Banana Truffles with Chocolate

These banana truffles are a delightful treat combining the fruity sweetness of banana and pineapple with creamy, rich cake mix and cream cheese. Coated in white candy and decorated with chocolate, cherries, and sprinkles, they make an impressive dessert for any occasion, especially when you want something homemade but easy to prepare.

I first made these truffles for a family gathering, and everyone was surprised by how moist and flavorful they were despite no baking involved. Now they are a requested treat for birthday parties and holiday celebrations.

Ingredients

• White cake mix: provides the base flavor and structure, best if heat treated to avoid any raw flour risks
• Cream cheese: softened to room temperature, adds richness and creaminess, soaking into the cake mix perfectly
• Vanilla extract: brings out the sweet aromatic notes
• Crushed pineapple: very well drained, adds moisture and a tropical tang without making the mixture soggy
• Chopped walnuts: adds texture and a subtle nutty flavor, use fresh walnuts for the best taste
• Banana: sliced, natural sweetness and a distinct banana flavor that stands out
• White candy coating: creates a smooth, sweet outer shell that hardens nicely
• Chocolate melting wafers: for drizzling on top to add contrast and decoration
• Rainbow sprinkles and stemmed maraschino cherries: provide a fun, colorful finish and a pop of visual appeal

Step-by-Step Instructions

Prepare your workspace:

Line a large cookie sheet with parchment paper to prevent sticking and make cleanup easier. Set this aside for later.

Mix the base:

In a medium bowl, combine the white cake mix, softened cream cheese, and vanilla extract. Use a spatula or hand mixer to cream everything together until the mixture comes together into a firm dough-like consistency. This step is essential for a smooth base.

Incorporate fruit and nuts:

Gently fold in the well-drained crushed pineapple, chopped walnuts, and banana slices until evenly distributed throughout the dough. Be careful not to mash the banana too much to keep little fruity bites.

Shape the truffles:

Use a cookie scoop or spoon to form 1 to 1 ½ inch balls. Roll each ball between your palms to smooth and round them perfectly. Arrange the balls on your prepared parchment-lined cookie sheet.

Chill the truffles:

Place the entire sheet in the refrigerator and chill for one hour. This helps them firm up to hold their shape during coating.

Prepare the candy coating:

About 5 to 10 minutes before the chilling time is up, melt the white candy coating in a microwave-safe bowl. Heat it at 50 percent power for one minute, stir, then continue heating in 30-second intervals until smooth and fully melted.

Coat the truffles:

Working one at a time, dip each chilled truffle ball into the melted candy coating, making sure it is fully covered. Let any excess drip off before placing the coated truffle back onto the parchment paper.

Chill again:

Return the coated truffles to the refrigerator for another 30 minutes to set the coating firmly.

Decorate the truffles:

While the truffles chill, melt the chocolate melting wafers the same way you did the candy coating until silky smooth. Spoon a small dollop of melted chocolate over each truffle for decoration. Then place a stemmed maraschino cherry on top and add rainbow sprinkles as desired.

Final chilling:

Put the decorated truffles back into the refrigerator for 30 minutes so the chocolate topping sets properly before serving.

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My favorite ingredient is the pineapple because it balances the sweetness of the banana and white chocolate perfectly. When I first made these, my kids were fascinated by how the different textures melded while biting into the creamy center and crisp coating. It quickly became a family favorite.

Storage Tips

Store these banana truffles in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to one week. To maintain the texture and prevent moisture buildup, place wax paper between layers if stacking them. They also freeze well for up to three months—just thaw in the refrigerator before serving for the best flavor and texture.

Ingredient Substitutions

If you want a gluten-free option, look for a gluten-free white cake mix but make sure it is suitable for no-bake preparation. Cream cheese can be swapped with mascarpone for a slightly richer taste. Chopped pecans or almonds can substitute walnuts depending on your preference or nut allergies. For coating, if you do not have white candy coating, melted white chocolate chips may also work but require careful tempering.

Serving Suggestions

These truffles make excellent party favors or dessert table highlights. Serve chilled alongside fresh fruit or a light sparkling wine for an adult gathering. They can be portioned into mini cupcake liners for a polished presentation. Kids especially love them at birthday parties with the colorful sprinkles and cherries.

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Cultural Context

No-bake truffles like these are popular for their ease and variety across many dessert traditions. The use of cake mix combined with cream cheese is a classic shortcut in American home baking that provides rich flavor without baking time. Incorporating tropical fruits like pineapple and banana gives these a summery, fresh twist often seen in Caribbean-inspired sweets.

Recipe FAQs

→ How do I ensure the cake mix is safe to use?

Heat treat the white cake mix by baking it according to package instructions first. This eliminates any risk of salmonella while keeping the structure needed for the truffles.

→ Can I substitute the cream cheese?

You can try mascarpone or a soft ricotta for a slightly different texture, but cream cheese provides the best balance of creaminess and firmness.

→ What’s the best way to melt the candy coating?

Microwave at 50% power in intervals of one minute with stirring in between until smooth, avoiding overheating to keep glossy texture.

→ How should the truffles be stored?

Keep the truffles refrigerated, covered to maintain firmness and prevent the coatings from melting or sweating.

→ Can I use other nuts instead of walnuts?

Yes, chopped pecans or almonds work well and add their own subtle flavor and crunch to the truffles.

→ What’s the best way to achieve smooth truffle balls?

Use a cookie scoop to portion, then roll gently with your palms to form smooth, uniform balls before chilling.