Before I list anything, I have to say: there’s something joyful about handing someone a bite-sized Dessert they can’t resist—everyone’s eyes light up the same way. Little rounds of velvet and cream bring people together: at birthdays, school events, or an easy weeknight treat to make the kids grin. These Red Velvet Cake Truffles feel like a celebration you can pop in your mouth, and that simple joy is why I make them again and again.
I’m Emma, and my kitchen stories began years ago in Atlanta, where I catered small gatherings and large celebrations for more than a decade and a half. After 16 years working with clients and feeding hungry crowds, I moved from catering into writing full-time at Recipes Vibes. As a mom of two and a wife of more than 20 years, my family’s table has always been the place where recipes get tested, tweaked, and loved. I believe in honest cooking—follow a recipe when you need to, but don’t be afraid to add your own twist. That’s how the best memories are made: a familiar recipe given a tiny, personal spark. If you’re curious about what goes inside cake pops and truffles or want ideas for fillings, I’ve written about cake pop centers in detail that can inspire your Red Velvet Cake Truffles. Try a small change—swap a garnish, adjust sweetness, or play with texture—and you’ll see how fast a simple treat becomes a family favorite.
Why this recipe works
This Red Velvet Cake Truffles recipe works because it balances moist cake crumbs with tangy cream cheese and a smooth chocolate coating. The cake crumbs carry the classic cocoa and buttermilk notes of red velvet, while the cream cheese adds a silky contrast that stops the truffles from being too dry. When you bite into a Red Velvet Cake Truffles, you get that tender cake texture surrounded by a crisp shell of white chocolate—comfort and sophistication in one bite. For gatherings, these truffles are portable, crowd-pleasing, and easy to customize, which is why I often include them on catering trays and at family parties.
Part of why this recipe stands out is the control you have over each component: make the cake from scratch or use a favorite boxed mix; chill the centers to the firmness you prefer; temper or simply melt the coating for the finish you like. If you’re thinking about alternative fillings or looking for inspiration on cake-pop-style centers, my comprehensive cake pop guide is a helpful resource that pairs nicely with Red Velvet Cake Truffles. The recipe scales well—double it for parties, or halve it for a quiet evening. Little details like chilling time, the ratio of crumbs to cream cheese, and dipping technique make a difference, and this recipe lays them out in a straightforward way so even beginners can succeed.
How to prepare Red Velvet Cake Truffles
Making Red Velvet Cake Truffles at home is simple and forgiving, which makes it a great recipe to teach kids or a beginner baker. Start by breaking down a baked red velvet cake into fine crumbs. The finer the crumbs, the smoother the truffle centers will be. Mix those crumbs with softened cream cheese until the mixture holds together but isn’t overly wet. Chill the mixture, then roll it into uniform balls—use a small cookie scoop for consistency. Chill the formed truffles again so that when you dip them in melted white chocolate, the centers stay firm and don’t fall apart.
Temperature control is everything when dipping: warmed white chocolate that’s too hot can melt the centers; too cool and it will thicken too fast and form clumpy shells. A quick tip from my catering days is to use a shallow bowl for the coating and a fork or dipping tool to tap off excess chocolate cleanly. Finish each Red Velvet Cake Truffles with a sprinkle of red sprinkles while the coating is still wet, or try a drizzle technique for a more elegant look. For those who want to experiment with other coatings or textures, my chocolate-covered strawberry brownies piece discusses chocolate handling in ways that translate well to truffle dipping.
Ingredients
- Red velvet cake crumbs
- Cream cheese
- White chocolate
- Red sprinkles
Instructions
- Mix cake crumbs and cream cheese.
- Roll into balls and chill.
- Dip in melted white chocolate and sprinkle with red sprinkles.
Serving ideas
How to serve this dish becomes part of the fun with Red Velvet Cake Truffles. Because they’re bite-sized, arrange them on a pretty platter with doilies or in paper liners for a party-ready presentation. For a romantic twist, plate them with a dusting of cocoa powder and a few fresh raspberries, or place them alongside petits fours and a pot of strong coffee for an afternoon gathering. If you’re hosting a holiday or themed event, coordinate the sprinkles or drizzle colors—gold for an anniversary, pastel for baby showers, or classic red for Valentine’s Day.
Serving temperature matters: take the truffles out of the fridge 10–15 minutes before serving so the centers are creamy but still hold their shape. You can also warm them slightly by leaving them at room temperature in warmer months. For an elegant dessert board, pair Red Velvet Cake Truffles with sliced fruit, shortbread cookies, and a selection of chocolates; the contrast in textures makes every bite interesting. If you plan to include other small desserts, consider how flavors play together; a light lemon tart can balance the richness of the truffles. For pairing ideas inspired by gooey chocolate desserts, my write-up on chocolate lava cakes offers flavor-matching tips that complement Red Velvet Cake Truffles beautifully.
Storage tips
How to keep leftovers is a question I get all the time, and Red Velvet Cake Truffles store surprisingly well. Keep them chilled in an airtight container layered with parchment paper to prevent sticking. In the refrigerator, they stay fresh for up to one week; for longer storage, freeze them in a single layer until solid, then transfer to a sealed container for up to three months. Thaw frozen Red Velvet Cake Truffles in the refrigerator to avoid condensation on the coating; bring them to room temperature briefly before serving so the centers soften nicely.
Label your container with the date so you can rotate treats properly, and avoid storing Red Velvet Cake Truffles near foods with strong odors—cream cheese and chocolate can pick up scents. If you plan to transport truffles, keep them in a shallow box with dividers or secure them with parchment so they don’t bump and lose their coating. When unwrapping chilled or frozen truffles, handle them gently to avoid finger marks in the coating; use small tongs or serve them in liners. These storage practices keep your batch looking as good as it tastes, whether you made a small dozen for family or a large platter for a get-together.
Emma’s Kitchen Tips
What helps this recipe turn out right are a few simple habits I’ve learned across 16 years of catering and home cooking. First, measure the ratio of crumbs to cream cheese carefully; too much cream cheese makes the centers gooey and flavor-forward, while too little can leave them dry. I aim for a balance where the mixture holds shape but still feels tender. Second, chill in stages—once after mixing and again after rolling—to ensure firm, neat truffles that dip cleanly in chocolate.
Use high-quality white chocolate for coating; compound coatings can work in a pinch but melt and set differently. If you temper chocolate, you’ll get shine and snap, but if you prefer an easier method, a warming bowl over simmering water (double boiler) or short bursts in the microwave while stirring will do. When decorating, apply sprinkles promptly while the coating is set but still tacky. For consistent sizing, a small scoop or scale helps; uniform Red Velvet Cake Truffles look more professional and set at the same rate. Finally, if you’re making these with kids, have all your components prepped ahead so the activity stays fun and not messy—children love rolling and decorating, and those little helpers will be proud of the results.
Make it your own
Flavor variations encourage creativity, so make it your own by swapping or adding ingredients to the basic Red Velvet Cake Truffles. Fold in a teaspoon of vanilla or a pinch of espresso powder to deepen the flavor. Swap white chocolate for dark or milk chocolate coatings for a richer contrast, or add finely chopped toasted nuts to the coating for crunch. For a seasonal twist, mix in a tiny bit of pumpkin pie spice in the center for autumn gatherings, or swap the sprinkles for crushed peppermint at the holidays.
Consider fillings: instead of plain cream cheese, gently fold in mascarpone for an even silkier center, or add a drop of fruit jam for a surprise. For a boozy adult version, tiny amounts of flavored liqueurs work well—think a splash of raspberry liqueur or a hint of bourbon. If you want visual variety, dip half the truffles in white chocolate and half in colored candy melts, then drizzle contrasting chocolate over each set. Turning Red Velvet Cake Truffles into a themed dessert platter is my favorite—make mini signs indicating flavors and watch guests sample and compare the twists you’ve created.
Frequently asked questions
Q: How long do Red Velvet Cake Truffles stay fresh?
A: Stored in an airtight container in the refrigerator, Red Velvet Cake Truffles will keep for about one week. If you want to keep them longer, freeze them in a single layer until firm and transfer to a sealed container for up to three months. Thaw in the refrigerator to avoid condensation on the coating and bring them to room temperature briefly before serving for the best texture.
Q: Can I use store-bought cake or boxed mix for Red Velvet Cake Truffles?
A: Absolutely. Using store-bought or leftover cake is a great time-saver and still yields delicious Red Velvet Cake Truffles. Crumble the cake finely and press out any large air pockets before mixing with cream cheese. The key is to get a consistent crumb texture so the centers are smooth and hold together.
Q: What’s the best way to get a smooth coating on my truffles?
A: Chill the centers well before dipping and use a shallow bowl of melted white chocolate. Dip each truffle and tap the fork gently to remove excess, then place on parchment to set. If you want a glossy finish, temper the chocolate; if you prefer ease, melt slowly and stir until smooth, but work quickly so the centers don’t soften.
Conclusion
If you’d like another trusted recipe for comparison or inspiration, check out this detailed version of Red Velvet Cake Truffles from a popular baking blog: Red Velvet Cake Truffles – Julie’s Eats & Treats ®.
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Red Velvet Cake Truffles
- Total Time: 40 minutes
- Yield: 24 servings
- Diet: Vegetarian
Description
Enjoy bite-sized Red Velvet Cake Truffles that combine moist cake crumbs, tangy cream cheese, and a smooth chocolate coating, perfect for any celebration.
Ingredients
- Red velvet cake crumbs
- Cream cheese
- White chocolate
- Red sprinkles
Instructions
- Mix cake crumbs and cream cheese.
- Roll into balls and chill.
- Dip in melted white chocolate and sprinkle with red sprinkles.
Notes
Chill the truffles before dipping to ensure they hold their shape. Experiment with different coatings and flavors for a personal twist.
- Prep Time: 30 minutes
- Cook Time: 10 minutes
- Category: Dessert
- Method: Chilling and Dipping
- Cuisine: American