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Chocolate Cake Ornaments for the Non-Cake Decorator

If you aren’t into cake decorating but love the results, these Chocolate Cake Ornaments are for you! They’re also a fun activity that the Kiddos would love help making.

Cake balls frosted in white frosting decorated with candy pieces to resemble Christmas bulbs on a white snowflake plate sitting over a red napkin.

I’ve wanted to learn cake decorating since I was a child. These Chocolate Cake Ornaments would have been a great way to start.

They’re fun and easy enough that either the non-cake decorator or the youngsters can help too.

I get it, cake decorating isn’t for everyone or you just don’t have the time.

I made my first attempt when I was about 12 years old. It was indeed a masterpiece in my mind. That was in the days when dinosaurs roamed the earth and there weren’t computers let alone google.

A cake ball frosted in white frosting decorated with candy pieces to resemble a Christmas bulb on a white snowflake plate. A sprig of greenery and two red Christmas bulbs are at the top of the plate.

I don’t even remember that many cookbooks in our house.

My mother wasn’t into cooking that much and my Grandmother made everything off the top of her head.

Somewhere I came up with a magazine that had some very elementary skills and I taught myself to pipe stars.

I piped an entire cake with stars. The only problem was my frosting recipe was for royal frosting.

A cake ball frosted in white frosting decorated with candy pieces to resemble a Christmas bulb on a white snowflake plate. A sprig of greenery and two red Christmas bulbs are at the top of the plate.

You needed a hammer and chisel to break into that cake. But hey, it looked good.

We use a simple chocolate cake recipe and added crushed candy canes. You can add chocolate chips or peanut butter chips too. It’s very versatile.

You could definitely make these into cupcakes too. You can even buy the cupcakes and frosting and they’ll be adorable anyway. It’s all about having fun.

A cake ball frosted in white frosting decorated with candy pieces to resemble a Christmas bulb on a white snowflake plate. A sprig of greenery and two red Christmas bulbs are at the top of the plate.

HOMEMADE CHOCOLATE CAKE RECIPE INGREDIENTS

  • Butter – We used unsalted butter.
    • If you use salted butter, only use 1/2 tsp of salt in the recipe or eliminate it altogether.
  • Sugar – white granulated sugar
  • Eggs – We always buy large eggs for consistency in or baking
  • Flour – All-purpose flour, bleached or unbleached.
  • Cocoa – Baking Cocoa was used in this recipe. We recommend always sifting and then measuring cocoa.
  • Baking soda and Baking powder – These are leaveners that make your cake rise up nice and fluffy.
  • Salt – We like fine sea salt because of its blend-ability but any will do.
  • Peanut Butter, chocolate chips, or crushed peppermint – optional

Supplies you may need

We used a Wilton Mini Ball Pan because I liked the round shape that it gave my cute little Pumpkin Faces.

HOW TO MAKE THIS RECIPE FOR HOMEMADE CHOCOLATE CAKE

  1. Using an electric stand mixer, cream the butter, sugar, and eggs together until they are fluffy and lighter in color.
    • Ingredients will whip together better if they are all at room temperature.
  2. In a separate bowl, combine the flour, sifted cocoa, baking soda, baking powder, and salt. Whisk to combine.
  3. With the mixer on LOW, gradually add the dry ingredients alternating with the milk to the butter mixture. Mix until combined.
  4. With the mixer on low, sprinkle in the peanut butter or chocolate chips if desired.
  5. Bake

A cake ball frosted in white frosting decorated with candy pieces to resemble a snowman face on a white snowflake plate. A sprig of greenery and two red Christmas bulbs are at the top of the plate.

BAKING TIPS AND VARIATIONS

You can make these cute little chocolate cake ornaments in a muffin tin. There isn’t any need to buy another pan if you don’t have one. (I’m hyperventilating as I say this. I may have a pan problem LOL!)

Any pan should be greased or sprayed with non-stick cooking spray.

You should also check the doneness of the cake before the least amount of cooking time is up. Ovens and pans cook at different rates.

The cake is done when a cake tester or toothpick is inserted into the thickest part of the cake and has very few crumbs sticking to it when removed. It doesn’t need to be completely without crumbs.

  • Muffins – Fill 2/3 full and bake 22 to 25 minutes.
  • 2- 9″ round cake pans – bake for 30 to 35 minutes
  • 9×13 cake pan – bake for 35 to 40 minutes
  • Bundt Pan – bake 45 to 55 minutes.
Bowls of candy used to make Christmas cake ornaments.

Simple cake decorating recipes

If you’re catching the cake decorating bug, here are a few more techniques to try!

 Don’t have time to make them now? Pin it for later!

Two photo collage for Pinterest of cake balls frosted in white frosting decorated with candy pieces to resemble Christmas bulbs on white snowflake plates. A sprig of greenery and two red Christmas bulbs are at the top of the plate. The title \"Chocolate Cake Ornaments for the Non-cake Decorator separates the two photos.

The holidays are all about having fun, and I love it when we can share the fun with children. What is your favorite kitchen activity with the kiddos?

A cake ball frosted in white frosting decorated with candy pieces to resemble a Christmas bulb on a white snowflake plate. A sprig of greenery and two red Christmas bulbs are at the top of the plate.

Chocolate Cake Ornaments for the Non-Cake Decorator

Author: Julie Menghini
If you aren’t into cake decorating but love the results, these Chocolate Cake Ornaments are for you!  They’re also a fun activity that the Kiddos would love help making.
5 from 6 votes
Prep Time 10 minutes
Cook Time 25 minutes
Total Time 35 minutes
Course Dessert
Cuisine American
Keyword: Chocolate Cake
Servings: 18 servings

Ingredients
  

  • 2/3 cup butter
  • 1 2/3 cups sugar
  • 3 eggs
  • 2 cups all-purpose flour
  • 2/3 cup cocoa
  • 1 1/4 tsp baking soda
  • 1/4 tsp baking powder
  • 1 tsp kosher salt
  • 1 1/3 cups milk
  • 1/2 cup peppermint pieces (optional) I used crushed candy canes

Instructions
 

  • Preheat oven to 350°F.  Spray pan with non-sticking spray.
  • Cream butter, sugar, and eggs until fluffy.  Beat on high for 3  minutes.  
  • Reduce speed to low.  Combine flour, sifted cocoa, soda, baking powder, and salt. Add dry mix alternating with the milk and mix until blended.
  • Fold in peppermint candy.
  • Fill pan 3/4 full.  Bake 30 minutes or until a toothpick tested in the center comes out clean.
  • Cool  10 minutes and then remove from pan and cool completely.

Nutrition

Calories: 247kcalCarbohydrates: 35gProtein: 3gFat: 10gSaturated Fat: 7gCholesterol: 47mgSodium: 300mgPotassium: 106mgFiber: 1gSugar: 23gVitamin A: 280IUCalcium: 46mgIron: 1.2mg

Nutritional Disclaimer

This recipe was calculated using the exact brands and measurements I used to make this recipe. If you are following a strict diet please note changing anything will cause the nutritional info to change. My calculations are intended as a guide only.

Tried this recipe?Let me know how it was!
Recipe Rating




Michele @ Bacon Fatte

Friday 8th of December 2017

Julie - these ornament cakes are absolutely adorable... I just love them! You always have such creative (and delicious!) ideas!

Julie Menghini

Saturday 9th of December 2017

Thank you, Michele!

Madi

Monday 4th of December 2017

This is such a cute idea! I love how easy these are to make!

Michaela Kenkel

Sunday 3rd of December 2017

These are positively adorable!! I have one of those pans, I can't wait to try these!!

Julie Menghini

Monday 4th of December 2017

Thank you, Michaela! I'm proud of myself for using it twice LOL!

Lori Vachon

Sunday 3rd of December 2017

This is exactly the kind of holiday decorating my kids enjoy!

Julie Menghini

Monday 4th of December 2017

Thank you, Lori! I wish I did more like this when my kiddos were young. The cookies took so long that they got bored before we were finished and I ended up doing it by myself and cleanup was a mess!

Debbie Spivey

Thursday 30th of November 2017

These are cute! I imagine having wine and friends over to decorate them. FUN! ;)

Julie Menghini

Friday 1st of December 2017

What a great idea! Skip the kids and bring in the adults! I wish you were my neighbor! We could get into serious trouble!

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