Name: Copycat Little Debbie Christmas Tree Cakes Recipe
Prep time: 30 min
Cook time: 15 min
Total time: 1 h 45 min
Cuisine: American
Ingredients: 13.25 ounce box yellow cake mix; 3 large eggs; 1 large egg yolk; 1 cup whole milk; ½ cup melted butter; 7 ounces marshmallow fluff; ¾ cup butter room temperature; 2 cups powdered sugar; 2 tablespoons whole milk; 1 pound white almond bark; 1 cup red candy melts; Green sanding sugar

There's something truly magical about biting into a soft, sweet Christmas tree-shaped treat that brings back childhood holiday memories. This Copycat Little Debbie Christmas Tree Cakes Recipe captures that festive flavor and texture perfectly — making it worth every minute in the kitchen, especially when you want to impress family and friends with homemade holiday joy.

The image shows three triangular cookies stacked on one another on a white plate, each cookie is covered in white icing with green sugar sprinkles scattered all over. Red icing in wavy lines runs across the surface of each cookie, creating a festive contrast. The cookies have a slightly rough texture visible under the icing. The background is a white marbled texture, and there is a blurry white cup behind the plate. 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 Copycat Little Debbie Christmas Tree Cakes Recipe
Top Tip
How to Serve Copycat Little Debbie Christmas Tree Cakes Recipe
Make Ahead and Storage
Frequently Asked Questions:
Final Thoughts
Copycat Little Debbie Christmas Tree Cakes Recipe

Why You'll Love This Recipe

From the moment I made these Copycat Little Debbie Christmas Tree Cakes, I knew they’d become a holiday staple. They’re not only super festive but also a fun project that results in show-stopping treats anyone will adore.

Authentic Taste: It nails that classic Little Debbie flavor you remember, but fresh from your own oven.
Fun to Make: Crafting those little tree shapes and icing them gives you that festive spark every baker loves.
Perfect Texture: Light, moist cake combined with fluffy filling makes every bite just right.
Customizable: You can tweak colors and decorating styles to match whatever holiday vibe you’re feeling.

A close-up view of a small, square-shaped cake piece held by a woman's hand showing two layers of soft yellow sponge with a thick layer of white cream filling in the middle. The cake is fully covered in a smooth white icing with a thin layer of shiny red icing on the top edge. Few tiny green sprinkles are visible on the white icing around the sides. The background features a white marbled texture with blurred hints of red, white, and green colors. Photo taken with an iphone --ar 2:3 --v 7

Ingredients & Why They Work

Each ingredient plays a key role in achieving that perfect balance of flavor and texture. From the rich cake base to the fluffy filling and the smooth coating, every element blends beautifully.

Flat lay of a small white ceramic bowl of yellow cake mix powder, three whole brown eggs with clean shells, a small white ceramic bowl of whole milk, a small white ceramic bowl with melted butter, a small white ceramic bowl of fluffy marshmallow fluff, a small white ceramic bowl of softened butter, a small white ceramic bowl filled with powdered sugar, a small white ceramic bowl with green sanding sugar crystals, a small white ceramic bowl containing smooth white almond bark, a small white ceramic bowl with smooth red candy melts, all arranged in perfect symmetry, ingredients fresh and natural, placed 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

Yellow Cake Mix: Using a boxed mix keeps it simple, yet the bright yellow adds the perfect golden hue and buttery flavor.
Eggs and Egg Yolk: Eggs give structure and moisture, while the extra yolk adds richness that helps with softness.
Whole Milk: Keeps the cake tender and adds depth to the batter.
Melted Butter: Nothing beats butter for flavor, it also helps the cake stay moist longer.
Marshmallow Fluff: This is the secret to the signature filling’s light, creamy texture — don’t skip it!
Powdered Sugar: Sweetens and thickens the filling for that perfect spreadability.
White Almond Bark: It melts smoothly for the coating and hardens with a nice snap.
Red Candy Melts: For those festive stripes — easy to melt and pipe for decoration.
Green Sanding Sugar: Adds sparkle and a little crunch, evoking tree needles under snow.

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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 playing around with the decorating part of these Copycat Little Debbie Christmas Tree Cakes. You can switch up the colors of the sanding sugar or candy melts to match your holiday theme — it’s such a fun way to make the recipe your own.

Variation: Once, I swapped the white almond bark for milk chocolate coating and added crushed peppermint on top — it was a delightful twist that guests raved about.
Dietary Shift: You can switch to dairy-free butter and almond bark alternatives if you want a vegan-friendly treat.
Seasonal Fun: Besides Christmas, I’ve shaped the cake into hearts for Valentine’s Day using the same filling and coating recipe — so versatile!

Step-by-Step: How I Make Copycat Little Debbie Christmas Tree Cakes Recipe

Step 1: Whisk Up that Cake Batter

Start by preheating your oven to 350°F and lining a jelly roll pan with parchment — I clip the edges with binder clips so the paper stays put while spreading the batter. Whisk together your cake mix, eggs, egg yolk, milk, and melted butter until it's silky smooth, then spread evenly in the pan. Bake for 12–15 minutes; look for a toothpick to come out with moist crumbs, not raw batter.

Step 2: Whip Up the Dreamy Filling

While your cake cools completely, blend the marshmallow fluff with butter and powdered sugar until smooth. Add the milk and beat until fluffy. This filling is light yet creamy — the key to that classic Little Debbie texture I really love.

Step 3: Layer and Chill the Cake

Slice your cooled cake in half horizontally and spread the filling on one layer, then top it with the other half. For a cleaner cut when making your trees, freeze this layered cake for about 30 minutes — trust me, it makes the shapes hold perfectly!

Step 4: Cut Out Those Festive Trees

Using a tree-shaped cookie cutter, carefully cut out your Christmas trees and place them on parchment-lined trays. Pop them back in the freezer for another 30 minutes so they hold their shape when dipped.

Step 5: Dip and Decorate with Joy

Melt your white almond bark in 30-second bursts, stirring until silky smooth. Dip your chilled trees one by one, letting excess drip off before setting them on parchment. Sprinkle generously with green sanding sugar right away so it sticks. Melt the red candy melts and pipe on wavy stripes — it’s such a festive finishing touch.

Top Tip

Having made these several times, I've learned some neat tricks to make them turn out picture-perfect every time — here’s what helped me the most:

Freeze Layers Before Cutting: It keeps the filling from squishing out and ensures crisp tree edges.
Use Binder Clips on Parchment Paper: Keeps the paper secure and prevents batter from seeping underneath.
Don’t Overbake the Cake: Aim for moist crumbs on your toothpick test so your trees stay soft.
Pipe Candy Melts with a Small Opening: Gives you better control for those cute red garland swirls.

How to Serve Copycat Little Debbie Christmas Tree Cakes Recipe

Christmas Tree Cakes - Serving Suggestion

Garnishes

The green sanding sugar is my go-to because it adds that festive sparkle with a subtle crunch. Sometimes I throw on a few tiny edible silver balls to mimic ornaments — it really brings the trees to life without overwhelming the cake’s flavor.

Side Dishes

These cakes pair beautifully with hot cocoa topped with whipped cream or a cinnamon-spiced latte. For an adult twist, a spiced mulled wine complements the sweetness perfectly during holiday gatherings.

Creative Ways to Present

I like arranging these trees standing upright in a circle on a festive platter, creating a little “forest” centerpiece. Decorating the platter with fresh pine sprigs and cranberries adds a charming touch that guests always comment on.

Make Ahead and Storage

Storing Leftovers

Store your Copycat Little Debbie Christmas Tree Cakes in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 3 days, or in the fridge for 5 days if your kitchen is warm. I usually keep them in the fridge during holiday parties to keep the coating crisp and the filling fresh.

Freezing

These freeze beautifully! I wrap each tree individually in plastic wrap and place them in a freezer-safe container. When I want a treat, I thaw them in the fridge overnight — they come back soft and delicious, almost like fresh.

Reheating

Since they’re best enjoyed cool or at room temp, I usually just let frozen leftover trees thaw slowly in the fridge. If you’re eager to serve them sooner, let them rest on the counter for about 30 minutes — avoid heating as it can soften the coating too much.

Frequently Asked Questions:

Can I make these cakes from scratch instead of a box mix?

Absolutely! While the recipe calls for a yellow cake mix to keep things simple and consistent, you can substitute your favorite scratch yellow cake recipe. Just make sure the batter isn’t too dense, so your trees stay light and tender.

How do I prevent the filling from oozing out when cutting the trees?

Freezing the filled cake for at least 30 minutes before cutting is key. It firms up the filling and layers, making clean cuts easier without squishing or oozing.

What can I use if I can't find marshmallow fluff?

You can substitute with homemade marshmallow creme or a smooth marshmallow spread. Alternatively, a whipped cream cheese frosting can work, though the texture and flavor will be a bit different.

Are there shortcuts to make these cakes quicker?

If you’re pressed for time, using canned frosting in place of the homemade marshmallow filling works well. Also, you can skip the freezing steps, but your cuts might be messier and decorating a bit trickier.

Final Thoughts

This Copycat Little Debbie Christmas Tree Cakes Recipe is one of those joyful kitchen adventures I always look forward to during the holidays. It’s simple enough to whip up with friends or family, and the festive result truly lights up the dessert table. I can’t wait for you to try it and make sweet memories over these charming holiday treats!