From Our Recipe Box to Yours...Cake Ball Fun and a few suggestions!

Today I wanted to share a recipe with you all. The idea came to me as I was reading a newsletter I had received from a doctor's office. On their sidebar they had included a recipe to try. I thought, hmmm, there are all those mysteries out there that include recipes within the story... I can do that for my readers on the blog! Just like a book! Our very own Janette recently led a cake ball class here at the library. It was such a hit we will probably offer another one later this fall. Aha! The perfect recipe to share! One from our recipe box to yours....

Red Velvet Cake Balls

1 box red velvet cake mix (cook as directed on box for 13 X 9 cake)

1 can cream cheese frosting (16 oz.)

1 package chocolate bark (regular or white chocolate)

wax paper


1. After cake is cooked and cooled completely, crumble into large bowl.

2. Mix thoroughly with 1 can cream cheese frosting. (It may be easier to use fingers to mix together, but be warned it will get messy.)

3. Roll mixture into quarter size balls and lay on cookie sheet. (Should make 45-50. You can get even more if you use a mini ice cream scooper, but I like to hand roll them.)

4. Chill for several hours. (You can speed this up by putting in the freezer.)

5. Melt chocolate in microwave per directions on package.

6. Roll balls in chocolate and lay on wax paper until firm. (Use a spoon to dip and roll in chocolate and then tap off extra.)

I also only melt a few pieces of chocolate bark at a time because it starts to cool and thicken. It’s easier to work with when it’s hot.

Try them! They're lots of fun to make and even more fun to eat!!!!

**The idea for cake balls comes from Bakerella, an online cooking website, http://bakerella.com Go there for more designs, recipes and ideas! There is even a new book on cake balls, that you can check out here at the library, "Cake Pops: Tips, Tricks, and Recipes for More Than 40 Irresistible Mini Treats" by Bakerella.

Now on to the suggestions....
If you like mysteries, but you don't want all the gore and violence, Cozy Mysteries, are the way to go. A Cozy Mystery is kind of like the game Clue, "Colonel Mustard was found in the library with the wrench." Some popular Cozy Mysteries also include recipes. Diane Mott Davidson has a big series and also Joanne Fluke. In the Joanne Fluke stories, main character Hannah Swensen owns a bakery and solves murders in her small town in Minnesota. These light and fun mysteries are sure to delight. The moutwatering recipes will win you over too.

So, if you are looking for something new to try.....Check out our Cake Balls or try a Joanne Fluke cooking mystery today.