Name: Red Velvet Cake Ball Ornaments Recipe
Prep time: 30 min
Cook time: 30 min
Total time: 3 h 30 min
Cuisine: American
Ingredients: Cooking spray; 1 (15.25-oz.) box red velvet cake mix, plus ingredients called for on box; 4 oz. cream cheese, softened; 4 tbsp. unsalted butter, softened; 1 1/2 cups (170 g) confectioners’ sugar; 1/2 tsp. pure vanilla extract; Pinch of kosher salt; 1/4 cup Frosted Cheerios (about 70 pieces); 1 (12-oz.) bag green candy melts, melted; 1 (12-oz.) bag red candy melts, melted; 2 (12-oz.) bags white candy melts, melted; Sanding sugar, for decorating

Jump to Recipe· 4.8 from 71 reviews

If you’re looking for a holiday treat that’s as adorable as it is delicious, you’ve come to the right place! This Red Velvet Cake Ball Ornaments Recipe is seriously one of my favorite festive desserts to make—and trust me, it’s more fun (and tastier) than store-bought ornaments. Imagine bite-sized, rich red velvet cake balls dipped in colorful candy melts, sprinkled with sanding sugar, and topped with cute cereal “hooks” so you can actually hang them on your tree or gift them as edible ornaments. Stick around, I’m excited to share every step and trick I’ve learned getting these just right!

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Why You’ll Love This Recipe

Festive and Fun: These cake balls aren’t just tasty, they double as cute holiday ornaments everyone will rave about.
Easy to Customize: You can customize the colors and decorations to fit your holiday vibe or personal taste.
Perfect Party Treat: These bite-sized delights make sharing easy and festive—great for gifts or holiday dessert tables.
Made from Scratch with a Twist: Using a boxed cake mix keeps things simple, but the cream cheese frosting and candy coating make them feel homemade and special.

Red Velvet Cake Ball Ornaments Recipe - Recipe Step

Ingredients You’ll Need

This recipe strikes a beautiful balance between convenience and homemade flavor. Starting with a red velvet cake mix keeps prep easy, but adding cream cheese frosting and dipping in candy melts gives your cake balls that irresistible, festive finish. I always recommend using quality ingredients to get the best taste and texture.

Red Velvet Cake Ball Ornaments Recipe - Ingredients

Red velvet cake mix: The classic flavor base, plus the cake mix call-for ingredients make the process simple.
Cream cheese: Go for full-fat and softened—it’s the heart of the frosting that makes the cake balls creamy.
Butter: Softened unsalted butter gives a silky mouthfeel to the frosting blend.
Confectioners’ sugar: Essential for that sweet, smooth frosting texture.
Vanilla extract: A splash lifts all the flavors in the frosting.
Kosher salt: Just a pinch to balance sweetness and enhance flavor.
Frosted Cheerios: For creating the adorable edible hook attachments—don’t skip these!
Green, red, and white candy melts: I love how these add holiday colors and shine to the cake balls.
Sanding sugar: Adds that magical, sparkling festive touch at the end.
Cooking spray: For greasing the pan—makes cake removal a breeze.

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Note: You’ll find the complete list of ingredients, along with their exact measurements, in the printable recipe card at the bottom of this post.

Variations

One of the things I adore about this Red Velvet Cake Ball Ornaments Recipe is how easy it is to play around with the colors and flavors. Whether you’re allergic to certain ingredients or just want a twist, here’s some ideas based on what I’ve tried and loved.

Chocolate cake base: I swapped in a chocolate cake mix once and it still worked beautifully—just changed the vibe to a richer ornament treat.
Dairy-free option: Use vegan butter and cream cheese alternatives, plus dairy-free candy melts, and you’re good to go for guests with allergies.
Flavor boosts: Adding a teaspoon of almond extract to the frosting can give a lovely nutty note that pairs well with red velvet.
Decoration swaps: Instead of sanding sugar, try crushed peppermint candies or edible glitter for extra sparkle and scent.

How to Make Red Velvet Cake Ball Ornaments Recipe

Step 1: Bake Your Red Velvet Cake

Start by preheating your oven to 350°F and spraying your 13” x 9” baking pan with cooking spray. Mix the red velvet cake batter according to the package instructions because this shortcut saves so much time without sacrificing flavor. Pour that gorgeous batter into your greased pan and bake it until a toothpick inserted in the center comes out clean—usually between 25 to 30 minutes. When it’s done, let the cake cool completely. This part is key because if it’s even slightly warm when you start crumbling, the texture gets too sticky and hard to work with.

Step 2: Whip Up the Cream Cheese Frosting

While the cake cools, beat together the softened cream cheese and butter using a handheld mixer on medium-high speed. I like to go for about 2 to 3 minutes because you want this mixture light and fluffy to balance the dense cake. Next, add the confectioners’ sugar little by little, beating until combined. Finish by stirring in vanilla extract and a pinch of kosher salt—that salt does wonders to cut through the richness and brighten the flavor.

Step 3: Combine Cake and Frosting, Chill, and Shape

Here’s the fun part: crumble the cooled cake right into the frosting. Mix it together until you get a consistent, slightly sticky dough. Don’t be shy about mixing well—it’s the glue that keeps those balls from falling apart. Then, roll into 1 ½ inch balls. I find using a cookie scoop helps keep sizes even, and I always pack the balls a little firmly so they hold shape. Place them on a baking sheet and pop them in the fridge to chill for about an hour until firm. This chilling step really makes dipping easier and prettier.

Step 4: Make Edible Hooks with Cereal and Candy

While your cake balls firm up, it’s time to prepare the hooks—this is the trick that turns these treats into actual ornaments! Lay down about 34 frosted Cheerios flat on a baking sheet, then take another batch of Cheerios, hold them upright by the bottom, and dip the bottom into melted white candy melts. Attach each dipped cereal piece to the flat cereal pieces on the sheet, forming a “hook” shape. I found this method is simple but looks surprisingly realistic once hardened.

Step 5: Dip Your Cake Balls, Decorate, and Attach Hooks

Divide your cake balls into thirds. Dip one group into green candy melts, another into red, and the last into white candy melts. Tip: tap off the excess gently to get a smooth coating, otherwise you’ll end up with clumps that ruin the look. Before the coating hardens, sprinkle some with sanding sugar for shimmer—I love doing this because it looks like little frosted ornaments. Let them set on the baking sheet for about 15 to 20 minutes.

Next, transfer about three-quarters of your leftover white candy melts into a small zip-top bag and carefully cut a tiny corner off to pipe on designs. Swirls, dots, and stripes all look lovely, and I like to add sanding sugar right after piping for a winning festive sparkle.

For the finishing touch, dip the bottoms of your cereal hooks into the remaining white candy melts to “glue” them onto the top center of each cake ball. You might have to gently reheat your candy melts if they start to harden—just pop the bowl in the microwave for about 15 seconds to soften again. Once secured, let your ornament cake balls set completely.

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Pro Tips for Making Red Velvet Cake Ball Ornaments Recipe

Chill Thoroughly Before Dipping: Cake balls need to be very firm for clean dipping; skipping this makes the coating messy.
Use Cookie Scoops for Consistency: Getting uniform-sized balls helps with even baking and pretty presentation.
Careful with Candy Melts Heat: Overheating can cause candy to seize—melt gently in short bursts and stir often.
Handling the Hooks: Attaching the cereal hooks when the candy is still warm ensures they stick well without breaking.

How to Serve Red Velvet Cake Ball Ornaments Recipe

Red Velvet Cake Ball Ornaments Recipe - Serving

Garnishes

I personally love to finish these with a sprinkle of sparkling sanding sugar or even edible glitter—that little shine really gives them that “ornament” magic. If I’m feeling extra crafty, I’ve piped on tiny holly leaves or snowflake shapes with melted candy melts in contrasting colors. These garnishes not only make them prettier but boost that wow-factor on your holiday dessert table.

Side Dishes

These cake balls shine on their own as a sweet bite, but if you want to round out the treat, I suggest serving them next to a cup of rich hot cocoa or spiced chai. The warmth contrasts the cool candy coating beautifully. I also like pairing them with a simple fruit platter or light finger sandwiches during holiday gatherings to balance the richness.

Creative Ways to Present

One year, I tied tiny ribbons around them and hung the cake ball ornaments directly on my Christmas tree—my kids couldn’t resist grabbing one! You can also arrange them in clear jars with festive ribbons or tuck them inside gift boxes as edible gifts. For a party, displaying them on a tiered platter decorated with pine sprigs and pinecones makes for a stunning centerpiece.

Make Ahead and Storage

Storing Leftovers

I recommend storing leftover cake ball ornaments in an airtight container in the fridge. They’ll stay fresh and keep their shape nicely for up to a week. I learned the hard way that leaving them out too long causes the candy coating to melt or get sticky, especially if your kitchen is warm.

Freezing

Freezing these is a great way to prep early! Just arrange the cake balls on a baking sheet to freeze individually for a couple hours, then transfer to a freezer bag. When ready, thaw overnight in the fridge. This way, they keep their shape and don’t stick together. I’ve frozen them successfully for up to a month.

Reheating

Since these are best served chilled, reheating isn’t usually necessary. But if you want the candy coating to be slightly softer, let them come to room temperature for about 15 minutes before serving. Avoid microwaving as it can ruin the texture of the cake and coating.

FAQs

Can I use homemade red velvet cake instead of the boxed mix?

Absolutely! Homemade red velvet works beautifully too. Just make sure the cake is completely cooled and crumbled finely before mixing with the frosting. Using homemade cake might change the sweetness and moisture slightly, so adjust the frosting amount if needed to get the right consistency.
What if I don’t have frosted Cheerios for the hooks?

Frosted Cheerios are great because they’re lightweight and have a nice shape for hooks, but you can try small pretzel sticks or candy cane pieces as an alternative. Just make sure whatever you use can be dipped and attached securely with melted candy.
How do I prevent the candy melts from cracking?

Candy melts can crack if they’re cooled too quickly or if the cake balls are too cold. To avoid this, let chilled cake balls sit at room temperature for a few minutes before dipping and don’t refrigerate immediately after dipping—let them set at room temp for a few minutes.
Can I make cake ball ornaments ahead of time?

Definitely! They hold up well in the fridge for several days and freeze beautifully if you want to prep weeks in advance. Just store them in airtight containers to keep them fresh and pretty.

Final Thoughts

I absolutely love how this Red Velvet Cake Ball Ornaments Recipe brings a little extra joy to holiday baking. It’s become a fun tradition in my kitchen, not just for the delicious cake balls, but also for the smiles when friends and family realize they can eat decorations right off the tree! Give it a try—you’ll find it’s a wonderful way to create festive memories and sweet treats all at once. Let me know how yours turn out; I bet they’ll be the star of your holiday celebrations, just like in mine.