Introduction
If you have spent any time on TikTok or Pinterest during the holidays, you have likely seen these.
Little Debbie Christmas Tree Cake Truffles are the ultimate low-effort, high-reward holiday treat. They take the nostalgic, wax-coated snack cakes of our childhood—specifically the vanilla “Christmas Tree Cakes”—and transform them into dense, doughy cake pops coated in a crisp white chocolate shell.
This is a “semi-homemade” recipe at its finest. By mixing the fully baked cakes (frosting and all!) with cream cheese, you create a texture similar to raw cookie dough but completely safe to eat. They are festive, incredibly sweet, and dangerously easy to make.
Ingredients List
You only strictly need three items, but the garnishes make them festive.
The Core
- 2 boxes (10 cakes total) Little Debbie Christmas Tree Cakes: Vanilla flavor.
- Note: You can use the Chocolate flavor cakes if you prefer a fudgier center, but the classic recipe uses the white ones for that yellow cake batter look.
- 4 oz (½ block) Cream Cheese: Softened to room temperature.
- The Science: The cakes are already moist. You don’t need a full block of cream cheese, or the truffles will be too wet to hold their shape. 4oz is the sweet spot.
The Shell
- 16 oz White Melting Chocolate (Almond Bark or Ghirardelli Wafers):
- Why not chips? White chocolate chips contain stabilizers that make them melt thickly. Almond Bark or Melting Wafers melt much smoother and harden with a better snap.
- 1 tsp Vegetable Shortening or Coconut Oil: (Optional). This thins the chocolate for easier dipping.
The Garnish
- Red Sanding Sugar: To mimic the red stripes on the original cake.
- Green Sprinkles: To mimic the green sprinkles.
Sensory Note: The inside tastes like a dense vanilla wedding cake pop, while the outside provides a satisfying crack of white chocolate.
Timing
This is a no-bake recipe, but chilling is mandatory.
- Prep Time: 20 minutes
- Chill Time: 30 minutes (freezer)
- Dipping Time: 20 minutes
- Total Time: ~1 hour 10 minutes
- Yields: 12–15 Truffles
Data Insight: Using pre-made snack cakes instead of baking a cake from scratch cuts the active labor time by roughly 80%, making this the fastest way to get “cake pops” on the table.
Step-by-Step Instructions
Step 1: The Crumble
- Unwrap all 10 Christmas Tree Cakes.
- Place them in a large bowl or a food processor.
- Process: Break them up. If using a mixer or food processor, pulse until the cakes (and their frosting) turn into fine crumbs.
Step 2: The Mix
- Add the softened cream cheese to the crumbs.
- Mix on medium speed (or use your hands) until the mixture forms a sticky, cohesive dough.
- Texture Check: It should be uniform—no large chunks of white cake remaining.
Step 3: Roll and Freeze
- Line a baking sheet with parchment paper.
- Use a cookie scoop (approx 1.5 tbsp) to portion the dough. Roll them between your palms into smooth, round balls.
- Place on the baking sheet.
- Freeze: Place the tray in the freezer for 20 to 30 minutes.
- Why? If you dip room-temperature balls into hot chocolate, they will fall apart or melt into the coating. They need to be firm.
Step 4: The Melt
- In a microwave-safe bowl, melt the Almond Bark/Melting Wafers in 30-second intervals, stirring in between.
- Tip: If the chocolate is thick, stir in 1 tsp of shortening to make it silky.
Step 5: The Dip
- Remove truffles from the freezer.
- Working one at a time, drop a truffle into the melted chocolate. Use a fork to roll it around to coat.
- Lift it out with the fork. Tap the fork against the side of the bowl to shake off excess chocolate.
- Slide the truffle back onto the parchment paper.
Step 6: The Decorate
- Timing: You must add the sprinkles immediately after placing the truffle on the paper, before the chocolate hardens.
- Sprinkle with red sugar and green sprinkles.
- Let set for 15 minutes until the shell is hard.
Nutritional Information
A concentrated sugar bomb. Below is the estimated breakdown per truffle.
| Nutrient | Amount per Serving |
| Calories | 180 kcal |
| Total Fat | 9g |
| Carbohydrates | 22g |
| Sugars | 18g |
| Protein | 1g |
Variations for the Recipe
- Zebra Cake Truffles: Use Little Debbie Zebra Cakes and coat in white chocolate with a dark chocolate drizzle.
- Cosmic Brownie Truffles: Use Cosmic Brownies and coat in milk chocolate. Top with rainbow chips.
- Pumpkin Spice: Use the seasonal Pumpkin Delight cakes in the fall and coat with orange candy melts.
- Cake Pops: Instead of truffles, dip a lollipop stick into the chocolate, stick it into the cold ball, let it set for a minute, then dip the whole thing to make a cake pop.
Serving Suggestions
- The Platter: Serve alongside savory snacks (like pretzels) to cut the intense sweetness.
- The Gift: Place each truffle in a mini paper cupcake liner and pack them in a tin. They look like boutique chocolates.
Common Mistakes to Avoid
- Too Much Cream Cheese:
- The Issue: The dough is wet and slimy.
- The Fix: Add only half the cream cheese first. You can always add more, but you can’t take it out.
- Overheating Chocolate:
- The Issue: The white chocolate seizes and becomes clumpy.
- The Fix: Microwave in short bursts. White chocolate burns very easily (above 110°F).
- Dipping Warm Balls:
- The Issue: Crumbs getting into your white chocolate bowl.
- The Fix: The balls must be semi-frozen. This keeps the crumbs locked inside the truffle.
Storing Tips for the Recipe
- Refrigeration: Store in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 1 week. They taste best cold!
- Freezing: You can freeze the finished truffles for up to 3 months. Thaw in the fridge overnight.
- Room Temp: Because of the cream cheese, do not leave them out on the counter for more than 2–3 hours.
Conclusion
Little Debbie Christmas Tree Cake Truffles are the epitome of modern holiday baking: fast, fun, and extremely photogenic. They capture the essence of the season in a single bite and are easy enough for kids to help make. Just be warned: they are incredibly rich, so one or two is usually enough to satisfy even the biggest sweet tooth!
Ready to roll? Grab those boxes! If you try this recipe, please leave a star rating below and let us know: Vanilla or Chocolate cakes? Don’t forget to subscribe to our newsletter for more viral TikTok recipes.
FAQs
Q: Can I use a different brand of snack cake?
A: Yes. Hostess or store-brand holiday cakes work just fine. As long as it’s a frosted yellow cake, the result will be similar.
Q: Do I need to remove the filling from the cakes first?
A: No! Throw the whole cake—sponge, filling, and frosting—into the bowl. The frosting adds to the creaminess.
Q: My chocolate is too thick. Can I add water?
A: NO! Water will cause chocolate to seize instantly. Use oil, shortening, or cocoa butter to thin it out.
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