Zebra Cake Balls are a fun, no-bake treat made with just three main ingredients—Zebra snack cakes, cream cheese, and melting chocolate. These bite-sized confections are soft, sweet, and dipped in white chocolate with a chocolate drizzle for that signature zebra-stripe look. They’re perfect for parties, holidays, or whenever you need an easy dessert that delivers big on flavor and nostalgia.
Why You’ll Love This Recipe
- Quick and Easy: No baking required and only 45 minutes from start to finish.
- Minimal Ingredients: Just 3 main ingredients plus optional toppings.
- Kid-Friendly: Great for little helpers and loved by all ages.
- Perfect for Entertaining: Ideal for party trays, potlucks, or gift boxes.
- Make-Ahead Friendly: Can be stored and served chilled or at room temperature.
Ingredients
(Tip: You can find the complete list of ingredients and their measurements in the recipe card below.)
- Zebra snack cakes (14 cakes; about 2 boxes)
- Cream cheese (room temperature)
- White chocolate melting wafers or white candy melts
- Coconut oil (to smooth the coating)
- Chocolate melting wafers or brown candy melts (for drizzle)
Directions
- Prepare a Tray: Line a 12″ x 17″ baking sheet with parchment paper and set aside.
- Make the Cake Mixture:
- Unwrap the Zebra cakes and place them in a stand mixer bowl.
- Add cream cheese and beat on medium speed until the mixture is smooth and paste-like.
- Tip: If using a hand mixer, crumble the cakes first, then beat in the cream cheese for a smoother texture.
- Scoop the Dough:
- Use a medium cookie scoop to portion out dough onto the prepared tray.
- Refrigerate the scoops for 15 minutes to firm them up slightly.
- Form into Balls:
- After chilling, roll each scoop between your hands to form smooth, uniform balls.
- Return them to the tray.
- Melt White Chocolate Coating:
- In a microwave-safe bowl, melt white chocolate and coconut oil in 30-second increments, stirring well after each interval until smooth.
- Dip the Cake Balls:
- Use a fork (with the center prong removed) or a truffle dipper to dip each ball into the white chocolate.
- Tap off excess and place back on the parchment paper.
- Add Chocolate Drizzle:
- Melt chocolate wafers in a separate microwave-safe bowl until smooth.
- Transfer to a small Ziploc bag, snip a tiny corner, and drizzle over the coated cake balls for a zebra effect.
- Set and Serve:
- Let the chocolate set at room temperature for about 10 minutes.
- Enjoy immediately or chill in the refrigerator until ready to serve.
Servings and Timing
Servings: 20 cake balls
Prep Time: 25 minutes
Chill Time: 20 minutes
Total Time: 45 minutes
Variations
- Different Snack Cakes: Try this with Chocolate Swiss Rolls, Strawberry Shortcake Rolls, or other snack cake varieties.
- Colorful Drizzle: Use colored candy melts or tinted white chocolate for seasonal or themed events.
- Add Sprinkles: Decorate with sprinkles or edible glitter right after dipping.
- Flavor Twist: Add a drop of almond or vanilla extract to the cream cheese mixture.
- Make Them Pops: Insert lollipop sticks before chilling for festive cake pops.
Storage/Reheating
Store the cake balls in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 5 days. For best texture and flavor, allow them to come to room temperature for 10–15 minutes before serving. These cake balls do not require reheating and are not recommended for freezing once dipped.
FAQs
Can I use a different brand of snack cakes?
Yes, any soft snack cake with filling will work similarly. Zebra Cakes give the best visual effect.
Do I need to freeze them before dipping?
No, chilling in the refrigerator for 15 minutes is enough to make them firm enough to dip.
Can I use chocolate chips instead of melting wafers?
You can, but melting wafers or candy melts are more stable and easier to work with. Chocolate chips can seize easily.
How do I keep the coating smooth?
Add a bit of coconut oil to the chocolate to improve its flow and shine.
Can I use a food processor instead of a mixer?
Yes, a food processor can help create a smooth mixture quickly if you don’t have a mixer.
Are these freezer-friendly?
It’s not recommended to freeze them after dipping, as the chocolate coating may crack.
Can I double the recipe?
Absolutely. Just be sure to melt your chocolate in batches to prevent overcooking.
How long do they last?
They stay fresh for up to 5 days when stored properly in the refrigerator.
Can I make these ahead of time for a party?
Yes, make them a day or two ahead and store in the fridge until ready to serve.
Do I need to temper the chocolate?
Tempering is not necessary when using candy melts or melting wafers, which are designed for dipping.
Conclusion
Zebra Cake Balls are an easy, fun, and irresistible treat that transforms nostalgic snack cakes into elegant party-ready bites. With just a few ingredients and minimal effort, you can create a dessert that’s both charming and delicious. Whether you’re hosting a party, making a sweet gift, or just indulging in a treat-yourself moment, these cake balls are a guaranteed crowd-pleaser.
PrintZebra Cake Balls
Zebra Cake Balls are an easy and fun dessert made with just three main ingredients—Zebra snack cakes, cream cheese, and chocolate coating. These bite-sized treats are rich, creamy, and perfect for parties or as a quick no-bake sweet snack.
- Prep Time: 25 minutes
- Cook Time: 0 minutes
- Total Time: 45 minutes (includes chill time)
- Yield: 20 servings 1x
- Category: Dessert
- Method: No-bake
- Cuisine: American
- Diet: Vegetarian
Ingredients
- 14 Zebra snack cakes
- 3 ounces cream cheese, room temperature
- 10–12 ounces white chocolate melting wafers or white candy melts
- 1 tablespoon coconut oil
- 1/2 cup chocolate melting wafers or brown candy melts (for drizzle)
Instructions
- Line a 12″x17″ cookie sheet with parchment paper and set aside.
- Unwrap the Zebra cakes and place them into the bowl of a stand mixer. Add cream cheese and beat on medium speed until a smooth, paste-like mixture forms.
- Use a medium cookie scoop to portion the dough onto the prepared sheet. No need to roll yet—just scoop and place.
- Refrigerate the scoops for 15 minutes to firm up.
- After chilling, roll each scoop into a smooth ball by gently smushing and shaping between your hands. Return to the parchment paper.
- In a microwave-safe bowl, melt white chocolate and coconut oil in 30-second increments, stirring in between until smooth.
- Dip each cake ball into the melted chocolate using a fork with the middle prong removed or a truffle dipper. Place dipped balls back on the parchment paper.
- While they set, melt the brown chocolate wafers in a microwave-safe bowl until smooth. Transfer to a Ziploc bag, snip a corner, and drizzle over the white chocolate coating.
- Allow the chocolate to set for about 10 minutes at room temperature before serving.
- Serve chilled or at room temperature. Store in the refrigerator until ready to serve.
Notes
- You’ll need two boxes of Zebra Cakes to yield 14 total.
- White and brown candy melts or melting wafers are easiest to use and melt smoothly.
- If using chocolate chips for drizzle, melt carefully in short bursts to avoid burning.
- Use a microwave-safe glass measuring cup (like Pyrex) for easy melting and pouring.
- Best when chilled but can also be served at room temp.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 cake ball
- Calories: 150
- Sugar: 12 g
- Sodium: 85 mg
- Fat: 9 g
- Saturated Fat: 6 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 2.5 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 16 g
- Fiber: 0.5 g
- Protein: 1 g
- Cholesterol: 10 mg