There’s just something magical about bite-sized treats that taste like Christmas itself, isn’t there? This Christmas Tree Cake Balls Recipe takes those nostalgic Little Debbie Christmas Tree Cakes and transforms them into festive, crowd-pleasing truffles that are as fun to make as they are to eat.

A stack of three white round plates holds five round treats covered in smooth white coating. Each treat is decorated with thin, bright red lines dripped over the top and some small green sprinkles scattered across the surface. The plates sit on a white marbled texture which is partly covered by a red cloth underneath. Around the plates are wooden spoons and a white bowl filled with green sprinkles. There are also red, white, and natural wooden beads scattered near the plates. 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 still remember making these Christmas Tree Cake Balls with my kids one chilly December afternoon — the kitchen smelled like sweet almond bark, and their eyes lit up decorating these festive bites. This recipe is a simple way to brighten up any holiday table, even if you’re short on time or baking skills.

Super Simple: Uses pre-made Christmas Tree Cakes so no fuss baking needed.
Festively Delicious: Cream cheese adds a rich creaminess that balances perfectly with the sweet cakes and chocolate.
Customizable Fun: You can easily swap candy melts and toppings to match your holiday decor or taste preferences.
Perfect Bite-Sized Treats: Easy to share, serve, and pop in your mouth—ideal for parties or gifts.

Four round cookies with a smooth white icing layer are placed close together on a white plate at the center of the image. Each cookie is decorated with five diagonal red icing stripes on top and scattered small green sugar sprinkles that add texture and color contrast. The plate sits on a bright red cloth with wooden bead garlands featuring white, red, and light natural wood colors around it. To the upper right, there is a white bowl filled with green sugar sprinkles. The background has a white marbled texture hidden beneath the decorations. photo taken with an iphone --ar 2:3 --v 7

Ingredients & Why They Work

This recipe relies on a few simple ingredients that come together to create a rich, moist, and perfectly festive dessert. Each component plays a specific role, from texture to flavor to appearance, so let’s talk about the magic behind them.

Flat lay of two unwrapped, fresh Little Debbie Christmas Tree Cakes showing their cream filling, a block of smooth cream cheese, a pile of glossy white almond bark bark pieces, a small white ceramic bowl filled with vibrant red candy melts, and a small white ceramic bowl holding bright green sanding sugar crystals, all arranged symmetrically and naturally 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 iconic cakes are soft, flavorful, and bring the holiday spirit right into the mix without extra prep.
Cream Cheese: Offers richness and moisture, helping the cake balls hold together nicely while adding that smooth tang.
White Almond Bark: Melts easily and solidifies quickly, providing the perfect candy coating for that classic holiday look.
Red Candy Melts: Great for drizzling to add vibrant color and festive flair — plus, they harden fast so you can decorate with ease.
Green Sanding Sugar: Adds a sparkly touch reminiscent of the pine needles on real Christmas trees — it’s all about the details!

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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 like to keep these cake balls classic, but sometimes I’ve swapped green candy melts for the drizzle instead of red, or even sprinkled crushed peppermint candy on top for extra crunch and holiday pizzazz. The best part? You can make these your own easily.

Variation: For a chocolaty twist, try using the chocolate Christmas Tree Cakes or zebra cakes instead of the classic ones — the cream cheese smooths out any slightly stronger flavors.
Dietary tweak: If you want to avoid dairy, cream cheese alternatives can work but expect a slightly different texture – I’d recommend trying a softened vegan cream cheese.
Seasonal flair: Easily swap red and green for blue and white for a winter wonderland theme, perfect if you’re decorating for a different holiday vibe.

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

Step 1: Cream It Up Smoothly

Start by beating the room temperature cream cheese in a large bowl with a hand mixer on medium speed until it’s silky smooth. Scrape down the sides once or twice so everything blends evenly — trust me, clumps here can make the texture less delightful.

Step 2: Mix in the Christmas Tree Cakes

Add the Christmas Tree Cakes right into the cream cheese and use your mixer again until it’s fully combined. The cakes will break down into a soft, sticky mixture — perfect for rolling later on.

Step 3: Scoop and Chill

Line a baking sheet with parchment paper. Using a tablespoon-sized cookie scoop, scoop out 24 balls and roll them into neat truffles. If the mixture is sticky and clinging to your hands, lightly grease your palms with a bit of vegetable or canola oil to keep things smooth. Pop the tray into the freezer for at least 2 hours, or overnight if you can, to firm up.

Step 4: Dip in White Almond Bark

Once chilled, melt the white almond bark in 30-second bursts in the microwave, stirring each time until completely smooth. Use two forks or a fork with a wooden skewer to dip each truffle fully, shake off excess chocolate gently, and set it back on the parchment. This technique helps the chocolate coat evenly without breaking your cake balls.

Step 5: Sprinkle the Green Sugar

While the white coating is still wet, sprinkle the green sanding sugar liberally over the cake balls. This is what makes them look like little Christmas trees shimmering with snow — such a festive touch!

Step 6: Drizzle Your Red Candy Melt ‘Ornaments’

Next, melt the red candy melts, adding coconut oil a tablespoon at a time if needed to thin them. Transfer the smooth red chocolate into a small plastic bag, snip a tiny corner off, and drizzle over the green-sugared cake balls. Set these aside to firm up; chilling in the fridge for ten minutes speeds this up.

Step 7: Store and Enjoy

Once firm, store your Christmas Tree Cake Balls in an airtight container in the fridge for up to a week—if they last that long, that is! These make adorable party bites or homemade gifts.

Top Tip

From personal experience, a couple of simple tricks made all the difference for me making this Christmas Tree Cake Balls Recipe come out perfect every time.

Grease Your Hands: When rolling the sticky cake mixture, lightly oiling your palms helped me avoid the mix sticking to my fingers — it’s a little hack that saves a lot of frustration.
Chill Thoroughly: Don’t rush the freezing step. The firmer the balls, the cleaner they’ll dip and the less cracking you’ll have in the almond bark.
Thin Your Candy Melts Carefully: Adding coconut oil a little at a time to the melts gave me perfect drizzle consistency; too much oil can cause the chocolate to run off or fail to harden properly.
Work Fast With the Sugar: Sprinkle the green sanding sugar the moment the white chocolate is wet — once it sets, it won’t stick and you’ll lose that pretty festive sparkle.

How to Serve Christmas Tree Cake Balls Recipe

Christmas Tree Cake Balls - Serving Suggestion

Garnishes

I usually keep it simple with just the green sanding sugar and red candy melt drizzle because it really lets the colors pop. But sometimes, I sprinkle edible gold stars or tiny silver dragées to add a little extra sparkle for a party. They look like mini ornaments on a tree!

Side Dishes

These cake balls pair wonderfully with a mug of hot cocoa or peppermint coffee during holiday gatherings. I’ve also served them alongside classic sugar cookies or a cheese board for a sweet-salty contrast that's always a hit.

Creative Ways to Present

For Christmas parties, I’ve arranged these cake balls on a tiered cake stand shaped like a tree, or placed them in mini cupcake liners lined on a festive platter. Another fun idea: skewer them onto wooden picks and arrange them in a foam block, creating an edible Christmas tree centerpiece!

Make Ahead and Storage

Storing Leftovers

I store leftovers in an airtight container in the fridge. They keep beautifully for about 5 to 7 days — the chocolate stays firm and the cake balls themselves don’t dry out thanks to the cream cheese binding.

Freezing

Freezing is a great option if you want to make these well ahead of time. I place them in a freezer-safe container separated by parchment paper. They freeze well for 2-4 months. When you thaw them in the fridge overnight, just be aware the chocolate might crack slightly — it doesn’t affect the taste, just the look.

Reheating

Since these are no-bake cake truffles, reheating isn’t necessary. If you want to soften them up a bit, just let them sit at room temperature for 15-20 minutes. This helps the cream cheese inside stay nice and soft without melting the chocolate shell.

Frequently Asked Questions:

Can I use a different type of cake instead of Little Debbie Christmas Tree Cakes?

Absolutely! You can swap in chocolate Christmas Tree Cakes, zebra cakes, or even your favorite boxed cake crumbled up. Just make sure the cake is moist to keep the cake balls tender.

Why do I need cream cheese in this Christmas Tree Cake Balls Recipe?

Cream cheese adds moisture and richness, which helps the cake balls hold together without crumbling. It also gives a nice tangy flavor that balances the sweetness of the cake and chocolate.

What’s the best way to get a smooth chocolate coating?

Melting the white almond bark slowly in short microwave bursts and stirring often prevents scorching. When dipping, use two forks or a fork and skewer to control the coating and shake off excess chocolate gently for a smooth finish.

Can I make Christmas Tree Cake Balls ahead of time?

Definitely! These cake balls actually taste better after sitting overnight in the fridge because the flavors meld together nicely. You can also freeze them for longer storage and thaw as needed.

Final Thoughts

These Christmas Tree Cake Balls Recipe have become such a joyful holiday tradition in my house — they’re simple, festive, and bring everyone together over their irresistible charm. I hope when you make them, you’ll find the same warm, cozy satisfaction and a new favorite treat to brighten your holiday celebrations.