There's something magical about holiday treats that sparkle just like the season itself. This Christmas Tree Cake Balls Recipe is one of those festive bites that's as fun to make as it is to eat—with a creamy surprise inside and festive shades that bring cheer to your dessert table.

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 still remember my first time making these cake balls and how impressed my family was by something so easy yet so festive. They look like little Christmas trees, but the best part? You don’t have to be a pro baker to pull them off perfectly. They’re a crowd-pleaser guaranteed.

Simple ingredients: You can whip these up with just a few pantry staples and store-bought cakes, making it stress-free during the busy holidays.
Dressed to impress: The green sanding sugar and red candy drizzle give these treats festive flair that’s perfect for parties or gifting.
Make ahead friendly: You can prepare them early, freeze, or refrigerate—perfect for saving time before your holiday gatherings.
Kid-approved fun: They’re easy to get the kids involved with, from rolling the balls to decorating with sprinkles.

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

This recipe works because the Little Debbie Christmas Tree Cakes bring the perfect sweet, soft base, while cream cheese adds moisture and richness to hold everything together. The white almond bark coating gives a gorgeous smooth shell for decorating, complemented by candy melts and sparkling sugar for texture and color.

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: These are the star of the show—soft, flavorful, and festive with that iconic tree shape and green icing inside.
Cream cheese: Softened to room temperature, it blends the cake crumbs into creamy truffle-like balls, keeping them moist but firm.
White almond bark: A melt-and-dip coating that hardens into a smooth shell, perfect for holding the shape and locking in the flavors.
Red candy melts: Made to drizzle over the white bark, adding pops of vibrant color and an extra sweet note.
Green sanding sugar: This adds that festive sparkle and slight crunch as the finishing touch.

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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

I like to switch things up sometimes to keep this Christmas Tree Cake Balls Recipe fresh and exciting. Honestly, the base is so flexible—you can easily swap flavors or toppings to suit your holiday vibe or dietary needs.

Variation: I once made these with chopped peppermint candies mixed into the cake balls for an extra holiday zing—totally recommend giving it a try if you like mint!
Diet-friendly tweak: For a gluten-free twist, use gluten-free cake options or gluten-free snack cakes.
Seasonal spin: Outside of Christmas, try using pastel sanding sugars and different candy melts for Easter or birthdays.

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

Step 1: Cream the cheese and blend in the cake

Start by beating softened cream cheese in a large bowl until silky smooth—that takes about 1-2 minutes with a hand mixer. Scrape down the sides so everything gets incorporated evenly. Then crumble the Little Debbie Christmas Tree Cakes into the cream cheese and mix it all together, breaking apart any large lumps until you have a consistent mixture. This is where the magic starts as the cake transforms into truffle filling.

Step 2: Scoop, roll, and chill

Line a baking sheet with parchment paper. Use a 1 tablespoon cookie scoop to portion out the cake mixture, then roll each scoop into a smooth ball with your hands. If they feel sticky, a quick swipe of vegetable oil on your palms works wonders. Pop the balls onto the tray and freeze for at least 2 hours (overnight if you can wait). Freezing firms them up so they dip nicely in the coating without falling apart.

Step 3: Dip in melted almond bark and decorate

Microwave the white almond bark in 30-second bursts, stirring until perfectly melted and smooth. Using two forks, dip each chilled truffle into the almond bark, tapping off excess, and returning them to the parchment to set. While the coating is still wet, sprinkle green sanding sugar all over to create that frosty Christmas tree look.

Step 4: Add the festive red drizzle

Finally, melt the red candy melts. If it feels thick, add coconut oil slowly to thin out for smoother drizzling. Spoon the melted candy into a small bag, snip a tiny corner off, and drizzle red lines back and forth over the cakes. Let them set at room temperature or pop in the fridge for 10 minutes to speed it up before enjoying or storing.

Top Tip

From making Christmas Tree Cake Balls Recipe several times, I’ve learned a few tricks that really boost your success—little things that save time and keep your treats looking perfect.

Room temp cream cheese: Make sure your cream cheese is soft—it blends easier and creates a smoother mixture without lumps.
Greasing hands: Don’t skip the vegetable oil on your palms when rolling—trust me, it stops sticky mess and gets perfectly shaped balls every time.
Controlled dipping: Use two forks or a fork plus wooden skewer to dip and remove the balls gently; it helps keep the coating even and neat.
Don’t over-thin candy melts: Add coconut oil very gradually. Too much makes your drizzle runny and hardens with a weird texture.

How to Serve Christmas Tree Cake Balls Recipe

Christmas Tree Cake Balls - Serving Suggestion

Garnishes

I prefer sprinkling green sanding sugar immediately after dipping for that glittery holiday sparkle. Sometimes I add tiny edible silver balls or star-shaped sprinkles to amp up the festive vibe. If you’re feeling extra, a pinch of edible glitter makes these little trees shine!

Side Dishes

These cake balls pair beautifully with hot cocoa, spiced chai tea, or even a rich eggnog. For a holiday party, consider serving them alongside mini cheesecakes or peppermint bark for a varied dessert spread.

Creative Ways to Present

I like arranging the cake balls on a bed of fresh evergreen branches on a festive platter to mimic a mini forest. Another fun idea is skewering a few on sticks to look like Christmas tree lollipops—kids adore that! Wrapping individual cake balls in cellophane with little ribbons also makes charming gifts.

Make Ahead and Storage

Storing Leftovers

Once your Christmas Tree Cake Balls are decorated and set, I recommend storing them in an airtight container in the fridge. They stay fresh and delicious for up to 5 to 7 days—perfect for enjoying throughout the holiday week!

Freezing

I’ve frozen these successfully by layering them gently in a freezer-safe container with parchment in between to avoid sticking. They keep well for 2 to 4 months. When you’re ready to eat, just thaw in the fridge overnight. The coating might show some cracks from freezing, but trust me, the flavor is just as good.

Reheating

Since these are no-bake and best served chilled, I don’t recommend reheating. Just bring them to room temperature for about 10-15 minutes before serving to soften the bite slightly and unlock the flavors.

Frequently Asked Questions:

Can I use a different cake instead of Little Debbie Christmas Tree Cakes?

Absolutely! While the original recipe uses Christmas Tree Cakes for their festive flavor and texture, you can substitute with other snack cakes like chocolate or zebra cakes. Just be mindful that the flavor and texture will vary slightly, but the final result will still be delicious.

How do I prevent the candy melts from cracking after freezing?

Candy melts can sometimes crack due to temperature changes when freezing and thawing. To minimize this, wrap the cake balls tightly and thaw them slowly in the fridge instead of at room temperature. While some cracking is normal, it doesn’t affect taste, just appearance.

Can I make these cake balls dairy-free or vegan?

This traditional recipe relies on cream cheese and white almond bark, which usually contain dairy. However, you can experiment with dairy-free cream cheese alternatives and vegan white chocolate coatings. Keep in mind the texture and flavor might change, so give it a test batch before serving guests.

What’s the best way to serve these at a party?

I like to arrange them on festive holiday platters, either nestled among fresh pine branches or in cupcake liners to keep them neat. You can also serve them alongside beverages like hot chocolate or coffee for a cozy touch. Wrapping individual ones for guests to take home is always a hit, too!

Final Thoughts

This Christmas Tree Cake Balls Recipe brings out the kid in me every time I make it—the bright colors, the soft inside, and the sparkly outside make it a holiday dessert that feels like a celebration in every bite. It’s friendly enough for a baking newbie but impressive enough to serve at your fanciest holiday gathering. I hope you enjoy making and sharing these as much as I do—they truly add a little extra joy to the season.