Christmas Tree Cake Truffles are the perfect festive treat to bring joy to your holiday season. Combining the nostalgic flavor of Little Debbie’s Christmas Tree Cakes with the creamy richness of cream cheese, these bite-sized truffles are coated in white chocolate and finished with a drizzle of red chocolate and a sprinkle of green sanding sugar. They’re adorable, indulgent, and oh-so-simple to make—perfect for parties, gifting, or a fun family baking day.
I remember the first time I made these truffles—it was on Christmas Eve with my kids. We had a pile of Christmas Tree Cakes, and as we crumbled them together, we couldn’t stop sneaking bites. Rolling the dough into truffles felt like crafting little edible ornaments, and the best part was decorating them with colorful sprinkles. By the time they were finished, we had a festive dessert that looked just as magical as it tasted. These truffles have become a holiday tradition, and I hope they bring as much joy to your family as they do to ours!
Why Our Christmas Tree Cake Truffles Are the Best
Our Christmas Tree Cake Truffles stand out for so many reasons:
- Nostalgic Flavor: Made with Little Debbie’s iconic Christmas Tree Cakes for a fun and familiar taste.
- No-Bake Simplicity: A quick and easy dessert that requires no oven—perfect for busy holiday schedules.
- Customizable: Decorate with festive drizzles and sprinkles for a stunning holiday presentation.
Ingredients Notes for Christmas Tree Cake Truffles
Each ingredient in Christmas Tree Cake Truffles plays an essential role in creating this festive dessert:
- Little Debbie Christmas Tree Cakes: These pre-made cakes are the base of the truffles, bringing all their nostalgic sweetness.
- Cream Cheese: Softened cream cheese binds the crumbled cakes together and adds a rich, tangy flavor.
- White Chocolate or Almond Bark: Perfect for coating the truffles, giving them a smooth and creamy exterior.
- Red Food Coloring: Used to create a festive drizzle that enhances the holiday aesthetic.
- Green Sanding Sugar: Adds sparkle and texture for that Christmas tree vibe.
Ingredients List for Christmas Tree Cake Truffles
- 10 vanilla Little Debbie Christmas Tree Cakes
- 4 oz cream cheese, softened
- 12 oz almond bark or white chocolate candy melts
- Red food coloring
- Green sanding sugar
Kitchen Tools Needed for Christmas Tree Cake Truffles
- Large mixing bowl
- Hand mixer
- Small cookie scoop
- Baking sheet
- Parchment paper
- Fork
- Microwave-safe bowl
How to Make Christmas Tree Cake Truffles
These festive Christmas Tree Cake Truffles come together in just a few easy steps.
1. Prepare the Baking Sheet
Line a large baking sheet with parchment paper and set it aside.
2. Crumble the Cakes
Crumble the Little Debbie Christmas Tree Cakes into a large mixing bowl.
3. Mix with Cream Cheese
Add the softened cream cheese to the crumbled cakes. Use a hand mixer to blend the mixture until it forms a dough-like consistency.
4. Roll into Balls
Use a small cookie scoop to create tablespoon-sized portions of the dough. Roll each portion into a smooth ball with your hands and place it on the prepared baking sheet. Freeze for 30 minutes or until the truffles harden. For smoother truffles, roll them gently between your palms after they’ve hardened.
5. Melt the White Chocolate
Place the white chocolate or almond bark in a microwave-safe bowl. Heat in 30-second intervals, stirring after each, until the chocolate is fully melted and smooth.
6. Dip the Truffles
Using a fork, dip each truffle into the melted white chocolate, ensuring it’s fully coated. Gently tap off any excess chocolate and place the truffles back onto the parchment-lined baking sheet.
7. Decorate
Add red food coloring to any leftover melted chocolate, adding a few drops at a time until the desired color is reached. Use a fork or piping bag to drizzle the red chocolate over the truffles. Immediately sprinkle with green sanding sugar while the chocolate is still wet.
8. Set and Serve
Allow the truffles to set completely before serving, either at room temperature or in the refrigerator.
How to Store Christmas Tree Cake Truffles
- Refrigerator: Store in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 5 days.
- Freezer: Freeze the truffles in a freezer-safe bag for up to 2 months. Thaw in the refrigerator before serving.
Christmas Tree Cake Truffle Variations
You can customize this recipe to make it even more fun and unique:
- Chocolate Drizzle: Use milk or dark chocolate for the drizzle instead of red-colored chocolate for a rich contrast.
- Sprinkles Galore: Replace sanding sugar with colorful holiday sprinkles for a playful touch.
- Cake Flavor Twist: Use chocolate Christmas Tree Cakes instead of vanilla for a deeper flavor.
- Minty Upgrade: Add a drop of peppermint extract to the dough for a holiday twist.
What to Serve with Christmas Tree Cake Truffles
Christmas Tree Cake Truffles pair perfectly with a variety of holiday drinks and desserts:
- Hot Cocoa: Serve with a steaming mug of hot chocolate topped with whipped cream and crushed candy canes.
- Coffee or Latte: These truffles are delightful alongside a peppermint mocha or vanilla latte.
- Holiday Dessert Table: Pair them with gingerbread cookies, sugar cookies, or a classic yule log cake for a festive spread.
Top Tips for Perfect Christmas Tree Cake Truffles
- Chill Before Coating: Freezing the truffles helps them hold their shape when dipping into melted chocolate.
- Use High-Quality Chocolate: For the smoothest coating, opt for almond bark or candy melts over regular white chocolate chips.
- Work Quickly: Decorate with sanding sugar while the chocolate is still wet to ensure it sticks.
- Smooth Rolling: If the dough is sticky, lightly coat your hands with powdered sugar before rolling the truffles.
- Customize Decoration: Have fun with the toppings—this recipe is great for kids to help decorate!
Helpful Notes
- If you don’t have red food coloring, use any color to match your holiday theme.
- For even dipping, use a fork to lower each truffle into the chocolate and gently tap to remove excess coating.
- Make sure the cream cheese is softened for easier mixing and smoother truffles.
Tips from Well-Known Chefs
- Ina Garten: “Always use good-quality ingredients. It’s the little details, like high-quality chocolate, that make desserts truly special.”
- Ree Drummond: “Chilling truffles is key to easy dipping and a flawless finish.”
- Martha Stewart: “Decorate your truffles with precision by using a piping bag for drizzling chocolate.”
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
- Can I use a different kind of cake?
Yes, you can substitute Little Debbie Christmas Tree Cakes with similar snack cakes like Zebra Cakes or homemade pound cake. - Can I use a stand mixer instead of a hand mixer?
Absolutely! A stand mixer with a paddle attachment works perfectly for mixing the cake and cream cheese. - How long do the truffles take to set?
They typically set within 30 minutes in the refrigerator or 1 hour at room temperature. - What if my chocolate is too thick for dipping?
Add a small amount of vegetable oil or coconut oil to the melted chocolate to thin it out. - Can I make these ahead of time?
Yes, they’re a great make-ahead dessert and taste even better after chilling overnight!
More Delicious Holiday Recipes
Christmas Tree Cake Truffles are a fun, festive, and indulgent holiday treat that combines the nostalgic flavors of Little Debbie Cakes with the joy of homemade desserts. They’re easy to make, beautiful to serve, and impossible to resist—perfect for celebrating the magic of the season. Happy holidays and happy baking!