Chocolate Covered Strawberry Cake Balls

Ok...  I know that title is a mouthful.  But so are these delicious cake balls!  The strawberry cake and the milk chocolate coating are the perfect combination!  

Top them off with some cute sprinkles (like the adorable Valentine's sprinkles I found at the store) or a white chocolate drizzle and you have a finger-food dessert that is great for any time of year!  And they're also perfect for a party since one batch makes about 60 cake balls!  Be ready to share!

Beware though, these are a little intense to make.  It would be absolutely perfect if you had a friend to help share the work, but it is completely possible to make these little beauties on your own.  They are just a little high maintenance but totally worth it!

Chocolate Covered Strawberry Cake Balls
Makes: 50-60
Adapted from: Tidy Mom

Ingredients:
1 boxed strawberry cake mix, prepared and baked as directed
1/2 - 3/4 tub of icing of your choice (I used some strawberry and some cream cheese)
about 1 pound milk chocolate
1-2 tablespoons Crisco
White chocolate and/or sprinkles for garnish

Directions:

1. Prepare and bake strawberry cake as directed on package.  Allow it to cool completely.
2. Crumble the cake into a large bowl.  Mix in the icing with a mixer, spatula, or your hands.  Make sure you completely combine the icing and cake.
3. Roll the mixture into balls about 1 inch in diameter, and place on a baking sheet lined with parchment paper.
4. Place in the freezer for about 1 hour to firm up.
5. Before removing the cake balls from the freezer, melt the chocolate and Crisco in the microwave at 30 second increments until smooth.
6. Use a toothpick to dip cake balls in chocolate and place on waxed paper to dry.  The chocolate will dry very quickly, so make sure to add the sprinkles (optional) quickly.
7. Add white chocolate garnish when milk chocolate has dried (optional).
8. Refrigerate until ready to eat.  These can be served cold or at room temperature.

 *Note:  When dipping the cake balls, I use one toothpick to dip and another to push the cake ball off of the first toothpick.  Then, to cover up the hole, I dab on a little chocolate with a spoon.

I hope you enjoy these delicious treats!  Be sure to have a plan to share some of them, because 60 cake balls is A TON!  Enjoy!