There’s something magical about the holidays that calls for sweet treats bursting with cheer. These Christmas Tree Cake Truffles with Little Debbie Recipe are that perfect bite—soft, festive, and dipped in creamy white chocolate, they bring a little nostalgia and a lot of joy to your kitchen table.
Jump to:
- Why You'll Love This Recipe
- Ingredients & Why They Work
- Make It Your Way
- Step-by-Step: How I Make Christmas Tree Cake Truffles with Little Debbie Recipe
- Top Tip
- How to Serve Christmas Tree Cake Truffles with Little Debbie Recipe
- Make Ahead and Storage
- Frequently Asked Questions:
- Final Thoughts
- Christmas Tree Cake Truffles with Little Debbie Recipe
Why You'll Love This Recipe
This recipe is one of my go-tos when I want something festive without fuss. There’s just something about transforming those nostalgic Little Debbie Christmas Tree Cakes into luscious truffles that makes holiday snacking feel extra special. They’re as fun to make as they are to eat!
- Super simple prep: No baking required, which means less worry and more time for holiday magic.
- Sweet and festive: The combination of crunch from sprinkles and smooth white chocolate coating makes them irresistible.
- Great for gifting: Wrap them in little cellophane bags, and you’ve got a charming homemade gift ready to wow friends and family.
- Kid-approved: Little ones love rolling the truffles and adding sprinkles—makes for a sweet holiday activity.
Ingredients & Why They Work
Each ingredient plays a simple but key role to create cake truffles that taste festive and feel indulgent. I always recommend grabbing the freshest Christmas Tree Cakes you can find, as freshness makes the truffles smoother and easier to shape.
- Little Debbie Christmas Tree Cakes: These are the base of the truffles, bringing that iconic sweet vanilla and cream flavor with a festive tree shape that's fun to crumble.
- White chocolate or candy melts: Provides a smooth, glossy coating that holds the truffle together and adds that sweet richness.
- Festive sprinkles: Mixed into the cake crumbs, they add subtle texture and pops of color inside the truffle.
- Red candy melts: Used for an optional drizzle, they add a beautiful holiday touch and a hint of raspberry or cherry flavor depending on the brand.
- Green sanding sugar: Sprinkled on top to mimic the sparkle of Christmas tree decorations—adds crunch and festive flair.
Make It Your Way
One of my favorite things about this Christmas Tree Cake Truffles with Little Debbie Recipe is how easy it is to personalize. Feel free to tweak the sprinkles or the drizzle colors to match your holiday theme, or even swap the white chocolate for milk or dark chocolate if you’re craving something richer.
- Variation: I sometimes add a few crushed peppermint candies to the mixture for a surprising crunch and a hint of mint—it’s a seasonal twist that guests always ask for again.
Step-by-Step: How I Make Christmas Tree Cake Truffles with Little Debbie Recipe
Step 1: Crumble the Christmas Tree Cakes
Start by unwrapping the Little Debbie Christmas Tree Cakes and placing them in a large bowl. Using a handheld mixer makes this super easy — I just pulse them until they become fine, crumbly dough. If you don’t have a mixer handy, you can crumble them by hand, but it takes a little more elbow grease. Then fold in your festive sprinkles so each truffle is packed with holiday cheer.
Step 2: Shape into Balls
Using a tablespoon, scoop out the cake mixture and roll it between your palms into a smooth ball. Don’t worry if it’s sticky—it just means it’ll hold together well. Place each ball on a parchment-lined baking sheet as you go. Once they’re all shaped, pop them in the fridge to firm up for about 15 minutes before coating.
Step 3: Coat with White Chocolate
Now for the fun part—melting your white chocolate or candy melts. I microwave mine in short 30-second bursts, stirring in between to keep it smooth and avoid scorching. Using a fork or a dipping tool, gently dip each chilled truffle into the melted chocolate, making sure it’s fully coated. Let the excess drip off before setting it back on your parchment-lined sheet.
Step 4: Add the Finishing Touches
For that perfect festive flair, melt your red candy melts the same way and drizzle them over the truffles using a piping bag or a ziplock bag with a tiny corner snipped off. A sprinkle of green sanding sugar on top right away gives the look of sparkling Christmas tree lights. Then pop the truffles back in the fridge for a few minutes to let everything set. And voilà — holiday magic in each bite!
Top Tip
Over the years, making this recipe has taught me a few tricks that really help get the best texture and presentation every time. These tips have saved me from sticky fingers and uneven coatings more times than I can count!
- Keep it cool: Chilling the cake balls before dipping makes the coating process way smoother and helps the truffles hold their shape.
- Microwave in increments: Melting chocolate slowly and stirring prevents burning and keeps it silky.
- Use parchment paper: It’s a lifesaver for easy cleanup and for peeling the truffles off without sticking.
- Don’t skip the drizzle: That final red candy drizzle adds visual appeal and a little flavor contrast that really elevates your truffles.
How to Serve Christmas Tree Cake Truffles with Little Debbie Recipe
Garnishes
I love topping these truffles with green sanding sugar for that festive sparkle, but feel free to sprinkle crushed candy canes or tiny edible gold stars for a little extra holiday sparkle. If you’re serving kids, colorful sprinkles always bring a smile.
Side Dishes
Pair these truffles with a warm cup of cocoa or peppermint tea, and you’ve got a cozy holiday snack. They also go wonderfully alongside a cheese board, especially with mild cheeses and fresh fruit to balance the sweetness.
Creative Ways to Present
I once arranged mine in a circular pattern on a cake stand to resemble a Christmas wreath, adding fresh holly leaves and cranberries for a beautiful centerpiece. Another time, I packed them in mini gift boxes tied with satin ribbon—super easy but makes for a heartfelt homemade gift.
Make Ahead and Storage
Storing Leftovers
I store leftover truffles in an airtight container in the fridge. This keeps them fresh and helps preserve the white chocolate coating. They usually last up to a week, but I promise they rarely hang around that long!
Freezing
Freezing is a great option! I pop mine in a single layer on a baking sheet, freeze until firm, then transfer to a zip-top freezer bag. When you’re ready, thaw them in the fridge overnight to keep their shape and texture intact.
Reheating
Since these are no-bake treats, reheating isn’t necessary. If you want the coating to be less firm, just let them sit at room temperature for 10-15 minutes before serving—they soften just enough to melt beautifully on your tongue.
Frequently Asked Questions:
Absolutely! While the classic Christmas Tree Cakes bring a festive look and flavor, you can experiment with other flavors like Swiss Roll or Zebra Cakes for a fun twist. Just keep in mind the flavor pairing with your white chocolate coating.
Chocolate can seize if it comes into contact with even a tiny bit of water. Make sure your dipping tools, bowl, and hands are completely dry. Melt the chocolate slowly and stir gently. If it does seize, you can try adding a small amount of vegetable oil to smooth it back out.
Yes! You can use dairy-free or vegan white chocolate and candy melts available at many specialty stores or online. Just double-check the sprinkles as some contain dairy or beeswax. The rest of the recipe remains the same.
Stored in an airtight container in the fridge, these truffles stay fresh for up to one week. For longer storage, freeze them and thaw in the refrigerator overnight before serving.
Final Thoughts
For me, making Christmas Tree Cake Truffles with Little Debbie Recipe is a festive ritual that brings back childhood warmth and joy—it’s part treat, part tradition. They’re simple, beautiful, and such a crowd-pleaser. I promise you’ll find yourself reaching for seconds, and they’re so easy to gift that you might end up making extras just to share. Give them a try this season, and watch those smiles light up around your table.
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Christmas Tree Cake Truffles with Little Debbie Recipe
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 10 minutes
- Total Time: 25 minutes
- Yield: 12 servings
- Category: Dessert
- Method: No-Cook
- Cuisine: American
Description
These festive Christmas Tree Cake Truffles transform Little Debbie Christmas Tree Cakes into delightful bite-sized treats, coated in creamy white chocolate and decorated with colorful sprinkles, red candy drizzle, and green sanding sugar. Perfect for holiday parties and celebrations, these easy no-bake truffles combine the nostalgic flavor of the cakes with a fun, elegant presentation.
Ingredients
Main Ingredients
- 1 box (5 cakes) Little Debbie Christmas Tree Cakes
- 8 ounces white chocolate or candy melts
- 3 tablespoons festive sprinkles
- 3 tablespoons red candy melts (optional, for drizzling)
- Green sanding sugar for decoration
Instructions
- Prepare the Cake Crumbs: Unwrap the Little Debbie Christmas Tree Cakes and place them into a large bowl. Using a handheld mixer, mix the cakes until a crumbly dough forms. Add in the festive sprinkles and gently mix them through the cake crumbs.
- Form the Truffles: Using a tablespoon, scoop portions of the cake mixture and roll each between the palms of your hands to form smooth balls. Place the formed balls on a parchment-lined baking sheet. Continue until all mixture is used.
- Melt the White Chocolate: Melt the white chocolate or candy melts in a microwave-safe bowl by heating in 30-second increments, stirring in between, or by using a double boiler until smooth.
- Coat the Cake Balls: Using a fork or dipping tool, dip each cake ball into the melted white chocolate, fully coating it. Allow excess chocolate to drip off before placing them back on the parchment-lined baking sheet.
- Melt Red Candy Melts: Melt the red candy melts in a piping bag or a ziplock bag in the microwave in 30-second intervals, massaging the bag between intervals to ensure even melting.
- Decorate the Truffles: Snip the tip of the piping or ziplock bag and drizzle the red candy melts over the coated truffles. Immediately sprinkle green sanding sugar over the top for decoration.
- Set and Serve: Place the decorated truffles in the fridge and allow them to set for a few minutes until firm. Serve and enjoy your festive holiday treats!
Notes
- Use a handheld mixer or food processor to get fine, uniform crumbs for easier shaping.
- If you don't have festive sprinkles, colored sugar crystals or mini nonpareils work well as a substitute.
- White chocolate chips can be used instead of candy melts, but stir carefully to avoid burning.
- To melt candy melts without a microwave, use a double boiler and stir frequently.
- Store truffles in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to one week.
- For a dairy-free version, select vegan white chocolate or candy melts.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 truffle
- Calories: 180 kcal
- Sugar: 20 g
- Sodium: 80 mg
- Fat: 8 g
- Saturated Fat: 6 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 2 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 24 g
- Fiber: 1 g
- Protein: 1 g
- Cholesterol: 10 mg
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