If you’re looking for a festive, bite-sized treat that captures the magic of the holiday season, these Christmas Tree Cake Truffles are an absolute must-make. Imagine tender vanilla cake combined with creamy, tangy cream cheese, all coated in smooth white chocolate and decorated to resemble tiny sparkling Christmas trees. They are not only adorable but incredibly delicious, perfect for sharing joyful moments with friends and family or gifting as a sweet surprise. This delightful dessert brings holiday cheer to every bite, making your celebrations extra special and memorable.

Christmas Tree Cake Truffles Recipe - Recipe Image

Ingredients You’ll Need

These ingredients are wonderfully simple yet essential, each playing a unique role in creating the perfect texture, flavor, and festive look of your Christmas Tree Cake Truffles. From the moist vanilla cake that forms the base to the creamy richness of the cream cheese and the glossy white chocolate coating, every element is crucial to this holiday treat.

10 vanilla Little Debbie Christmas Tree Cakes: These pre-packaged cakes add both flavor and the characteristic Christmas tree shape inspiration.
4 oz cream cheese (softened): Adds creamy moisture that binds the crumbled cake into a smooth truffle dough.
12 oz almond bark or white chocolate candy melts: Provides a luscious coating with a festive, glossy finish.
Red food coloring: Used to create the vibrant red drizzle that adds a cheerful pop of holiday color.
Green sanding sugar: Adds sparkle and texture, mimicking the look of Christmas tree decorations.

How to Make Christmas Tree Cake Truffles

Step 1: Prepare the Base Mixture

Start by prepping a large baking sheet lined with parchment paper. This will make it easy to handle the truffles later without sticking. Then, crumble all ten vanilla Christmas tree cakes into a spacious mixing bowl. The crumbly base gives these truffles their distinct cake flavor and texture.

Step 2: Mix in Cream Cheese

Next, add the softened cream cheese to the crumbled cake. Use a hand mixer to combine everything thoroughly until you get a smooth, dough-like mixture. The cream cheese binds the crumbs together, adding a creamy richness that balances the vanilla sweetness perfectly.

Step 3: Shape and Chill

Using a small cookie scoop, portion the mixture into tablespoon-sized balls. Roll them smoothly between your palms and space them evenly on your prepared baking sheet. Pop the tray in the freezer for at least 30 minutes so the balls firm up, which helps them hold their shape beautifully during dipping. For an extra smooth finish, roll them gently again after chilling.

Step 4: Melt the Chocolate

While the balls chill, melt the almond bark or white chocolate candy melts in a microwave-safe bowl. Heat in 30-second intervals, stirring well between each, until your chocolate is silky and fully melted. This luscious coating is what will transform the truffles into glossy, irresistible Christmas treats.

Step 5: Dip and Decorate

Take each chilled cake ball and carefully dip it into the melted white chocolate using a fork. Tap off any excess chocolate, then place the coated truffle back on the parchment paper. For the festive drizzle, add a few drops of red food coloring into the remaining melted chocolate, stirring gently until you reach the perfect shade of holiday red. Drizzle this over the truffles using a fork or a piping bag, then sprinkle green sanding sugar over the top to mimic sparkling Christmas tree decorations.

How to Serve Christmas Tree Cake Truffles

Garnishes

Sprinkling green sanding sugar over the drizzled red chocolate adds that perfect sparkle and texture, making your truffles look like they are dressed for a festive party. You could also add tiny edible silver pearls or star-shaped sprinkles to enhance the holiday vibe even more beautifully.

Side Dishes

These truffles pair wonderfully with a cup of rich hot cocoa or a spiced tea, elevating the cozy holiday feeling. Serve alongside a platter of fresh berries or citrus slices to add a refreshing contrast to the creamy, sweet truffle bites.

Creative Ways to Present

Present your Christmas Tree Cake Truffles on a decorative holiday-themed platter or in small paper cups for individual servings. Arranging them on a tiered cake stand surrounded by evergreen sprigs and fairy lights will make your dessert table shine and create an inviting centerpiece for your festive gatherings.

Make Ahead and Storage

Storing Leftovers

If you have any leftovers (which is rare!), store them in an airtight container in the refrigerator. This keeps the truffles fresh and creamy for up to five days, so you can enjoy the holiday magic for longer.

Freezing

Christmas Tree Cake Truffles freeze beautifully. Arrange them in a single layer on a baking sheet to freeze individually, then transfer to a sealed container or freezer bag. They can be frozen for up to three months, making them a perfect make-ahead treat for holiday parties or gifts.

Reheating

When you’re ready to enjoy frozen truffles, thaw them in the refrigerator overnight. There’s no need for reheating since these are best served chilled or at room temperature, allowing the creamy filling and smooth coating to shine.

FAQs

Can I use another type of cake for these truffles?

Absolutely! While vanilla Christmas tree cakes create the perfect base, you can experiment with chocolate or spice cake to change up the flavor profile. Just be mindful that the texture should be moist to bind well with the cream cheese.

Is it necessary to freeze the cake balls before dipping?

Freezing helps the truffles hold their shape while dipping in melted chocolate, making the process much easier and neater. It’s highly recommended to get that smooth, uniform coating without the balls breaking apart.

Can I substitute cream cheese with something else?

Cream cheese is essential for achieving that perfect creamy texture and slight tang, but if you need a substitute, mascarpone cheese can work in a pinch. Avoid using butter or heavy cream as they won’t bind the batter the same way.

How do I avoid cracking in the chocolate coating?

Be sure to temper your white chocolate or melt it slowly at controlled temperatures. Also, avoid dipping frozen truffles straight from the freezer into very hot chocolate; allowing the truffles to chill and gently warm on the counter helps prevent cracking as the chocolate sets.

Can I make these truffles vegan?

Making these vegan requires swapping the vanilla cakes, cream cheese, and white chocolate for vegan-friendly alternatives. Vegan cream cheese and dairy-free candy melts are widely available and work great for this festive treat.

Final Thoughts

There’s something truly magical about Christmas Tree Cake Truffles. They bring together the best holiday flavors in a charming little bundle that’s as fun to make as it is to eat. Whether you serve them at a holiday party or gift them to loved ones, these truffles are sure to become a cherished tradition. I can’t wait for you to try them and experience how this simple recipe brings so much festive joy with every bite!

Christmas Tree Cake Truffles Recipe

★★★★★

4.9 from 28 reviews

Author: Harper
Total Time: 1 hour (including chilling/freezing time)
Yield: Approximately 24 truffles 1x
Diet: Vegetarian

Print Recipe

Description

These festive Christmas Tree Cake Truffles are a delightful holiday treat combining rich vanilla cake, creamy cream cheese, and a smooth white chocolate coating decorated with red drizzle and green sanding sugar. Perfect for holiday parties or gift-giving, these bite-sized truffles offer a sweet and visually appealing dessert that’s easy to prepare and sure to impress.

Ingredients

Scale

Base

10 vanilla Little Debbie Christmas Tree Cakes
4 oz cream cheese, softened

Coating & Decoration

12 oz almond bark or white chocolate candy melts
Red food coloring
Green sanding sugar

Instructions

Prepare Baking Sheet: Line a large baking sheet with parchment paper and set it aside to keep your truffles from sticking during the freezing and coating steps.
Crumble Cakes: Place the 10 vanilla Christmas Tree Cakes into a large mixing bowl and crumble them into fine pieces to create the base mixture.
Mix with Cream Cheese: Add the softened 4 oz cream cheese to the crumbled cakes. Using a hand mixer, blend until a smooth dough-like mixture forms that holds together well.
Form Truffles: Use a small cookie scoop to portion out tablespoon-sized balls. Roll each portion between your hands until smooth and place on the prepared baking sheet. Freeze for 30 minutes or until firm. For an even smoother finish, roll the truffles again with your palms after they harden.
Melt Chocolate: Place the 12 oz almond bark or white chocolate candy melts in a microwave-safe bowl. Heat in 30-second increments, stirring between each, until the chocolate is completely melted and smooth.
Dip Truffles: Using a fork, dip each chilled cake ball into the melted white chocolate, coating it evenly. Tap off any excess chocolate and place the dipped truffles back onto the parchment-lined baking sheet to set.
Prepare Red Drizzle: Add drops of red food coloring to any remaining melted white chocolate and mix until you achieve the desired red shade.
Decorate: Drizzle the red-colored chocolate over the coated truffles using a fork or piping bag, then immediately sprinkle with green sanding sugar for a festive finishing touch.

Notes

For a firmer texture, chill the truffle mixture longer before shaping.
If white chocolate hardens during dipping, gently reheat in short bursts to maintain smoothness.
Substitute cream cheese with mascarpone for a richer flavor.
Use a silicone mold for shaping if you want perfectly uniform balls.
Store the finished truffles in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to one week.
Optional: Add a splash of vanilla extract to the dough mixture for extra flavor.

Prep Time: 20 minutes
Cook Time: 10 minutes
Category: Dessert
Method: No-Bake / Dipping
Cuisine: American