Recipe: Confetti Cake Balls and White Cake

CONFETTI CAKE BALLS
"Whether you call them rainbow sprinkles or jimmies (as I do here in New England), you are probably used to seeing these tiny sugar embellishments on top of ice cream cones or cupcakes as decoration. In recent years, they have become very popular baked into white cake batter to create a colorful, speckled effect. There are even cake mixes that include the sprinkles. Additional sprinkles can be added to the top of the white chocolate-dipped cake ball, or you can use Wilton Colorburst Candy Melts, which have specks of color right in the chocolate coating."


1 batch White Cake (recipe follows), made with 1/4 cup rainbow sprinkles folded into the batter before baking
1/2 batch Confectioners' Sugar Frosting (recipe follows), ready to use, divided use
1 1/2 pounds white chocolate, such Callebaut or Valrhona Ivoire, finely chopped
1/4 cup rainbow sprinkles

Line two rimmed baking sheets with parchment paper or aluminum foil.

Crumble the cooled cake and combine with 3/4 cup of the frosting. Test by compressing and tasting, and add more frosting only if needed for flavor and moisture. Roll into golf ball-size cake balls. Refrigerate until firm. This can be done 1 day ahead; store in an airtight container once they are firm.

Melt the chocolate in the microwave or a double boiler. Dip the balls one at a time in the chocolate, encouraging any excess chocolate to drip back into the container. Place, evenly spaced, on the prepared pans. Scatter some of the sprinkles on top of each cake ball while the chocolate is still wet. Refrigerate briefly until the chocolate is set.

Trim the bottoms, if needed. Place each cake ball in a miniature fluted paper cup, if desired. Place in a single layer in an airtight container and refrigerate for up to 3 days. Bring to room temperature before serving.

Makes about 46 golf ball-size balls

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WHITE CAKE
Makes one (9x13-inch) base cake (about 10 cups crumbs)

"Lighter in texture, paler in color, and subtler in flavor than yellow cake, white cake is perfect when combined with delicate flavors such as Vanilla Pastry Cream and White Chocolate Ganache. A golden brown, thin, somewhat crispy edge might develop during baking, which is hard to crumble. Feel free to cut it away before crumbling the cooled cake."

2 cups all-purpose flour
1 tablespoon baking powder
1/2 teaspoon salt
4 large egg whites, at room temperature
1 1/2 cups whole milk , at room temperature
1/2 cup (1 stick) unsalted butter, at room temperature, cut into small pieces
1 1/2 cups sugar
2 teaspoons pure vanilla extract

Position a rack in the middle of the oven. Preheat the oven to 350 degrees F. Coat the inside of a 9x13-inch rectangular pan with nonstick cooking spray; set aside.

Whisk together the flour baking powder, and salt in a medium bowl to aerate and combine; set aside.

Whisk together the egg whites and milk in a small bowl; set aside.

In a large bowl with an electric mixer on medium-high speed, beat the butter until creamy, about 2 minutes. Add the sugar gradually and beat until very light and fluffy, about 3 minutes, scraping down the bowl once or twice. Beat in the vanilla.

Add the flour mixture in there additions, alternating with the egg white mixture. Begin and end with the flour mixture and beat briefly until smooth. Pour the batter into the prepared pan.

Bake for about 30 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted in the center shows a few moist crumbs when removed. The cake might just begin to brown along the edges. Let cool completely in the pan on a wire rack. The cake is ready to use. Alternatively, double-wrap the pan in plastic wrap and store at room temperature for up to 1 day before proceeding.

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CONFECTIONERS' SUGAR FROSTING
Makes about 2 1/2 cups

"This is a very easy frosting and probably the kind you loved when you were a child. It is the most commonly used in home baking and has that nostalgia factor. Confectioners' sugar-based frostings require a bit of leeway. If the frosting is too thin, add a bit more confectioners' sugar; if too thick, add a little milk. The key to making this silky smooth and creamy is to beat it for a long time, until it's ultrasmooth. This recipe halves easily for those recipes where a half batch is called for."

9 tablespoons (1 stick plus 1 tablespoon) unsalted butter, at room temperature, cut into small pieces
5 cups sifted confectioners' sugar, plus extra as needed
4 1/2 tablespoons whole milk, plus extra as needed
1 1/4 teaspoons pure vanilla extract

In a large bowl with an electric mixer on medium-high speed, beat the butter until creamy, about 2 minutes. Gradually add 1/2 cup of the confectioners' sugar, beating until light and fluffy, about 3 minutes, scraping down the bowl once or twice. Add the remaining 4 1/2 cups confectioners' sugar, the milk, and the vanilla, and beat on high speed until silky smooth. The frosting is ready to use. It is best if used immediately, but it may be refrigerated in an airtight container for up to 4 days. (Bring to room temperature and rebeat before using.)

Source: Cake Balls by Dede Wilson