Name: Christmas Tree Cake Truffles Recipe
Prep time: 15 min
Cook time: 10 min
Total time: 25 min
Cuisine: American
Ingredients: 1 box 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 wonderfully festive about these bite-sized delights that instantly lift your holiday spirit. The Christmas Tree Cake Truffles Recipe transforms classic Little Debbie Christmas Tree Cakes into irresistible, creamy truffles that are perfect for gifting or snacking by the fire.

A white round plate filled with white chocolate balls covered in smooth white chocolate, each decorated with thin red icing stripes and small green sprinkles on top. One ball is cut open, showing a textured inside with bits of red and green throughout. The plate sits on a white marbled textured surface, and a festive red and green decoration softly blurs in the background. 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

Honestly, I couldn’t resist sharing this one because it’s so simple yet packed with holiday cheer. You’re taking something we all recognize and love and giving it a grown-up, glossy makeover with white chocolate and festive sprinkles. It’s a quick win that everyone will ask for again.

Effortless yet impressive: You don’t need baking skills—just a mixer and a little patience, and you’ll impress guests with minimal fuss.
Festive and customizable: The sprinkles and drizzle add a holiday touch, but you can tweak those to fit your style (more on that later!).
Perfect for gifting: These truffles look gorgeous in a pretty box and taste so comforting that people won’t believe they’re so easy.
Kid-friendly and crowd-pleaser: I’ve served these at family parties, and they’re always the first to disappear—right after a cup of cocoa, of course.

A white speckled oval plate holds nine round treats and one treat shaped like a Christmas tree. Each treat is covered with smooth white icing and decorated with thin wavy red lines across the surface. Small green sprinkles are scattered on top, adding a festive touch. The background has a white marbled texture with some blurry warm lights on the left side. photo taken with an iphone --ar 2:3 --v 7

Ingredients & Why They Work

Every ingredient here plays a simple but crucial role. The Little Debbie Christmas Tree Cakes form the base, offering moist cake and creamy filling all rolled into one. The white chocolate is your coating hero—smooth, sweet, and perfect for that shiny finish. And those festive sprinkles? They’re pure joy, giving texture and color to make these truffles truly special.

Flat lay of a few whole unwrapped Christmas tree-shaped cakes with visible green, red, and white layers, a small white bowl filled with smooth white chocolate melts, a small white bowl of colorful festive sprinkles in red, green, and white, a small white bowl with bright red candy melts, and a small white bowl of fine green sanding sugar, all arranged symmetrically 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: Using these pre-made cakes means you’re starting off with that nostalgic holiday taste, complete with cream filling and peppermint flavor.
White chocolate or candy melts: Candy melts are great for easy melting and sturdy coating; white chocolate adds rich sweetness and a creamy finish.
Festive sprinkles: Adds texture and vivid holiday colors—pick your favorites to match your party theme.
Red candy melts: These are optional but fantastic for a bright, decorative drizzle that gives extra Christmas vibes.
Green sanding sugar: A simple, sparkly way to finish your truffles with a hint of sparkle and crunch.

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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 switch things up a bit depending on the crowd. Sometimes I add crushed peppermint candy to the truffle dough for an extra holiday crunch, or swap out the red candy melts drizzle for gold or silver edible glitter drizzle when I want something a bit more elegant. Feel free to get creative here—you can’t go wrong!

Variation: One year, I made these with mini Christmas tree-shaped sprinkles and they looked adorable on a dessert platter—kids loved helping make them too!

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

Step 1: Unwrap and crumble the cakes

Start by gently unwrapping all five Little Debbie Christmas Tree Cakes and placing them into a large mixing bowl. Next, grab your handheld mixer and blend everything until you get a crumbly, dough-like mixture. This step is key—make sure there aren’t any big chunks left and the crumbs are uniform so the truffles hold together nicely. Toss in the festive sprinkles and mix them in briefly to evenly distribute the holiday cheer.

Step 2: Shape your truffle balls

Use a tablespoon to scoop the mixture, then roll it in your palms into smooth balls. Place each ball onto a parchment-lined baking sheet. Don’t worry if they aren’t perfectly round—these are homemade and charmingly imperfect. You’ll end up with about 12 truffles. Pop the tray in the fridge to chill a bit before coating.

Step 3: Melt and dip in white chocolate

Melt your white chocolate or candy melts gently in a microwave-safe bowl, heating in 20-30 second bursts and stirring in between to avoid burning. Once smooth, use a fork or a dipping tool to dunk each chilled truffle ball into the melted chocolate, making sure it’s fully coated. Let the excess drip off before returning the truffle to the parchment sheet.

Step 4: Add drizzle and finishing touches

Warm the red candy melts in a piping or ziplock bag in short microwave bursts, gently massaging the bag to melt evenly. Snip a tiny corner off and drizzle over the coated truffles for that little extra festive flair. Sprinkle green sanding sugar on top while the chocolate is still soft to catch and hold the sparkle. Refrigerate for a few minutes to set, then serve or package!

Top Tip

From my experience making this Christmas Tree Cake Truffles Recipe several times, a few small things really take it from good to great — don't rush the coating process and allow adequate chilling time. It makes all the difference with texture and appearance.

Don’t skip chilling: The cake balls need to be firm before dipping in chocolate, or they’ll fall apart or melt the coating.
Use parchment paper: It keeps cleanup easy and stops your truffles from sticking after dipping.
Microwave carefully: Melt chocolate gently to prevent it from seizing—short bursts and stirring are your friends.
Customize sprinkles last: Add them immediately after dipping while chocolate is wet for perfect adherence.

How to Serve Christmas Tree Cake Truffles Recipe

Christmas Tree Truffles - Serving Suggestion

Garnishes

I like to keep it simple with a dusting of green sanding sugar and a few extra festive sprinkles scattered over the top. Sometimes, I also add tiny edible pearls or silver dragées for a classier look. They’re small touches that make a big impression, especially if you’re bringing these to a holiday party.

Side Dishes

These truffles pair beautifully with a hot cup of spiced hot chocolate or peppermint mocha. For a party spread, I serve them alongside gingerbread cookies and classic sugar cookies. This way, everyone can nibble on their favorite cookie while also enjoying a creamy truffle treat.

Creative Ways to Present

Try arranging your Christmas Tree Cake Truffles on a tiered dessert stand nestled among pine sprigs or holly berries for a festive look. Wrapping them individually in clear cellophane tied with a red ribbon makes for a sweet, easy gift. Or place a handful in mini paper cupcake liners and display them in a rustic wooden box for a charming table centerpiece.

Make Ahead and Storage

Storing Leftovers

I keep any leftover Christmas Tree Cake Truffles in an airtight container in the fridge. They stay delicious and fresh for up to a week, although I rarely have any leftovers! The chocolate coating keeps them sealed and the fridge helps maintain their shape.

Freezing

If you want to make these well ahead of time, freezing works pretty well. Freeze them on a baking sheet first, then transfer to a freezer-safe container. Thaw in the fridge overnight before serving to keep that perfect texture intact. I recommend not freezing for more than a month so that the cream filling stays fresh and tasty.

Reheating

Since these truffles don’t need reheating, just serving cold is ideal. If the chocolate appears a bit dull from storage, letting them sit at room temperature for 10 minutes before serving helps bring back the shine. Resist the urge to microwave—they’re best enjoyed as is!

Frequently Asked Questions:

Can I use other types of cakes besides Little Debbie Christmas Tree Cakes?

Yes! While the Christmas Tree Cakes give that festive peppermint flavor, you can use any pre-packaged cake with cream filling, like HoHos or Swiss Roll cakes, for a similar texture and sweetness.

What’s the best way to melt the chocolate without it seizing?

Melt the chocolate slowly using short bursts in the microwave (15-30 seconds at a time) and stir after each session. Alternatively, use a double boiler to gently heat it without direct contact with water to prevent seizing. Avoid overheating or adding water while melting.

Can I make these truffles vegan or dairy-free?

Absolutely! Use dairy-free or vegan-friendly cake options and swap the white chocolate for a dairy-free candy melt or vegan white chocolate alternative. Check labels carefully to ensure all ingredients meet your dietary needs.

How long do Christmas Tree Cake Truffles last?

Stored in an airtight container in the fridge, these truffles last about 5–7 days. Freezing extends their shelf life to about a month, but they’re best enjoyed fresh for optimal flavor and texture.

Final Thoughts

Every year, this Christmas Tree Cake Truffles Recipe becomes a highlight for me—and not just because they’re delicious. They bring a sense of nostalgia, joy, and togetherness that feels just right for the holidays. I think you’ll find that making them is just as rewarding as eating them. So go ahead, whip up a batch, and watch how quickly these little festive treats disappear!