There’s something delightfully festive about these little bites of joy that instantly remind me of holiday cheer. The Christmas Tree Cake Balls Recipe is not just adorable but also melts in your mouth, making holiday gatherings extra special without the fuss of traditional baking.

A stack of three white round plates holds five round treats covered in smooth white coating. Each treat is decorated with thin, bright red lines dripped over the top and some small green sprinkles scattered across the surface. The plates sit on a white marbled texture which is partly covered by a red cloth underneath. Around the plates are wooden spoons and a white bowl filled with green sprinkles. There are also red, white, and natural wooden beads scattered near the plates. Photo taken with an iphone --ar 2:3 --v 7

Jump to:

Why You'll Love This Recipe
Ingredients & Why They Work
Make It Your Way
Step-by-Step: How I Make Christmas Tree Cake Balls Recipe
Top Tip
How to Serve Christmas Tree Cake Balls Recipe
Make Ahead and Storage
Frequently Asked Questions:
Final Thoughts
Christmas Tree Cake Balls Recipe

Why You'll Love This Recipe

I have to admit, these Christmas Tree Cake Balls have become my go-to treat during the holidays because they’re ridiculously easy yet impressively festive. You don’t have to be a pro in the kitchen to whip these up—plus, they’re perfect for sharing (or not, I won’t judge).

Quick & Fuss-Free: No baking required – just mix, chill, dip, and decorate.
Perfect Party Treat: Their festive tree shape and colors make them my top pick for holiday parties.
Kid-Friendly Fun: Decorating is a blast with the little ones, and they love eating the results just as much.
Customizable: You can switch up coatings or add flavors to suit your tastes or dietary needs.

Four round cookies with a smooth white icing layer are placed close together on a white plate at the center of the image. Each cookie is decorated with five diagonal red icing stripes on top and scattered small green sugar sprinkles that add texture and color contrast. The plate sits on a bright red cloth with wooden bead garlands featuring white, red, and light natural wood colors around it. To the upper right, there is a white bowl filled with green sugar sprinkles. The background has a white marbled texture hidden beneath the decorations. photo taken with an iphone --ar 2:3 --v 7

Ingredients & Why They Work

Each ingredient in this Christmas Tree Cake Balls Recipe works together harmoniously to create those soft, flavorful little spheres with a crunchy chocolate shell that just screams holiday magic. When shopping, I like to pick quality products since it really shows through in the final taste.

Flat lay of two unwrapped, fresh Little Debbie Christmas Tree Cakes showing their cream filling, a block of smooth cream cheese, a pile of glossy white almond bark bark pieces, a small white ceramic bowl filled with vibrant red candy melts, and a small white ceramic bowl holding bright green sanding sugar crystals, all arranged symmetrically and naturally on a clean white marble surface, soft natural light, photo taken with an iPhone, professional food photography style, fresh ingredients, white ceramic bowls, no bottles, no duplicates, no utensils, no packaging --ar 2:3 --v 7 --p m7354615311229779997

Little Debbie Christmas Tree Cakes: The base of these treats, already packed with moist cake and creamy filling, makes the process so easy and deliciously festive.
Cream Cheese: Adds smoothness and a slight tang to hold everything together without overwhelming sweetness.
White Almond Bark: Perfect for a glossy, sweet coating; melts smoothly and hardens nicely to protect your cake balls.
Red Candy Melts: For that signature drizzled pop of red – they add color and a touch of festive charm.
Green Sanding Sugar: Sprinkled while the coating is wet, it creates a sparkly texture that looks just like pine needles on a Christmas tree.

📝

Note: You'll find the complete list of ingredients, along with their exact measurements, in the printable recipe card at the bottom of this post.

Make It Your Way

One of my favorite things about the Christmas Tree Cake Balls Recipe is how adaptable it is. Feel free to switch up the coatings or try different cake flavors – you’ll discover your own perfect twist!

Variation: I once swapped the white almond bark for milk chocolate and used peppermint candy pieces instead of sanding sugar for a minty crunch. It was a hit at the office party!
Dietary Options: You can use dairy-free cream cheese and vegan candy melts for an allergy-friendly version.
Flavor Boosts: Adding a teaspoon of vanilla or almond extract to the cream cheese mixture can subtly enhance the flavor.

Step-by-Step: How I Make Christmas Tree Cake Balls Recipe

Step 1: Cream the Cheese and Cake Together

Start by placing the cream cheese in a large bowl. Using a hand mixer on medium speed, beat it until it’s smooth and creamy. Don’t forget to scrape down the sides to get every bit. Then, crumble the Christmas Tree Cakes into the bowl and mix everything until fully combined with no large chunks left. This step is key to getting that perfect texture—smooth yet cakey.

Step 2: Shape and Chill the Cake Balls

Grab a tablespoon cookie scoop to get evenly sized cake balls—this keeps baking consistent and neat. If the mixture sticks to your hands, lightly rub them with vegetable oil; that little trick has saved me more times than I can count! Place the balls on parchment-lined baking sheets, then pop them in the freezer for at least 2 hours or overnight for best results. They need to be firm so they hold their shape when dipped.

Step 3: Dip in Smooth White Almond Bark

Break the white almond bark into smaller pieces and microwave in 30-second bursts, stirring in between, until silky smooth. Using two forks (or a fork and a skewer), dip each chilled ball fully into the chocolate, then gently shake off the excess before transferring back onto parchment. This double-fork technique helps keep them perfectly coated without breaking them apart.

Step 4: Add the Festive Green Sprinkle Touch

While the coating’s still wet, sprinkle green sanding sugar over each cake ball. I like to do this quickly because once the coating sets, the sugar won’t stick. It adds that magical sparkle and texture that really brings the Christmas tree look to life.

Step 5: Drizzle with Red Candy Melts

Next, melt the red candy melts the same way as the almond bark. If the melted candy feels too thick, I add a little melted coconut oil gradually to thin it out—but don’t add too much at once, or it will get too runny. Pour the stems into a small bag, cut a tiny corner off, and drizzle the red candy back and forth over the truffles. Give them about 10 minutes in the fridge to set or just wait at room temperature.

Step 6: Store and Enjoy!

Once your candy drizzle is firm, these cuties are ready to serve. Store them in an airtight container in the fridge, and they'll stay fresh up to a week—though I doubt they last that long in my house!

Top Tip

From my experience, a few tricks make all the difference when making these cake balls—you want them to look as magical as they taste.

Freezing for Firmness: Don’t skip the chilling step. Freezing the balls overnight ensures they don’t fall apart when dipped.
Double Fork Dip Method: Using two forks or a fork and skewer helps control the coating better than just one fork, preventing cracks or breaks.
Use Parchment Paper: Always set your cake balls on parchment paper after dipping to avoid sticking and for easy removal.
Oil Your Hands: When rolling the mixture, lightly greasing your hands keeps the cake balls smooth and prevents excess sticking.

How to Serve Christmas Tree Cake Balls Recipe

Christmas Tree Cake Balls - Serving Suggestion

Garnishes

I stick to classic green sanding sugar for that pine tree sparkle but sometimes toss on tiny edible silver or gold beads to mimic ornaments. It’s a simple touch but instantly ups the festive factor—and kids love helping decorate with those little sprinkles.

Side Dishes

I usually pair these with a warm cup of cocoa or peppermint tea to balance the richness of the bites. They also hold their own alongside other holiday treats like gingerbread cookies or spiced nuts.

Creative Ways to Present

One year, I stacked them in a pyramid on a cake stand to make a mini Christmas tree centerpiece—talk about dessert and decor in one! Wrapping the stand in fairy lights added a magical glow guests still talk about. You can also serve them in festive cupcake liners for individual servings.

Make Ahead and Storage

Storing Leftovers

I keep leftover Christmas Tree Cake Balls in an airtight container in the fridge. They last beautifully for up to 5 to 7 days, and honestly, mine rarely last longer than a couple of days around here.

Freezing

For longer storage, freeze them in a single layer inside a freezer-friendly container. When you’re ready, just thaw in the fridge overnight. The chocolate coating might get a little crackly, but the flavor stays spot-on. I’ve eaten mine straight from the freezer too when I needed a quick treat!

Reheating

Reheating isn’t really necessary for these cake balls, but if you want to take the chill off, simply let them sit at room temperature for about 15–20 minutes before serving. Heating them in the microwave can cause the chocolate to melt, so I avoid that.

Frequently Asked Questions:

Can I use other cakes besides Little Debbie Christmas Tree Cakes?

Yes! While the Little Debbie Christmas Tree Cakes provide a perfect festive base, you can substitute with chocolate Christmas Tree Cakes or even zebra cakes for a unique twist. Just ensure they’re moist and easy to crumble.

What if I don’t have candy melts?

If you don’t have candy melts, you can use white or colored chocolate chips for melting. Just be sure to add a bit of vegetable oil or shortening to get a smooth, dip-friendly consistency.

How do I prevent the cake balls from falling apart when dipping?

The key is chilling the cake balls thoroughly in the freezer for at least 2 hours or overnight. This firms them up so they stay intact when you dip them in the melted coating. Additionally, using two forks or a skewer to handle the balls helps minimize breakage.

Can these be made in advance for a party?

Absolutely! You can make these a day or two ahead, store them in an airtight container in the fridge, and they’ll still look and taste fantastic when party time arrives. They actually taste better after sitting for a bit as flavors meld.

Final Thoughts

This Christmas Tree Cake Balls Recipe isn’t just a fun holiday project—it’s a delicious way to spread a little joy during a busy season. Every bite reminds me of the warmth and laughs shared around the kitchen table, and I know you’ll get that same cozy feeling. So grab those Christmas Tree Cakes and get dipping—you’re going to love making (and sharing) these as much as I do!