips for the coating. Suggested garnish: chopped, roasted, salted peanuts.

Cheesecake Balls: Prepare as directed, but use a vanilla cake mix. In place of the full can of frosting, use half a can of cream cheese frosting plus 1 (8-ounce) package softened cream cheese. Use semisweet, milk, or white chocolate chips for the coating.

Maple Cake Balls: Prepare as directed, but use a butter pecan cake mix, 1 1/2 cups vanilla frosting, and 1/3 cup pure maple syrup. Use white chocolate chips for the coating. Suggested garnish: finely chopped toasted pecans.

German Chocolate Cake Balls: Prepare as directed, but use a German chocolate cake mix and coconut pecan frosting. Use milk chocolate chips for the coating. Suggested garnish: toasted coconut.

Cinnamon Roll Cake Balls: Prepare as directed, but use a yellow cake mix and vanilla frosting. Add 2 teaspoons ground cinnamon and 1/4 cup packed dark brown sugar to the cake frosting mixture. Use white chocolate chips for the coating. Suggested garnish: sprinkle of ground cinnamon.

Chocolate Chip Cookie Cake Balls: Prepare as directed, but use a yellow cake mix and caramel frosting. Add 3/4 cup miniature chocolate chips to the cake-frosting mixture. Use semisweet chocolate chips for the coating.

©Sourcebooks, Inc. The Ultimate Cake Mix Cookie Book by Camilla Saulsbury