These Christmas Tree Cake Truffles are a festive, no-bake bite that turns store-bought Christmas tree snack cakes into a show-stopping holiday treat. I first made them for a cookie swap and was surprised how a few simple steps produced glossy, uniform truffles that tasted even better than the original cake. I’ve tested the method several times and will share the small technique tweaks that make the difference.
Why Make This Recipe
- Fast and fuss-free: no baking required — great for busy holiday schedules.
- Crowd-pleasing flavor: cream cheese smooths the cake crumbs into a rich, creamy center.
- Portable and giftable: they hold up well in boxes or on a holiday dessert tray.
- Versatile presentation: decorate with green melts, sprinkles, or chocolate for different looks.
- Personal note: I love this recipe because it stretches a few store-bought cakes into dozens of elegant bites with minimal effort.
Recipe Overview
- Prep time: 20 minutes active + 30–60 minutes chilling
- Cook time: 0 minutes (no-bake)
- Total time: 50–80 minutes (including chill)
- Servings: makes about 24 truffles (depending on size)
- Difficulty: Easy
- Method: Crumble cake, mix with softened cream cheese, roll into balls, chill, coat with melted candy melts or chocolate, and decorate.
(If you like visual guides, see my step-by-step photos here: https://www.nevaehrecipes.com/little-debbie-christmas-tree-cake-truffles/)
My Experience Making This Recipe
When I tested these truffles, the main challenge was getting the centers firm enough to dip cleanly. I solved that by chilling the rolled balls for at least 30 minutes — sometimes longer in a humid kitchen. I also learned that candy melts give a prettier finish than regular white chocolate for green coatings.
How to Make Christmas Tree Cake Truffles
Start by pulsing 12–15 store-bought Christmas tree snack cakes in a food processor or by hand until fine crumbs form. Mix the crumbs with 4–6 ounces of softened full-fat cream cheese until homogeneous; the mixture should be moist but hold its shape when rolled. Scoop into 1-inch balls, place on a parchment-lined baking sheet, and chill for 30–60 minutes. Melt green candy melts or white chocolate with green coloring gently, dip chilled balls using a fork or dipping tool, tap off excess, and finish with sprinkles or piping to make tree details. Expect to work quickly when dipping so the coating sets smooth.
Expert Tips for Success
- Chill thoroughly: cold centers are essential for neat dips — 30–60 minutes in the fridge or 15–20 minutes in the freezer works.
- Use a food processor: it gives evenly textured crumbs for a smoother truffle interior.
- Melt carefully: heat candy melts or chocolate in 20–30 second microwave bursts and stir between bursts; avoid overheating (keep white chocolate below ~110°F).
- Control moisture: if the mixture is too wet, add a tablespoon of crushed graham cracker or cookie crumbs; if too dry, a teaspoon of cream cheese will help.
- Work on parchment and use a small offset spatula to tidy each truffle after dipping for a polished look.
How to Serve Christmas Tree Cake Truffles
- Arrange on a tiered dessert stand for a holiday centerpiece.
- Pack 6–8 in small clear boxes with tissue for homemade gifts.
- Serve with a coffee or hot chocolate station — the sweet, creamy truffles pair nicely with bitter coffee.
- For parties, alternate plain green-coated truffles with lightly dusted "snow" versions (powdered sugar or edible shimmer).
Storage and Reheating Guide
Store truffles in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 5 days; place parchment between layers to prevent sticking. To freeze, arrange on a baking sheet until solid, then transfer to a freezer-safe container or bag for up to 3 months; thaw overnight in the refrigerator. Do not microwave to reheat — bring to room temperature for 20–30 minutes before serving to regain the best texture and flavor.
Recipe Variations
- Gluten-free: use gluten-free snack cakes or substitute crushed gluten-free vanilla cookies.
- Dairy-free: swap cream cheese for vegan cream cheese and use dairy-free candy melts or chocolate.
- Peppermint twist: add 1/2 teaspoon peppermint extract to the filling and top with crushed candy cane.
- Chocolate-dipped: use tempered dark or milk chocolate for a rich, glossy coating instead of green candy melts.
Nutritional Highlights
- These are treat-sized portions — calorie-dense and high in fat/sugar, so enjoy in moderation.
- Key nutrients come from dairy (calcium) if using cream cheese; they provide little fiber or protein beyond that.
- Allergen info: contains milk and wheat unless modified; chocolate and candy melts may contain soy and traces of tree nuts.
Troubleshooting Common Issues
- Centers are too soft to dip: refrigerate the rolled balls longer, or place them 10–15 minutes in the freezer before dipping.
- Coating is streaky or lumpy: thin the coating with a small amount (1 tsp) of neutral oil or shortening and stir until smooth, or heat briefly and stir to fully dissolve lumps.
- Coating cracks after setting: avoid very cold storage right after dipping; let coatings set at cool room temperature first to prevent thermal shock.
Frequently Asked Questions
Q: Can I make the truffles ahead for a party?
A: Yes — make and coat them up to 5 days ahead and refrigerate in an airtight container. For longer prep, freeze up to 3 months and thaw in the fridge the day before serving.
Q: What’s the best way to melt candy melts without seizing?
A: Use short microwave bursts (20–30 seconds) stirring between each burst. If using chocolate, add a teaspoon of neutral oil if necessary for smoother dipping, and avoid steam or water contact.
Q: Can I use regular cream cheese low-fat varieties?
A: Full-fat cream cheese gives the best texture and flavor; low-fat may yield a slightly grainier or less rich truffle, but it will still work if that’s your preference.
Q: How do I prevent condensation on coated truffles when taking them out of the fridge?
A: Chill them on a tray for a few minutes at room temperature before opening the container to reduce sudden condensation. Serve at room temperature so the coating and filling textures are optimal.
Conclusion
For more inspiration and similar no-bake approaches, these online recipes are helpful references: 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 …, and Little Debbie Christmas Tree Cake Balls – Budget-friendly Recipes …. These give different coatings, proportions, and decoration ideas if you want to experiment further.
Print
Christmas Tree Cake Truffles
- Total Time: 80 minutes
- Yield: 24 truffles 1x
- Diet: Vegetarian
Description
Festive, no-bake truffles made from store-bought Christmas tree snack cakes coated in colorful candy melts.
Ingredients
- 12–15 store-bought Christmas tree snack cakes
- 4–6 ounces full-fat cream cheese, softened
- Green candy melts or white chocolate with green coloring
- Sprinkles for decoration
Instructions
- Pulse the Christmas tree snack cakes in a food processor until fine crumbs form.
- Mix the crumbs with softened cream cheese until homogeneous.
- Scoop the mixture into 1-inch balls and place on a parchment-lined baking sheet.
- Chill the balls for 30–60 minutes.
- Melt green candy melts or white chocolate gently.
- Dip the chilled balls using a fork or dipping tool, tap off excess, and decorate with sprinkles.
Notes
For best results, chill the rolled balls thoroughly before dipping to ensure neat coatings.
- Prep Time: 50 minutes
- Cook Time: 0 minutes
- Category: Dessert
- Method: No-Bake
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 truffle
- Calories: 120
- Sugar: 10g
- Sodium: 50mg
- Fat: 8g
- Saturated Fat: 4g
- Unsaturated Fat: 4g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 12g
- Fiber: 0g
- Protein: 1g
- Cholesterol: 15mg