Christmas Tree Cake Truffles Recipe

If you’re looking for a fun, festive treat to wow your friends and family this season, you’re going to adore this Christmas Tree Cake Truffles Recipe. I absolutely love how these truffles turn out—super creamy, easy to make, and oh-so-cute with their green sanding sugar sparkle and red drizzle. Whether you’re bringing them to a holiday party or just craving a sweet bite at home, these truffles are a total crowd-pleaser. Let me walk you through how to make these delightful bites that feel fancy but come together in no time.

this Recipe

Ingredients You’ll Need

I love how these ingredients work together: the classic vanilla Christmas tree cakes bring nostalgic flavor and texture, while the cream cheese adds that silky richness. The almond bark melts smoothly for coating, and the green sugar & red drizzle finish the look perfectly. Here’s what you’ll want to grab before we get started.

• Vanilla Christmas Tree Cakes: Little Debbie’s are perfect, but any vanilla frosted tree cake will do.
• Cream Cheese: Softened to room temperature for easy mixing—don’t skip tempering it or you’ll get clumps.
• Almond Bark or White Chocolate Candy Melts: These melt nicely and harden with a smooth finish—choose whichever is easiest for you.
• Red Food Coloring: Just a few drops to tint the drizzle and make it pop.
• Green Sanding Sugar: Adds sparkle and texture, plus the perfect festive green hue.

Variations

One of the things I love most about this Christmas Tree Cake Truffles Recipe is how easy it is to make your own twists. Maybe you want to sneak in some peppermint flavor or make it nut-free—there’s plenty of room to get creative here.

• Peppermint Twist: Add crushed candy canes to the mixture or sprinkle some peppermint extract into the melted chocolate for a classic holiday flavor.
• Chocolate Lovers: Swap out the almond bark for milk or dark chocolate melts for a richer coating.
• Nut-Free: Use white chocolate melts that are certified nut-free if allergies are a concern.
• Gluten-Free Option: Look for gluten-free tree cakes or bake your own vanilla cake to crush if you’re avoiding gluten.

How to Make Christmas Tree Cake Truffles Recipe

Step 1: Crumble and Combine

First things first, break those festive vanilla Christmas tree cakes into a large bowl. You want them crumbled into pretty fine pieces because that’ll make mixing with the cream cheese so much easier. Then, season your cream cheese to room temp ahead of time—that’s the trick I discovered to get these super smooth and lump-free. Beat the cream cheese into the cake crumbs with a hand mixer until you get a dough-like consistency. It should hold together when pressed, but not too sticky.

Step 2: Shape and Chill

Using a small cookie scoop or spoon, form tablespoon-sized balls. Roll them between your palms to get smooth little spheres and place them on a baking sheet lined with parchment. Now, this chilling step is crucial—pop these in the freezer for about 30 minutes to firm up. When I first tried skipping this part, my coating didn’t stick well and the truffles fell apart, so don’t skip this step!

Step 3: Dip in Melty Goodness

Melt your almond bark or white chocolate candy melts in a microwave-safe bowl, stirring every 30 seconds until silky smooth. Use a fork to dip each chilled truffle into the melted chocolate—make sure to tap off any excess to avoid drips. Place them back gently on the parchment-lined sheet. If you want your truffles extra smooth, you can roll them between your palms again after they’ve firmed up from the freezer.

Step 4: Make It Festive with Drizzle & Sparkle

For that signature Christmas tree look, mix a few drops of red food coloring into some leftover melted chocolate. Drizzle this over your truffles using a fork or piping bag—it’s messy in the best way! While it’s still wet, sprinkle the green sanding sugar over the top to mimic pine needles sparkling with freshly fallen snow. Once decorated, let them set completely at room temperature or stick them back in the fridge to speed things up.

How to Serve Christmas Tree Cake Truffles Recipe

Garnishes

I usually keep things simple with green sanding sugar because it adds the perfect glittery effect without overpowering the flavor. Sometimes, I’ll toss on tiny silver dragées or edible glitter for an extra holiday sparkle that always gets compliments. If you’re feeling adventurous, you can dust a little powdered sugar to mimic freshly fallen snow—it’s just magical.

Side Dishes

These truffles are sweet enough to stand on their own, but when my family gathers, I love pairing them with warm mulled cider or a cup of spiced hot chocolate. They also go beautifully alongside a cheese platter, where the sweet contrast is a game-changer. Trust me, this combo will make your holiday spread unforgettable.

Creative Ways to Present

Presentation can turn good treats into memorable ones. I like arranging these truffles on a tiered holiday serving tray, nestled among holly sprigs and tiny pine cones for that cozy vibe. Another fun idea is packing them individually in clear cellophane bags tied with festive ribbon—instant gifts that look as sweet as they taste! At one party, I even built a little “forest” by sticking toothpicks into the truffles and arranging them upright; the kids loved it.

Make Ahead and Storage

Storing Leftovers

Once your Christmas Tree Cake Truffles are fully set, I store mine in an airtight container in the fridge. They keep beautifully for about 5 days and still taste fresh and creamy. Just bring them to room temperature for about 10 minutes before serving for the best texture.

Freezing

I’ve frozen these truffles a few times with great results. To freeze, lay them on a parchment-lined tray and freeze until solid, then transfer to a zip-top bag or container. They’ll keep for up to 3 months. When you’re ready, thaw overnight in the fridge and let them come to room temp before serving so the texture is just right.

Reheating

Because these are no-bake truffles, reheating isn’t really necessary. If the coating gets too firm straight from the fridge, just leave them at room temp for about 10 minutes. They’ll soften up nicely—no microwave needed. If you do microwave, go slow in 5-second bursts to avoid melting the coating unevenly.

FAQs

Final Thoughts

This Christmas Tree Cake Truffles Recipe has become a staple in my holiday season for all the right reasons: it’s festive, easy, and pure comfort wrapped in a bite-sized ball. Every time I make it, I feel like I’m carrying on a little tradition of fun and sweet togetherness. I can’t recommend it enough if you want to add a touch of magic to your dessert table—go ahead, give it a try, and watch your family and friends go crazy for these adorable truffles!

Print