There’s something so festive and fun about these little bites of holiday magic, and that’s exactly why I’m excited to share this Christmas Tree Cake Balls Recipe with you. Soft, creamy, and coated in sweet white chocolate with a pop of red and green, these are the perfect Christmas treat to make with friends or family.

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

I honestly can’t get enough of how easy and festive these Christmas Tree Cake Balls are to make—plus, they taste like a little party for your taste buds. They deliver that nostalgic flavor of those classic Little Debbie Christmas Tree Cakes, but with a homemade touch that feels special.

Easiest holiday treat: You don’t need fancy equipment or baking skills—just a few simple ingredients and some love.
Perfect party bite: These bite-sized delights look adorable on any holiday platter, instantly bringing Christmas cheer.
Customizable flavors: You can swap cake flavors or candy melts to suit your style or dietary preferences.
Great make-ahead option: Prep these early and store them so you’re stress-free on the day of your celebration.

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

Each ingredient in this Christmas Tree Cake Balls Recipe serves a special purpose, coming together for that perfect creamy, sweet, and colorful balance. When shopping, I always look for good-quality cream cheese for smoothness and the classic Little Debbie cakes to keep the nostalgic flavor intact.

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 give the base flavor and texture that's soft and festive, and you can choose between original or chocolate versions.
Cream cheese (room temperature): This adds creaminess and helps bind the cake crumbs without overpowering the flavor.
White almond bark: Perfect for coating because it melts smoothly and hardens nicely, giving a beautiful base for your green sugar.
Red candy melts: Adds the festive drizzle, plus they melt easily for a perfect finish.
Green sanding sugar: Gives that magical sparkle and color reminiscent of fresh 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 adding my own spin to this Christmas Tree Cake Balls Recipe whenever the mood strikes—sometimes I tweak the flavor or how I decorate them. Feel free to experiment a bit to make it truly yours.

Variation: I’ve tried using chocolate Christmas Tree Cakes instead of the original for a richer flavor, and it really adds a cozy twist to the truffles that friends adore.
Dietary tweaks: If you're dairy-free, swapping cream cheese with a plant-based alternative works surprisingly well, just make sure it’s creamy enough to bind the crumbs.
Color customization: Try different colored sanding sugars or candy melts to match your holiday theme or make these cake balls for other occasions!

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

Step 1: Soften and whip the cream cheese

First up, get that cream cheese to room temperature—it makes mixing a breeze. I use a hand mixer on medium speed until it’s silky smooth; scraping down the bowl ensures every bit is incorporated perfectly with the cake crumbs.

Step 2: Crumble the Christmas Tree Cakes and combine

Next, I break the cakes into pieces right in the bowl and mix them thoroughly with the cream cheese. The mixture becomes thick and sticky—this is exactly what you want to hold those truffles together tightly.

Step 3: Scoop and chill the truffles

I use a 1-tablespoon cookie scoop to keep the balls uniform—plus, it’s much easier than eyeballing the size. Here’s a tip: if the mixture sticks to your hands, a quick grease with a bit of vegetable oil keeps things smooth. After rolling, into the freezer they go to firm up for at least 2 hours or overnight if you have the patience!

Step 4: Melt the white almond bark and dip

While the truffles chill, melt the white almond bark in 30-second bursts, stirring well each time so it doesn’t scorch. When the coating is silky and lump-free, dip the truffles carefully using forks or skewers. Hitting that sweet spot of coating thickness is key—too thick and it’ll hide the shape; too thin and it won’t set well.

Step 5: Add the green sugar and red drizzle

Sprinkle the green sanding sugar right away while the coating is still wet—this makes the truffles look like sparkling Christmas trees. Once set, I melt the red candy melts and drizzle them artistically over the top. If your candy melts are thick, I swear by adding just a touch of refined coconut oil to get that perfect, smooth flow for drizzling.

Step 6: Chill and enjoy!

Pop your finished cake balls in the fridge for about 10 minutes to firm up the drizzle if you want to speed things along. Otherwise, leave them at room temp until set. Then store them in an airtight container in the fridge—and prepare to impress everyone at your holiday party!

Top Tip

From my own kitchen adventures with this Christmas Tree Cake Balls Recipe, I’ve learned a few tips that really make a difference. These tricks helped me avoid common pitfalls and get perfect results every time, so don’t skip them!

Grease your hands lightly: Rolling these cake balls gets sticky fast, and a tiny bit of oil on your hands makes all the difference for smooth shaping.
Chill longer if needed: If your truffles feel soft, don’t rush the dip—firmness leads to better coating and neater results.
Careful with melting: Microwave candy melts gently in bursts and stir well to avoid burning—a burnt batch means starting over!
Drizzle control: Use a small piping tip or cut just a tiny hole in your storage bag for the candy melts to control drizzle thickness perfectly.

How to Serve Christmas Tree Cake Balls Recipe

Christmas Tree Cake Balls - Serving Suggestion

Garnishes

I love keeping it simple and festive—green sanding sugar is my go-to for its sparkle and tree-like effect. Sometimes I toss a few edible glitter flakes on top or tiny star sprinkles to elevate the holiday vibe without overpowering the cake ball’s flavor.

Side Dishes

These cake balls go perfectly alongside a warm cup of spiced hot cocoa or mulled apple cider. For a holiday dessert table, pair with peppermint bark or gingerbread cookies for a festive spread everyone will savor.

Creative Ways to Present

I’ve had great fun arranging these cake balls around a centerpiece of holly or placing them on a tiered dessert tray to mimic a Christmas tree shape. Wrapping little bundles with clear cellophane and ribbon makes adorable edible gifts, too!

Make Ahead and Storage

Storing Leftovers

Store your Christmas Tree Cake Balls in an airtight container in the fridge. I’ve kept mine fresh and delicious for up to a week—just make sure they’re well covered to prevent them from drying out or absorbing fridge odors.

Freezing

If you want to save some for later, freezing works great! I place them in a freezer-friendly container with parchment between layers to keep them from sticking. They keep well for 2 to 4 months. When ready, I just thaw overnight in the fridge, though the chocolate may crack slightly—that’s normal and still tastes wonderful.

Reheating

No actual reheating needed here since these are best served chilled or at room temperature. If they’re too firm from the fridge, I let them sit out for 15 minutes to soften up slightly before enjoying—they’re much better that way!

Frequently Asked Questions:

Can I use other types of cake for this recipe?

Absolutely! While this recipe is built around Little Debbie Christmas Tree Cakes for that nostalgic flavor, you can experiment with other soft cakes like chocolate or vanilla cake—just crumble and mix with cream cheese similarly.

What’s the best way to melt the candy melts without them burning?

Microwaving in short 30-second bursts and stirring well between each interval works best to prevent overheating. You want the candy melts smooth and just melted. Avoid high heat or long intervals to stop scorching and clumping. If needed, adding a bit of refined coconut oil can help improve the texture for drizzling.

How long can I store the Christmas Tree Cake Balls?

They keep well stored in an airtight container in the fridge for about 5 to 7 days. For longer storage, freezing is a great option for up to 4 months, but expect a slight change in texture after thawing.

Can I make these ahead of time for a party?

Definitely yes! That’s one of the best parts. You can prepare the cake balls a day or two before your event, keep them chilled, and drizzle them right before serving if you want them extra fresh looking. They’re a perfect make-ahead holiday treat.

Final Thoughts

This Christmas Tree Cake Balls Recipe truly feels like a delightful holiday tradition in the making. Every bite brings back fun memories of festive gatherings, and sharing them always sparks joy. I can’t wait for you to try them and see how easy it is to create a sweet centerpiece that’s as delicious as it is charming. Trust me, once you make these, they’ll become a staple in your Christmas repertoire!