Cup Cake Balls

These will make you an instant rock star wherever you take them (as I have joked with my cousin) and they are fast and easy to do.

1 pkg. instant cake mix, any flavor.  (my family's favorite is chocolate) red velvet is pretty.

1 can cream cheese frosting- regular size, not whipped

1 bag of melting chocolate, your favorite kind

wax paper

sprinkles or white chocolate to drizzle

1.  Bake cake from mix or scratch and cool completely. 

2.  Crumble into fine consistency in large bowl.

3.  Add cream cheese frosting, I only add a little more than 3/4's of the can.  I like them

more cakey.. but you can add the entire can for a more fudge like center.

4.  Roll into approx. 1" balls and lay on waxed paper.

5.  Chill for several hrs or freeze for 15 min.

6.  Melt chocolate over a double boiler or in microwave at 30 second intervals, stirring between.

7.   Dip balls into chocolate with spoon or fork, carefully lay on waxed paper to dry.

8.  Before they dry you can add of dash of sprinkles, or wait until dry and drizzle melted white chocolate over the balls.

9. Place into mini cupcake or candy liners and serve. 

 

Notes:

These keep well for up to a week in the fridge.  I have also rolled the balls and frozen them for several weeks before dipping in chocolate.  They were great!  

Buffet

Cup cake balls and mini chocolate caramel apples were part of a stake primary dinner.  I served a yummy pasta salad I got from my neighbor probably 10 years ago, I love it!  Magleby's Rolls, Stuffed Mush's and Chili's Southwestern Eggrolls, which I have been making for more years than I can count.  (Eggrolls are missing from the center platter--they were staying warm in the oven!)  I will post these recipes, fun for parties etc..

Oreo Truffles

1 pkg. oreo cookies

1 8oz pkg. cream cheese

chocolate for dipping 

Finely crush 7 cookies and reserve for later.  Crush remaining cookies and stir in softened cream cheese until well blended.  Roll into 1" balls and place on wax paper covered cookie sheet.  Melt chocolate over double boiler or in microwave at 30 sec. intervals until melted.  Dip balls in chocolate and set on wax paper.  You can sprinkle tops with the reserved crushed cookies.  Makes about 36 truffles.

Nutter Butter Balls

1 pkg. Nutter Butter cookies

1 pkg. cream cheese

Chocolate for dipping

Finely crush nutter butter cookies.  Mix in softened cream cheese.  Roll into 1" balls. Place on wax paper covered cookie sheet.  Melt chocolate over double boiler or in microwave at 30 sec. intervals.  Dip balls, tap off extra, lay on wax paper to dry.  Add sprinkles, white chocolate drizzles etc.. as desired to tops.  Makes about 36 balls.

Mini Chocolate Caramel Apples

I have been making chocolate caramel apples for probably 15 years.  My mom and I saw them at a craft show in Provo and bought one for $5.00, which seemed really expensive at the time.  ;-)  One taste and we were hooked, and have been making them ever since.  This is a mini version and really adorable with sucker sticks, you can use wooden skewers, but the sucker sticks are cuter.  Dipping apples in caramel first doesn't work, because the apple is not totally covered with skin.   Believe me, I tried with my sister in law Juliane, the caramel completely slides off.  Dip first in chocolate, then drizzle warm (not hot) caramel over the tops.  These are fun  for parties, it's a cute little bite.  I took them along with the cake balls to the church for a holiday RS enrichment and they went fast!

Fuji or Granny Smith Apples

Caramel

Milk Chocolate for dipping

Metal melon baller

assorted sprinkles, white chocolate etc.. for decorations

Wash and dry apples. Leaving the skin on, scoop out balls with melon baller.  You should be able to get around 10-12 balls per apple.  Pat dry, insert sticks so they sit level.  Dip in melted chocolate and set on waxed paper, which you have sprayed with Pam.  Add a dash of sprinkles (opt.)  Let dry.  Carefully drizzle melted caramel over the top.  (Caution:  make sure caramel is not too hot or it will melt chocolate.)  Let dry.  Carefully lift off waxed paper and place in candy cup holders.  These are really cute on a platter.  Eat mistakes....

Feta Pasta Salad

This is my favorite pasta salad recipe.

1 box bowtie pasta

1 sm. bag baby spinach

1 c. good feta cheese- crumble

1 avocado- dice

1 c. grape tomatoes

Your favorite Italian dressing

Boil pasta until al dente.  Cool and place in serving bowl.  Add spinach, crumbled feta, tomatoes and diced avocado.  Toss with dressing.  Add salt and pepper if needed.   Serves 8

Magleby's Rolls

I have been making these as long as Elise has been alive.  I got the recipe from a friend in my Provo ward, Sis. Jasperson.  Her husband served in the bishopric with Lynn and he always came to our home dressed as Santa at Christmas.  Sis. Jasperson is an amazing women and I remember loving her rolls, along with her berry syrup... wow.  This recipe is easy to adapt or to double, triple, etc..  I once made 150.

Homemade Roll recipe for 12 or 12 Rhodes Texas size frozen rolls

1/2 cup melted butter.  (the original recipe calls to add 1/2 cup mayo to the butter, but I skip this step)

1/2-1 cup grated parmesan cheese

dried parsley flakes, garlic salt

Shape dough into balls or thaw Rhodes rolls just until soft, you don't want them to start rising. Dip entire ball into melted butter and or mayo mixture.  Roll entire ball in cheese.  Lay on baking sheet sprayed with Pam, several inches apart.  Sprinkle with garlic salt and parsley flakes.  Let rise and bake according to roll recipe or directions.  These are amazing served warm, but great at room temp too.