Russian Chocolate Cake Balls

These Russian chocolate cake balls are so moist and rich. They’re somewhere in between a Russian cake truffle and cake pop. Whatever you want to call them, you’re bound to include the word “delicious”. Not only do they have a deep chocolate flavor, but they also have a little kick from the coffee liqueur. What’s better? They are super simple to make and only require a bit of light assembling.

In Russia, these truffles are lovingly referred to as “kartoshka”. In English, this translates to “potatoes” and refers to their cute, little spud-like shape. Although the cake balls definitely don’t have any potatoes in them, the nickname is adorable and has been around forever.

How to Make Russian Chocolate Cake Balls (Kartoshka)

Making these cake balls only requires 5 ingredients and a little bit of assembling. Below, find a step by step rundown of the recipe before you dive in.

• Crumb the Cake: In a large bowl, crumble the sponge cake into tiny pieces.
• Make the Batter: Using a spatula, mix the softened butter, cacao, sweetened condensed milk, and coffee liqueur together. Next, add the crumbled cake pieces and mix until combined.
• Shape the Cake Balls: Using an ice cream scoop or cookie scoop, portion out the batter and roll it into tiny balls. Next, dip each ball into a bowl of cacao powder. Repeat until you run out of cake balls.
• Refrigerate the Cake Balls: Refrigerate the cake balls until you’re ready to serve them. Enjoy!

Tips & Tricks

Here you’ll find a couple of tips and tricks to help you make the best Russian chocolate cake balls.

• Prep the sponge cake a couple of days ahead. Letting the sponge cake get a little stale will make for better cake crumbs. It will also cut down on your day-of prep time.
• Use room temperature softened butter. Before you get to work, allow the butter to sit at room temperature for 30 minutes. This will make it so much easier to incorporate into the batter.
• Refrigerate the cake balls before you serve them. Refrigerating the cake balls for at least 30 minutes before you serve them will allow the flavors and texture to set.

Storing Cake Balls

Whether you plan to eat the cake balls within a couple of weeks or freeze them to have on hand for later, find all the storage tips you need here.

• Refrigerator: If you plan to eat the cake balls within 2 weeks, store them in an airtight container in the refrigerator.
• Freezer: To freeze the cake balls for last minute parties or on-demand snacking, assemble them on a baking sheet lined with parchment paper. Pop the baking sheet in the freezer uncovered until they are completely frozen. Next, transfer the cake balls into a freezer-safe bag and store them for up to 3 months. To thaw them, place them on the counter for a couple of hours.

Other Truffles To Try:

• Chocolate Raspberry Truffles – Tart and decadent chocolate truffles
• No-Bake Cheesecake Truffles – No-fuss cheese cake balls
• Cream Cheese Chocolate Truffles – Sweet and salty chocolate truffles

Recipe

Russian Chocolate Cake Balls

Print Pin

Servings

30 cookies

Prep Time 40 mins

Cook Time 40 mins

Total Time 1 hr 20 mins

Recipe contributed by: Natalya Drozhzhin

These Russian chocolate cake balls are made with moist sponge cake, cocoa powder, and condensed milk. Perfect for your next dessert tray or potluck!

Ingredients

• 1 sponge cake
• 200 g unsalted butter softened at room temperature
• 1/2 cup sweetened condensed milk
• 3 tbsp cacao powder
• 1 tbsp Bailey's Coffee Liqueur (optional)

US Units – Metric

Instructions

• In a large bowl, crumble the sponge cake into tiny pieces.
  
• Using a spatula, mix the softened butter, cacao, sweetened condensed milk, and coffee liqueur together.
  
• Add the crumbled cake pieces into the bowl and mix until well-combined.
  
• Using an ice cream scoop, portion out the batter and roll it into small balls.
  
• Fill a shallow bowl with the cacao powder and roll each ball in it until evenly coated. Repeat until you run out of cake balls.
  
• Refrigerate the balls until you're ready to serve them. Enjoy!
  

Nutrition Facts

Russian Chocolate Cake Balls

Amount Per Serving

Calories 94 Calories from Fat 54

% Daily Value*

Fat 6g9%

Saturated Fat 4g20%

Trans Fat 1g

Polyunsaturated Fat 1g

Monounsaturated Fat 2g

Cholesterol 26mg9%

Sodium 61mg3%

Potassium 38mg1%

Carbohydrates 9g3%

Fiber 1g4%

Sugar 6g7%

Protein 1g2%

Vitamin A 196IU4%

Vitamin C 1mg1%

Calcium 24mg2%

Iron 1mg6%

* Percent Daily Values are based on a 2000 calorie diet.