If you’re looking to add a splash of holiday cheer to your dessert table with something downright irresistible, meet the Little Debbie Christmas Cake Balls! These festive no-bake treats take the iconic snack cakes you already love and turn them into melt-in-your-mouth bites that combine creamy, cakey centers with a crisp, snowy chocolate shell. Every pop is packed with nostalgia and fun, making these perfect for parties, potlucks, or surprise gifts. With just a few ingredients and zero baking required, you’ll find these cake balls become a treasured tradition in no time.
Ingredients You’ll Need
The magic of Little Debbie Christmas Cake Balls lies in their simplicity—each ingredient matters, not just for flavor, but for the experience. The cakes, cream cheese, and chocolate combine for a delightfully moist, sweet bite that’s eye-catching and utterly delicious.
- Little Debbie Christmas Tree Cakes: The utterly nostalgic base, these cakes bring classic flavor, holiday vibe, and soft, snack-cake sweetness to every cake ball.
- Cream cheese (4 ounces, softened): This is essential for creating that lusciously creamy texture and binding the crumbly cake together for rolling.
- Vanilla extract (1/2 teaspoon, optional): A little splash deepens the overall flavor—skip if you want the pure cake flavor, or add for extra warmth.
- White chocolate or vanilla almond bark (10 ounces, melted): This is your candy coat, providing a sweet, crisp outer shell—choose almond bark for easier melting and dipping.
- Holiday sprinkles: The finishing touch! Sprinkles bring that instant festive sparkle and crunch on top for maximum holiday delight.
How to Make Little Debbie Christmas Cake Balls
Step 1: Crumble the Cakes
Start by unwrapping all the Little Debbie Christmas Tree Cakes and placing them in a large mixing bowl. Break them up using a fork or your hands—don’t be afraid to get in there and really smash them up! You want fine crumbs rather than big chunks, so the finished mixture is smooth and easy to roll.
Step 2: Mix with Cream Cheese
Add the softened cream cheese to your cake crumbs, plus the vanilla extract if you’re using it. Stir everything together thoroughly; it should form a soft, dough-like consistency. You’ll know it’s ready when you can scoop some up and it holds together easily.
Step 3: Scoop and Roll
Grab a tablespoon or a cookie scoop and portion out the mixture into 1-inch balls. Roll each scoop gently between your palms until smooth, then set them on a baking sheet lined with parchment paper. This keeps your hands clean and guarantees evenly sized cake balls.
Step 4: Chill Until Firm
Pop your tray of cake balls into the freezer for 20 to 30 minutes. A short blast in the freezer gives the mixture time to firm up, which makes dipping in chocolate so much easier and less messy later.
Step 5: Melt and Dip in Chocolate
While the cake balls chill, melt your white chocolate or almond bark in the microwave or over a double boiler, following package instructions. Using a fork or dipping tool, lower each cake ball into the melted chocolate, roll to coat, and then lift it out, letting excess drip away. Place each dipped ball back on the parchment-lined tray.
Step 6: Sprinkle and Set
While the chocolate is still soft, shower each cake ball with a pinch of holiday sprinkles. Work quickly so the sprinkles stick! Let the chocolate harden completely at room temperature or slide the tray into the fridge if you’re eager to dig in sooner. Once set, your Little Debbie Christmas Cake Balls are ready to wow!
How to Serve Little Debbie Christmas Cake Balls
Garnishes
Don’t hold back on the garnishes—holiday sprinkles are the essential touch! You can also top a few with edible gold stars, crushed peppermint, or a drizzle of colored candy melts to coordinate with your festive theme. A dusting of powdered sugar or edible glitter instantly transforms your Little Debbie Christmas Cake Balls into something truly special.
Side Dishes
Pair these cake balls with a mug of spiced hot chocolate or creamy eggnog for the ultimate retro treat. They also shine alongside a platter of fresh fruit, candied pecans, or a simple cheese board, bringing both sweetness and whimsy to your spread. If you’re serving a party buffet, arrange them among other no-bake desserts to wow your guests with color and variety.
Creative Ways to Present
Turn your Little Debbie Christmas Cake Balls into edible presents by stacking them in festive paper cups or lining them up in mini gift boxes—perfect for DIY gifts! You can also skewer them onto pop sticks for cake pops, or arrange them in a Christmas tree shape on a platter for a centerpiece everyone will want a bite of. For kids, try setting out a cake ball-decorating station with extra sprinkles and colored sugar to let them add their personal touch.
Make Ahead and Storage
Storing Leftovers
Keep any leftover Little Debbie Christmas Cake Balls in an airtight container in the fridge. They’ll stay fresh and moist for up to 5 days, making them a wonderful make-ahead dessert for busy holiday weeks or snack attacks on the go. A cold cake ball is particularly dreamy after dinner!
Freezing
If you want to plan ahead, these cake balls freeze beautifully. Simply place them in a single layer in a freezer-safe container, separating layers with parchment. They’ll keep for up to 3 months—just thaw overnight in the fridge before serving. They taste just as fabulous as the day you made them!
Reheating
Little Debbie Christmas Cake Balls are meant to be served chilled or at room temp, so there’s no need for reheating. If they’ve been in the freezer, allow them to come to temperature in the fridge. For a softer center, you can let them sit at room temperature for 10–15 minutes before biting in.
FAQs
Can I use a different flavor of Little Debbie cakes?
Absolutely! While the classic Christmas Tree Cakes are iconic, you can use chocolate or even birthday cake varieties for a different twist. The method stays the same, but each version brings its own personality to your cake balls.
What’s the best way to melt white chocolate or almond bark?
Chop your chocolate into small pieces and melt in a microwave-safe bowl in 20-second bursts, stirring between each. Alternatively, use a double boiler for gentle, even melting. If the chocolate seems too thick, add a teaspoon of vegetable oil to thin it out for easy dipping.
Can I make these Little Debbie Christmas Cake Balls gluten-free?
Since the original cakes contain wheat, this version isn’t naturally gluten-free. However, you can try substituting with your favorite gluten-free snack cakes and follow the same steps for a similar treat!
How do I keep the coating smooth and even?
Make sure your cake balls are chilled and firm before dipping—that prevents crumbs in the chocolate. Use a fork or dipping tool to fully submerge each ball, letting the excess chocolate drip off before setting it down, and add sprinkles fast before the coating hardens.
Can kids help make Little Debbie Christmas Cake Balls?
Definitely! Kids will love crumbling the cakes, mixing the filling, and decorating the tops with sprinkles. Just supervise chocolate melting and dipping, as it can be hot—but otherwise, it’s a perfect family holiday activity.
Final Thoughts
There’s something so special about treats that spark a childhood memory, and Little Debbie Christmas Cake Balls deliver all the joy, color, and sweetness of the season in every bite. If you’re seeking an easy, no-bake showstopper for your holiday spread, put these on your must-make list—you’ll be smiling with every crumb!
Print
Little Debbie Christmas Cake Balls Recipe
- Prep Time: 20 minutes
- Cook Time: 0 minutes
- Total Time: 50 minutes (includes chilling)
- Yield: 24 cake balls
- Category: Dessert
- Method: No-Bake
- Cuisine: American
- Diet: Vegetarian
Description
These Little Debbie Christmas Cake Balls are a delightful and festive treat perfect for holiday gatherings. Made with crushed Christmas Tree Cakes and cream cheese, coated in white chocolate and sprinkles, they are a no-bake, easy-to-make dessert that will impress your guests.
Ingredients
Cake Balls:
- 1 box Little Debbie Christmas Tree Cakes (5 or 6 cakes)
- 4 ounces cream cheese, softened
- 1/2 teaspoon vanilla extract (optional)
Coating and Decoration:
- 10 ounces white chocolate or vanilla almond bark, melted
- Holiday sprinkles for decoration
Instructions
- Prepare Cake Balls: Place Christmas Tree Cakes in a bowl, break apart, add cream cheese and vanilla, mix into dough.
- Shape Balls: Roll mixture into 1-inch balls, place on parchment-lined sheet, freeze until firm.
- Coat Balls: Melt chocolate, dip balls, decorate with sprinkles, let set.
- Serve: Enjoy chilled or at room temperature.
Notes
- You can use either the vanilla or chocolate version of the Christmas Tree Cakes.
- Store leftovers in the fridge for up to 5 days in an airtight container.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 cake ball
- Calories: 150
- Sugar: 14g
- Sodium: 80mg
- Fat: 8g
- Saturated Fat: 5g
- Unsaturated Fat: 2g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 18g
- Fiber: 0g
- Protein: 1g
- Cholesterol: 10mg
