There’s something truly magical about bite-sized holiday treats, and I’m excited to share my take on the festive and delicious Christmas Tree Cake Balls Recipe. These little beauties pack all the joy of Christmas in one sweet, creamy bite — perfect for sharing (or not!).

Five round white balls covered in smooth white icing sit closely on a stack of three white plates. Each ball is decorated with bright red stripes drizzled across the top and sprinkled with small green sugar pieces. The plates rest on a white marbled surface with a red cloth underneath. Behind the plates, wooden spoons and a round white bowl filled with green sugar crystals are partially visible. There are also red, white, and natural wood beaded garlands decorating the scene, adding a festive touch. Photo taken with an iphone --ar 2:3 --v 7

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 Balls Recipe
Top Tip
How to Serve Christmas Tree Cake Balls Recipe
Make Ahead and Storage
Frequently Asked Questions:
Final Thoughts
Christmas Tree Cake Balls Recipe

Why You'll Love This Recipe

Honestly, this is one of those easy, no-fuss desserts that feels fancy and festive. I remember making these with my kids last Christmas—they loved rolling the little balls and decorating them. Plus, they’re creamy inside, chocolatey outside, and just the right size for snacking throughout the holiday season.

Simple Ingredients: Uses Little Debbie Christmas Tree Cakes with cream cheese for a creamy center that's foolproof.
Festive Presentation: The green sanding sugar and red candy drizzle give these cake balls the perfect Christmas vibe.
Make-Ahead Friendly: Prepare these in advance to save time on busy holiday days without sacrificing freshness.
Kid-Friendly Fun: Rolling and decorating these is a great way to get kids involved in holiday baking.

The image shows four round cookies on a white plate, each covered in smooth white icing. They have red icing stripes drizzled diagonally on top, with small green sugar sprinkles scattered over the white icing. The plate sits on a white marbled surface with a red cloth beneath it. Around the plate are pieces of a white and red wooden bead garland, and a white bowl filled with green sprinkles is nearby. The background and surface have a clean, bright feel with festive red and green colors. photo taken with an iphone --ar 2:3 --v 7

Ingredients & Why They Work

The magic here comes from the creamy texture of cream cheese combined with the moist Christmas Tree Cakes. The almond bark coating sets perfectly to give a smooth chocolate exterior, contrasted by the crunchy sanding sugar. Each ingredient plays a role in balancing flavor, texture, and ease.

Flat lay of two fresh green Christmas tree cakes with white and red frosting, a block of smooth cream cheese, a large piece of white almond bark, bright red candy melts in a small white ceramic bowl, and a white ceramic bowl filled with sparkling green sanding sugar, all arranged symmetrically in balanced proportions on a clean white marble surface, soft natural light, photo taken with an iPhone, professional food photography style, fresh ingredients, white ceramic bowls, no bottles, no duplicates, no utensils, no packaging --ar 2:3 --v 7 --p m7354615311229779997

Little Debbie Christmas Tree Cakes: These are the base, providing flavor and structure—you can swap with chocolate or zebra cakes if you want.
Cream Cheese: Adds moisture and richness, binding the cake into perfect truffle balls.
White Almond Bark: Melts smoothly and hardens to create a crisp shell while staying allergy-friendly compared to traditional chocolate.
Red Candy Melts: Perfect for drizzling — melts easily and tastes sweet with that classic holiday red color.
Green Sanding Sugar: Adds sparkle and crunch that remind me of glittering Christmas trees.

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Note: You'll find the complete list of ingredients, along with their exact measurements, in the printable recipe card at the bottom of this post.

Make It Your Way

I love getting creative with these cake balls depending on my mood or the crowd. You absolutely can personalize the colors or even the flavor — just have fun with it!

Variation: Once, I swapped the white almond bark for dark chocolate and drizzled with peppermint candy bits for an adult twist — it was a huge hit at the office party.
Dietary tweaks: You can try dairy-free cream cheese alternatives and vegan candy melts to make these friendly for more diets.
Seasonal Changes: Switch green sanding sugar for sparkly gold or silver sugar in other seasons, or swap colors to match other holidays.

Step-by-Step: How I Make Christmas Tree Cake Balls Recipe

Step 1: Cream the cream cheese until silky smooth

Start by placing room temperature cream cheese in a large bowl and beat it up using a hand mixer on medium speed. You want it nice and creamy without lumps, scraping the bowl sides with a spatula every now and then to mix evenly. This step ensures your cake balls will have that perfect melt-in-your-mouth texture.

Step 2: Mix in crumbled Christmas Tree Cakes

Now, crumble your Christmas Tree Cakes into chunks and add them to your cream cheese. Beat everything together until the mixture looks well combined. It should feel sticky but easy to scoop — this balance is key for rolling balls that hold their shape but aren’t dry.

Step 3: Scoop and chill the truffles

Line a baking sheet with parchment. Using a tablespoon cookie scoop, scoop out the mixture and roll gently into balls. If you notice sticking, a little vegetable oil on your hands works wonders—this tip saved me from sticky messes more than once! Freeze these for at least 2 hours (overnight is better) until firm.

Step 4: Dip in melted white almond bark

Place the almond bark in a microwave-safe bowl and melt in 30-second bursts, stirring between, until perfectly smooth. Dip each truffle fully into the almond bark using two forks or a fork plus skewer method — this helps you remove excess coating without breaking the balls. Place back on the parchment.

Step 5: Sprinkle with green sanding sugar

While the chocolate shell is still wet, sprinkle green sanding sugar over the top. This step adds that irresistible festive crunch and sparkle—don’t rush it, this is what gives the cake balls their tree-like look!

Step 6: Drizzle red candy melts

In a separate bowl, melt red candy melts just like the almond bark. If they seem too thick, I gently mix in a teaspoon of melted refined coconut oil to thin it. Pour the melted candy into a small plastic bag, snip a tiny corner, and drizzle the red candy back-and-forth over your truffles. Let them set in the fridge for about 10 minutes.

Step 7: Store and enjoy

Once set, keep your Christmas Tree Cake Balls in an airtight container in the fridge. They stay fresh and delicious for up to a week—if they last that long!

Top Tip

I've made these cake balls more times than I can count, and a few handy tricks have made all the difference from "meh" to wow-worthy every time. Here are some things I learned the easy way.

Hand greasing: Lightly oil your hands before rolling the truffles to avoid sticky dough clinging — a small step that saves big frustration.
Chocolate melting: Melting in short bursts with stirring prevents scorching and gives you a luscious glossy shell.
Drizzle control: Use a small corner cut in a plastic bag for drizzling candy melts precisely and neatly over the cake balls.
Chilling patience: Resist the urge to shortcut chilling time — properly chilled cake balls dip more cleanly and maintain shape better.

How to Serve Christmas Tree Cake Balls Recipe

Christmas Tree Cake Balls - Serving Suggestion

Garnishes

I usually stick with green sanding sugar and the red candy drizzle for that classic Christmas tree look. Sometimes I’ll add tiny edible silver stars or mini candy pearls to mimic ornaments—just enough sparkle without overpowering the original vibe.

Side Dishes

These cake balls pair perfectly alongside a cup of hot cocoa or a cozy mug of spiced apple cider. I’ve also served them with a creamy vanilla or peppermint whipped dip for an extra indulgent treat table.

Creative Ways to Present

For parties, I love arranging these on a tiered serving tray with sprigs of fresh pine and small twinkling lights tucked underneath. Another fun idea: stand each cake ball on a festive lollipop stick and display them like a holiday bouquet! Kids and adults both adore this playful presentation.

Make Ahead and Storage

Storing Leftovers

I keep any extras in an airtight container in the fridge. This way, they stay moist inside and the coating stays firm for up to 5 to 7 days. Just be sure to let them come to room temperature a bit before enjoying so all the flavors shine.

Freezing

I’ve frozen these cake balls successfully by placing them in a freezer-friendly container separated with parchment. They last well for up to 2-4 months. You can eat them right from the freezer for a firmer pop or thaw overnight in the fridge to enjoy a softer bite. Keep in mind the chocolate may crack a bit from freezing.

Reheating

Since these are no-bake, I skip reheating. Instead, I just let them sit out for 15 minutes for the chocolate to soften slightly. If you want a warmer experience, a quick 10-second zap in the microwave can help, but watch closely to avoid melting the coating too much.

Frequently Asked Questions:

Can I use other cake flavors instead of Christmas Tree Cakes?

Absolutely! While the original recipe uses Little Debbie Christmas Tree Cakes, you can experiment with chocolate, zebra, or any other moist cake for a different flavor profile. Just make sure the cake is fresh and moist, so the balls hold together well.

How do I prevent cake balls from falling apart?

Make sure to use cream cheese at room temperature and mix it thoroughly with the crumbled cake. The cream cheese acts as the binder that holds everything together. Also, chilling the cake balls well before dipping helps them keep their shape during coating.

Can I make these gluten-free or dairy-free?

For gluten-free, you could substitute gluten-free cake options and ensure your coatings are gluten-free. For dairy-free, use dairy-free cream cheese alternatives and vegan candy melts. Keep in mind that texture and taste might differ slightly, but it's a great way to adapt for dietary needs.

How long do Christmas Tree Cake Balls last?

Stored in an airtight container in the refrigerator, they usually last about 5 to 7 days. You can also freeze them for up to 4 months, but the coating might crack upon thawing, which is purely aesthetic and doesn’t affect the taste.

Final Thoughts

I truly think this Christmas Tree Cake Balls Recipe is a holiday must-make. It brings out that joyful spirit through its festive look and delicious flavor, plus it’s easy enough to whip up between family gatherings. Give it a try—you might just find it becomes your new favorite Christmas tradition. I can’t wait to hear how you personalize yours!