These Christmas Tree Cake Truffles turn a nostalgic holiday snack into a fancy, bite-sized treat your friends and family will actually fight over. I first tested this no-bake version using Little Debbie Christmas Tree Cakes and refined the technique until the coating and shape held perfectly. The result is festive, buttery, and easy enough to make with kids.
Why Make This Recipe
- Fast no-bake dessert that comes together in about an hour, perfect for last-minute parties.
- Gorgeous holiday presentation — each truffle looks like a mini evergreen with simple piping and sprinkles.
- Great for gift boxes and potlucks because they keep well refrigerated or frozen.
- Minimal equipment and pantry-friendly ingredients make this accessible for weeknight bakers.
- Personal note: I love this recipe because it transforms a store-bought cake into something homemade and special; it’s a big win when you want big impact with little fuss.
I first adapted the idea after seeing a similar version on a blog post and then adjusted the cream cheese ratio for a firmer truffle.
Recipe Overview
- Prep time: 20 minutes active + 30 minutes chilling
- Cook time: 0 minutes (no-bake)
- Total time: ~50 minutes (including chilling)
- Servings: Makes about 24 truffles (depending on size)
- Difficulty: Easy
- Method: Crumble cake, bind with cream cheese, shape into trees, chill, dip in melted candy coating, pipe “branches,” and decorate.
My Experience Making This Recipe
I tested this recipe three times, adjusting the cake-to-cream-cheese ratio and chilling time until shapes held when dipped. The biggest discovery was that a firmer mixture (about 1 tablespoon less cream cheese than some recipes) makes dipping far less messy. Using a toothpick to hold each tree while dipping speeds the process and keeps surfaces neat.
How to Make Christmas Tree Cake Truffles
Start by pulsing the cakes into fine crumbs in a food processor or by hand in a large bowl. Fold in softened cream cheese (about 4 oz / 113 g for 12 cakes) until a firm, slightly sticky dough forms, then shape into small cones or trees about 1–1.5 inches tall. Chill the shaped truffles on parchment for 30 minutes to firm up, then dip in melted green candy coating (melt to about 100–110°F / 38–43°C), set on parchment, pipe darker-green branches with a round tip, and finish with sprinkles.
Expert Tips for Success
- Use room-temperature cream cheese (soft but not oily) so it blends evenly and gives a smooth, firm texture.
- Pulse cakes in a food processor for consistent crumbs; if you don’t have one, use a heavy-duty zip-top bag and a rolling pin.
- Chill truffles well (30–60 minutes) before dipping — cold centers reduce the chance of the coating cracking.
- Heat candy melts gently in short bursts (15–20 seconds) and stir; use a thermometer and keep the coating around 100–110°F for easy dipping.
- Use a dipping fork or toothpick and tap off excess coating, then lift and set on parchment to avoid pooling at the base.
How to Serve Christmas Tree Cake Truffles
- Arrange on a platter dusted with powdered sugar “snow” and scatter edible gold or red sprinkles for contrast.
- Pack individually in mini cupcake liners for party platters or bake sale-style displays.
- Serve with strong coffee or black tea to balance the sweetness.
- Bring them to holiday cookie exchanges — they’re eye-catching and travel well when chilled.
Storage and Reheating Guide
Store truffles in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 4–5 days. For longer storage, freeze in a single layer on a baking sheet until firm, then transfer to a freezer-safe container for up to 3 months. Thaw overnight in the refrigerator; avoid microwaving as heat will melt the coating and ruin the texture. If the coating dulls after refrigeration, let sit at room temperature 10–15 minutes before serving.
Recipe Variations
- Gluten-free: Use gluten-free cake crumbs or bake a simple gluten-free yellow cake and use those crumbs.
- Dairy-free: Substitute vegan cream cheese and dairy-free candy melts (ensure they are suitable for dipping).
- Chocolate lovers: Mix in 1–2 tablespoons cocoa powder into the crumb mix for a chocolate base.
- Mini trees: Make bite-sized ¾-inch trees for petits fours-style serving; reduce chilling time slightly.
Nutritional Highlights
- These truffles are high in sugar and saturated fat — treat them as an occasional indulgence.
- They do provide a small amount of protein from cream cheese but are best enjoyed in small portions (1–2 truffles).
- Allergen info: contains dairy and gluten unless modified (see variations). Label accordingly for guests with allergies.
Troubleshooting Common Issues
- Problem: Truffles fall apart when dipped. Solution: Chill longer and reduce cream cheese by 1 tablespoon at a time until the mixture holds.
- Problem: Coating cracks after setting. Solution: Avoid rapid temperature changes; let the candy coating cool slightly to 95–100°F before dipping and store truffles above freezing.
- Problem: Coating becomes grainy. Solution: Overheating candy melts causes graininess—melt slowly and stir, or add a teaspoon of vegetable oil to smooth.
Frequently Asked Questions
Q: Can I use a different store-bought cake or homemade cake?
A: Yes. Any soft, spongy cake works — angel food, yellow, or chocolate cake. If the cake is very moist, add a little more crumb or reduce cream cheese to keep the truffle firm.
Q: How do I get a smooth finish on the coating?
A: Use a dipping fork and tap off excess coating. Hold the truffle over the bowl and rotate to smooth. Work at a slightly warm room temperature (65–70°F) to prevent the coating from stiffening too quickly.
Q: Can I make these a day ahead?
A: Absolutely. Make them up to 48 hours ahead and store in the refrigerator in a single layer. For longer storage, freeze and thaw overnight in the fridge before serving.
Q: What’s the best way to attach a base so trees stand upright?
A: Pipe a small dot of melted chocolate on the bottom and press a flat candy wafer or a small round cookie to create a stable base, then chill until set.
Conclusion
If you want inspiration or alternate methods for Christmas Tree Cake Truffles, these resources show several approaches and presentation ideas: Little Debbie Christmas Tree Cake Truffles (Easy No-Bake Recipe), Christmas Tree Cake Balls – Life With The Crust Cut Off, Little Debbie Christmas Tree Cake Truffles – My Incredible Recipes, 3 Ingredient Little Debbie Christmas Tree Cake Truffles – The Southerly Magnolia, and Little Debbie Christmas Tree Cake Balls – Budget-friendly Recipes. These examples can give you alternate proportions, decoration ideas, and packaging tips to match your holiday plans.
Christmas Tree Cake Truffles
- Total Time: 50 minutes
- Yield: 24 truffles
- Diet: Vegetarian
Description
Transform nostalgic holiday snacks into festive, bite-sized treats with these easy no-bake Christmas Tree Cake Truffles, perfect for parties and gift boxes.
Ingredients
- 12 Little Debbie Christmas Tree Cakes
- 4 oz cream cheese, softened
- Melted green candy coating
- Edible sprinkles for decoration
Instructions
- Pulse the cakes into fine crumbs in a food processor or by hand in a large bowl.
- Fold in softened cream cheese until a firm, slightly sticky dough forms.
- Shape the dough into small cones or trees, about 1–1.5 inches tall.
- Chill the shaped truffles on parchment for 30 minutes to firm up.
- Dip each truffle in melted green candy coating and set on parchment.
- Pipe darker-green branches with a round tip and finish with sprinkles.
Notes
Use room-temperature cream cheese for an even blend. Chill truffles well before dipping to prevent coating cracks.
- Prep Time: 20 minutes
- Cook Time: 0 minutes
- Category: Dessert
- Method: No-bake
- Cuisine: American