What are New Years Eve Cake Ball Drops?

New Year's Eve Cake Ball Drops are delightful, bite-sized dessert confections crafted from crumbled cake mixed with frosting, rolled into spheres, and typically dipped in chocolate or candy melts. For the festive occasion, they are often adorned with glitter, metallic sprinkles, or symbolic designs to celebrate the countdown.

How do you make cake balls for New Years Eve?

To make them, bake and cool your preferred cake, then crumble it finely. Mix the cake crumbs with a few spoonfuls of frosting until a dough-like consistency forms. Roll the mixture into small balls, chill thoroughly, then dip them into melted candy melts or chocolate, and decorate with New Year's-themed embellishments.

Can New Years Eve cake balls be made ahead of time?

Yes, cake balls are an excellent make-ahead dessert! You can prepare the cake and frosting mixture, roll the balls, and store them chilled for up to a week, or freeze them for up to a month. Dip and decorate them closer to New Year's Eve for optimal freshness and visual appeal.

How do you decorate cake balls for New Years?

For New Year's, decorate cake balls with metallic gold or silver sprinkles, edible glitter, shimmery dusts, or star-shaped sprinkles. You can also drizzle them with contrasting colors of candy melts or craft intricate 'countdown' clock designs using edible markers or piping gel.

What's the difference between cake balls and cake pops?

The main distinction lies in their presentation: cake balls are the standalone spherical treats, served directly. Cake pops are essentially cake balls with a lollipop stick inserted, making them easy to hold and consume, especially after being dipped and decorated. The foundational cake-and-frosting mixture is typically identical.

How long do New Years Eve cake balls last?

When stored in an airtight container in the refrigerator, cake balls generally last for 5-7 days. If frozen, either undipped or dipped, they can maintain their quality for up to 1 month. For the best flavor and texture, allow them to come to room temperature before serving.

New Years Eve Cake Ball Drops: Easy, Festive & Fun to Make 2025

New Years Eve Cake Ball Drops

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These festive New Years Eve Cake Ball Drops are bite-sized desserts that bring people together. Picture this: the countdown begins, the room fills with laughter, and everyone reaches for a sweet, sparkly treat that looks just like the iconic Times Square ball. These little bites are more than just dessert—they’re a delicious part of the celebration, a moment of joy wrapped in gold and silver sprinkles.

Author: Harmony
Prep Time: 25 minutes
Cook Time: 30 minutes
Total Time: 2 hours
Yield: 36 cake balls 1x
Category: Dessert
Method: Baking
Cuisine: American

Ingredients

Scale

1 box of yellow or white cake mix (plus ingredients listed on the box: usually eggs, oil, and water)
1/2 cup of cream cheese frosting (store-bought or homemade)
1 teaspoon of vanilla extract (for extra flavor depth)
12 ounces of white chocolate or vanilla candy melts
1 tablespoon of coconut oil (to help thin the chocolate for smooth dipping)
Gold and silver sprinkles, edible glitter, or shimmer dust
Optional: lollipop sticks for a classic cake pop presentation

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Instructions

Bake and cool the cake: Prepare the cake mix according to package directions and bake in a 9×13-inch pan. Let it cool completely—this is crucial! A warm cake will turn into mush when mixed with frosting.
Crumble and mix: Once the cake is cool, crumble it into fine crumbs in a large bowl. Add the cream cheese frosting and vanilla extract, then mix until the mixture holds together when pressed. It should feel like a soft, moldable dough.
Shape the balls: Use a small cookie scoop or tablespoon to portion the mixture, then roll it into smooth, round balls about 1 inch in diameter. Place them on a parchment-lined baking sheet.
Chill thoroughly: Refrigerate the balls for at least 1 hour, or freeze for 20–30 minutes. This step is non-negotiable—it ensures the balls hold their shape during dipping.
Melt the coating: In a microwave-safe bowl, combine the white chocolate or candy melts with coconut oil. Heat in 30-second intervals, stirring between each, until smooth and fluid.
Dip and decorate: Using a fork or dipping tool, carefully coat each ball in the melted chocolate, letting excess drip off. Place them back on the parchment and immediately add gold and silver sprinkles before the chocolate sets.
Let them set: Allow the chocolate to harden completely at room temperature. If you’re in a hurry, a quick 10-minute chill in the fridge will speed things up.

Notes

Pro tip: If the cake mixture feels too sticky, refrigerate it for 15 minutes before rolling. Store in an airtight container at cool room temperature for up to 2 days, in the refrigerator for up to 1 week, or freeze for up to 3 months.

Nutrition

Serving Size: 1 cake ball
Calories: 110
Sugar: 12g
Sodium: 85mg
Fat: 5g
Saturated Fat: 3g
Unsaturated Fat: 1g
Trans Fat: 0g
Carbohydrates: 16g
Fiber: 0g
Protein: 1g
Cholesterol: 10mg

Find it online: https://harmonymeal.com/new-years-eve-cake-ball-drops/