Strawberries and Cream Heart Truffles Recipe

If you are searching for a delightful treat that combines the sweetness of fresh berries with creamy richness, you have to try the Strawberries and Cream Heart Truffles Recipe. These bite-sized gems are vibrantly pink, bursting with pure strawberry flavor, and wrapped in a smooth vanilla coating that just melts in your mouth. Perfect for celebrations, gifting, or as a charming indulgence, this recipe transforms simple cake mix and frosting into an unforgettable candy experience. Every bite offers a lovely balance of fruity and creamy textures that brighten any moment.

Ingredients You’ll Need

This recipe calls for ingredients that are straightforward yet essential, each contributing uniquely to the overall taste, texture, and allure of your Strawberries and Cream Heart Truffles Recipe. From the strawberry cake mix that brings authentic berry flavor to the cream cheese that adds velvety richness, each element plays a delicious role.

• Strawberry cake mix (about 15 ounces): The foundation for your truffles, offering both flavor and moist texture.
• Water, eggs, oil as per box directions: These help bind the cake mix into a perfect batter.
• 3 tablespoons freeze-dried strawberries, crushed: Amplifies the intense strawberry flavor naturally.
• 6 drops red food coloring: Enhances the pink hue for a visually appealing treat.
• 4 tablespoons unsalted butter, room temperature: Adds a creamy richness to the frosting.
• 4 ounces cream cheese, room temperature: Gives the frosting tang and smoothness essential for the perfect truffle center.
• 2 cups powdered sugar, adjust for consistency: Sweetens and thickens the frosting to coat the cake crumbs perfectly.
• 1 teaspoon vanilla extract: Deepens the flavor profile for a subtle warmth.
• 6 drops red food coloring: For coloring the frosting to match the strawberry theme.
• 16 ounces vanilla candy coating: Creates the luscious, crisp outer shell for each truffle.
• Sprinkles (optional): Adds a fun festive touch when decorating.
• Reserved cake crumbs (optional): Useful for decorating and texture contrast.
• Freeze-dried strawberry powder (optional): Enhances strawberry flavor and appearance when dusted on top.

How to Make Strawberries and Cream Heart Truffles Recipe

Step 1: Preheat Oven

Start by preheating your oven to 350°F. This ensures the cake will bake evenly once the batter is ready. Also, prepare a 9×13-inch baking pan by spraying it with nonstick spray, making sure your cake will come out easily without sticking.

Step 2: Prepare Cake Batter

Mix the strawberry cake mix with water, eggs, and oil according to the box instructions. Then, add crushed freeze-dried strawberries for an extra berry burst and six drops of red food coloring to give the batter a lovely pink tint. Whisk everything together until you get a smooth, consistent batter that promises pure strawberry delight.

Step 3: Bake Cake

Pour the batter evenly into your prepared pan and bake for about 25 minutes, or follow the timing on the cake mix box. Use a toothpick to check doneness — it should come out clean or with just a few moist pink crumbs, signaling perfect bake time for tender cake inside.

Step 4: Cool Cake

Once baked, allow your cake to cool completely at room temperature. This step is crucial because warm cake will not combine well with the frosting mixture later, especially when forming the truffles.

Step 5: Make Frosting

Beat together the room temperature unsalted butter and cream cheese until smooth and creamy. This luscious frosting base will melt hearts and add richness to your truffles.

Step 6: Add Sugar and Flavor

Gradually add powdered sugar a cup at a time, mixing well after each addition. Then blend in vanilla extract and add six drops of red food coloring for that matching strawberry pink frosting. Keep mixing until your frosting is thick yet spreadable, perfect for blending with the cake crumbs.

Step 7: Crush Cake

Using your hands or a mixer, crumple the cooled cake finely. Set aside a few tablespoons for garnishing later. These crumbs will add a lovely texture contrast when sprinkled on your finished truffles.

Step 8: Combine with Frosting

Add two heaping tablespoons of frosting to the cake crumbs and mix on low speed until the mixture begins to hold shape. Keep adding frosting as needed until the mixture sticks together well enough for shaping heart truffles without falling apart.

Step 9: Prepare Workspace

Line a baking sheet with parchment paper, leaving enough overhang on the edges to easily lift and move the truffles once formed. This keeps your workspace tidy and makes clean-up a breeze.

Step 10: Press Cake Mixture

Press your cake and frosting blend evenly into a thin ½-inch layer on the parchment-lined pan. Use firm even pressure to compact the mixture tightly, so your heart shapes hold crisp edges after cutting.

Step 11: Cut Hearts

Grab a small heart-shaped cookie cutter and carefully stamp out truffle shapes from the pressed mixture. Work quickly and efficiently to minimize waste and keep all the hearts uniform and perfectly sweet.

Step 12: Freeze Hearts

Transfer all the cut hearts onto the parchment baking sheet and pop them in the freezer for at least 30 minutes. Freezing makes them firm enough for coating and keeps their delicate shape intact while dipping.

Step 13: Melt Candy Coating

While hearts freeze, melt the vanilla candy coating in a microwave-safe bowl. Heat in short 20-second bursts, stirring after each, until the coating is smooth and luscious for dipping.

Step 14: Dip Hearts

Using a fork or dipping tool, gently dip each frozen heart into the melted candy coating. Tap off any excess coating for a thin, even shell that will harden beautifully once chilled.

Step 15: Decorate

Return coated truffles onto parchment paper. Immediately decorate with reserved cake crumbs, freeze-dried strawberry powder, or playful sprinkles for added flair that dazzles eyes and taste buds alike.

Step 16: Repeat Coating

Continue this dipping and decorating process for the remaining hearts, ensuring each piece is fully submerged and beautifully coated for consistent sweetness and crunch.

Step 17: Chill Coating

Place the decorated truffles in the refrigerator or freezer for 15 minutes to allow the candy coating to set firm. This final chill locks in their gorgeous appearance and perfect texture.

Step 18: Serve

Before serving, let your Strawberries and Cream Heart Truffles Recipe come to room temperature so the flavors shine through with the perfect soft bite and creamy center experience.

How to Serve Strawberries and Cream Heart Truffles Recipe

Garnishes

Enhance the visual charm and flavor by garnishing with reserved cake crumbs or freeze-dried strawberry powder for an extra punch of texture and berry aroma. Sprinkles add a playful pop, especially for festive occasions.

Side Dishes

Pair these truffles with a fresh fruit salad or a lightly whipped cream for balance. A cup of tea or coffee also complements their rich sweetness beautifully, making any afternoon treat feel special.

Creative Ways to Present

Serve your strawberry heart truffles in small decorative boxes, nestle them in colorful cupcake liners, or arrange them artfully on a dessert platter lined with fresh mint leaves. These presentation touches elevate them from simple sweets to stunning showstoppers.

Make Ahead and Storage

Storing Leftovers

Keep leftover truffles stored in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to one week. This keeps the cream cheese frosting fresh and the candy coating crisp without losing flavor or texture.

Freezing

These truffles freeze wonderfully. Place them on a parchment-lined tray in the freezer until firm, then transfer to a freezer-safe container. When properly stored, they last up to two months without flavor loss.

Reheating

There’s no need to reheat these. Simply allow frozen truffles to thaw in the refrigerator or at room temperature before serving to enjoy that perfect strawberries and cream flavor and texture balance.

FAQs

Can I use homemade strawberry cake instead of boxed mix?

Absolutely! Homemade strawberry cake works wonderfully if you want a more personalized flavor, but using the boxed mix keeps things quick and reliably delicious.

Do I have to use freeze-dried strawberries?

Freeze-dried strawberries give a concentrated flavor without adding moisture. If unavailable, you can substitute finely chopped fresh strawberries, but drain any excess liquid to maintain the right texture.

Can I make these gluten-free?

Yes! Use a gluten-free strawberry cake mix and ensure your candy coating is gluten-free. The recipe’s technique will remain the same, delivering equally delicious truffles.

What’s the best way to shape the truffles if I don’t have a heart cutter?

If you don’t have a heart cookie cutter, a small round cutter or simply rolling the mixture into balls works just as well and still produces lovely bite-sized treats.

Can these truffles be made vegan?

To make vegan truffles, look for vegan cake mixes and substitute butter and cream cheese with plant-based alternatives. Choose dairy-free candy coating to finish. It’s a fun way to enjoy this recipe while keeping it plant-friendly.

Final Thoughts

There is something truly special about the Strawberries and Cream Heart Truffles Recipe — it’s both charming and effortless, turning simple ingredients into a delectable, eye-catching treat. Whether you’re gifting them to loved ones or savoring them yourself, these truffles bring joy, sweetness, and a touch of whimsy to any occasion. So, grab your ingredients and start creating these heartwarming delights today!

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