Name: Christmas Tree Cake Truffles Recipe
Prep time: 20 min
Cook time: 30 min
Total time: 1 h 50 min
Cuisine: American
Ingredients: 1 box vanilla cake mix; 1 package (8 oz) cream cheese, softened; 2 cups powdered sugar; Green food coloring, a few drops; 1 cup white chocolate chips; Sprinkles, for decoration; Edible glitter (optional)

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If you are looking for a delightful and festive treat to bring joy to your holiday celebrations, these Christmas Tree Cake Truffles are simply irresistible. Imagine bite-sized cones made of moist vanilla cake mixed with creamy, sweetened cream cheese, dipped in luscious white chocolate, and decorated to look like sparkling Christmas trees. These adorable little truffles not only taste heavenly but also add a whimsical charm to any holiday dessert table. Perfect for gifting or sharing with loved ones, they capture the magic and joy of the season in every bite.

Christmas Tree Cake Truffles Recipe - Recipe Image

Ingredients You’ll Need

This recipe is wonderfully straightforward, relying on a handful of simple yet essential ingredients that combine to create the perfect balance of flavor, texture, and festive color. Each component plays a crucial role in bringing these Christmas Tree Cake Truffles to life, from the delicious vanilla base to the creamy binding and the shimmering decoration.

Vanilla cake mix: The foundation of the truffles, providing a soft, tender crumb that’s easy to shape.
Cream cheese (softened): Adds richness and moisture, helping to bind the cake crumbs into a smooth mixture.
Powdered sugar: Sweetens and thickens the cream cheese mixture for that perfect truffle texture.
Green food coloring: Gives the truffles their festive, tree-like hue to make them truly stand out.
White chocolate chips: Melted to coat the truffles with a creamy, glossy finish that’s both delicious and decorative.
Sprinkles: Adds a fun, colorful crunch for a playful, festive touch.
Edible glitter (optional): A beautiful sparkle that elevates the visual appeal for holidays or special occasions.

How to Make Christmas Tree Cake Truffles

Step 1: Prepare the Cake

Start by baking the vanilla cake according to the package instructions. This step is simple but crucial—be sure to let the cake cool completely so it crumbles easily without becoming mushy. Once cooled, crumble the cake into a large bowl, creating a loose and uneven texture that will hold perfectly once mixed.

Step 2: Make the Truffle Mixture

In a separate bowl, beat together the softened cream cheese and powdered sugar until silky smooth. The sugar not only sweetens but also helps the mixture have the right consistency to bind with the cake crumbs. Add green food coloring a drop at a time, mixing well until you get that vibrant forest green shade that screams Christmas cheer.

Step 3: Combine Ingredients

Gradually fold the cream cheese mixture into the crumbled cake, stirring gently but thoroughly. You want the mixture moist and easily moldable—not too dry or too wet. This part is where magic happens as the vanilla cake transforms into a malleable dough ready for shaping.

Step 4: Form the Truffles

Now for the fun part! Take small portions of the mixture and roll or shape them into cone-like forms that resemble miniature Christmas trees. Placing them on parchment-lined trays ensures they won’t stick later and keeps everything neat while they chill.

Step 5: Chill the Truffles

Pop the shaped truffles in the refrigerator for about an hour. This chilling step firms them up so they maintain their lovely shape when you dip and decorate later.

Step 6: Coat with Chocolate

Slowly melt the white chocolate chips in a microwave-safe bowl, stirring intermittently until smooth and glossy. Use a fork or skewer to dip each truffle into the melted chocolate, covering it completely. Let excess drip off before setting them back on the parchment. This coating adds a luscious texture that contrasts perfectly with the soft cake inside.

Step 7: Decorate

While the chocolate is still warm and wet, sprinkle your truffles generously with colorful sprinkles and a touch of edible glitter for that extra festive sparkle. This final flourish turns each truffle into a sparkling Christmas Tree Cake Truffle that’s as beautiful as it is delicious.

How to Serve Christmas Tree Cake Truffles

Garnishes

Enhance these Christmas Tree Cake Truffles with a few simple garnishes. Fresh mint leaves can mimic pine needles, while tiny star-shaped sugar candies amplify the tree theme. A dusting of powdered sugar after the chocolate sets can also create a magical “snowy” effect.

Side Dishes

Since these truffles are rich and sweet, pairing them with lighter accompaniments like a crisp cup of mint tea or a refreshing citrus punch balances the palate beautifully. They also pair wonderfully with a scoop of vanilla or cinnamon ice cream for an indulgent dessert plate.

Creative Ways to Present

Presentation truly brings these Christmas Tree Cake Truffles to life. Arrange them on a rustic wooden board or a festive holiday platter lined with pine branches or cranberries for a natural, seasonal vibe. Wrapping several in clear cellophane and tying with ribbon makes for an adorable and heartfelt gift.

Make Ahead and Storage

Storing Leftovers

Store any leftover Christmas Tree Cake Truffles in an airtight container in the refrigerator. They stay fresh and delicious for up to a week, making them perfect to prepare ahead for holiday parties or gatherings.

Freezing

If you want to make them well in advance, you can freeze the truffles after they have been coated and decorated. Arrange them in a single layer on a baking sheet to freeze until firm, then transfer to a freezer-safe container with parchment layers between to prevent sticking. They can be stored for up to three months.

Reheating

These truffles are best enjoyed chilled or at room temperature, so no reheating is necessary. Just take them out of the fridge 15–20 minutes before serving for the best flavor and texture.

FAQs

Can I use a different flavor of cake mix?

Absolutely! While vanilla is classic and neutral, chocolate or spice cake mixes also create delicious variations. Just note that the flavor will influence the overall taste of your Christmas Tree Cake Truffles.

What if I don’t have green food coloring?

You can use natural alternatives like spinach or matcha powder for color, but be cautious with amounts as they can alter flavor. Another fun idea is to color the truffles after shaping with edible green dust or spray.

Can I use cream cheese frosting instead of cream cheese and powdered sugar?

Cream cheese frosting is typically sweeter and more liquidy, so it’s not ideal for this recipe because it can make the mixture too wet. It’s best to stick with softened cream cheese and powdered sugar for perfect texture control.

How do I prevent the white chocolate coating from melting too fast?

Make sure your truffles are well chilled before dipping, and dip quickly into the melted chocolate. Allow them to set at room temperature or in the fridge—avoid warm environments which can cause the chocolate to soften.

Can I make Christmas Tree Cake Truffles without an oven?

If you don’t have an oven, you could try using a no-bake cake mix or store-bought cake crumbs. The main idea is to have a dry, crumbled base to mix with cream cheese. Just ensure the base is firm enough to shape and hold.

Final Thoughts

There is something truly heartwarming about creating and sharing Christmas Tree Cake Truffles during the holidays. They are easy to make, fun to decorate, and absolutely delightful to eat. Whether you’re hosting a festive party, looking for gifts that come straight from the kitchen, or just want to add some magic to your dessert spread, these truffles are a guaranteed crowd-pleaser. So go ahead, roll up your sleeves and bring this beautiful, tasty tradition into your home—your loved ones will thank you!

Christmas Tree Cake Truffles Recipe

★★★★★

4.9 from 9 reviews

Author: Julian
Total Time: 1 hour 50 minutes
Yield: Approximately 24 truffles 1x
Diet: Vegetarian

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Description

These festive Christmas Tree Cake Truffles are a delightful holiday treat combining moist vanilla cake with creamy cream cheese, dipped in white chocolate, and decorated with colorful sprinkles and edible glitter. Perfect for parties and gift-giving, these bite-sized sweets are visually charming and deliciously rich.

Ingredients

Scale

Main Ingredients

1 box vanilla cake mix
1 package (8 oz) cream cheese, softened
2 cups powdered sugar
Green food coloring, a few drops
1 cup white chocolate chips
Sprinkles, for decoration
Edible glitter (optional)

Instructions

Prepare the Cake: Bake the vanilla cake according to the package instructions. Once baked, allow it to cool completely so it can be easily crumbled without clumping into the mixture.
Make the Truffle Mixture: In a separate bowl, mix softened cream cheese with powdered sugar until smooth and creamy. Add a few drops of green food coloring to achieve your desired shade of green and blend evenly into the mixture.
Combine Ingredients: Gradually add the cream cheese mixture into the crumbled cake, mixing gently but thoroughly until fully combined to create a moist, moldable dough-like consistency.
Form the Truffles: Scoop small portions of the cake and cream cheese mixture and shape them into cone-like forms to resemble Christmas trees. Arrange them on a baking sheet lined with parchment paper in preparation for chilling.
Chill the Truffles: Refrigerate the formed truffles for about 1 hour, allowing them to firm up to hold their shape during the coating process.
Coat with Chocolate: Melt the white chocolate chips in a microwave-safe bowl in short bursts, stirring until smooth. Dip each chilled truffle into the melted white chocolate, coating completely, and let any excess drip off.
Decorate: While the coating is still wet, sprinkle each truffle with colorful sprinkles and a light dusting of edible glitter to create a festive and sparkling appearance. Let the chocolate set completely before serving.

Notes

Make sure the cake is completely cooled before crumbling to avoid a soggy mixture.
Adjust the amount of green food coloring depending on how vibrant you want the Christmas tree color to be.
Use a small cookie scoop or spoon to ensure uniform truffle sizes for even chilling and coating.
If you don’t have edible glitter, extra sprinkles alone will still make the truffles festive.
Store truffles refrigerated in an airtight container for up to 5 days.
You can substitute white chocolate chips with almond bark or candy melts if preferred.

Prep Time: 20 minutes
Cook Time: 30 minutes
Category: Dessert
Method: Baking and no-bake molding
Cuisine: American