Homemade Milk Bar-Inspired Birthday Cake Truffles: Your Ultimate Funfetti Recipe

In the vibrant world of innovative desserts, Milk Bar stands in a league of its own, primarily thanks to the culinary genius of Christina Tosi. While her famous Crack Pie (now simply known as “Milk Bar Pie”) is undeniably iconic, her Birthday Cake Truffles have captured a special place in the hearts of dessert enthusiasts. These delightful, bite-sized treats encapsulate all the joy and nostalgia of a classic funfetti birthday cake, meticulously transformed into a perfectly portioned indulgence. Today, I’m absolutely thrilled to share my homemade take on these legendary Milk Bar Birthday Cake Truffles. This recipe masterfully balances the moist, vanilla-happy cake base with a delicate, crisp white chocolate shell and a generous, buttery coating of flavorful cake crumbs – a truly unbeatable combination that promises a celebration in every single bite!

Are you ready to dive into a baking adventure that promises pure fun and irresistibly delicious results? Put aside those work emails, silence those text messages, and clear your schedule, because it’s time to create these incredible Milk Bar-style Birthday Truffles right in your own kitchen!

Happy Baking! 🙂

Why You’ll Fall in Love with These Epic Homemade Truffles!

These single-bite Milk Bar Birthday Cake Truffles are much more than just a dessert; they’re a miniature celebration designed for pure delight. Here are the top reasons why these treats will quickly become your new favorite obsession and a staple in your baking repertoire:

1. Perfect Ratios and Unmatched Texture: What truly sets these truffles apart is the exquisite balance of each component. The white chocolate shell is intentionally thin and delicate, providing just enough crisp “snap” without ever overpowering the tender, moist funfetti cake pop center. This subtle chocolate layer then serves as the perfect adhesive for the exterior cake crumbs, which add a delightful crunch and an irresistible textural contrast. The combination of soft cake, crisp chocolate, and crumbly topping makes each bite an incredibly satisfying experience for your palate.
2. Endless Variability and Creative Customization: While the iconic Milk Bar Birthday flavor evokes classic funfetti joy with its vibrant sprinkles, this homemade recipe offers incredible versatility. Feel absolutely free to experiment with different food colorings in your cake batter or white chocolate coating to perfectly match any party theme or holiday. Imagine elegant pastel truffles for a spring brunch, or bold, dramatic colors for a themed celebration. Regardless of your chosen aesthetic, the core vanilla-happy flavor will consistently shine through, ensuring everyone loves these delightful goodies.
3. Unforgettable Nostalgic Flavor in Every Bite: This recipe masterfully captures that quintessential, heartwarming flavor of a classic birthday cake – the one from your fondest childhood memories. We’ve taken that beloved vanilla “signature cake” taste and ingeniously transformed it into a concentrated, single-bite drop of pure happiness. It’s a little piece of nostalgia, a sweet escape, perfect for satisfying your deepest sweet tooth cravings any time, anywhere.
4. The Ultimate Thoughtful and Personalized Gift: These truffles are not merely a dessert; they are the perfect edible gift that shows you care! I absolutely love packaging them beautifully in small boxes, perhaps pairing them with a thoughtful gift card and a personalized note for friends, family, or even appreciative colleagues. They also serve as fantastic, memorable party favors that guests will adore taking home, acting as a delicious and lasting reminder of your special event.
5. Clever and Sustainable Use for Cake Scraps: This recipe presents a brilliant and delicious way to minimize food waste in your kitchen, making it wonderfully sustainable. Whenever I bake a larger cake and find myself with leftover scraps, truffles are my immediate go-to project. Instead of discarding those delicious bits, you can effortlessly repurpose them into these magical, irresistible bites. It’s an easy, economical, and incredibly satisfying method for transforming what might be considered waste into a delightful new treat.
6. The Irresistible Joy of Rainbow Sprinkles: Let’s be unequivocally honest – who doesn’t adore rainbow sprinkles? They instantly infuse any dessert with a festive spirit and a burst of vibrant color that makes these truffles incredibly appealing, especially for birthdays and celebratory occasions! The cheerful, bright hues within the cake and on the crumb coating promise a joyful and exciting experience even before you take the very first bite. They’re simply irresistible and add that essential “fun” to funfetti!
7. Perfect Portion Control for Guilt-Free Indulgence: Unlike a large, daunting slice of cake, these truffles offer delightful and mindful portion control. Each truffle is a small, perfectly satisfying bite that beautifully curbs a sweet craving without the feeling of overindulgence. They are ideally suited for dessert platters at parties, an elegant addition to tea time, or simply keeping a secret stash in the fridge for a quick, guilt-free treat whenever the mood strikes.

Pantry Essentials for Your Birthday Truffles Journey

Beyond the specific ingredients listed in the recipe card, having these foundational items readily available in your pantry will not only make your baking experience smoother but also ensure the best possible flavor and texture in your Birthday Truffles. High-quality staples truly make a difference!

• Vanilla Extract: A good quality vanilla extract is the aromatic backbone of any truly delicious cake, especially a vanilla-forward funfetti. I highly recommend investing in a clear vanilla extract, such as the one from Neilsen-Massey, as it perfectly preserves the pristine white color of the cake batter, allowing the rainbow sprinkles to truly pop and shine. Its rich, aromatic notes profoundly enhance the overall flavor profile of both the cake and the crumb.
• White Chocolate: For the delicate dipping shell, a good quality meltable white chocolate is absolutely crucial. While I often rely on readily available and convenient options like Great Value’s, don’t hesitate to explore higher-quality couverture white chocolate or premium white chocolate chips for an even smoother, more luxurious, and easier-to-work-with coating. The quality of your chocolate will significantly impact the final snap and taste of your truffles.
• Large Eggs: It’s a golden rule in baking: always ensure your large eggs are at true room temperature before you begin mixing. Room temperature eggs emulsify far better with other ingredients, leading to a more uniform, stable, and airy cake batter. This, in turn, translates directly to a lighter, fluffier, and more tender cake, which is the perfect base for your truffles.
• All-Purpose Flour: The type and quality of flour you use undeniably make a difference. I’m a passionate advocate for King Arthur’s All-Purpose Flour because their unwavering commitment to quality ensures consistently reliable results every single time. Using properly measured (spooned and leveled, not scooped directly from the bag) all-purpose flour provides the ideal structure and tenderness for your funfetti cake base.
• Baking Soda: This might seem like a small detail, but if your baking soda has been languishing in the back of your pantry for an extended period, it’s absolutely time to replace it! Fresh, active baking soda is paramount for proper leavening, guaranteeing that your cake rises beautifully and achieves that wonderfully light, tender crumb that’s so essential for truffles.
• Granulated Sugar: An undeniable staple in every baker’s pantry, granulated sugar not only provides essential sweetness but also plays a critical role in contributing to the cake’s tender texture and helps create that desirable golden crust. It’s the indispensable sweet foundation for both the fluffy cake and the delicious, crunchy crumb coating.
• Unsalted Butter: Using unsalted butter grants you complete and precise control over the salt content in your recipe, allowing for perfect seasoning. Always ensure it’s at soft, pliable room temperature for creaming; this crucial step helps incorporate vital air into the mixture, creating a light, fluffy, and tender cake.
• Buttermilk: Buttermilk is a magical ingredient that reacts with baking soda to give the cake its signature tender texture and a subtle tang that perfectly balances the sweetness. If you don’t have buttermilk readily available, a quick and easy homemade substitute works wonderfully (check out the FAQ section for details!).
• Rainbow Sprinkles: These aren’t just for mere decoration; they are an integral and celebratory component of the authentic funfetti experience! Good quality rainbow sprinkles (jimmies generally work best as they hold their shape better) will maintain their vibrant color and integrity during baking, adding that characteristic festive look and joyful texture to both the cake and the crumbs.
• Vegetable Oil: A neutral-flavored oil like vegetable oil is used in the cake batter to add moisture and ensure a tender crumb. It also plays a key role in the white chocolate coating, thinning it slightly to create that perfect, barely-there shell.

Note: If you don’t live near one of Milk Bar’s physical store locations, you’re in luck – they do offer convenient online orders. While free standard shipping might not always be available, the exceptional quality and unique flavor profiles of their products make them absolutely worth exploring, and they do ship their delicious creations within the continental United States.

Step-by-Step Guide to Crafting Your Delightful Birthday Truffles

Ready to channel your inner Christina Tosi? This section provides a detailed overview of the entire truffle-making process. For precise measurements, exact temperatures, and the most comprehensive instructions, please refer to the complete recipe card located further down this page.

1. Master the Funfetti Cake Base:

• Begin your culinary creation by vigorously creaming together your soft, room-temperature unsalted butter, granulated sugar, and vegetable oil. Beat this mixture on high speed until it achieves an incredibly light, fluffy, and almost pale texture, typically for about 4 minutes. This crucial step is vital for incorporating ample air, which ultimately contributes to the cake’s beautifully tender and airy structure.
• Next, gradually incorporate the room temperature egg whites, adding them one at a time and mixing thoroughly after each addition. Follow this by adding the sour cream and pure vanilla extract. Ensure each ingredient is fully emulsified into the batter before proceeding, which helps create a smooth and homogeneous mixture.
• In a separate, medium-sized bowl, whisk together all your dry ingredients: spooned and leveled all-purpose flour, baking powder, baking soda, and salt. Sifting or whisking them together thoroughly ensures even distribution and prevents any unwanted lumps in your final cake batter.
• With your mixer set to low speed, alternate adding half of the whisked dry ingredients and half of the room temperature buttermilk to the wet butter mixture. Mix just until fully incorporated. Repeat this process with the remaining flour mixture and buttermilk, mixing only until the batter is barely combined. It’s critical to avoid overmixing, as this can overdevelop the gluten, resulting in a tough, undesirable cake.
• Finally, gently fold in the vibrant rainbow sprinkles using a rubber spatula. Exercise care not to overmix here, as excessive agitation can cause the beautiful colors of the sprinkles to bleed, which would dull the festive appearance of your funfetti cake.
• Pour the perfectly prepared batter into your prepped 8×8 inch square cake pan, carefully smooth the top with a small offset spatula, and bake at 325°F. Bake until a toothpick inserted directly into the center emerges clean, or with only a few moist crumbs clinging to it, typically around 25-30 minutes, depending on your oven’s calibration.
• Once baked, allow the cake to cool completely on a wire rack. This is an absolutely vital step before crumbling, as a warm cake will become sticky and gummy. Once cool, crumble the entire cake into a medium-sized bowl, then add the additional vanilla extract and heavy cream. Mix thoroughly until the mixture becomes wonderfully moist and pliable, capable of holding its shape firmly when pressed together.
• Using a small cookie scoop, portion out small amounts of this delightful cake mixture (aim for the size of a ping-pong ball). Roll each portion meticulously into a neat, round sphere using the palm of your hands. Place these perfectly formed cake balls onto a parchment-lined tray and transfer them to the fridge to chill thoroughly while you prepare the delightful crumb coating.

2. Craft the Flavorful and Crunchy Crumb Coating:

• Preheat your oven to 325°F and prepare a sturdy baking sheet by lining it meticulously with parchment paper. Set this aside.
• In the bowl of a stand mixer fitted with the paddle attachment (or a medium bowl with a hand mixer), combine the light brown sugar (packed), granulated sugar, all-purpose flour, salt, and a generous amount of rainbow sprinkles.
• Pour in the melted butter and clear vanilla extract, then mix these ingredients on low speed until they come together to form coarse, sandy crumbs. The texture should distinctly resemble that of crushed graham crackers or fine streusel.
• Spread this crumb mixture evenly onto your prepared baking sheet. Bake until it turns a beautiful golden brown and becomes wonderfully fragrant, typically for about 12-15 minutes, with a gentle stir halfway through to ensure even toasting. This crucial toasting step significantly enhances the incredible depth of flavor and crispiness.
• Once baked, remove the crumbs from the oven and allow them to cool completely. This crispiness is absolutely essential for the final truffle texture, so exercise patience and do not rush this cooling step.

How To Assemble Your Perfect Birthday Truffles

The assembly process is truly where the magic happens, bringing together the tender funfetti cake, the crisp white chocolate, and the flavorful toasted crumbs into a harmonious, irresistible bite. Follow these steps meticulously for beautifully finished truffles that look and taste like they came straight from Milk Bar.

• Melt your chosen white chocolate gently over a double boiler until it is completely smooth, glossy, and creamy. Once melted, stir in a small amount of vegetable oil – this subtle addition will slightly thin the chocolate, giving it that desirable fluid consistency and a beautiful sheen, which is essential for achieving a perfect, thin, and even coat on your truffles.
• Using a toothpick or a slender skewer, carefully pick up each well-chilled cake ball. Dip it fully and swiftly into the melted white chocolate, ensuring it is completely coated. Immediately tap the toothpick gently against the edge of the bowl to allow any excess chocolate to drip away. The absolute key here is a *barely-there*, thin layer of white chocolate; too thick, and it will unfortunately overpower the delicate cake flavor and compromise the desired texture.
• Immediately after dipping, while the chocolate coating is still wet and pliable, roll the coated cake ball generously in your prepared and cooled crumb coating. Ensure every single part of the ball is thoroughly covered with crumbs, gently pressing them onto the surface if necessary to help them adhere perfectly and create a consistent exterior.
• Once completely covered in crumbs, use your clean hands to gently and lightly shape the coated ball into a perfect sphere. This helps to further embed the crumbs, ensures they adhere securely to the chocolate layer, and creates that iconic, perfectly round Milk Bar truffle look.
• Place the freshly assembled truffles onto a parchment-lined tray, making absolutely sure they are spaced apart to prevent them from sticking to each other as they chill.
• Transfer the entire tray of truffles to the refrigerator and chill them for at least 30 minutes, or even longer if needed. This crucial setting step allows the white chocolate coating to firm up completely and the crumb coating to adhere securely, resulting in a stable, firm, and wonderfully textured truffle that holds up beautifully.
• Once fully set and firm to the touch, your homemade Milk Bar-inspired Birthday Truffles are ready to be unveiled and savored! Prepare for a delightful burst of funfetti flavor and an incredible blend of textures in every single bite.

Expert Baking Tips for Flawless Birthday Truffles Every Time

Eliminate any kitchen stress and confidently achieve perfect Milk Bar-style Birthday Truffles every single time with these easy yet invaluable tips and tricks from experienced bakers:

• Room Temperature is Absolutely Key: Do not, under any circumstances, skip this vital step! Ensure your butter, egg whites, and sour cream are all at true room temperature. Cold ingredients do not emulsify properly, which often leads to a lumpy, separated batter and ultimately a denser cake. Room temperature ingredients blend seamlessly, creating a smoother, more aerated batter that results in a lighter, much more tender cake crumb, which is crucial for these delicate truffles.
• Whip it Real Good (Creaming Butter, Sugar, and Oil): When creaming together the butter, sugar, and oil, dedicate ample time – typically 3 to 4 minutes – until the mixture is visibly lightened in color, incredibly fluffy, and significantly increased in volume. This extended creaming process incorporates a substantial amount of air, which is absolutely essential for the cake’s proper rise and wonderfully tender texture. Think of it as giving your cake a significant pre-bake volume and lightness boost!
• Mindful Mixing Matters Greatly: When alternating between adding the dry ingredients and buttermilk to the wet mixture, mix only until the ingredients are *just* combined after each addition. The moment you see no more dry streaks, stop mixing! Overmixing develops gluten, which can result in a tough, chewy cake, rather than the desired soft, delicate, and melt-in-your-mouth texture that is perfect for truffles. A good rubber spatula is your best friend for the final gentle folds.
• Be Gentle with Rainbow Sprinkles: For the cake batter, fold in the vibrant rainbow sprinkles very gently and quickly at the very end. Too much mixing can cause the delicate colors to bleed into the batter, potentially turning your beautiful funfetti cake into an unappealing, muddy mess. You want distinct, bright specks of color perfectly suspended throughout the cake.
• Watch the Oven, Not Just the Clock: Oven temperatures can vary significantly from one kitchen to another. Always rely on the “toothpick test” to accurately determine the doneness of your cake. A toothpick inserted into the very center of the cake should come out clean, or with just a few moist crumbs clinging to it. An overbaked cake will unfortunately be dry, crumbly, and difficult to work with for truffle formation.
• Cool Down Completely and Patiently: Resist the tempting urge to crumble a warm cake! It will inevitably be too sticky, dense, and difficult to work with. Allow your freshly baked cake to cool completely, preferably on a wire rack, before attempting to crumble it and mix it with the cream. This ensures a proper, workable texture for effortlessly shaping the cake balls.
• Chill Cake Balls Thoroughly: This is a non-negotiable step for perfect truffles. Chilling the formed cake balls in the fridge for at least 30 minutes, or even longer, makes them much firmer and significantly easier to handle. Cold cake balls maintain their spherical shape perfectly when dipped into warm chocolate, preventing them from falling apart, becoming too soft, or creating a messy dip.
• Melt Chocolate with Love (and Extreme Care): White chocolate can be quite finicky and prone to seizing. Melt it slowly and gently over a double boiler, or in very short bursts in the microwave, stirring frequently between each burst. Absolutely avoid overheating, as this will cause the chocolate to seize and become thick, grainy, and unusable. A smooth, fluid consistency is the ultimate key for achieving a thin, even, and beautiful coating.
• Aim for a Thin Chocolate Coating for Optimal Balance: The ultimate goal is to achieve a *thin*, elegant layer of white chocolate on your truffles. After dipping, gently tap off any excess chocolate against the edge of the bowl. A thick coating can easily overwhelm the delicate cake flavor and create an unbalanced, overly rich texture. The addition of vegetable oil into the melted chocolate helps achieve this desirable thinness and imparts a beautiful, professional sheen.
• Patience is a Virtue (Allow for Ample Setting Time): After the assembly process, allow your Milk Bar Birthday Truffles to chill thoroughly in the refrigerator until they are completely set. This can typically take anywhere from 30 minutes to an hour. A well-set truffle will boast a firm chocolate shell and a securely adhered crumb coating, providing that perfect, satisfying bite and ensuring the truffles hold up impeccably for serving or gifting.
• Ensure Even Crumb Application: When rolling the chocolate-dipped cake balls in the toasted crumb mixture, aim for perfectly even coverage all around. Gently pressing the crumbs onto the surface helps them adhere firmly and creates that iconic, uniform Milk Bar truffle appearance. Do not be shy with the crumbs – they contribute a crucial layer of flavor, texture, and visual appeal.
• Don’t Be Afraid to Use Your Hands: For shaping the initial cake balls and ensuring the crumb coating adheres perfectly and creates a smooth sphere, your clean hands are, without a doubt, the best tools. The slight warmth from your hands helps to slightly melt the chocolate just enough for the crumbs to stick securely, allowing you to gently reshape them into beautifully perfect spheres.

Essential Tools to Make This Recipe a Breeze

Having the right tools at your disposal can truly transform your baking process, turning a potentially complex recipe into an enjoyable and seamless experience. Here are the essential tools I wholeheartedly recommend for making these delightful Milk Bar-style Birthday Truffles:

• Stand Mixer or Hand Mixer: A reliable stand mixer or a powerful hand mixer is absolutely indispensable for efficiently creaming butter, sugar, and oil until they are light and fluffy, and for thoroughly combining your cake batter ingredients without overworking them. It saves significant time, reduces effort, and ensures a consistently smooth and uniform texture for your cake base.
• 8×8 Inch Square Cake Pan: This specific size is absolutely perfect for baking the single, even cake layer that will be crumbled for your truffles. Always remember to generously grease and meticulously line it with parchment paper for effortless removal, preserving every precious crumb of your delicious cake.
• Mixing Bowls (various sizes): You’ll require a selection of bowls: a large one for the main cake batter, a medium one for combining dry ingredients, and another medium-sized bowl for preparing the delightful crumb coating. Having multiple bowls streamlines the entire process and significantly helps in keeping your kitchen workspace organized and efficient.
• Whisk and Rubber Spatula: A good sturdy whisk is utterly essential for thoroughly combining dry ingredients, preventing any unwanted lumps, and aerating them. A high-quality rubber spatula is an invaluable multi-purpose tool for scraping down the sides of your mixer bowl, gently folding in delicate sprinkles, and ensuring not a single bit of delicious batter is left behind.
• Small Cookie Scoop or Portion Spoon: This ingenious tool is an absolute game-changer for creating uniformly sized cake balls. Achieving consistency in size ensures even chilling, a professional and aesthetically pleasing appearance for your finished truffles, and consistent eating experience.
• Baking Sheet: You’ll need at least one sturdy baking sheet for evenly toasting the delightful crumb coating, and ideally another, meticulously lined with parchment paper, for chilling your assembled truffles. A robust sheet ensures even heat distribution during baking and makes handling easy and safe.
• Toothpicks or Slender Skewers: These deceptively simple tools are absolutely essential for cleanly and efficiently dipping your chilled cake balls into the melted white chocolate. They allow for easy handling and removal without getting your fingers messy, ensuring a perfectly smooth coating.
• Double Boiler or Microwave-Safe Bowl: For melting white chocolate, a double boiler setup provides gentle, consistent, and controlled heat, effectively preventing scorching and seizing. Alternatively, a microwave-safe bowl can be utilized with very short bursts of heat (15-20 seconds at a time), stirring frequently, to achieve a perfectly smooth and fluid melt.
• Small Offset Spatula: This small, angled spatula is incredibly useful and versatile for smoothing the cake batter evenly in the cake pan, ensuring a consistent bake. It also comes in handy for other delicate spreading tasks in the kitchen.
• Parchment Paper: Always have a generous supply on hand! It’s an indispensable kitchen liner for both the cake pan and baking sheets, ensuring non-stick baking, facilitating incredibly easy cleanup, and critically preventing your delicate truffles from sticking to the tray while they chill.
• Wire Cooling Rack: Essential for allowing your freshly baked cake layer and toasted crumb coating mixture to cool completely and evenly after baking. Proper cooling on a rack prevents sogginess or condensation and ensures crisp, optimal textures.

Frequently Asked Questions About Homemade Birthday Truffles

Got more questions about perfecting these delightful Milk Bar-style truffles? Here are some of the most common queries and their comprehensive answers to help guide you confidently through every step of the baking process:

What can I use as a substitute for buttermilk?
If you find yourself without buttermilk on hand, don’t fret – it’s incredibly easy to make a quick and effective substitute! Simply add 1 tablespoon of fresh lemon juice or white vinegar to 1 cup of regular milk (dairy or even a non-dairy alternative like almond milk). Stir it gently and then let it sit undisturbed for 5-10 minutes. During this time, the milk will curdle slightly, achieving a similar acidity and thickness that is absolutely essential for the cake’s tender texture and flavor profile.

Is it possible to prepare the cake layer in advance?
Absolutely! Baking the cake layer ahead of time is a fantastic way to streamline your truffle-making process and manage your time efficiently. Once the cake has completely cooled, wrap it tightly in plastic wrap and store it in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 2 days, or in the refrigerator for up to a full week. For even longer storage, you can freeze the cooled cake – just be sure to thaw it thoroughly in the refrigerator before crumbling.

How can I ensure the cake balls don’t fall apart during handling?
The secret to creating sturdy and perfectly formed cake balls lies in two crucial factors: Firstly, always ensure the cake is completely cooled before you begin crumbling it. A warm cake will be too soft and sticky. Secondly, meticulously mix the crumbled cake with the vanilla extract and heavy cream until the mixture is uniformly moist and compact enough to firmly hold its shape when gently pressed together. Finally, thoroughly chilling the formed cake balls in the fridge before dipping them in chocolate makes them significantly firmer and much less prone to breaking or falling apart.

Why do my cake balls sometimes crack when I dip them in chocolate?
Cracking often occurs due to a sudden temperature shock. If your cake balls are excessively cold, perhaps straight from the freezer or a very cold refrigerator, and your melted chocolate coating is too hot, the abrupt temperature difference can cause the chocolate to contract rapidly and crack. To effectively prevent this, allow your chilled cake balls to sit at room temperature for a few minutes before dipping, and ensure your melted white chocolate is warm but never excessively hot. Using a thin coating of chocolate also significantly helps to prevent any cracking.

Can I use standard white chocolate chips instead of meltable white chocolate?
While you technically can use standard white chocolate chips, they often contain stabilizers (like soy lecithin) that can make them thicker and more challenging to melt smoothly and achieve that thin, even coating ideal for truffles. For the best, thinnest, and most consistent coating, I highly recommend using high-quality meltable white chocolate (often labeled as candy melts, almond bark, or couverture chocolate). If using chips, adding a teaspoon of neutral vegetable oil to your melted white chocolate chips can help thin them out and improve their dipping consistency.

How can I adapt these truffles to be gluten-free or dairy-free?
To make a gluten-free version, simply substitute the all-purpose flour with a high-quality 1:1 gluten-free baking flour blend (ensure it explicitly states it contains xanthan gum, or add it yourself following package directions). For a dairy-free rendition, opt for plant-based butter, use a plant-based milk (like almond or soy milk) with lemon juice for the buttermilk substitute, and choose dairy-free sour cream alternatives. Crucially, verify that your white chocolate is also certified dairy-free, as many commercial brands contain milk solids. Be aware that the final texture might vary slightly with these substitutions.

Storing and Freezing Your Delicious Birthday Truffles

To maintain the peak freshness and delightful texture of your homemade Milk Bar-style Birthday Truffles, proper storage is absolutely essential. Once assembled and thoroughly chilled, carefully place them in an airtight container or a securely sealed storage bag. This crucial step prevents them from drying out, absorbs no unwanted odors from your refrigerator, and helps to preserve their vibrant flavors and moistness. Stored this way, your truffles will remain wonderfully fresh and delicious for up to one week in the refrigerator.

Freezing – Birthday Truffles for Later Enjoyment

For extended storage, Milk Bar-style birthday truffles freeze exceptionally well, allowing you to enjoy them long after they’re made! To properly freeze them, first arrange the finished truffles in a single layer on a baking sheet, ensuring they are not touching. Place this baking sheet in the freezer until the truffles are completely frozen solid – this initial freezing step is vital to prevent them from sticking together. Once fully frozen, transfer the rock-solid truffles to a freezer-safe container or a heavy-duty, securely sealed storage bag. Make every effort to remove as much air as possible from the bag to prevent freezer burn, which can negatively affect both their texture and flavor over time. Clearly label the container or bag with the date of freezing. The truffles can be confidently stored in the freezer for up to one month. When you’re ready to indulge, simply transfer the frozen truffles to the refrigerator and allow them to thaw slowly overnight. This gradual thawing process helps to maintain their moistness and also prevents any potential cracking of the delicate chocolate coating.

Remember to LEAVE A 5 STAR REVIEW AND A COMMENT below if you absolutely loved this recipe or if you have any lingering questions! Don’t forget to follow me on Instagram, Pinterest, and TikTok. I consistently post so many fun and delicious things across all these platforms!

OTHER FUN AND FESTIVE RECIPES YOU SHOULD TRY

• Strawberry Funfetti Cake With Real Strawberries
• Phenomenal and Festive Funfetti Birthday Cake
• The Best Birthday Golden Oreo Blondies Recipe
• Easy Birthday Brookies Recipe (Brownie + Cookie)

Recipe

Birthday Cake Truffles

Molly Murphy

Milk bar style cake balls with funfetti cake, dipped in white chocolate, and covered in cake crumbs!

5 from 2 votes

Print Recipe
Pin Recipe

Prep Time 20 minutes mins

Cook Time 25 minutes mins

20 minutes mins

Total Time 1 hour hr 5 minutes mins

Servings 23 Bites

Ingredients

 

 

For the cake

• ½ cup unsalted butter room temperature
• ¾ cups granulated sugar
• 1 Tablespoon vegetable oil
• 3 large egg whites room temperature
• 2 tablespoons sour cream room temperature
• 2 teaspoon pure vanilla extract
• 1 ½ cups all-purpose flour spooned and leveled
• 2 teaspoons baking powder
• ¼ teaspoon baking soda
• ½ teaspoon salt
• ½ cup buttermilk room temperature
• 3 tablespoons rainbow sprinkles
• This is for after baking
• 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
• 2-4 tablespoons heavy cream

For the crumb coating

• ½ cup light brown sugar packed
• ¼ cup granulated sugar
• 1 ½ cup all-purpose flour
• ¾ teaspoon salt
• ¼ cup rainbow sprinkles
• ½ cupmelted butter
• 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
• 10 ounces meltable white chocolate
• 1 teaspoon vegetable oil

Instructions

 

For The Cake

• Preheat your oven to 325 degrees F. Spray an 8×8 square inch cake pan with cooking spray, line with parchment paper, and spray again. Set aside.
• In a medium sized bowl, whisk together the flour, baking soda, baking powder, and salt. Set aside.
• In the bowl of a stand mixer fitted with the paddle attachment, beat the butter, oil, and sugar on high until fluffy and smooth, about 4 minutes.
• With the mixer on medium speed, start adding the egg whites, one at a time, to the bowl, scraping the bottom and the sides of the bowl between each addition. After all the eggs have been added, beat on medium speed for 1 minute. Add the sour cream and vanilla. Beat on medium speed for 30 seconds.
• Turn the mixer on low and add half of the flour mixture and half of the buttermilk to the butter mixture and mix until fully incorporated. Finally, add the rest of the flour mixture and the rest of the buttermilk, while mixing on low. With a rubber spatula, fold in the sprinkles.
• Add the the batter to the prepped pan, and carefully smooth the batter with a small offset spatula and bake until a toothpick comes out clean, or with only a few crumbs on it, about 25-30 minutes. Depending on your oven.
• Let the cake completely cool, once the cake has cooled, place the cooked cake into a medium size bowl, add the cream and vanilla extract. Mix until the mixture becomes moist and can hold its shape.
• Using a small cookie scoop, scoop and roll in the palm of your hands into small balls. Place in the fridge while you make the crumb coating on the outside.

For the outside crumb

• Preheat the oven to 325°F and line a baking sheet with parchment paper. Set aside
• In a medium size bowl, combine the sugar, flour, baking powder, and salt use a fork to combine. Once combined, add the melted butter and vanilla extract. Stir together until the mixture starts to come together and looks gritty. It should resemble crushed graham cracker. Add the sprinkles and stir to combine. Make sure there are no large clumps. You want a friend crumb.
• Transfer the mixture out onto your prepped baking sheet into a and bake for 7 minutes, take the pan out of the oven and with a fork, gently mix around the crumb mixture. Bake for 5 more minutes. Let the mixture completely cool before assembling.
• When everything is ready to assembly, melt the white chocolate over a double broiler and once completed melted, add the vegetable oil.
• Make sure the chocolate mixture is slightly warm before dipping your cake balls into it.
• Using a toothpick or a skewer, dip the cake ball in the melted white chocolate, use the edge of the bowl to wipe off the excess chocolate, you want the thinnest coat of white chocolate.
• Once the chocolate has been wiped off, roll the cake ball onto the sprinkled crumb. Remove it from the skewer and gently roll it together in the palm of your hands to make it a perfect ball.
• Repeat the process for all cake balls, then place them on a parchment-lined tray to set.
• Allow the cake balls to set up for 30 minutes in the fridge before serving!