Birthday Cake Cheeseball
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This birthday cake cheese ball is the ultimate funfetti dessert ball, it tastes just like cake batter, but in dip form. Think of it as a no bake birthday cake dip rolled into a sprinkle-covered ball.
Made with cream cheese, butter, funfetti cake mix, powdered sugar, and plenty of rainbow sprinkles, it’s creamy, festive, and perfect for parties.
I love serving it with vanilla wafers or pretzels (the sweet and salty combo is my favorite), but graham crackers, sugar cookies, or animal crackers all work just as well.
The texture is smooth and rich thanks to the blend of cream cheese and butter, and the sprinkles add the perfect crunch. It’s the kind of cream cheese dessert ball that disappears fast at birthdays, holidays, or any celebration where you need a fun shareable treat.
If you love dessert cheese balls, make sure to try my chocolate covered strawberry cheeseball, chocolate chip cheese ball or peanut butter cheese ball next.
What You Need to Make a Birthday Cake Cheese Ball
- 2 blocks (8 oz each) cream cheese, softened — 16 oz total
- 1 stick (1/2 cup) unsalted butter, softened
- 1 box (13.25 oz) Funfetti cake mix — heat-treated (see note)
- 1 cup powdered sugar
- 2 teaspoons vanilla extract
- 1-1/4 cups rainbow sprinkles, divided — about 7 oz
- Vanilla wafers, graham crackers, and pretzels for serving
Ingredient Insight: Using both cream cheese and butter makes this dessert ball extra rich and smooth. The butter gives it structure and helps it firm up when chilled, while the cream cheese keeps the mixture creamy and adds a subtle tang. Together, its a lot more balanced than cream cheese alone.
- Food Safety Tip: Raw cake mix contains untreated flour, which isn’t safe to eat. To make it safe, spread the dry mix on a baking sheet and bake at 350°F for 5 minutes, or until it reaches 165°F. Let it cool completely before mixing it into the recipe.
How to Make a Funfetti Dessert Cheese Ball
In a large mixing bowl, beat softened cream cheese and butter together until smooth.
Add heat-treated cake mix, powdered sugar, 1/4 cup sprinkles, and vanilla. Beat until well combined.
Shape into a ball and wrap tightly in plastic wrap.
Refrigerate for at least 2 hours, or overnight, to firm up.
Before serving, roll in the remaining sprinkles until fully coated. By the way, the kind of sprinkles I used in this are called “jimmies.” You can see them here on Amazon.
Serve with vanilla wafers, graham crackers, pretzels, or your favorite sweet dippers.
- If you love funfetti desserts, you’ll also want to try my creamy funfetti dip — it’s a simpler, no-shape-needed version that’s just as party-ready.”
Can You Make This Dessert Cheese Ball Ahead of Time?
Yes, this recipe works perfectly as a make-ahead dessert. Just prepare the ball a day in advance, keep it wrapped in plastic in the fridge, and add the sprinkles just before serving to keep it looking and tasting fresh.
How to Store Leftovers
Wrap tightly in plastic wrap and refrigerate for up to 3 days. Since this recipe uses dairy, it should not be left out at room temperature for more than 2 hours.
There are also some tricks to adding a plate in ice to keep it cool as well if you need a longer time out. I do not have an article on the perfect set up, but I am sure you can find one online.
Variations to Try
- Swap rainbow sprinkles for seasonal sprinkles (red and green for Christmas, pink for Valentine’s Day, or red, white, and blue for the 4th of July). This makes it an easy sprinkle dessert dip for any holiday.
- Use chocolate cake mix for a chocolate cake batter cheese ball.
- Roll in nonpareils instead of sprinkles for a different texture.
- Try funfetti or flavored mixes to create different funfetti cake mix desserts in ball form.
And if you’re serving this at a kid’s party, it doubles as a fun birthday party dessert dip that works with graham crackers, vanilla wafers, or pretzels.
If you prefer a savory cheeseball, I just published a recipe for an everything bagel seasoning cheese ball that is SO GOOD!
Dessert Cream Cheese Ball with Sprinkles
Ingredients
- 16 oz cream cheese softened
- 1 stick unsalted butter 1/2 cup, softened
- 13.25 oz Funfetti cake mix — heat-treated see note
- 1 cup powdered sugar
- 2 teaspoons vanilla extract
- 1-1/4 cups rainbow sprinkles divided — about 7 oz
Instructions
- Heat-treat the cake mix: Spread the Funfetti cake mix evenly on a baking sheet and bake at 350°F until it reaches 160°F internally (about 5 minutes). This ensures the flour is safe to eat. Let it cool completely before using.
- In a large mixing bowl, beat the softened cream cheese and butter together until smooth and creamy. (Tip: letting both soften to room temperature makes mixing easier and prevents lumps.)
- Add the cooled cake mix, powdered sugar, vanilla extract, and 1/4 cup of the rainbow sprinkles. Continue beating until fully combined and smooth.
- Scoop the mixture onto a piece of plastic wrap, shape into a ball, and wrap tightly. Refrigerate for at least 2 hours or overnight to let it firm up.
- Roll the chilled cheeseball in the remaining sprinkles until fully coated. Serve with vanilla wafers, graham crackers, or pretzels for dipping.
Notes
Nutrition
Nutritional Disclaimer: The nutritional data provided here is auto-calculated and intended for your convenience only. As it’s generated via automation, its accuracy may be compromised. For precise nutritional insight, please compute the values utilizing the actual ingredients in your recipe through your chosen nutrition calculator or application.
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