Classic Snowball Cake Recipe: A Nostalgic Homemade Delight

Step back in time to the cherished days of your childhood with this incredibly easy and low-cost Snowball Cake recipe. This sweet, delightfully filling, and utterly delicious cake is more than just a dessert; it’s a journey back to simpler times. Your family, especially the kids, will adore this homemade treat as much as you did, with the added warmth and love that only a homemade creation can bring. It’s a perfect blend of classic flavors and heartfelt memories, making it a staple for any family gathering or a simple weeknight indulgence.

Snowball Cake

4.0 from 33 votes

The Snowball Cake recipe instantly sparks nostalgia and excitement for my family. The very mention of it takes us back to the best years of our childhood, filling us with memories of carefree joy. The fact that it’s easy to make and low-cost only heightens our anticipation, promising that we can easily recreate those cherished moments without significant effort or expense. This cake isn’t just a dessert; it’s a sweet tradition waiting to be rediscovered and shared.

Ingredients

1 (18.25 ounce) package devil’s food cake mix
1 (8 ounce) package PHILADELPHIA Cream Cheese, softened
1 egg
2 tablespoons granulated sugar
1 (3.4 ounce) package JELL-O Vanilla Flavor Instant Pudding
1/4 cup powdered sugar
1 cup cold milk
1 (8 ounce) tub COOL WHIP Whipped Topping, thawed
1 cup BAKER’S ANGEL FLAKE Coconut

Directions

Heat oven to 350 degrees F (175 degrees C).
Prepare cake batter in a 2-1/2-quart ovenproof bowl according to package directions. Gently scrape down the sides of the bowl. In a separate bowl, beat the softened cream cheese, egg, and granulated sugar together until smooth and well blended. Carefully spoon this creamy mixture into the center of the cake batter in the bowl.
Bake for 1 hour and 5 minutes, or until a wooden toothpick inserted into the center of the cake comes out clean. Let the cake cool in the bowl for 10 minutes. Using a knife, carefully loosen the edges of the cake from the bowl, then invert it onto a wire rack to completely remove the bowl. Allow the cake to cool entirely before proceeding with frosting.
While the cake cools, prepare the delicious pudding mixture. In a medium bowl, whisk together the dry instant pudding mix, powdered sugar, and cold milk for 2 minutes until well combined and slightly thickened. Gently fold in the thawed COOL WHIP Whipped Topping until fully incorporated. Refrigerate this frosting mixture until you are ready to use it.
Once the cake is completely cool, place it on a serving plate. Generously frost the entire cake with the prepared pudding mixture. Finish by sprinkling a generous amount of BAKER’S ANGEL FLAKE Coconut all over the frosted cake, ensuring a beautiful “snowball” appearance. Keep the finished Snowball Cake refrigerated until serving to maintain its freshness and delightful texture.

Why This Homemade Snowball Cake is a Must-Try

As we embark on the delightful journey of making this Snowball Cake, an undeniable sense of anticipation fills the air. It’s more than just preparing a dessert; it’s about rekindling cherished memories and creating new ones. Imagine the sweet aroma of baking chocolate cake mingling with the creamy scent of vanilla and coconut, transforming your kitchen into a haven of warmth and comfort. This cake isn’t merely a treat; it’s a vessel for nostalgia, transporting us back to carefree days of childhood celebrations and simple joys.

The first bite of this homemade Snowball Cake is pure magic. It’s a taste that instantly evokes a rush of childhood memories, reminding us of innocent pleasures and blissful moments. The combination of moist devil’s food cake, the surprise of a tangy cream cheese center, the light and airy pudding frosting, and the delicate crunch of coconut creates a symphony of textures and flavors that is truly unforgettable. It’s sweet, incredibly satisfying, and utterly delicious – a perfect harmony that delights the palate and warms the heart. With every forkful, a wave of nostalgia washes over you, making this cake a truly sentimental experience.

One of the most rewarding aspects of this recipe is knowing it’s “homemade with love.” This personal touch elevates the experience, adding an extra layer of warmth, care, and intention. Preparing this treat for your family, just as it might have been prepared for you in your youth, deepens the connection to the recipe and the traditions it represents. It’s an act of love, turning simple ingredients into a special memory that everyone will treasure. The ease and affordability of the ingredients make it an accessible project for any home baker, ensuring that these moments of joy are within reach.

Beyond its delicious taste, the Snowball Cake serves as a wonderful catalyst for bonding. As we gather around the table to enjoy this sweet confection, stories and laughter flow freely. It becomes a shared experience, a moment of reflection on past memories, and an opportunity to create new ones that will be cherished for years to come. The simplicity and deliciousness of the cake bring people together, reinforcing the importance of family, friendship, and the invaluable joy of homemade delights. This cake isn’t just dessert; it’s a celebration of togetherness.

Expert Tips for the Perfect Snowball Cake

Achieving the perfect Snowball Cake is easy with a few simple tips. While the recipe is straightforward, these pointers will help ensure your cake turns out moist, flavorful, and beautifully presented every time.

Cake Batter Consistency: When preparing the devil’s food cake mix, ensure you follow the package instructions precisely. Overmixing can lead to a dense cake, so mix just until the ingredients are combined.
Cream Cheese Filling: Make sure your PHILADELPHIA Cream Cheese is thoroughly softened to room temperature. This will help it beat smoothly with the egg and sugar, preventing lumps and ensuring a uniform, creamy texture for the delicious hidden center.
Even Baking: Using a 2-1/2-quart ovenproof bowl ensures the cake bakes evenly and forms a lovely dome shape, perfect for replicating the snowball look. Position the bowl in the center of your oven for consistent heat distribution.
Cooling is Key: Patience is a virtue when cooling your cake. Cooling for 10 minutes in the bowl before inverting helps it set and prevents it from sticking. Allowing it to cool completely on a wire rack ensures the frosting won’t melt or slide off. A fully cooled cake is crucial for a neat finish.
Pudding Mixture Perfection: When whisking the dry pudding mix, powdered sugar, and cold milk, make sure to beat for the full 2 minutes. This activates the pudding and gives it the proper consistency before folding in the COOL WHIP. Refrigerating the mixture until ready to use will also firm it up nicely for frosting.
Coconut Application: For that iconic “snowball” look, apply the BAKER’S ANGEL FLAKE Coconut generously. You can gently press the coconut onto the sides and top of the frosted cake to ensure it adheres well and creates a beautiful, even coating.
Keep it Chilled: This cake tastes best when served chilled. Always store your finished Snowball Cake in the refrigerator to keep the frosting firm and the cake fresh.

Delicious Variations to Explore

While the classic Snowball Cake is undeniably perfect, there’s always room to get creative and customize it to your taste. Here are a few ideas to inspire your next baking adventure:

Cake Flavor Swap: Instead of devil’s food cake, try a classic yellow cake mix, chocolate fudge, or even a red velvet mix for a different base flavor. Each will offer a unique twist while still complementing the creamy filling and coconut topping.
Pudding Adventure: Experiment with different JELL-O Instant Pudding flavors. Chocolate, cheesecake, or even banana pudding could offer exciting new dimensions to your frosting. Just ensure it’s an “instant” variety.
Add a Fruity Layer: For a burst of freshness, consider adding a thin layer of raspberry or strawberry jam on top of the cream cheese filling before baking, or incorporate fresh berries into the pudding mixture for added texture and tartness.
Nutty Crunch: If you’re a fan of nuts, finely chopped pecans or walnuts can be added to the cake batter or sprinkled lightly over the coconut topping for an extra layer of flavor and crunch.
Spiced Coconut: Toast your BAKER’S ANGEL FLAKE Coconut lightly in a dry pan until golden brown for a richer, nuttier flavor. Be careful not to burn it!
Boozy Bliss (for adults): A dash of rum extract or a tablespoon of a suitable liqueur (like Irish cream or Kahlua) could be added to the pudding mixture for a more sophisticated, adult-friendly version.

Serving and Storing Your Snowball Cake

This Snowball Cake is best enjoyed when served chilled, allowing the flavors to meld beautifully and the textures to remain distinct. Slice it with a warm, clean knife for the neatest portions. It pairs wonderfully with a simple cup of coffee, a glass of cold milk, or even a scoop of vanilla bean ice cream for an extra indulgent treat.

To store any leftover cake, ensure it is covered tightly with plastic wrap or placed in an airtight container. Refrigeration is essential due to the cream cheese and pudding components. When properly stored, the Snowball Cake will remain fresh and delicious for 3-4 days in the refrigerator. We doubt it will last that long, though!

The Enduring Charm of Homemade Desserts

In a world often dominated by convenience, there’s something uniquely satisfying about creating a homemade dessert. This Snowball Cake, with its simple ingredients and straightforward process, exemplifies the joy of baking from scratch. It’s not just about the final product; it’s about the entire experience – the mixing, the baking, the anticipation, and finally, the shared enjoyment. Homemade treats carry an unspoken message of care and affection, making them far more impactful than anything store-bought.

So, gather your ingredients, call your loved ones to the kitchen, and prepare to create more than just a cake. Prepare to create memories, revive traditions, and share a piece of your heart. The Snowball Cake is more than a recipe; it’s an invitation to savor the sweet moments in life, handcrafted and cherished.

We encourage you to try this delightful Snowball Cake recipe and share your own cherished memories with us. Happy baking!