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 downright magical about biting into a soft, festive treat during the holidays, and my Copycat Little Debbie Christmas Tree Cakes Recipe captures that nostalgia in every bite. It’s fun to make, delightfully festive, and honestly, way better than store-bought once you try it at home.

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

This Copycat Little Debbie Christmas Tree Cakes Recipe has become a holiday staple in my kitchen because it brings back childhood memories but with a grown-up homemade twist. I love how light and fluffy the cake is, which pairs perfectly with the marshmallow buttercream filling and those festive candy coatings.

Authentic Flavor: This recipe nails the iconic taste and texture of the original Christmas Tree Cakes that you remember and adore.
Fun and Festive: The tree shape and colorful coating make these cakes perfect for holiday parties or gifting.
Customizable: You can tweak the fillings or decorations to your personal preference or dietary needs.
Easy to Make: Despite looking fancy, these cakes are straightforward with simple ingredients and steps—no stress holiday baking here!

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

Choosing the right ingredients is key to recreating that iconic Little Debbie texture and flavor, so I want to share why each element in this Copycat Little Debbie Christmas Tree Cakes Recipe is important. These ingredients come together to give you a tender cake with a fluffy, marshmallow-y filling and a crisp, colorful coating.

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: This base gives a buttery, moist cake with the perfect crumb that's easy to work with and bakes evenly.
Eggs and Egg Yolk: They add richness and help bind the batter, balancing moisture and structure.
Whole Milk: Adds moisture and tenderness, making the baked cake light rather than dense.
Melted Butter: Infuses flavor and keeps the cake moist without being greasy.
Marshmallow Fluff: The secret to that fluffy, sweet, and slightly sticky filling that sets these cakes apart.
Butter (for filling): Gives the filling a creamy richness that blends beautifully with the marshmallow.
Powdered Sugar: Sweetens and helps stabilize the filling for easy spreading.
White Almond Bark: Creates that smooth, hard candy-like coating reminiscent of the originals, perfect for dipping.
Red Candy Melts: For decorating stripes—a little pop of festive color.
Green Sanding Sugar: Adds sparkle and mimics the look of tree “needles” on the frosting.

📝

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 best things about this Copycat Little Debbie Christmas Tree Cakes Recipe is just how easy it is to customize. Over the years, I’ve found that small tweaks in filling flavor or decoration style can make it uniquely yours—and super fun.

Variation: Sometimes, I swap half of the marshmallow fluff with cream cheese for a tangy balance that’s less sweet but just as dreamy.
Dietary tweaks: I’ve tried it with dairy-free butter and almond milk, and it still yields a great cake, just be mindful of the coating ingredients.
Seasonal spins: Adding a pinch of cinnamon or nutmeg to the cake batter gives it a cozy holiday vibe, perfect for chilly evenings.
Decor ideas: Try using different candy melts or sprinkle choices for other holidays—think pastels for Easter or orange and black for Halloween.

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

Step 1: Mix, Bake, and Let the Cake Cool

Start by preheating your oven to 350°F and lining a jelly roll pan (16×12 inches) with parchment paper—you want the edges to hang over the pan, secured with binder clips if you have them. This makes it super easy to lift the cake when it’s done.

Whisk together the yellow cake mix, whole eggs, extra yolk, milk, and melted butter until smooth. Spread evenly in the pan using an angled spatula to get a nice flat surface. Bake for 12–15 minutes, testing with a toothpick so it comes out clean or with just a few moist crumbs. Let the cake cool completely before moving on; rushing this step can make the filling slide or cake crumble when cutting.

Step 2: Whip Up That Fluffy Filling

While the cake cools, it’s filling time. Beat the marshmallow fluff, room temperature butter, and powdered sugar with a hand mixer on medium speed until smooth. Add the milk and crank it up to high, whipping for 1–2 minutes until the mixture is luxuriously light and fluffy. I always taste a little here—if you want sweeter, a touch more powdered sugar can help.

Step 3: Assemble and Shape the Trees

Split the cooled cake carefully in half (a serrated knife works best) and spread the fluffy filling evenly on one half. Top with the other half gently. For easier cutting, pop the layered cake into the freezer for 30 minutes—this firms it up so your shapes don’t crumble.

Once chilled, grab a Christmas tree-shaped cookie cutter and press out your cake trees. Place them on parchment-lined trays and freeze again for another 30 minutes to make dipping smoother and keep the shape intact.

Step 4: Dip and Decorate Your Trees

Melt the white almond bark in 30-second bursts in the microwave, stirring until silky and smooth. Dip each tree carefully, letting the excess drip off, then set on parchment paper. Quick! Sprinkle green sanding sugar on top to mimic pine needles before the coating sets.

For the red stripes, melt the candy melts the same way. If they’re too thick, stir in a tiny bit of melted shortening or coconut oil to smooth it out. Pour the red coating into a sandwich bag, snip a small hole, and pipe wavy stripes across the trees for that classic holiday look.

Top Tip

Making these Copycat Little Debbie Christmas Tree Cakes Recipe has taught me that a couple small things can make a big difference in the final product. Here are some insider tips I’ve picked up so yours turn out perfectly the first time:

Secure Your Parchment Paper: Using binder clips to hold parchment in place means your batter stays even, and your cake peels off cleanly—trust me, it saves a lot of frustration!
Freeze Before Cutting: Chilling the filled cake helps keep edges clean and prevents crumbling when cutting out your tree shapes.
Dip with Care: Make sure your almond bark is fully melted and smooth but not hot—too warm and it can melt the filling unevenly.
Decorate Quickly: The sanding sugar sticks best if you sprinkle immediately after dipping when the coating is still wet.

How to Serve Copycat Little Debbie Christmas Tree Cakes Recipe

Christmas Tree Cakes - Serving Suggestion

Garnishes

I like to keep garnishes simple and festive. The green sanding sugar adds just the right sparkle and texture, but for a little extra fun, I sometimes add tiny silver dragée balls or edible glitter to mimic ornaments. It’s a simple step that really impresses kids and adults alike.

Side Dishes

These cakes are a sweet treat on their own, but they pair wonderfully with a mug of hot cocoa or fresh fruit to cut through the richness. At holiday parties, I like serving them alongside peppermint bark or classic sugar cookies for a festive dessert spread.

Creative Ways to Present

One year, I arranged the tree cakes upright in a decorative box lined with tissue paper to give as gifts—instant smile makers! Another time, I lined a tiered cake stand with them as edible “decorations,” which became the centerpiece of our holiday dessert table. They’re perfect for sharing and just begging to be shown off.

Make Ahead and Storage

Storing Leftovers

Store leftover cakes in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 3 days—this keeps the cake soft and the coating crisp. If your kitchen gets warm, I recommend refrigerating them in a sealed container, which keeps them fresh for around 5 days without drying out.

Freezing

I’ve frozen these cakes before with pretty great results. Wrap each tree individually in plastic wrap and place them in a freezer-safe container. When you’re ready, thaw in the refrigerator overnight to keep the texture intact. Just be sure to decorate only after thawing if you want that fresh look.

Reheating

Since these are meant to be enjoyed chilled or at room temp, I don’t recommend reheating. If you want to warm the coating slightly for a fresher feel, just let them sit at room temperature for 20–30 minutes. This also softens the filling slightly without getting melty.

Frequently Asked Questions:

Can I make these cakes from scratch, without a cake mix?

Absolutely! You can substitute the boxed yellow cake mix with your favorite homemade yellow cake recipe. Just keep in mind that using a homemade cake might change the texture slightly and may require adjustments in baking time.

What’s the best way to cut the cake into tree shapes?

Using a sharp, serrated knife to cut the filled cake in half helps keep layers even. For the tree shapes, a cookie cutter is your best friend. Chilling the cake after assembling makes the cutting cleaner and easier, preventing crumble.

Can I use different kinds of candy melts or coatings?

Yes! Feel free to experiment with dark chocolate, milk chocolate, or colored candy melts to match other holidays or flavor preferences. Just be sure to adjust the melting process accordingly, so the coating remains smooth and easy to dip.

How long do these cakes keep fresh?

At room temperature in an airtight container, the cakes stay fresh for about 3 days. Refrigerated storage extends freshness up to 5 days. Beyond that, freezing is your best bet to preserve quality and flavor.

Final Thoughts

Honestly, this Copycat Little Debbie Christmas Tree Cakes Recipe feels like unwrapping a holiday present every time you bite into one. It’s been such a joy to make these festive treats—from the first fluffy cake layer to the sparkle of sanding sugar on top—and I can’t recommend you give them a try enough. You’ll not only impress friends and family, but you’ll also create your own sweet holiday tradition worth coming back to year after year.