If you’re hunting for a fun, festive, and absolutely scrumptious holiday treat, you’ve got to try this Christmas Tree Cake Truffles Recipe. These little bites of joy are bursting with creamy, chocolaty goodness, and the best part? They’re ridiculously easy to make—no fancy baking skills required. I seriously can’t get enough of these during the holidays, and once you whip them up, I bet you’ll feel the same way.
Why You’ll Love This Recipe
- No-Bake Simplicity: These truffles come together fast, with no oven required, so even last-minute holiday prep is a breeze.
- Festive Flavors: Chocolate Christmas tree cakes and cream cheese combine for a rich, creamy bite with just the right sweetness.
- Kid-Approved: My kids go wild for these—once you try them, you’ll understand why they’re perfect for holiday parties or after-school treats.
- Customizable Design: You get to decorate with colorful sanding sugar for a little sparkle and festive cheer every time.
Ingredients You’ll Need
The magic of this Christmas Tree Cake Truffles Recipe happens with just a handful of simple ingredients you can find easily in most grocery stores. The balance between the chocolate cake, cream cheese, and sweet white chocolate coating is what makes these truffles so irresistible.
- Chocolate Christmas tree cakes: These are the star of the show, providing that soft, chocolatey base you’ll mix into the truffle dough.
- Cream cheese: Using softened cream cheese makes the mixture creamy and easy to roll into balls; bring it to room temperature for best results.
- White candy melts or vanilla-flavored melting wafers: These are perfect for coating the truffles, giving them a smooth, glossy finish that hardens nicely.
- Red and green sanding sugar: You’ll use these to add that pretty, festive sparkle that transforms these truffles into little Christmas trees.
Variations
One of the reasons I love this Christmas Tree Cake Truffles Recipe is how easy it is to tweak. Whether you want to switch up the flavor or keep it allergy-friendly, these truffles can handle it without losing any of their charm.
- Chocolate lovers’ version: Swap the white candy melts for dark or milk chocolate melts to add a deeper flavor I personally enjoy during winter.
- Dairy-free tweak: Use a vegan cream cheese and dairy-free candy melts to make these truffles suitable for friends with allergies.
- Extra festive toppings: Try crushing peppermint candies or adding edible glitter in place of sanding sugar for more sparkle and holiday vibes.
- Mix-ins: Stir in mini chocolate chips or crushed nuts to the mixture before forming balls for an exciting texture contrast.
How to Make Christmas Tree Cake Truffles Recipe
Step 1: Mix Up That Magical Dough
Start by placing your chocolate Christmas tree cakes and softened cream cheese into a large mixing bowl. I find using a hand mixer works best here because it quickly breaks everything down into a smooth, thick dough. You’ll want to mix it until there aren’t any big chunks left — the texture should be pliable but hold its shape. If your cream cheese isn’t quite soft enough, pop it in the microwave for 10 seconds to help it blend easier without melting it completely.
Step 2: Shape and Chill Those Truffles
Using a cookie scoop (or even just a tablespoon), portion out dough balls about an inch in diameter and place them on a baking sheet lined with waxed or parchment paper. This keeps things from sticking and makes cleanup a breeze. Then, pop the whole tray into the freezer for at least 30 minutes—this is key! Chilling firms up the truffles so they’ll dip beautifully in the melted chocolate without falling apart.
Step 3: Dip and Decorate Your Christmas Tree Cake Truffles
While your truffles are chilling, melt your white candy melts or vanilla-flavored wafers in the microwave, heating in 30-second bursts and stirring between each to avoid burning. Once smooth and shiny, grab a bamboo stick or toothpick, dip each truffle into the melted chocolate, and place it back on your baking sheet. Be quick to sprinkle on the red and green sanding sugar right after dipping—that sparkle sets the mood! Then pop them in the fridge again for the coating to harden completely.
Pro Tips for Making Christmas Tree Cake Truffles Recipe
- Chill Twice: Freezing the balls before dipping helps the coating stick better and prevents the truffles from melting in your hands.
- Use a Dipping Tool: I always use a bamboo skewer or toothpick for dipping because it gives great control and keeps your fingers clean.
- Stir Candy Melts Well: Stirring in between microwave intervals keeps your candy melts smooth and prevents burning, which can ruin the coating texture.
- Don’t Skip the Sugar Coating: The sanding sugar adds festive color and a subtle crunch, so sprinkle it immediately after dipping before the coating hardens.
How to Serve Christmas Tree Cake Truffles Recipe
Garnishes
I love topping these truffles with red and green sanding sugar because it adds that classic Christmas sparkle. Sometimes I also sprinkle tiny edible gold stars or nonpareils for a bit of extra pizzazz when serving to guests. Trust me, the look alone will get compliments before anyone even takes a bite!
Side Dishes
These truffles pair beautifully with a warm cup of cocoa or a spiced holiday coffee. I sometimes serve them alongside a cheese board at holiday parties—their sweetness is a perfect contrast to savory flavors like nuts and sharp cheeses.
Creative Ways to Present
For holiday gatherings, I arrange these truffles upright on a festive platter or stick them into a foam block covered with green tissue paper to mimic a tiny Christmas tree forest. You can also pop each into a decorative mini cupcake liner or wrap them with clear cellophane tied with a ribbon for cute edible gifts.
Make Ahead and Storage
Storing Leftovers
I store leftover Christmas Tree Cake Truffles in an airtight container in the fridge. They keep their texture beautifully for up to a week — if they last that long! Before serving leftovers, I let them sit for a few minutes at room temperature to soften slightly for the best flavor.
Freezing
You can freeze these truffles for up to 3 months—just freeze them on a parchment-lined tray first, then transfer to a freezer-safe container. When you want to enjoy them, thaw overnight in the fridge and bring to room temp before serving to maintain their creamy texture.
Reheating
There’s no reheating needed with these since they’re chilled treats, but if you want softer truffles after fridge storage, just leave them out for about 10-15 minutes before munching. This lets the coating soften just enough without becoming messy.
FAQs
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Can I use other cake flavors besides chocolate for this Christmas Tree Cake Truffles Recipe?
Absolutely! While chocolate Christmas tree cakes are classic, I’ve experimented with vanilla or red velvet versions, and they all turn out delicious. Just remember to adjust the coating color to complement your cake choice for the best presentation.
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What’s the best way to soften the cream cheese for the truffle mixture?
I usually take the cream cheese out of the fridge about 30 minutes before starting or microwave it for 10-15 seconds if I’m in a hurry. It should be soft enough to blend easily but not melted.
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Can I make these truffles gluten-free?
The key is using gluten-free Christmas tree cakes. If you can find or bake gluten-free cake versions shaped like Christmas trees, this recipe works great otherwise the cream cheese and candy melts are naturally gluten-free.
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How long do these Christmas Tree Cake Truffles last?
Stored properly in an airtight container in the refrigerator, they stay fresh for about a week. If you want to keep them longer, freezing is a great option as well.
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Is it okay to dip the truffles without chilling them first?
I’ve found chilling the truffle balls first is crucial—it helps them keep their shape and makes dipping less messy. Without chilling, the coating can slide right off or your hands get sticky!
Final Thoughts
I can’t recommend this Christmas Tree Cake Truffles Recipe enough if you want an effortless, crowd-pleasing holiday treat. It’s always a hit with my family and friends—sweet, creamy, and festive all in one bite. Plus, the process is such a fun way to get into the holiday spirit, especially if you’re cooking (or crafting!) with kids. Give it a try this season—I promise it’ll become one of your go-to Christmas classics, just like it did for me.
Print
Christmas Tree Cake Truffles Recipe
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 5 minutes
- Total Time: 50 minutes
- Yield: 10 truffles
- Category: Dessert
- Method: No-Cook
- Cuisine: American
Description
These Little Debbie Christmas Tree Cake Truffles are festive, bite-sized treats perfect for the holiday season. Made by blending chocolate Christmas tree cakes with cream cheese, then dipped in vanilla-flavored melted candy and sprinkled with red and green sanding sugar, they are easy to prepare and guaranteed crowd-pleasers for any holiday party or family gathering.
Ingredients
Truffle Base
- 1 box of chocolate Christmas tree cakes
- 4 oz package of cream cheese, softened
Coating and Decoration
- 1 package of white candy melts or vanilla-flavored melting wafers
- Red and green sanding sugar, for decorating
Instructions
- Prepare Baking Sheet: Line a baking sheet with waxed paper or parchment paper to prevent sticking during the freezing and dipping process.
- Mix Ingredients: In a mixing bowl, combine the chocolate Christmas tree cakes and softened cream cheese. Use a hand mixer to blend them thoroughly until the mixture forms a dough-like consistency.
- Form Truffle Balls: Using a cookie scoop or spoon, portion the dough into approximately one-inch-sized balls. Place each ball on the prepared baking sheet, ensuring they are evenly spaced.
- Freeze the Truffles: Place the baking sheet in the freezer and freeze for about 30 minutes or until the truffles are firm enough for dipping.
- Melt Candy Coating: While the truffles freeze, melt the white candy melts in the microwave. Heat in 30-second intervals, stirring thoroughly with a metal spoon between each interval until fully melted and smooth.
- Dip Truffles: Using bamboo sticks or toothpicks, dip each frozen truffle ball into the melted candy coating until fully covered. Gently tap off any excess coating and place the dipped truffle back onto the lined baking sheet.
- Decorate: Immediately sprinkle red and green sanding sugar over the coated truffles before the coating hardens for a festive look.
- Set the Coating: Place the decorated truffles in the refrigerator to allow the coating to harden completely, about 10-15 minutes.
- Serve and Enjoy: Once set, these Christmas Tree Cake Truffles are ready to serve. Enjoy them as a delightful holiday treat!
Notes
- Christmas Tree Cake Truffles are simple to make and perfect for festive occasions.
- Use softened cream cheese for easier mixing and better texture.
- Freezing the truffles before dipping ensures they hold their shape and allow for a smooth candy coating application.
- Customize by using different colored sanding sugars or sprinkles as desired.
- These truffles can be stored in the refrigerator for up to one week in an airtight container.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 truffle (approx. 28g)
- Calories: 150
- Sugar: 17g
- Sodium: 95mg
- Fat: 7g
- Saturated Fat: 4g
- Unsaturated Fat: 2g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 21g
- Fiber: 1g
- Protein: 2g
- Cholesterol: 15mg
