Little Debbie Christmas Tree Cake Balls

Name: Little Debbie Christmas Tree Cake Balls
Prep time: 20 min
Cook time: 5 min
Total time: 25 min
Cuisine: American
Ingredients: 1 box Little Debbie Christmas Tree snack cakes; 1 package cream cheese (softened); 8 oz white chocolate (melting wafers or good-quality baking chocolate); Red drizzle icing (decorative); Green sugar sprinkles

by Joudia Elise

Published on: December 24, 2025

Little Debbie Christmas Tree Cake Balls, festive holiday dessert treat

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Little Debbie Christmas Tree Cake Balls are a fudgy, chocolatey delight everyone will love. With just a few pantry staples, this recipe transforms the festive snack cakes into bite-sized, show-stopping truffles that smell of sweet vanilla and white chocolate. The crunchy exterior gives way to a creamy, cakey center dotted with red icing and green sprinkles — perfect for holiday parties, cookie exchanges, or a cozy weeknight treat. Check out more desserts here: Little Debbie Christmas Tree Cake Truffles.

Table of Contents

Why You’ll Love This Recipe

Little Debbie Christmas Tree Cake Balls are ideal for holiday gatherings, classroom parties, or anytime you want a nostalgic, no-fuss dessert. They’re fast to make, require minimal equipment, and scale easily — make a dozen for guests or a whole tray for gifting. The flavor is bright and festive: sweet vanilla sponge, tangy cream cheese rounding the texture, and a glossy white chocolate shell with crunchy green sprinkles and a pop of red drizzle for color. Because they repurpose pre-made snack cakes, the recipe is a sustainable, time-saving hack with big payoff.

Seasonal Ingredients Spotlight

This recipe leans on seasonal, cheerful decorations rather than fresh produce, but you can still emphasize seasonal sourcing and colors. Choose locally made white chocolate or small-batch sprinkles if available — the snowy white coating and evergreen-green sugar evoke crisp winter mornings. The aroma of melted white chocolate is warm and buttery, while the cream cheese adds a whisper of tang that brightens the sweet base. Texturally, the soft, cake-like interior contrasts with the smooth, slightly crunchy coating and sugar crystals. Using seasonal packaging or holiday-themed sprinkles keeps things festive and reduces excess waste.

Also consider pairing your dessert table with savory winter bites like Christmas Cranberry Meatballs for a balanced holiday spread; the tart-sweet meatballs complement the cake balls’ sweetness.

What You’ll Need

Little Debbie Christmas Tree snack cakes — the star ingredient; soft, vanilla sponge with red icing and holiday sprinkles. Substitution: any vanilla snack cake or leftover sheet cake, crumbled.
Cream cheese (softened) — adds moisture and tang; for texture, use full-fat for a richer, silkier center. Dairy-free swap: vegan cream cheese.
White chocolate (melting wafers or good-quality baking chocolate) — provides a glossy, sweet shell. Substitute: candy melts or white almond bark for easier melting.
Red drizzle icing (decorative) — for contrast and festive look; can use red piping gel, melted white chocolate tinted with red food coloring, or store-bought red decorating icing.
Green sugar sprinkles — for color and a light crunch; substitute with chopped pistachios for natural color and nutty flavor (allergy note).

Tips: If you want a slightly firmer center, chill the rolled balls 10–15 minutes before coating. For gluten-free, use gluten-free snack cakes or a gf boxed cake crumbled to match the texture.

How to Make This Recipe

Crumble the Christmas Tree snack cakes into a large bowl.
Prepare the Base: Break the cakes into small pieces by hand or pulse in a food processor. Aim for fine crumbs with tiny bits of red icing for festive flecks. You should smell sweet vanilla and see even, soft crumbs.
Add softened cream cheese to the crumbled snack cakes and mix until well combined.
Mix the Ingredients: Use a spatula or mixer on low to combine until the mixture is cohesive and slightly sticky. The texture should hold together when pressed; adjust with a splash of milk if too dry.
Roll the mixture into small balls and place them on a baking sheet.
Shape or Cook: Use a tablespoon or cookie scoop to portion evenly, then roll between palms for smooth, uniform balls. If mixture sticks, chill 10 minutes or lightly oil hands.
Melt the white chocolate in a microwave-safe bowl.
Melt the Coating: Heat in 20–30 second bursts, stirring between each, until smooth and glossy. Avoid overheating — chocolate should be warm and pourable, not grainy.
Dip each cake ball into the melted white chocolate, ensuring they are completely coated.
Coat the Balls: Use a fork or dipping tool to submerge and lift, tapping off excess. The coating should be even and shiny; if it cools and thickens, rewarm briefly.
Place the coated cake balls back on the baking sheet.
Set to Chill: Transfer to parchment-lined tray; the coating will firm into a delicate shell. Sprinkle immediately if using additional decorations so they adhere.
Drizzle red icing over the cake balls and sprinkle with green sugar sprinkles.
Finish or Garnish: Use a piping bag or spoon to add festive red lines. The contrast of red and green is striking and adds texture and brightness.
Refrigerate until the chocolate is set before serving.
Serve and Enjoy: Chill 15–30 minutes until firm. Serve slightly chilled or at cool room temperature for the best bite: creamy center, crisp shell, and playful crunch.

Step Examples

Prepare the Base — Crush the cakes into fine crumbs, stopping when the pieces are no larger than coarse sand. You’ll notice a sweet vanilla scent and small flecks of red icing throughout.

Mix the Ingredients — Combine cream cheese with crumbs until the mixture forms a pliable dough that holds its shape when pressed; it should feel slightly sticky but smooth.

Shape or Cook — Portion with a small scoop for consistent sizes and roll quickly between palms; if too warm, refrigerate briefly to firm up.

Finish or Garnish — Dip in tempered or warmed white chocolate for a glossy finish, then drizzle red icing and add green sugar for a holiday look.

Serve and Enjoy — Let set, plate on a festive platter, and enjoy the contrast of creamy interior and crisp coating.

Essential Tools

Large mixing bowl and spatula — for combining crumbs and cream cheese.
Food processor (optional) — speeds up crumbling for an even texture.
Cookie scoop or tablespoon — ensures consistent ball sizes.
Baking sheet lined with parchment — for easy cleanup and even setting.
Microwave-safe bowl or double boiler — for melting white chocolate.
Dipping fork or two forks — helps lift and drain excess coating.

Optional: small piping bag for neat red drizzle. Affiliate note: choose durable, BPA-free tools for frequent holiday baking.

Meal Prep & Storage Tips

Make-ahead: Prepare the cake ball centers and chill them overnight; coat in chocolate the day you’ll serve for freshest shell. Storage: keep in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 5 days. For longer storage, flash-freeze on a tray until firm, then transfer to a freezer-safe bag for up to 1 month; thaw in the fridge before serving. Food safety: because these contain cream cheese, keep refrigerated and discard after 4–5 days. Use shallow, airtight containers to avoid crushing the chocolate coating.

Perfect Pairings

Little Debbie Christmas Tree Cake Balls pair beautifully with hot beverages and contrasting textures. Serve with rich, dark coffee or an espresso to balance sweetness, or offer a creamy hot chocolate to echo the white-chocolate notes. For a brunch or dessert table, include fruity elements like citrus segments or a light cranberry compote to cut the sugar and add tart brightness. If you want to build a varied spread, pancakes and warm breakfast items create a cozy pairing; try serving alongside a stack of light banana pancakes for a playful brunch mix. For visual presentation, place balls on a bed of evergreen sprigs or a mirrored tray to reflect the glossy coating.

Find a sweet brunch idea here: Banana Pancakes Recipe.

Nutrition Facts

Estimated per cake ball (1 piece):

Calories: ~180 kcal
Fat: 8 g
Carbohydrates: 24 g
Protein: 3 g
Fiber: 1 g
Sugar: 14 g

Note: values vary by exact ingredients and serving size; use nutrition labels for precise tracking.

Avoid These Common Pitfalls

Dough Too Dry — If the mixture crumbles and won’t hold, add a teaspoon of milk or a little more softened cream cheese, mixing until pliable.
Chocolate Coating Breaks — If the melted white chocolate becomes grainy or seizes, add a small splash of neutral oil or re-melt gently over low heat, stirring constantly.
Unevenly Shaped Balls — Use a cookie scoop for uniform portions and roll quickly with slightly damp hands to smooth edges.

Examples

Dough Too Dry — Add a splash of milk until pliable.
Chocolate Coating Breaks — Ensure melted chocolate is smooth and warm.
Unevenly Shaped Balls — Use a cookie scoop.

Pro Tips for Best Results

Chill before coating: Place rolled balls on a tray and chill 10–20 minutes so the centers don’t fall apart when dipped.
Use good chocolate: Higher-quality white chocolate or melting wafers give a smoother, glossier finish and better flavor.
Work in small batches: Keep melted chocolate warm and pourable by reheating in short bursts.
Texture contrast: Add finely chopped nuts or crushed peppermint to the topping for crunch and seasonal flair.
Presentation trick: Pipe a thin border of white chocolate before drizzling red icing for sharper, professional-looking decoration.

Recipe Variations to Explore

Peppermint Twist: Stir 1/2 teaspoon peppermint extract into the cream cheese, dip in white chocolate, and sprinkle crushed candy canes for a bright minty bite.
Chocolate-Coated: Use dark or milk chocolate instead of white for a richer, less sweet option; omit red icing for a minimalist look.
Nutty Crunch: Fold 2 tablespoons finely chopped toasted pecans into the crumb mixture for texture.
Gluten-Free: Use gluten-free vanilla snack cakes or crumbled gf pound cake; check sprinkles and chocolate labels.
Mini Truffle Platter: Make multiple sizes and mix coatings (white, dark, colored) for a festive assortment.

Dietary Adaptations & Safety Info

Allergens: contains dairy (cream cheese, white chocolate) and possibly gluten (snack cakes). For vegan/dairy-free: use vegan cream cheese and dairy-free white chocolate; ensure snack cakes are plant-based or substitute with a vegan pound cake. For gluten-free: choose certified gluten-free cakes or bake a small gf sponge to crumble. Always label allergen-containing treats for guests. Food safety: store refrigerated and don’t leave at room temperature for more than 2 hours.

Frequently Asked Questions

Q: How many cake balls does this recipe make?
A: Yield depends on size; using a 1-tablespoon scoop, expect about 20–24 cake balls from one standard box of Little Debbie Christmas Tree cakes (about 8-12 snack cakes), but adjust if you use more or less cream cheese.

Q: Can I freeze the cake balls?
A: Yes. Freeze undecorated or fully coated balls on a tray until solid, then transfer to a freezer-safe container for up to 1 month. Thaw in the refrigerator before serving to prevent condensation on the coating.

Q: What’s the best way to melt white chocolate without seizing?
A: Melt in short microwave bursts (20–30 seconds), stirring between each, or use a double boiler over simmering water. Avoid steam or water contact and don’t overheat; if it becomes grainy, stir in a tiny amount of neutral oil.

Q: Can I make these nut-free for school events?
A: Yes — omit any nut add-ins and use nut-free sprinkles and coatings. Always check labels for cross-contamination warnings and clearly label the treats.

Q: How do I get a shiny, professional-looking coating?
A: Use good-quality melting wafers or temper your white chocolate. Work quickly while the coating is warm, and tap off excess before placing on parchment. A light spray of edible glaze or a brief chill can enhance shine.

Q: Can I add mix-ins like chocolate chips or fruit to the center?
A: Small mix-ins (mini chips, finely chopped dried fruit) can add texture; keep them finely chopped so the balls still roll smoothly. Too much will make shaping difficult.

Final Thoughts & Next Steps

These Little Debbie Christmas Tree Cake Balls are an easy, festive way to transform store-bought treats into a crowd-pleasing dessert. Try the variations, prep ahead for holiday events, and share your photos or tips in the comments — we love seeing your twists. Want more holiday recipes or dessert ideas? Browse our recipe collections for inspiration.