Ingredients with Measurements:
- 1 box of spice cake mix
- 1 can of apple pie filling
- 1/2 cup of caramel sauce
- 1 package of cream cheese, softened
- 1/2 cup of powdered sugar
- 1 teaspoon of vanilla extract
- 1 package of vanilla candy coating
- 1 tablespoon of vegetable shortening
- 1/4 cup of chopped pecans (optional)
Special equipment needed:
- Mixing bowl
- Hand mixer or stand mixer
- Baking sheet
- Parchment paper
- Melting pot or double boiler
- Candy thermometer
- Toothpicks
Step-by-step instructions:
1. Preheat the oven to 350°F. Grease a 9x13 inch baking pan.
2. In a large mixing bowl, combine the spice cake mix and apple pie filling. Mix until well combined.
3. Pour the batter into the prepared baking pan and bake for 25-30 minutes or until a toothpick inserted in the center comes out clean.
4. Let the cake cool completely.
5. In a separate mixing bowl, beat the cream cheese until smooth. Add the powdered sugar, vanilla extract, and caramel sauce. Mix until well combined.
6. Crumble the cooled cake into the cream cheese mixture and mix until well combined.
7. Roll the mixture into 1-inch balls and place them on a baking sheet lined with parchment paper.
8. Chill the cake balls in the refrigerator for at least 30 minutes.
9. In a melting pot or double boiler, melt the vanilla candy coating and vegetable shortening over low heat. Use a candy thermometer to make sure the temperature stays between 110°F and 120°F.
10. Dip each cake ball into the melted candy coating, using a toothpick to hold it. Tap off any excess coating and place the cake ball back on the parchment paper.
11. If desired, sprinkle chopped pecans on top of the cake balls before the coating hardens.
12. Let the cake balls cool and harden completely before serving.
Time:
Preparation time: 20 minutes
Cooking time: 25-30 minutes
Chilling time: 30 minutes
Total time: 1 hour and 20 minutes
Temperature:
Oven temperature: 350°F
Candy coating temperature: 110°F to 120°F
Serving size:
Makes about 36 cake balls
Nutritional information:
Calories per serving: 120
Total fat: 5g
Saturated fat: 3g
Cholesterol: 10mg
Sodium: 110mg
Total carbohydrates: 18g
Dietary fiber: 0g
Total sugars: 12g
Protein: 1g
Substitutions for ingredients:
- Instead of spice cake mix, you can use yellow cake mix and add 1 teaspoon of cinnamon and 1/2 teaspoon of nutmeg.
- Instead of apple pie filling, you can use 1 cup of finely chopped apples.
- Instead of caramel sauce, you can use dulce de leche or butterscotch sauce.
- Instead of vanilla candy coating, you can use white chocolate chips or almond bark.
Variations:
- Add 1/4 cup of chopped dried apples to the cake mixture for extra apple flavor.
- Use chocolate cake mix instead of spice cake mix for a different flavor.
- Drizzle extra caramel sauce on top of the cake balls before serving.
Tips and tricks:
- Make sure the cake is completely cooled before mixing it with the cream cheese mixture.
- Use a cookie scoop to make the cake balls uniform in size.
- If the candy coating starts to harden while dipping the cake balls, reheat it over low heat.
- Store the cake balls in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 1 week.
Storage instructions:
Store the cake balls in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 1 week.
Reheating instructions:
Serve the cake balls at room temperature.
Presentation ideas:
Arrange the cake balls on a platter and drizzle extra caramel sauce on top.
Garnishes:
Sprinkle chopped pecans on top of the cake balls before the coating hardens.
Pairings:
Serve the cake balls with hot apple cider or coffee.
Suggested side dishes:
Serve the cake balls as a dessert on their own.
Troubleshooting advice:
- If the cake mixture is too dry, add a tablespoon of milk to moisten it.
- If the candy coating is too thick, add a tablespoon of vegetable shortening to thin it out.
Food safety advice:
- Use a candy thermometer to make sure the candy coating reaches the correct temperature for dipping.
- Store the cake balls in the refrigerator to prevent spoilage.
Food history:
Cake balls originated in the southern United States and were traditionally made with leftover cake scraps.
Flavor profiles:
The cake balls have a warm and spicy flavor from the spice cake mix, with a sweet and tangy apple filling and a rich caramel cream cheese coating.
Serving suggestions:
Serve the cake balls as a sweet treat after dinner or as a party dessert.
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Taste: Sweet, Caramelized, Creamy, Apple, Apple-Flavored