Little Debbie Christmas Tree Cake Truffles transform your favorite childhood holiday snack into an elegant no-bake dessert that’s perfect for any festive gathering. These creamy, vanilla-infused treats combine nostalgia with sophistication in every bite.
Last December, I was scrambling to find a quick dessert for our family’s Christmas Eve party when I spotted a box of Little Debbie Christmas Tree Cakes in my pantry. What started as a desperate attempt to create something special turned into our new holiday tradition. These Little Debbie Christmas Tree Cake Truffles require just four simple ingredients and about 30 minutes of hands-on time, making them perfect for busy holiday schedules. The combination of crumbly vanilla cake, smooth white chocolate coating, and festive decorations creates a dessert that looks bakery-made but costs a fraction of the price.
Table of Contents
Simple Ingredients You’ll Need
I always keep these pantry staples on hand during the holidays because they work for so many quick dessert ideas. Pro tip: buy extra boxes of Christmas Tree Cakes when they’re on sale since they freeze beautifully for future truffle-making sessions.
- 1 box Little Debbie Christmas Tree Cakes (5 cakes, vanilla variety)
- 8 ounces white chocolate or white candy melts
- 3 tablespoons festive sprinkles
- 3 tablespoons red candy melts for drizzling (optional)
- Green sanding sugar for decoration
I recommend using the vanilla variety of Christmas Tree Cakes specifically for this recipe as they provide the perfect sweet base. If you can’t find white candy melts, regular white chocolate chips work just as well, though candy melts tend to set up firmer and look more professional.
Step-by-Step Instructions
I prefer working with chilled cake balls because they hold their shape better when dipped in chocolate and create a cleaner finished product.
Step 1: Unwrap the Little Debbie Christmas Tree Cakes and place them in a large bowl. Using a handheld mixer, mix the cakes until they form a crumbly dough consistency. The mixture should hold together when squeezed but still look slightly textured.
Step 2: Mix in the festive sprinkles until evenly distributed throughout the dough. This adds both color and a slight crunch to your Little Debbie Christmas Tree Cake Truffles.
Step 3: Line a cookie sheet with parchment paper. Using a tablespoon or small cookie scoop, portion the dough and roll each piece between your palms to form smooth balls. Place on the prepared baking sheet.
Step 4: Refrigerate the formed balls for at least 30 minutes. This chilling step is crucial – it prevents the truffles from falling apart when dipped in chocolate.
Step 5: Melt white chocolate in a microwave-safe bowl in 30-second intervals, stirring between each heating. The chocolate should be smooth and flowing but not hot.
Step 6: Using a dipping fork, coat each chilled ball completely in melted chocolate. Allow excess to drip off before placing back on the parchment-lined sheet.
Step 7: If using red candy melts, melt them in a piping bag or ziplock bag in 30-second intervals. Snip a small corner and drizzle over the white chocolate-coated truffles while still wet.
Step 8: Sprinkle with green sanding sugar immediately before the chocolate sets. Refrigerate until firm, about 15-20 minutes.
Perfect Pairings and Serving Ideas
These truffles pair beautifully with warm beverages and complement other holiday desserts without competing for attention.
Hot Chocolate: The white chocolate coating melts slightly when served alongside steamy cocoa, creating a luxurious texture contrast.
Coffee or Espresso: The vanilla cake flavor balances the bitter notes in coffee, making these ideal for holiday brunches or dessert tables.
Champagne or Sparkling Cider: The festive appearance and sweet flavor make Little Debbie Christmas Tree Cake Truffles perfect for New Year’s Eve celebrations.
Holiday Cookie Platters: Mix these with traditional cookies for variety in both texture and presentation at holiday gatherings.
Smart Storage Solutions
These truffles stay fresh for up to two weeks when stored properly in the refrigerator, making them perfect for advance holiday prep.
Store your finished Little Debbie Christmas Tree Cake Truffles in an airtight container in the refrigerator for optimal freshness. Layer them between sheets of parchment paper to prevent sticking.
For longer storage, freeze them in freezer-safe containers for up to three months. Thaw in the refrigerator before serving for best texture.
Pro tip: I recommend making these a day ahead of serving as the flavors meld beautifully overnight, and the chocolate coating develops the perfect firm texture.
Expand Your Holiday Dessert Repertoire
These playful Little Debbie Christmas Tree Cake Truffles demonstrate how creativity can transform simple ingredients into elegant holiday treats, making them perfect companions to other innovative desserts that balance nostalgia with sophistication. When planning your holiday dessert menu, combining different preparation methods and flavor profiles ensures every guest finds something to love while maintaining visual appeal and variety throughout your spread.
Complement these creative truffles with the sophisticated Easy Christmas Pecan Turtles for those who prefer traditional candy-making techniques, or add the visually impressive White Chocolate Christmas Bark that provides textural contrast with its crisp, colorful presentation. For chocolate enthusiasts, the rich Maltesers Rocky Road recipe offers indulgent density that balances these lighter truffles perfectly, while classic Easy Christmas Fruitcake Cookies bring traditional holiday flavors that enhance the nostalgic appeal of these transformed childhood treats. Together, these recipes create a holiday dessert collection that celebrates both innovation and tradition.
Common Questions Answered
Can I use different Little Debbie cake flavors?
Stick with the vanilla Christmas Tree variety for best results, as other flavors may not complement the white chocolate coating as well.
What if my chocolate coating is too thick?
Add a teaspoon of coconut oil or shortening to thin the melted chocolate to the right consistency for dipping.
How do I prevent the truffles from cracking?
Make sure your cake balls are thoroughly chilled and your chocolate isn’t too hot when dipping. Work quickly but gently.
Your New Holiday Tradition
Creating these Little Debbie Christmas Tree Cake Truffles proves that impressive holiday desserts don’t require hours in the kitchen or professional baking skills. The combination of familiar flavors and elegant presentation makes them perfect for everything from casual family gatherings to sophisticated holiday parties. Try this recipe tonight and watch how quickly these festive treats disappear from your dessert table!
Little Debbie Christmas Tree Cake Truffles
Soft and delicious no-bake dessert perfect for the holiday season. Vanilla Christmas tree snack cakes hand-rolled and coated in creamy white chocolate.
- Prep Time: 20 minutes
- Cook Time: 0 minutes
- Total Time: 30 minutes
- Yield: 20 truffles 1x
- Category: Dessert
- Method: No-Bake
- Cuisine: American
- Diet: Vegetarian
Ingredients
- 1 box Little Debbie Christmas Tree Cakes (5 cakes, vanilla variety)
- 8 ounces white chocolate or white candy melts
- 3 tablespoons festive sprinkles
- 3 tablespoons red candy melts for drizzling (optional)
- Green sanding sugar for decoration
Instructions
- Unwrap Little Debbie Christmas Tree Cakes and place in large bowl. Mix with handheld mixer until crumbly dough forms. Mix in sprinkles.
- Line cookie sheet with parchment paper. Using tablespoon, scoop dough and roll between palms to form smooth balls. Place on prepared sheet.
- Refrigerate formed balls for at least 30 minutes until firm.
- Melt white chocolate in microwave-safe bowl in 30-second intervals, stirring between each heating until smooth.
- Using dipping fork, coat each chilled ball completely in melted chocolate. Allow excess to drip off before placing back on sheet.
- Melt red candy melts in piping bag in 30-second intervals. Snip corner and drizzle over white chocolate coating while wet.
- Sprinkle with green sanding sugar immediately before chocolate sets. Refrigerate until firm, 15-20 minutes.
Notes
- Use vanilla variety Christmas Tree Cakes for best flavor. Chill cake balls thoroughly before dipping for clean coating.
- Work quickly when adding drizzle and decorations before chocolate solidifies. Can substitute regular white chocolate chips for candy melts.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 truffle
- Calories: 145 kcal
- Sugar: 18 g
- Sodium: 85 mg
- Fat: 6 g
- Saturated Fat: 4 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 2 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 24 g
- Fiber: 0 g
- Protein: 2 g
- Cholesterol: 5 mg