Learn how to make quick, no-bake lemon cake balls (cake truffles) using a boxed cake mix and a few simple ingredients. These bite-sized treats are fudgy, creamy, and ideal for summer gatherings.
If you love bright lemon desserts, these cake truffles are a perfect, fuss-free option. They deliver intense lemon flavor and a tender, creamy texture—similar in appeal to other lemon favorites like lemon cookies, lemon fudge, and lemon-blueberry muffins.
Key ingredients
What is the difference between cake truffles, balls and pops?
Cake balls and cake truffles refer to the same dessert: small, bite-sized spheres made from cake (or cake mix) combined with a binder like cream cheese or frosting. The mixture is rolled into balls and either dipped in chocolate or coated in powdered sugar. Chocolate truffles, by contrast, are made from melted chocolate combined with cream or condensed milk and have a different texture. Cake pops are simply cake balls served on sticks and are usually dipped in chocolate to form a smooth shell for decoration.
How to make easy cake balls and cake truffles with a boxed cake mix
Variations
- Coating options – Roll the truffles in melted chocolate (white, semisweet, or dark) or coat them with sprinkles, shredded coconut, chopped nuts, mini chocolate chips, or chocolate shavings.
- Add-ins – Fold in mini chocolate chips, shredded coconut, or chopped nuts to add texture and flavor.
- Different cake mixes – Experiment with other boxed cake flavors such as chocolate, funfetti, carrot, or seasonal flavors like gingerbread.
Tips and techniques
- Coating with icing? No — icing won’t form a firm, smooth shell. Use melted chocolate for a proper coating.
- Freezing – You can freeze uncoated truffle balls for up to one month in a sealed freezer bag. Dip them in chocolate after they thaw.
- Use full-fat cream cheese – It gives the best creamy texture and flavor.
- Chill if needed – If the dough is too soft to form, chill it for 20–30 minutes to firm up.
- If crumbly – Add milk a teaspoon at a time until the mixture holds together.
- Smooth mixture – Mix thoroughly to eliminate lumps for the best texture.
- Raw cake mix or flour safety – If you prefer, heat-treat the dry cake mix or flour by spreading it on a baking sheet and baking at 350°F (175°C) for a few minutes to reduce any risk from raw flour.
More lemon desserts
- Easy filled lemon cupcakes
- Lemon Bundt cake made with cake mix
- Moist lemon cake with lemon curd
More truffle recipes
- Red velvet truffles
- White chocolate vanilla truffles
- Chocolate mint truffles
- Chocolate chip cookie dough truffles (eggless)
- Chocolate-blueberry truffles
- Mocha espresso caramel cookie dough truffles
- Pumpkin cheesecake truffles
Recipe
Lemon Cake Balls (Cake Truffles)
Video
Ingredients
- 1 box Lemon cake mix (15.25 oz.)
- 1 cup Powdered sugar
- 8 oz. Cream cheese, full fat, room temperature
- 1–4 tbsp Milk, as needed
- 1 cup Additional powdered sugar for rolling
Instructions
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In a large mixing bowl, combine the cake mix, powdered sugar, and room-temperature cream cheese. Mix until a cohesive dough forms. If the mixture is too dry or crumbly, add milk a teaspoon at a time until it holds together.
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Scoop small portions of dough and roll them between your palms to form bite-sized balls.
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Roll each ball in additional powdered sugar to coat, or chill the balls for 30 minutes and dip them in melted chocolate for a smooth shell. Serve and enjoy.
Notes
- Use full-fat cream cheese for the creamiest texture and best flavor.
- Bring ingredients to room temperature for smoother mixing.
- If the dough is too soft, chill it briefly to make it easier to shape.
- If the mixture is crumbly, add a little milk until it comes together.
- Coating options include melted chocolate, sprinkles, shredded coconut, or chopped nuts.
- Fold in add-ins like mini chips or toasted nuts for extra texture.
- Leftovers keep well in a sealed container in the refrigerator for up to one week.
Nutrition
Carbohydrates: 22 g
Protein: 1 g
Fat: 3 g
Nutritional information is automatically calculated and may not be exact.
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