Christmas Tree Cake Truffles

This Christmas Tree Cake Truffles with Little Debbies cakes recipe transforms a classic holiday snack cake into festive, bite sized treats that wow at any holiday dessert table. With no baking required and only about 40 minutes needed from start to finish, these Christmas bakery desserts offer nostalgic flavor and fun for gifts or entertaining. They require just a few ingredients and zero oven time, making them the perfect easy Christmas desserts for busy hosts or last minute parties.

I first made these Christmas tree cake truffles using Little Debbies cakes during a holiday open house and everyone raved about them. The creamy, cake filled centers capture that classic nostalgic Christmas bakery dessert taste in every bite. What I love most is how kids and adults alike enjoy decorating them with sprinkles and colored sugar, making it a fun Christmas dessert activity as well as a delicious treat.

Gather Your Ingredients

• Little Debbie Christmas Tree Cakes: These iconic vanilla snack cakes with cream filling bring authentic holiday flavor and a moist, creamy texture. For best results, use freshly unwrapped cakes and opt for the classic vanilla variety. You may substitute with any dense snack cake if needed.
• White chocolate or candy melts (8 ounces): This creates the smooth dipping shell. Use high quality white chocolate with real cocoa butter for best flavor, or vanilla candy melts for easier melting. Vegan white chocolate also works for dairy free diets.
• Festive sprinkles (3 tablespoons): Jimmies or nonpareils in traditional red and green add crunch and color. Choose non bleeding sprinkles to keep the dough tidy. Rainbow colors can be used for other holidays.
• Red candy melts (3 tablespoons, optional): For decorative drizzling, use a brand that melts smoothly to achieve pretty stripes. Substitute with colored candy melts for other occasions.
• Green sanding sugar: Adds sparkle and sweet crunch to the truffles, perfect for maximum Christmas bakery appeal. Use bright green for eye catching decoration, or switch up colors for different themes.

How to Make Christmas Tree Cake Truffles with Little Debbies

Unwrap and Prepare the Cakes:

Arrange five Little Debbie Christmas Tree Cakes in a large mixing bowl after removing all packaging. Let the cakes come fully to room temperature, which ensures even blending and a smoother dough when you mix with the filling. This step is crucial for easy, lump free assembly.

Mix Cakes and Add Sprinkles:

Break the cakes apart using a handheld mixer or your hands until you have a sticky, uniform dough with visible crumbs and creamy filling blended together. Stir in the festive sprinkles gently so the color does not bleed. The dough should hold together easily but not be overly wet.

Scoop and Shape the Truffles:

Using a tablespoon or spring loaded cookie scoop, divide the dough into portions and roll each between your hands to form smooth balls about 1 to 1.5 inches wide. Place each truffle on a parchment lined baking sheet to prevent sticking and make clean up easy. Chill for 10 minutes in the refrigerator, which helps the truffles set up for dipping.

Melt White Chocolate or Candy Melts:

Melt the white chocolate or candy melts in a microwave safe bowl, heating in 30 second bursts and stirring in between until smooth and glossy with no lumps. If the chocolate is too thick, mix in a teaspoon of coconut oil so it flows easily for dipping. You may use a double boiler method for gentle, even melting if preferred.

Dip and Coat the Truffles:

Use a fork or dipping tool to lower each chilled truffle into the melted coating, rolling gently to cover all sides. Tap off excess chocolate by tapping the fork against the bowl, then set the truffle back onto the parchment lined sheet. Repeat dipping for all truffles, and reheat chocolate as needed so it stays fluid.

Decorate with Red Drizzle and Green Sugar:

For bakery style stripes, melt red candy melts in a piping or ziplock bag, microwaving in 30 second intervals and gently kneading to avoid hot spots. Snip the tip and drizzle zigzag lines across truffles, then sprinkle with green sanding sugar while wet so the decorations stick perfectly.

Set and Serve the Truffles:

Chill the finished, decorated truffles in the fridge for at least 15 minutes or until the chocolate shell is completely set. Arrange on a festive platter for serving, or package for gifting. Enjoy creamy, crunchy, nostalgic Christmas flavor in each bite sized truffle.

One of my favorite holiday moments was making a double batch of these Christmas tree cake truffles for our family’s Christmas Eve party. They disappeared faster than anything else, with everyone commenting how they tasted just like the beloved snack cake but felt extra special. Now it’s a tradition for kids to help add sprinkles, and every batch brings back holiday memories with a fun modern twist.

Smart Swaps and Variations

This Christmas tree cake truffle recipe is super adaptable for dietary needs or just for fun. For gluten free Christmas desserts, use certified gluten free snack cakes with the same dense, creamy filling for best texture. Dairy free truffles work with vegan white chocolate and plant based cake. To make other seasonal flavors, use chocolate or lemon snack cakes or experiment with peppermint extract and orange zest. Rainbow sprinkles or pastel colors make these truffles perfect any time of year, and you can even use colored melts for Halloween, Easter, or birthdays.

How to Store and Reheat Christmas Tree Cake Truffles

For best results, store Christmas tree cake truffles in an airtight container in the fridge for up to five days, separating layers with parchment paper to prevent sticking. If preparing in advance, arrange truffles in a single layer on a sheet and freeze for up to three months, then transfer to a freezer safe container. Thaw truffles overnight in the fridge and let them sit at room temperature for ten minutes before serving, which brings back the creamy, bakery style texture but keeps the coating crisp.

What to Serve with Christmas Tree Cake Truffles

These Christmas tree cake truffles are stars on a holiday dessert platter, packed in gift boxes, or paired with a cozy beverage. Serve with mugs of hot chocolate or mulled cider for a crowd pleasing treat, or alongside other Christmas bakery desserts like gingerbread cookies and coconut bars. For adult gatherings, pair with espresso or strong coffee, and for gifting, wrap truffles individually or arrange them in festive tins lined with parchment for that joyful holiday touch.

Nutritional Benefits

While Christmas tree cake truffles are definitely a festive indulgence, they bring joy and nostalgia in a perfectly portioned dessert. Each truffle has around 330 calories, with approximately 15 grams of protein and 40 grams of carbohydrates when sized at 1.5 inches. They contain no nuts and can easily be modified for gluten free, nut free, or dairy free needs. These bite sized treats offer classic vanilla cake flavor but in a lighter portion than a full slice of cake.

Recipe Success Tips

If your dough feels dry or crumbly, it is likely from using older snack cakes, so always use fresh ones for better structure and flavor. If the white chocolate seizes or thickens, stir in a small amount of coconut oil to regain smoothness. To keep decorations tidy, always drizzle with red candy melts after the white coating is mostly set so colors do not blur together, and chill between steps for clean lines and neat presentation.

These Christmas Tree Cake Truffles with Little Debbies cakes are the easiest way to bring a festive Christmas bakery dessert to your table, packed with nostalgic flavor and simple enough for anyone to make. Try them this holiday season for a treat that looks impressive and is guaranteed to disappear quickly with every joyful bite.

Common Questions About This Recipe

→ Can I use other snack cakes if I don't have Little Debbies?

Yes, you can substitute with similar snack cakes for a comparable taste and texture, though flavor may vary slightly based on your choice.

→ How far ahead can I make these truffles?

You can make them up to 3 days ahead. Store in an airtight container in the fridge to maintain freshness and texture.

→ What kind of sprinkles work best for decoration?

Festive or holiday-themed sprinkles and green sanding sugar are great choices for a lively, Christmas-inspired appearance.

→ Can I use milk or dark chocolate instead of white chocolate?

Absolutely—substitute your preferred chocolate melts for a different flavor profile and look, though white chocolate emphasizes a festive white coating.

→ Are these suitable for edible gifts?

Yes, they hold up well when packaged and make excellent homemade gifts for friends, coworkers, or family during the holidays.