Monster Truffles – Spooky, Sweet & Fun
There’s something magical about Halloween baking. The crisp autumn air, the scent of cinnamon candles flickering on the windowsill, and a kitchen full of colorful treats that bring both joy and just a little spookiness. One of my absolute favorite recipes to make during the season is Monster Truffles—adorably creepy little cake truffles dipped in chocolate, drizzled with bold colors, and finished with candy eyeballs that make them come alive.
These little bites are a perfect blend of fun and deliciousness. They’re made from soft cake crumbs mixed with cream cheese, then rolled into balls, coated in candy melts, and decorated with sprinkles and edible googly eyes. The best part? They’re no-bake once your cake is ready, making them quick and easy to prepare ahead of a Halloween party.
When I make these, I always picture a group of kids (and let’s be honest—adults too!) giggling as they reach for their favorite “monster.” Some are orange with purple drizzle, others black with bright green sprinkles. Each one has a quirky personality thanks to the silly candy eyes, making them both a treat and a decoration for your spooky dessert table.
Ingredients:
- 1 box vanilla or yellow cake mix (plus ingredients required on box)
- 8 oz cream cheese, softened
- 12 oz orange candy melts
- 1 cup crushed Oreo cookies (optional for coating some truffles)
- 1/2 cup colorful Halloween sprinkles
- 1/2 cup purple candy melts (for drizzle)
- Candy eyeballs (various sizes)
- Green or purple mini M&M’s (optional for decoration)
Instructions:
- Bake the cake according to package directions and let it cool completely.
- Crumble the cooled cake into fine crumbs in a large mixing bowl.
- Add softened cream cheese to the crumbs and mix until well combined. The mixture should stick together easily when pressed.
- Roll the mixture into 1-inch balls and place them on a baking sheet lined with parchment paper.
- Chill the truffle balls in the refrigerator for at least 1 hour (or 20 minutes in the freezer).
- Melt orange candy melts in a microwave-safe bowl, stirring every 30 seconds until smooth.
- Dip each chilled truffle ball into the melted candy coating, letting excess drip off, and place back on parchment paper.
- While still wet, decorate with sprinkles, crushed Oreos, or candy eyeballs as desired.
- Melt the purple candy melts and drizzle over the truffles using a piping bag or fork.
- Let the truffles set completely before serving.
Monster Truffles
Ingredients
Equipment
Method
- Bake cake according to package directions and let cool.
- Crumble cooled cake into fine crumbs in a large bowl.
- Mix crumbs with softened cream cheese until combined.
- Roll into 1-inch balls and chill.
- Melt orange candy melts until smooth.
- Dip balls in coating, decorate with sprinkles and eyeballs.
- Drizzle with purple candy melts.
- Let truffles set before serving.
Notes
Tips & Tricks
- If your cake mixture feels too sticky, chill it for 15 minutes before rolling.
- To make multi-colored monsters, divide your coating into different bowls and use green, purple, or black candy melts.
- Use tweezers to place candy eyeballs exactly where you want them.
Variations
- Try chocolate cake for a darker monster with Oreo coating for a creepy look.
- Use red velvet cake for a dramatic “bloody” monster effect.
- Add a touch of flavored extract (peppermint, almond, or orange) to the coating for a surprise twist.
Serving Suggestions
- Arrange them on a Halloween platter surrounded by candy corn and gummy worms.
- Wrap individual truffles in mini Halloween treat bags for party favors.
Storage Information
- Store in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 5 days.
- Freeze (without decorations) for up to 2 months. Thaw in the fridge before coating and decorating.
FAQ
- Can I use store-bought cake instead of baking one? Yes! Any plain cake works—just crumble and mix with cream cheese.
- Can I make them ahead? Absolutely, they taste even better after chilling overnight.
History / Fun Facts
Truffles originated in France, traditionally made with chocolate and cream, but the American spin using cake crumbs has become a party favorite. By turning them into “monsters” with candy eyes and sprinkles, they’ve become a seasonal hit for Halloween, especially among families who love no-bake and fun dessert projects.
