Red Velvet Truffles

Velvety, decadent, and impossibly smooth, these Red Velvet Truffles melt in your mouth with a burst of cocoa-kissed cream cheese flavor. The striking crimson exterior gives way to a luxuriously tender center that captures the essence of everyone’s favorite southern cake in a perfect bite-sized treat. Whether you’re looking for an elegant homemade gift or a show-stopping dessert for special occasions, these Red Velvet Truffles deliver both visual drama and sumptuous flavor without requiring professional pastry skills. You’ll learn how to create these irresistible confections with simple ingredients and fool-proof techniques that guarantee impressive results every time.

Why You’ll Love This Recipe

These Red Velvet Truffles stand out from ordinary desserts for countless reasons. First, they deliver the perfect textural contrast—a satisfyingly firm chocolate shell that yields to a moist, cake-like interior with the characteristic tang of cream cheese frosting. The flavor profile brilliantly balances subtle cocoa notes with vanilla sweetness and a hint of tanginess that makes them utterly addictive.

Beyond their incredible taste, these truffles require no baking after the initial cake preparation. This makes them perfect for advance preparation before parties or holidays. The recipe is also remarkably forgiving—even if your cake crumbles or your chocolate coating isn’t perfect, the end result will still be delicious.

For gift-giving, few homemade treats match the visual impact of these red velvet chocolate balls. Their elegant appearance belies how simple they are to make, and their rich flavor creates an indulgent experience that feels far more luxurious than the effort required. Whether serving with coffee after dinner or packaging in decorative boxes for Valentine’s Day or Christmas gifts, these Red Velvet Truffles always impress.

Ingredients

For the Truffle Base:

• 1 (15.25 oz/432g) box red velvet cake mix, plus ingredients called for on the box (typically eggs, oil, and water)
• 8 oz (226g) cream cheese, softened to room temperature
• 4 tablespoons (56g) unsalted butter, softened
• 1 teaspoon (5ml) vanilla extract
• 2 cups (240g) powdered sugar, sifted

For the Coating:

• 24 oz (680g) white chocolate or white candy melts
• 2 tablespoons (30ml) vegetable shortening (optional, helps thin the chocolate)
• Red food coloring (gel preferred) for drizzling
• 4 oz (113g) dark chocolate for drizzling (optional)
• Sprinkles or crushed cookies for decoration (optional)

The quality of your white chocolate significantly impacts the final result—choose a premium brand for the smoothest coating. The cream cheese provides the signature tang that makes Red Velvet Truffles instantly recognizable, while the cake mix offers convenience without sacrificing that authentic red velvet flavor profile.

Pro Tips

Perfect Texture Balance: The key to exceptional Red Velvet Truffles lies in achieving the ideal consistency. After mixing your cake with cream cheese frosting, the mixture should hold together firmly when rolled but still feel somewhat soft—similar to play dough. If your mixture is too wet, add powdered sugar one tablespoon at a time. If too dry, add a teaspoon of cream cheese at a time until you reach the perfect consistency.

Temperature Control: Temperature management is crucial when working with chocolate coating. Melt your white chocolate low and slow, preferably using a double boiler rather than a microwave. Before dipping, chill your truffle balls for at least two hours, but remove only a few from the refrigerator at a time. The contrast between cold truffles and warm (but not hot) chocolate creates the smoothest shell.

Dipping Technique: For professional-looking Red Velvet Truffles, use a dipping tool or fork to fully submerge each ball in the chocolate. Tap the tool gently against the side of the bowl to remove excess coating. This prevents puddles around your truffles and ensures an even coating. To fix any imperfections, wait until the chocolate sets completely before adding a second coating to trouble spots.

Instructions

Step 1: Prepare the Cake Base
Bake the red velvet cake according to package directions in a 9×13-inch pan. Allow the cake to cool completely to room temperature, about 1-2 hours. Once cooled, crumble the entire cake into fine crumbs in a large mixing bowl, breaking up any large chunks with your fingers or a fork. You want consistent, fine crumbs for the smoothest truffle texture.

Step 2: Make the Truffle Mixture
In a separate bowl, beat the softened cream cheese and butter with an electric mixer until completely smooth and fluffy, about 2 minutes. Add vanilla extract and mix to combine. Gradually add powdered sugar and continue beating until the mixture is smooth. Add this cream cheese mixture to the cake crumbs and stir thoroughly until fully incorporated. The mixture should be moist but firm enough to roll into balls.

Step 3: Form the Truffles
Line a large baking sheet with parchment paper. Using a 1-tablespoon cookie scoop or measuring spoon, portion the Red Velvet Truffle mixture and roll between your palms to form smooth, round balls. Place each ball on the prepared baking sheet. Once all truffles are formed, refrigerate for at least 2 hours or freeze for 30 minutes until firm.

Step 4: Prepare the Chocolate Coating
In a double boiler or a heat-proof bowl set over simmering water, melt the white chocolate and shortening (if using), stirring frequently until smooth. Be careful not to overheat. Remove from heat but keep warm. If the chocolate begins to thicken as you work, gently rewarm it.

Step 5: Dip and Decorate
Working with a few chilled truffles at a time (leaving the rest refrigerated), dip each ball completely in the melted white chocolate. Use a fork or dipping tool to lift the truffle, allowing excess chocolate to drip off. Place dipped truffles back on the parchment paper. While the coating is still wet, add any desired sprinkles or decorations. For the optional drizzle, melt dark chocolate in a small plastic bag, snip the corner, and drizzle over the set truffles. You can also add red drizzles by mixing a small amount of reserved white chocolate with red food coloring.

Step 6: Set and Store
Allow the Red Velvet Truffles to set completely at room temperature for about 1 hour, or speed the process by refrigerating for 15-20 minutes. Once set, transfer to an airtight container.

Variations

Cream Cheese-Stuffed Red Velvet Truffles: Create an extra-indulgent version by forming a small well in each ball before chilling, then filling it with a dollop of cream cheese frosting before sealing and rolling. These Red Velvet Truffles with surprise centers offer an even more decadent experience with minimal extra effort.

Peppermint Red Velvet Truffles: For a holiday twist, add 1/4 teaspoon peppermint extract to the truffle mixture and coat with white chocolate. Sprinkle with crushed candy canes while the coating is still wet for a festive Christmas treat that combines the classic red color with refreshing mint flavor.

Gluten-Free Red Velvet Truffles: Easily adapt this recipe by substituting gluten-free red velvet cake mix. The rest of the ingredients remain unchanged, and the texture difference is virtually undetectable, making these Red Velvet Truffles perfect for gatherings where guests may have dietary restrictions without sacrificing flavor or texture.

Storage and Serving

Store your Red Velvet Truffles in an airtight container with parchment paper between layers to prevent sticking. They’ll keep in the refrigerator for up to 2 weeks, though the coating may lose some of its shine after the first few days. For longer storage, freeze truffles for up to 3 months and thaw in the refrigerator overnight before serving.

For the most elegant presentation, serve these truffles at room temperature when the centers are soft and the flavors fully bloom. Arrange them on a tiered dessert stand with fresh berries and mint leaves for a stunning display. They pair beautifully with after-dinner coffee, especially creamy lattes that complement the chocolate-cream cheese flavor profile.

For gifting, place Red Velvet Truffles in decorative paper cups inside a beautiful box tied with ribbon. Add a personalized note explaining they should be refrigerated but served at room temperature for the best taste experience—this small detail shows extra thoughtfulness that recipients appreciate.

FAQs

Can I use homemade red velvet cake instead of a box mix?
Yes! Substitute about 4 cups of crumbled homemade red velvet cake for the box mix. The texture may vary slightly, so adjust the cream cheese mixture as needed to achieve the right consistency for rolling.

Why did my chocolate coating crack?
Cracking typically occurs when the truffles are too cold when dipped. Allow them to warm slightly (5-10 minutes) after removing from the refrigerator before dipping in the chocolate coating.

Can these be made ahead for a party?
Absolutely! These Red Velvet Truffles actually improve after 1-2 days as the flavors meld. They can be made up to a week in advance and stored in the refrigerator until your event.

How can I get a smoother chocolate coating?
For the smoothest coating, add 1-2 tablespoons of shortening or coconut oil to your melted chocolate, and ensure your truffles are very cold but not frozen when dipping.

Are red velvet truffles the same as cake pops without sticks?
They’re similar in concept, but Red Velvet Truffles typically have a richer texture with more cream cheese frosting compared to standard cake pops, creating a more luxurious mouthfeel and flavor.

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