• Preheat your oven to the temperature specified on the cake mix box. Prepare a 9 x 13-inch baking dish with parchment paper or cooking spray.

Prepare the Cake Mix:

• Prepare the chocolate cake mix according to the package instructions, adding 2 tablespoons of light brown sugar.
• Bake as directed, then allow the cake to cool completely on a wire rack.
• Once cooled, crumble the cake into fine crumbs in a large mixing bowl.

Make the Cake Balls:

• To the cake crumbs, add the cream cheese, chocolate frosting and vanilla extract.
• Use clean hands or a spatula to mix until the texture resembles moldable dough.
• Roll the mixture into 1-inch balls and place them on a baking sheet lined with parchment paper. Place the cake balls in the fridge and chill for 30 minutes.

Make and Add the Decorations:

• While the cake balls are chilling, assemble the “antenna” for your love bugs. Line a cookie sheet with parchment paper. Break all the pretzel sticks in half.
• Melt ¼ cup of red candy melts in the microwave in 20-second increments until melted.
• Dip the tip of the pretzel stick in the melted red candy.
• Add a heart-shaped sprinkle to each pretzel stick and place them on the parchment-lined tray to dry. Set aside.
• Remove your chilled cake balls from the refrigerator. In a microwave-safe bowl, melt the remaining red candy melts per the directions on the package.
• Dip each cake ball into the melted red candy coating, ensuring it is fully covered. Quickly press a half-piece pretzel stick into each side of the cake ball for “antennae.”
• Arrange the cake balls on parchment paper to set.
• Once the cake balls are set, you can add the eyes and noses of your love bugs.
• Reheat the remaining red candy melts and use it as glue to affix the edible eyeballs and sprinkles for the nose.
• Allow the candy coating to set completely before serving.