Name: Christmas Tree Cake Truffles Recipe
Prep time: 15 min
Cook time: 10 min
Total time: 25 min
Cuisine: American
Ingredients: 1 box of Little Debbie Christmas Tree Cakes (5 cakes); 8 ounces white chocolate or candy melts; 3 tablespoons festive sprinkles; 3 tablespoons red candy melts for drizzling (optional); Green sanding sugar for decoration

There's something magical about dessert bites that look just as festive as they taste, and that's exactly why I adore this Christmas Tree Cake Truffles Recipe. Soft, sweet, and shimmering with holiday cheer, these truffles make any gathering instantly feel a bit cozier and a bit more special.

A white plate holds many round white balls covered in smooth white coating. Each ball has thin red stripes running across the surface and tiny green sprinkles scattered on top. One ball is broken open at the front showing a soft, crumbly inside with bits of red and green. The plate is set on a white marbled surface with some green and red blurred background lights. 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 Truffles Recipe
Top Tip
How to Serve Christmas Tree Cake Truffles Recipe
Make Ahead and Storage
Frequently Asked Questions:
Final Thoughts
Christmas Tree Cake Truffles Recipe

Why You'll Love This Recipe

This Christmas Tree Cake Truffles Recipe has quickly become one of my favorite holiday sweet treats. It’s simple to make yet totally impressive, and the combination of Little Debbie’s classic Christmas Tree Cakes with creamy chocolate is a total winner every time.

Effortless and Fast: You only need a few ingredients and about 25 minutes to bring these sweet bites to life—perfect for busy holiday days.
Eye-Catching Presentation: These truffles look like little decorated Christmas trees, making them an adorable treat for parties or gifting.
Deliciously Festive Flavors: The combination of moist cake, decadent white chocolate, and festive sprinkles brings all the holiday vibes.
Customizable Fun: You can easily switch up the colors, sprinkles, or drizzle to make them uniquely yours season after season.

The image shows a white plate filled with round white treats, each topped with red stripes and green sprinkles. The treats have smooth, white coatings and are arranged closely together, with one treat shaped like a Christmas tree with red stripes and green sprinkles. The plate is on a white marbled surface, and there are soft warm lights and some greenery in the background. photo taken with an iphone --ar 2:3 --v 7

Ingredients & Why They Work

Each ingredient here works together to create that perfect balance of festive, sweet, and creamy. Little Debbie’s Christmas Tree Cakes provide the perfect moist base, while the white chocolate coating ties it all together with sweetness and smoothness.

Flat lay of an unwrapped fresh Christmas Tree shaped cake with visible creamy filling, a small white ceramic bowl filled with smooth white chocolate candy melts, a small white ceramic bowl holding bright festive rainbow sprinkles, a small white ceramic bowl containing vibrant red candy melts, and a small white ceramic bowl with sparkling green sanding sugar, all arranged symmetrically around the cake, 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

Little Debbie Christmas Tree Cakes: These are the star—soft, flavorful, and already beautifully spiced with green icing and coconut to mimic a tree.
White chocolate or candy melts: Choose a quality white chocolate or candy melts since they create that glossy, smooth coating that’s essential for a polished look.
Festive sprinkles: These add an unexpected crunch and tons of visual holiday cheer mixed right into your cake dough.
Red candy melts: Used for drizzling, they give a vibrant pop of color and a professional-done look to your truffles.
Green sanding sugar: Perfect for decorating and adding sparkle—plus, it helps emphasize the Christmas tree theme.

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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

One of the reasons I keep coming back to this Christmas Tree Cake Truffles Recipe is how easy it is to personalize. I love sneaking in different sprinkles or experimenting with flavored candy melts to suit my mood or the occasion.

Variation: Once, I swapped out white chocolate for a rich milk chocolate coating and used gold and red sprinkles for a more traditional look—and it was a hit with the family.
Dietary Twist: For a gluten-free option, you can use gluten-free snack cakes like a similar style of Christmas-themed gluten-free cakes—just be mindful of texture changes when mixing the dough.
Non-Chocolate Drizzle: I’ve also tried using colored royal icing instead of candy melts to drizzle, which made for a softer, tangier finish that some friends preferred.

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

Step 1: Crumble and Mix the Cakes

Start by unwrapping all your Little Debbie Christmas Tree Cakes and tossing them into a large bowl. I find using a handheld mixer works wonders for getting a fine crumbly dough quickly without tiring your hands. Mix until you get a crumbly texture, but don’t overdo it—small chunks give the truffles a nice texture. Then, mix in your festive sprinkles so every bite has a little surprise.

Step 2: Form the Truffle Balls

Using a tablespoon, scoop out the cake mixture and gently roll it between your palms into neat balls. Place each one on a parchment-lined baking sheet. It helps to keep your hands lightly damp if the mixture feels sticky. Chill them in the fridge for at least 10-15 minutes—this keeps them firm for dipping.

Step 3: Coat with White Chocolate

Melt your white chocolate or candy melts in a microwave-safe bowl, heating in 20-30 second intervals and stirring between to avoid burning. Dip each chilled cake ball fully into the chocolate using a fork or dipping tool. Let the excess drip off before placing it back on your parchment paper. This step is where the magic happens—those smooth, shiny white shells are what make these truffles so irresistible.

Step 4: Add the Finishing Touches

Melt the red candy melts separately, then transfer them to a pastry bag or ziplock bag, snipping a tiny corner. Drizzle the red over the white chocolate truffles for that festive contrast. Right after drizzling, sprinkle green sanding sugar on top before it sets for that sparkling tree effect. Pop them into the fridge for a few minutes, and voila—ready to enjoy!

Top Tip

From my many attempts making this Christmas Tree Cake Truffles Recipe, I’ve found a few tricks really make the process smooth and the results impressive.

Keep the Truffles Cold: Chilling your cake balls before dipping helps the chocolate coat smoothly and prevents the balls from falling apart.
Mind the Chocolate Temperature: Don’t overheat your chocolate melts—too hot leads to a grainy texture and can scorch easily.
Work Quickly with Drizzles: The red candy melts set fast, so drizzle right after melting to get those perfect fine lines.
Use Parchment Paper: It prevents sticking and makes cleanup a breeze—trust me, it’s worth it.

How to Serve Christmas Tree Cake Truffles Recipe

Christmas Tree Truffles - Serving Suggestion

Garnishes

I usually stick with green sanding sugar to highlight that Christmas tree look, but I’ve also added tiny edible pearls or gold dust for a touch of elegance. Sometimes, just a pinch of crushed peppermint candy sprinkled on top gives a lovely texture and minty twist.

Side Dishes

These truffles pair beautifully with a warm cup of spiced cider, peppermint hot chocolate, or even a cozy herbal tea. I love serving them alongside classic holiday cookies or a platter of mixed nuts and dried fruit to balance the sweetness.

Creative Ways to Present

At last year’s holiday party, I arranged the Christmas Tree Cake Truffles on a tiered platter surrounded by pine sprigs and twinkle lights. It turned into a stunning centerpiece! You can also place them in mini cupcake liners or wrap in clear cellophane tied with festive ribbons for gifting.

Make Ahead and Storage

Storing Leftovers

I store leftover truffles in an airtight container in the fridge. They keep their shape and flavor beautifully for up to a week, letting you enjoy a sweet treat anytime you want a little holiday joy.

Freezing

Freezing works great too! Just place them on a baking sheet to freeze individually first, then transfer to a freezer-safe container. When ready to enjoy, thaw in the fridge for a couple of hours—perfect for making ahead during busy holiday prep.

Reheating

Because these truffles are best served chilled, I don’t recommend reheating. Instead, just bring them to room temperature for about 10-15 minutes before serving if the fridge made them a little too firm.

Frequently Asked Questions:

Can I use other types of snack cakes for this recipe?

Absolutely! While Little Debbie Christmas Tree Cakes are iconic here, you can experiment with other snack cakes like Swiss rolls or red velvet cakes. Just adjust the amount accordingly and keep in mind how moist or dense they are to maintain the right consistency.

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

Heat the candy melts in short bursts of 20-30 seconds in the microwave, stirring thoroughly after each interval. If you don’t have a microwave, a double boiler works great too. The key is low and slow heating to prevent scorching and keep a silky smooth consistency.

Can I prepare these truffles a day in advance?

Yes! In fact, making your Christmas Tree Cake Truffles Recipe a day ahead is a wonderful idea. It gives the chocolate coating time to set firmly and allows the flavors to meld. Just keep them stored in an airtight container in the fridge until serving.

What are good alternatives to red candy melts for drizzling?

If you can’t find red candy melts, you can use colored royal icing, melted white chocolate tinted with red food coloring, or even a thin drizzle of raspberry sauce for a fresh twist. Just remember that the consistency should be piping-friendly to get that pretty drizzle effect.

Final Thoughts

This Christmas Tree Cake Truffles Recipe holds a special spot in my holiday baking traditions because it brings together simplicity, adorable presentation, and unbeatable taste. I hope when you try it, you’ll find it as joyful and crowd-pleasing as I do—perfect for making memories (and satisfying sweet cravings) during the festive season.