Festive Chocolate Holiday Cake Bites Recipe

Create Jolly Festive Chocolate Holiday Cake Bites Recipe Today!

Chocolate holiday cake bites dance across festive platters, bringing pure joy to every celebration.

Sweet treats sprinkled with seasonal charm can instantly brighten any gathering.

Rich chocolate mingles with delicate flavors that whisper of winter’s warmth.

Each bite-sized morsel carries a promise of delightful indulgence.

Delicate crumbs and smooth chocolate create a harmonious blend of comfort and elegance.

You’ll find these little treasures irresistible and perfect for sharing.

Prepare to delight your guests with these irresistible chocolate morsels that capture the magic of the holiday season.

Quick Recipe Overview

Prep Time: 30 minutes

Cook Time: 1 hour

Total Time: 1 hour 30 minutes

Calories: 275 kcal

Servings: 12

What You’ll Need for These Minty Cake Bites

For Cake Base:
  • Chocolate Cake Mix: Foundational layer providing rich, decadent chocolate flavor with easy preparation method.
  • Chocolate Cake Mix Brand: Select high-quality mix with deep cocoa notes for enhanced dessert experience.
For Filling and Texture Enhancers:
  • Cream Cheese: Adds creamy smoothness and helps bind cake crumbs together with tangy undertone.
  • Peppermint Extract: Delivers refreshing, cool mint flavor that complements chocolate wonderfully.
  • Salt: Balances sweetness and elevates overall taste profile with subtle depth.
For Coating and Decoration:
  • Chocolate Melting Wafers: Provides smooth, glossy exterior with professional finish and rich chocolate taste.
  • Coconut Oil: Helps create silky chocolate coating and ensures elegant, even coverage.
  • Candy Canes: Adds festive crunch and peppermint burst for holiday cheer.
  • Sprinkles: Optional decorative element bringing playful, colorful touch to dessert bites.

Handy Tools to Get Holiday-Ready

  • Large mixing bowl: Perfect for crumbling cake and mixing filling ingredients.
  • Parchment-lined baking sheet: Needed for shaping and chilling cake bites.
  • Double boiler or microwave-safe bowl: Essential for melting chocolate smoothly.
  • Measuring spoons: For precise peppermint extract and salt measurements.
  • Baking sheet: For initial cake baking and setting chocolate-coated bites.
  • Small bowl: Optional for crushing candy canes or preparing sprinkles.

Cake Bite Assembly Guide

  • Create Cake Base

Whip up a chocolate cake following package instructions. Allow the cake to cool down completely, then crumble it into fine, delicate pieces.

  • Mix Creamy Filling

Combine crumbled cake with cream cheese, a splash of peppermint extract, and a pinch of salt. Blend until the mixture transforms into a rich, moldable dough.

  • Shape Delightful Morsels

Roll the dough into bite-sized balls, placing them carefully on a parchment-lined tray. Chill in the refrigerator for one hour or pop in the freezer for a quick 30-minute firming.

  • Chocolate Dunking

Melt chocolate and coconut oil using a double boiler or microwave, stirring until silky smooth. Gently dip each chilled cake ball into the glossy chocolate coating, then return to the parchment.

  • Festive Finishing

Sprinkle crushed candy canes or colorful sprinkles over the wet chocolate. Refrigerate for half an hour until the chocolate sets completely. Store in a sealed container in the refrigerator for up to a week or freeze for two months of sweet enjoyment.

Flavor Additions to Match the Season

  • Crumble the cake finely and mix thoroughly to ensure a smooth, consistent texture without lumps that could affect the bite's shape.
  • Add an extra splash of peppermint extract for a more intense mint flavor, or swap with almond or vanilla extract for different taste profiles.
  • Use gluten-free chocolate cake mix and ensure all ingredients like cream cheese are certified gluten-free to make the recipe safe for those with gluten sensitivities.
  • Experiment with different toppings like crushed holiday-themed chocolates, colored sprinkles, or drizzle white chocolate for festive variations that match different celebrations.
  • These cake bites can be prepared weeks in advance and frozen, making them perfect for busy holiday meal planning or unexpected guests dropping by for treats.

Serving Ideas to Keep Things Festive

  • Festive Party Platter: Arrange the minty chocolate bites on a decorative holiday tray with sprigs of fresh mint and mini candy canes for a stunning dessert display that will wow your guests.
  • Winter Gifting Delight: Package these bites in clear cellophane bags tied with festive ribbons, creating perfect homemade holiday gifts for neighbors, teachers, or colleagues.
  • Dessert Pairing Magic: Serve alongside hot peppermint cocoa or creamy vanilla bean ice cream to enhance the minty chocolate flavor and create a delightful taste experience.
  • Cocktail Hour Treat: Offer these bites as a sweet accompaniment to adult holiday beverages like peppermint martinis or chocolate liqueur for an elegant touch to your gathering.

Best Ways to Store or Share These Treats

  • Refrigerate cake bites on a flat tray before transferring to storage containers to maintain their perfect shape and prevent sticking.
  • Layer cake bites between parchment paper in an airtight container to prevent freezer burn and preserve delicate texture for up to 2 months.
  • Separate batches into smaller containers for easy grab-and-go snacking, keeping some chilled and some frozen for extended enjoyment.
  • Always bring frozen cake bites to room temperature for 10-15 minutes before serving to restore their soft, creamy interior and prevent condensation.
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Festive Chocolate Holiday Cake Bites Recipe

Festive Chocolate Holiday Cake Bites


5 Stars 4 Stars 3 Stars 2 Stars 1 Star

4.6 from 16 reviews

  • Total Time: 1 hour 30 minutes
  • Yield: 13 1x

Description

Sweet holiday magic meets delightful minty chocolate holiday cake bites in this irresistible seasonal treat. Festive flavor combinations dance across palates, inviting dessert enthusiasts to savor each delectable morsel.


Ingredients

Scale
  • 1 box chocolate cake mix (15.25 oz/432 g)
  • 4 oz/113 g cream cheese, softened
  • ¼ tsp peppermint extract (or more to taste)
  • Pinch of salt
  • 12 oz/340 g semi-sweet or dark chocolate, chopped or in chips
  • 1 tsp coconut oil or shortening (optional, for smoother coating)
  • Crushed peppermint candies or holiday sprinkles (for decorating)

Instructions

  1. Cake Preparation: Bake chocolate cake according to package instructions. Allow cake to cool thoroughly, then meticulously crumble into fine, uniform texture.
  2. Filling Creation: Combine crumbled cake with cream cheese, peppermint extract, and salt in a large mixing bowl. Blend ingredients until a cohesive, dense dough forms with consistent moisture and flavor distribution.
  3. Bite Shaping: Craft uniform 1-inch spherical bites by gently rolling dough between palms. Arrange bite-sized spheres on parchment-lined baking sheet, ensuring equal spacing. Refrigerate for 1 hour or freeze for 30 minutes to solidify structural integrity.
  4. Chocolate Coating: Melt chocolate and coconut oil using double boiler or microwave technique, stirring until achieving glossy, smooth consistency. Carefully immerse each chilled cake sphere into molten chocolate, ensuring complete coverage. Transfer coated bites back to parchment, immediately garnishing with crushed candy canes or festive sprinkles while chocolate remains liquid.
  5. Finishing and Storage: Chill chocolate-coated bites for 30 minutes until chocolate sets firmly. Store delicate morsels in sealed container within refrigerator for maximum 1 week or freeze up to 2 months for extended enjoyment.

Notes

  • Ensure cake crumbs are finely ground and uniform for smooth, compact cake bites that hold together perfectly.
  • Thoroughly freeze cake balls before chocolate dipping to prevent crumbling and create a clean, professional chocolate shell.
  • Use low, gentle heat and stir continuously to prevent chocolate from burning or becoming grainy during melting process.
  • Sprinkle candy canes or decorations immediately after chocolate coating while surface remains wet for best adhesion and presentation.
  • Prep Time: 30 minutes
  • Cook Time: 1 hour
  • Category: Desserts, Snacks
  • Method: Baking
  • Cuisine: American

Nutrition

  • Serving Size: 13
  • Calories: 150
  • Sugar: 10 g
  • Sodium: 200 mg
  • Fat: 7 g
  • Saturated Fat: 4 g
  • Unsaturated Fat: 3 g
  • Trans Fat: 0 g
  • Carbohydrates: 20 g
  • Fiber: 1 g
  • Protein: 2 g
  • Cholesterol: 15 mg
William Hawkins

William Hawkins

Founder & Culinary Director

Expertise

  • Modern American and Southern Cuisine
  • Farm-to-Table Practices
  • Restaurant Concept Development
  • Culinary Education and Mentorship​

Education

Sullivan University, Louisville, KY

  • Degree: Associate of Science in Culinary Arts
  • Focus: Focused on mastering culinary methods and food science, immersive externships, hands‑on training in industry‑standard kitchen labs, and equipping graduates for roles in restaurant operations.

William Hawkins isn’t just a chef, he’s a storyteller through food. From his hometown of Louisville, KY, he’s spent years refining his craft, turning local ingredients into something extraordinary. 

With classical training from Sullivan University and a career marked by innovation, mentorship, and Southern soul, William approaches every recipe with purpose. His kitchen is where old techniques meet fresh ideas, and where comfort food gets a thoughtful, modern twist. 

When he’s not building dishes from the ground up, he’s out gathering inspiration from nature, markets, and the stories people share around the table.

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