Little Debbie Christmas Tree Cake Balls Recipe

If you’re looking to dazzle your holiday dessert table with something fun, festive, and absolutely delicious, this Little Debbie Christmas Tree Cake Balls Recipe is your new best friend. These delightful little treats transform beloved Little Debbie Christmas Tree Cakes into bite-sized, creamy, and colorful cake balls coated in smooth white candy melts, enhanced with dazzling sprinkles and optional red candy drizzle. They’re easy to make, utterly addictive, and bring a cheerful Christmas vibe that’s perfect for sharing with family, friends, or keeping all to yourself!

Ingredients You’ll Need

Getting started with the Little Debbie Christmas Tree Cake Balls Recipe is a breeze because the ingredients are straightforward yet essential to achieving that perfect sweet, creamy, and festive taste. Each element plays a key role in building the texture, flavor, or appearance of these charming cake bites.

• 17.04 ounces Little Debbie Christmas Tree Cakes: The star of our recipe, crumbled to provide a sweet, moist cake base with a hint of green and red Christmas color spots.
• 8 ounces cream cheese (room temperature): This adds irresistible creaminess and binds the cake crumbs into the perfect dough-like consistency.
• 16 ounces white candy melts: Smooth coating that turns the cake balls into festive, glossy bites of holiday magic.
• ¼ cup red candy melts (melted, optional): For an extra pop of red drizzle that gives your cake balls an elegant and festive touch.
• Red and green colored sanding sugar: Sprinkles the perfect holiday sparkle and texture to each cake ball, enhancing the Christmas tree theme.

How to Make Little Debbie Christmas Tree Cake Balls Recipe

Step 1: Prepare Your Workspace

Start by lining a baking sheet with waxed paper to have a safe, clean place for your cake balls to chill after dipping. Getting this ready ahead makes the decorating process super smooth and fuss-free.

Step 2: Combine the Cake and Cream Cheese

In a large bowl, gently beat together the crumbled Little Debbie Christmas Tree Cakes and room temperature cream cheese until the mixture is totally uniform. This creamy, cheesecake-like dough is what forms the base of your cake balls, making them both tender and rich.

Step 3: Form the Cake Balls

Using a small cookie scoop, portion out the mixture into roughly 1-inch balls, then roll each between your hands until smooth. Uniform balls ensure even coating and look delightfully professional when they’re done.

Step 4: Freeze Before Decorating

Pop your cake balls into the freezer for at least 15 minutes. This step is vital because it firms them up, reducing breakage or melting when you dip them in the warm candy melts.

Step 5: Melt the White Candy Coating

Place your white candy melts in a microwave-safe bowl and heat on high for 1 minute. Stir thoroughly to melt residual pieces using the heat, then continue heating in 15-second bursts, stirring between each, until silky smooth. If needed, stir in a tablespoon of vegetable shortening or coconut oil to thin it out, ensuring an even, elegant coat.

Step 6: Dip and Decorate

Carefully dip each chilled ball into the white candy melts, gently tapping off excess coating for a clean finish. Return each ball to your prepared baking sheet and immediately sprinkle with red and green sanding sugar for that festive sparkle.

Step 7: Optional Red Drizzle

If you want to add a bit of artistic flair, melt the red candy melts and transfer them to a piping bag with a small snip at the tip. Drizzle over the white-coated cake balls to mimic holiday ribbons or ornaments – it’s a simple touch that elevates the whole look.

Step 8: Chill to Set

Place your decorated cake balls in the refrigerator for about 1 hour to let the coating harden completely. This final step ensures they hold their shape and look picture-perfect when it’s time to indulge.

How to Serve Little Debbie Christmas Tree Cake Balls Recipe

Garnishes

Sprinkle with extra red and green sanding sugar or edible glitter to add sparkle and a festive vibe. If you want a bit of crunch, finely crushed peppermint candies make a wonderful topping that adds holiday flavor and texture.

Side Dishes

These cake balls pair beautifully with a cup of hot cocoa or festive eggnog for an indulgent holiday treat. They’re also great alongside a fruit platter to balance the sweetness with refreshing juiciness.

Creative Ways to Present

Display these cake balls on tiered dessert stands to create a stunning Christmas tree effect or skewer them on colorful sticks to turn them into edible ornaments. Wrapping individual cake balls in clear cellophane with a ribbon also makes adorable and heartfelt gifts for teachers, coworkers, and neighbors.

Make Ahead and Storage

Storing Leftovers

Keep any leftover cake balls stored in an airtight container layered with waxed paper between the tiers and refrigerate. They’ll stay fresh and delicious for up to 5 days without losing their creamy texture or festive charm.

Freezing

If you want to prep them well in advance, these cake balls freeze wonderfully. Place them on a baking sheet to freeze individually, then transfer to a freezer-safe bag or container. When ready, thaw overnight in the fridge for optimal taste and texture.

Reheating

Since these are best enjoyed chilled, avoid reheating. Instead, let frozen or refrigerated cake balls sit out for 15 to 20 minutes to reach a soft, creamy room temperature that’s simply heavenly with each bite.

FAQs

Can I use other Little Debbie cakes in this recipe?

Yes! While Christmas Tree Cakes add holiday color and flavor, you can use other flavors like Zebra Cakes or Fudge Rounds for a different twist, although the appearance will change.

What if I don’t have candy melts? Can I use chocolate instead?

Chocolate can be used instead of candy melts, but make sure to temper it properly for a smooth coating that won’t melt quickly at room temperature.

Is it necessary to freeze the cake balls before dipping?

Freezing is highly recommended to make the dipping process cleaner and prevent the cake balls from falling apart or melting under the warm candy coating.

Can I make these vegan or dairy-free?

To make this recipe vegan, look for dairy-free cream cheese alternatives and vegan cake varieties. Also, ensure your candy melts are dairy-free or substitute with vegan chocolate chips.

How long do these cake balls stay good at room temperature?

Due to the cream cheese, it’s best to keep these refrigerated and avoid leaving them out at room temperature for more than two hours to maintain freshness and food safety.

Final Thoughts

This Little Debbie Christmas Tree Cake Balls Recipe brings the perfect combo of fun, flavor, and festivity to your holiday celebrations. They are easy to make, endlessly customizable, and delight both kids and adults alike. Give this recipe a try—you’ll quickly see why these charming cake balls become holiday favorites to make year after year!

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