Holiday Eggnog Cake Balls with Chocolate Coating (Print version)

Tender eggnog cake crumbs mixed with frosting, rolled into bite-size balls, chilled, and dipped in glossy chocolate coating.

# Ingredients:

For the eggnog cake

01 - 1 (16 oz / 450 g) box pound cake mix
02 - 2/3 cup (160 ml) eggnog
03 - 1/4 cup (56 g) unsalted butter, softened
04 - 2 large eggs
05 - 2 tablespoons dark rum, or 2 teaspoons rum extract
06 - 1/2 teaspoon ground nutmeg

For rolling and coating

07 - 3/4 to 1 cup (180-240 g) vanilla frosting, added as needed
08 - 36 oz (1 kg) chocolate melting wafers or chocolate candy coating
09 - 3 oz (85 g) white chocolate melting wafers, for drizzle
10 - 1-2 teaspoons coconut oil or shortening, only if needed to thin coating
11 - 1/2 teaspoon flaky sea salt
12 - Extra ground nutmeg or holiday sprinkles, optional

# Instructions:

01 - Preheat the oven to 350°F (175°C). Grease and line a 9x5-inch loaf pan. Beat the cake mix, eggnog, butter, eggs, rum, and nutmeg until smooth, then bake for 55-60 minutes, or until a tester comes out clean.
02 - Let the cake cool in the pan for 15 minutes, then move it to a rack and cool completely. Crumble the cooled cake into fine crumbs in a large bowl.
03 - Mix in 3/4 cup frosting at first. Add more only if needed, 1 tablespoon at a time, until the mixture holds together when pressed but does not feel wet.
04 - Scoop 1 tablespoon portions and roll into smooth 1-inch balls. Arrange on a parchment-lined baking sheet and chill for at least 2 hours, or until very firm.
05 - Melt the chocolate wafers in a microwave-safe bowl in 20-30 second bursts, stirring between each burst. If the coating is too thick, stir in a little coconut oil or shortening.
06 - Dip a few chilled cake balls at a time in the melted chocolate. Lift with a fork, tap off excess coating, and set on parchment. Drizzle with melted white chocolate and add flaky salt, nutmeg, or sprinkles while still wet.
07 - Chill the dipped cake balls for 30 minutes, or until the coating is firm. Store covered in the refrigerator until ready to serve.

# Good to know:

01 - Chilling time is important and is not included in the prep time.
02 - Use only enough frosting to bind the cake crumbs.
03 - Best served chilled or at cool room temperature.

Back