If you’re anything like me and have a soft spot for all things strawberry and sweet, then you’re going to absolutely adore this Strawberry Cake Truffles Recipe. These little gems are bursting with strawberry flavor and wrapped in the most luscious coating — perfect for parties, gift-giving, or whenever you need a little indulgence. I promise, once you try this recipe, it’ll become your go-to treat for a quick, no-fuss dessert that still feels special.
Why You’ll Love This Recipe
- Incredible Strawberry Flavor: The strawberry cake mix really shines through, making each truffle super fruity and delicious.
- No-Bake Simplicity: Except for a brief heat treatment, the truffles require minimal baking, meaning less time in the kitchen and more time enjoying.
- Fun and Flexible: You can customize the coating colors and sprinkles to match any occasion or mood — perfect for parties or gifts.
- Great for Beginners: I’ve included my personal tips so even if you’re new to making truffles, you’ll have no trouble getting perfect results.
Ingredients You’ll Need
The ingredients for this Strawberry Cake Truffles Recipe are pretty straightforward but come together to form a magical little treat. The cream cheese adds creaminess, the cake mix brings that authentic strawberry touch, and the candy melts make for a smooth, gorgeous coat. Here are a few tips on the key ingredients to help you shop smart and nail the recipe.

- Strawberry Cake Mix: I used Betty Crocker’s strawberry mix, which is reliably flavorful and moist — don’t skip the heat treatment step for safety!
- Cream Cheese: Make sure it’s softened to room temperature — this helps create a smooth truffle base without lumps.
- Cream Cheese Chips: These add a subtle richness and little bursts of creaminess in the truffle dough.
- Vanilla Melting Wafers: These provide a smooth, easy-to-melt coating with a hint of vanilla — perfect to complement the strawberry.
- Wilton Pink and Bright Pink Candy Melts: Use these to drizzle on top and give a fun pop of color and texture!
- Sprinkles (optional): I love the whimsy they add, especially if you’re gifting or celebrating.
Variations
I absolutely love playing around with this Strawberry Cake Truffles Recipe — it’s super adaptable depending on your mood, the occasion, or dietary needs. I encourage you to get creative or stick with the classics, whatever makes you happy!
- Chocolate-Dipped Truffles: I once swapped out the vanilla melting wafers for dark chocolate, and it was a decadent twist that added richness to the strawberry sweetness.
- Gluten-Free Cake Mix: If you need a gluten-free option, try a GF strawberry cake mix and the recipe works just as well — great for guests with restrictions.
- Sprinkle-Free Elegant Version: For a classy event, I skip the sprinkles and keep the drizzle minimal — the truffles still look beautiful and taste amazing.
- Berry Mix-In: Sometimes, I fold in tiny freeze-dried raspberry or blueberry bits for a multi-berry surprise in every bite.
How to Make Strawberry Cake Truffles Recipe
Step 1: Heat Treat the Cake Mix
This might seem like an odd first step, but it’s super important: strawberry cake mix contains raw flour, so heating it to kill any bacteria is a smart safety move. Preheat your oven to 350°F, spread the cake mix evenly on a parchment-lined baking sheet, and bake it for just 5 minutes. It shouldn’t toast or brown — just lightly warmed to make it safe. Then, let it cool completely on a wire rack before using it. I used to skip this step, but after reading more about food safety, I don’t anymore—it’s worth the extra few minutes for peace of mind.
Step 2: Mix the Cake Crumbs and Cream Cheese
Once your cake mix is fully cooled, pop the softened cream cheese into a medium bowl and beat with a hand mixer until it’s smooth and creamy — no lumps, please! Then fold in the cooled cake mix gently at first (I use a rubber spatula to avoid a flour storm), and finish mixing with the hand mixer on medium-high speed until it comes together in a dough-like consistency. It’s a little sticky but firm enough to roll, which is perfect for forming smooth truffles. Next, fold in the cream cheese chips evenly; they add this lovely creaminess that makes the texture really stand out.
Step 3: Chill and Scoop
Now, cover your dough with plastic wrap and pop it into the fridge for about 2 hours. This chill time firms things up and makes rolling so much easier. When you’re ready, line two baking sheets with parchment and use a cookie scoop (I prefer the 1 ½ tablespoon size) to portion out even balls. Roll each into smooth spheres by hand, then set them aside for about 15 minutes to let them expand slightly — this step helps prevent cracking after dipping, which I learned the hard way the first time I rushed it.
Step 4: Melt and Dip
Get your double boiler ready or use microwave-safe bowls to melt your vanilla melting wafers. I really like the double boiler because it controls the heat better, but microwaving in short bursts (30 seconds at low power) works fine too — just stir in between. Using a fork, dip each dough ball fully into the melted wafers, let the excess drip back, and place it gently on the lined baking sheet. Before the coating sets, sprinkle half with your choice of sprinkles to add texture and a fun flair.
Step 5: Drizzle with Color
Now, melt your pink and bright pink candy melts in separate small microwave-safe piping bags. Once melted, clip a tiny tip off each bag and drizzle over the remaining coated truffles. This part turns a cute truffle into a showstopper, and I’ve gotten so many compliments when I’ve done this. Let everything set fully before you dig in — patience pays off here!
Pro Tips for Making Strawberry Cake Truffles Recipe
- Chill Time is Key: Don’t rush the chilling — it makes the dough manageable and prevents cracking when dipping.
- Avoid Overheating Candy Melts: I learned to melt slowly and stir frequently to keep the melts smooth and from seizing up.
- Gentle Tapping: After dipping, tapping the fork on the bowl’s edge helps remove excess coating, so your truffles don’t get too thick or messy.
- Let Truffles Rest Before Coating: Giving the rolled balls 15 minutes to expand a bit avoids cracks in the coating and keeps them looking perfect.
How to Serve Strawberry Cake Truffles Recipe

Garnishes
I’m a big fan of simple garnishes here: sprinkles add a pretty pop and a little crunch, while drizzles of colored candy melts make them look extra special. If I’m serving these at a party, I sometimes add tiny edible glitter or freeze-dried strawberry pieces on top for an extra wow-factor — plus a nice textural contrast.
Side Dishes
These truffles are pretty rich, so I like pairing them with something light and refreshing — a bowl of fresh mixed berries or a crisp salad works nicely. If you’re hosting a dessert table, they go great alongside vanilla bean ice cream or a sparkling rosé to balance the sweetness.
Creative Ways to Present
For birthdays or bridal showers, I’ve arranged these truffles on tiered stands with some fresh strawberry halves and mint leaves scattered for a stunning display. Wrapping them individually in mini clear bags tied with pink ribbons makes for adorable favors. You could even assemble a truffle “cake” by stacking them on skewers or toothpicks for a fun, shared dessert centerpiece!
Make Ahead and Storage
Storing Leftovers
These truffles keep beautifully in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 5 days. I keep mine on a parchment-lined plate in a covered cake carrier — that helps them avoid picking up other fridge smells and keeps the coating firm and fresh. Just remember to bring them to room temperature before enjoying for the best texture.
Freezing
I’ve frozen these several times by wrapping each truffle individually in wax paper and placing them in a freezer bag. They thaw nicely in the fridge overnight and taste just as good as fresh — such a handy way to prep for parties or have treats on hand for unexpected guests!
Reheating
Reheating isn’t really necessary or recommended since these are best enjoyed chilled or at room temp. But if you find they’re a little firm from the fridge, just let them sit at room temperature for 10-15 minutes — the flavors and texture bloom perfectly without any heat.
FAQs
-
Can I use homemade strawberry cake instead of cake mix in this Strawberry Cake Truffles Recipe?
Great question! While you can technically use homemade strawberry cake, the challenge is that the store-bought cake mix gives the right consistent crumb texture that’s crucial for forming the truffle dough. If you do use homemade cake, make sure it’s completely cooled and very finely crumbled to mimic the mix’s texture. You might need to adjust the cream cheese amount to get the right dough consistency.
-
Why do I need to heat treat the cake mix?
Straw cake mixes, like many cake mixes, contain raw flour, which can harbor harmful bacteria. Heat treating the cake mix by baking it briefly kills any potential bacteria, making the mix safe to eat before combining it with cream cheese and forming truffles, which aren’t baked again. This is a simple step that prevents risk and keeps your treats safe.
-
How do I prevent the coating from cracking on my cake truffles?
The key is chilling the dough well and letting the rolled balls sit for about 15 minutes before dipping. This waiting period lets the truffles expand just a bit so they don’t shrink after dipping, which can cause cracking. Also, avoid overheating your candy melts and dip the truffles gently to maintain a smooth coat.
-
Can I make these truffles ahead of time?
Absolutely! In fact, I recommend making them a day or two in advance and storing them in the fridge. Their flavors deepen and the texture develops beautifully. Just bring them to room temperature before serving for the best experience.
Final Thoughts
This Strawberry Cake Truffles Recipe is one of my absolute favorites because it strikes that perfect balance between fun, flavor, and ease. Whether you’re new to making truffles or a seasoned dessert maker, you’ll appreciate how forgiving and delightful these are. I started making them for my family’s gatherings, and now they ask for these truffles by name — it’s always a crowd-pleaser! Give it a try, and I bet you’ll find yourself reaching for this recipe whenever a sweet craving strikes.
Print
Strawberry Cake Truffles Recipe
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 5 minutes
- Total Time: 2 hours 30 minutes
- Yield: 12 truffles
- Category: Dessert
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
Description
These Strawberry Cake Truffles are delightful bite-sized treats made by combining strawberry cake mix with cream cheese and cream cheese chips, then coated in smooth vanilla and pink candy melts. Perfectly sweet and creamy with a touch of festive sprinkles or decorative drizzle, these truffles make an easy and elegant dessert for any occasion.
Ingredients
Base Cake Mixture
- 9.15 ounces strawberry cake mix (Betty Crocker recommended)
- 4.8 ounces cream cheese, softened to room temperature
- 0.2 cup cream cheese chips, roughly chopped
Coating
- 7.2-ounce bag Ghirardelli vanilla melting wafers
- 0.3 cup Wilton pink candy melts
- 0.3 cup Wilton bright pink candy melts
- Sprinkles, optional
Instructions
- Heat Treat the Cake Mix: Preheat the oven to 350°F. Spread the strawberry cake mix evenly on a parchment-lined baking sheet. Bake for 5 minutes to eliminate any bacteria. Remove and let cool completely on a wire rack.
- Prepare Cream Cheese Mixture: In a medium bowl, beat the softened cream cheese using a hand mixer on medium-high speed until smooth and creamy.
- Combine Cake Mix and Cream Cheese: Add the cooled cake mix to the cream cheese bowl. Fold gently with a rubber spatula to avoid mess, then use the hand mixer on medium-high to mix until forming a dough consistency.
- Add Cream Cheese Chips: Fold the chopped cream cheese chips evenly into the dough mixture.
- Chill Dough: Cover the dough with plastic wrap and refrigerate for 2 hours to firm up for easier handling.
- Form Truffles: Line two baking sheets with parchment paper. Using a 1 ½ tablespoon cookie scoop, portion dough onto sheets. Roll each scoop into smooth balls by hand. Let sit for 15 minutes to allow gentle expansion which prevents coating cracks.
- Melt Vanilla Wafers: Using a double boiler on low heat, gently melt the vanilla melting wafers until smooth, stirring occasionally. Alternatively, melt in 30-second increments in the microwave, stirring between each, until fully melted.
- Coat Truffles: Dip each dough ball into the melted vanilla wafers using a fork. Tap off excess coating on the edge of the bowl, then place on a lined baking sheet spaced 2 inches apart. Immediately sprinkle sprinkles on half the coated truffles before the coating sets.
- Melt Pink Candy Melts: Place each pink candy melt variety separately into microwave-safe piping bags. Microwave on low in 30-second increments until melted, cutting a small tip from the bags.
- Decorate: Drizzle the melted pink candy melts over the remaining coated truffles to create decorative patterns. Let the coating fully set at room temperature before serving.
Notes
- Store truffles in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 5 days.
- Chilling the dough is essential for easier rolling. Allowing the rolled balls to rest for 15 minutes prevents cracking during coating.
- Instead of oven heat treatment for cake mix, you can microwave it for 3 minutes in a microwave-safe bowl, stirring every 30 seconds to avoid hot spots.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 truffle
- Calories: 160 kcal
- Sugar: 12 g
- Sodium: 110 mg
- Fat: 9 g
- Saturated Fat: 5 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 3 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 18 g
- Fiber: 0.5 g
- Protein: 2 g
- Cholesterol: 20 mg


