Christmas Tree Cake Balls Recipe

If you’re on the hunt for a festive treat that’s as fun to make as it is to eat, you’re going to adore this Christmas Tree Cake Balls Recipe. These adorable bite-sized delights capture all the charm and flavor of Little Debbie’s Christmas Tree Cakes but kick it up a notch with creamy, dreamy coating and sprinkles that scream holiday joy. Trust me, once you try these, they’ll be the star of your holiday parties and snack trays!

this …

Ingredients You’ll Need

All the ingredients here work together to give you the perfect balance of creamy, sweet, and crunchy that makes these Christmas Tree Cake Balls absolutely irresistible. Little Debbie Christmas Tree Cakes bring the nostalgic holiday flavor, and cream cheese adds just the right amount of moisture and richness. Don’t skip the candy melts and sprinkles — they’re what turns these into eye-catching festive bites!

• Little Debbie Christmas Tree Cakes: Using two boxes gives plenty of cake base; make sure they’re fresh for the best texture.
• Cream cheese: Softened to room temperature so it blends smoothly without lumps.
• Vanilla almond bark: This melts nicely and hardens quickly to give a smooth coating.
• Red candy melts: For that bright, bold drizzle that adds both flavor and festive color.
• Green sugar sprinkles: The final touch to mimic the look of Christmas tree branches.

Variations

I love mixing things up with this Christmas Tree Cake Balls Recipe — it’s so customizable and forgiving. Whether you want to experiment with different coatings or add a personal twist, these cake balls welcome creativity.

• Chocolate Coating: I once swapped the vanilla almond bark for dark chocolate, and it gave the balls a richer taste that my family adored.
• Nutty Crunch: Adding crushed pecans or walnuts to the mixture or sprinkled on top gives a delightful texture contrast.
• Festive Flavors: Try peppermint extract in place of some cream cheese if you want that cool holiday kick.
• Allergy-Friendly: Use dairy-free cream cheese and vegan candy melts to make these suitable for everyone.

How to Make Christmas Tree Cake Balls Recipe

Step 1: Prep Your Base by Crushing the Christmas Tree Cakes

First things first: line a rimmed baking sheet with parchment paper. This saves you from sticky fingers later. Then, in a large mixing bowl, break up those Little Debbie Christmas Tree Cakes — I like to crumble them up myself for best control, but a food processor works too if you’re short on time. Next, add the softened cream cheese and beat everything together until the mixture is smooth and easy to shape. This step might take a couple of minutes — don’t rush! You want a uniform, pliable dough without lumps.

Step 2: Roll Into Perfectly Sized Balls and Chill

Scoop out the dough with roughly a tablespoon or use a cookie scoop to get even sizes—around 1 to 1.5 inches in diameter. Roll each scoop gently between your palms to form round balls. Place them spaced out on your lined baking sheet. Cover with plastic wrap and pop them into the fridge for at least two hours, or better yet, overnight. This cooling step helps the balls firm up so they dip easier without falling apart.

Step 3: Melt the Vanilla Almond Bark for the Coating

While the balls chill, melt your vanilla almond bark. I do this in short 30-second bursts in the microwave, stirring in between, until it’s silky smooth and lump-free. You want it pourable but not hot — otherwise, your cake balls might start to melt!

Step 4: Dip, Decorate, and Drizzle

Using a fork or dipping tool, carefully lower each chilled cake ball into the melted vanilla almond bark. Give the fork a gentle tap on the side of your bowl to shake off excess coating before setting the dipped balls back on the parchment. Immediately sprinkle the green sugar sprinkles on top so they stick before the coating sets. Once all balls are coated, melt your red candy melts the same way you did the almond bark. Spoon the melted red candy into a piping bag, snip a tiny tip, and drizzle it over the cake balls—this part always feels so festive and fun! Pop them into the fridge again until fully set, about 10 minutes.

How to Serve Christmas Tree Cake Balls Recipe

Garnishes

I always stick to the classic green sugar sprinkles because they really nail that Christmas tree vibe. But if you want to get fancy, try edible glitter or tiny nonpareils in gold or red — they add sparkle and make your festive platter pop even more.

Side Dishes

These cake balls pair wonderfully with a hot cup of cocoa or mulled cider. They’re also great alongside other holiday cookies and treats if you’re prepping a dessert buffet for your guests — variety really is the spice of holiday parties!

Creative Ways to Present

For a fun twist, arrange your Christmas Tree Cake Balls on a skewered wooden stick, alternating with fresh cranberries or mint leaves for a festive look. Or, set them up on a tiered cake stand resembling a mini forest of treats — your guests will be impressed without you breaking a sweat!

Make Ahead and Storage

Storing Leftovers

Keep your cake balls in an airtight container in the fridge for up to a week — I like to layer parchment paper between to keep them from sticking. This way, you can grab a festive bite anytime without worrying about stale or soggy treats.

Freezing

If you’re prepping in advance (which I totally recommend), freeze the uncoated cake balls in a single layer on a baking sheet, then transfer them to a sealed freezer bag for up to three months. When you’re ready, thaw them overnight in the fridge before dipping and decorating.

Reheating

Because these are chilled treats, I don’t recommend reheating. Instead, simply let frozen or refrigerated cake balls sit at room temperature for about 10 minutes before serving — this softens them to a perfect texture without melting the coating.

FAQs

Final Thoughts

I absolutely love how this Christmas Tree Cake Balls Recipe takes a beloved holiday snack and transforms it into something elegant and bite-sized. It’s the kind of treat that brings out smiles and holiday cheer with very little effort. Whether you’re looking for a fun activity to share with the family or a crowd-pleaser for your next Christmas gathering, I can’t recommend making these enough. So grab those Little Debbie Christmas Tree Cakes, roll up your sleeves, and let’s make some magic happen in the kitchen this season!

Print