Learn how to make the famous Little Debbie Christmas Tree Cakes that you know and love. This is a copycat recipe that is a soft baked cake in the shape of a tree, with the classic cream filling dipped in chocolate and decorated with Christmas sanding sugar.

Christmas tree takes on a table with milk and Christmas decorations around it

The best part of all, this copycat recipe starts with a boxed cake mix. Easy to prep, and delicious to devour. You can now make your favorite Christmas tree cakes any time of the year!

Want more delicious Christmas-inspired desserts? Try out my sugar cookie bites, spritz cookies, or my Christmas tree layered cake. All are gorgeous and festive holiday desserts.

Copycat Little Debbie Christmas Tree Cake on a plate with glass of milk behind it

Make sure to take a minute to check out my delicious Christmas tree cake truffles or this decadent Christmas Tree cheesecake that is full of Little Debbies in the filling! Both are festive Little Debbie desserts.

Reasons You Will Love These Little Debbie Christmas Tree Cakes

Make a ton of Christmas tree cakes that taste just like the Little Debbie Christmas tree cakes you know and love.
This is a dessert that makes quite a few cakes so great for a crowd.
Starts with a boxed cake mix, so it is budget-friendly!
While this dessert looks hard to make it truly is easy!
Great for Christmas school parties, holiday gatherings, pack-in dessert trays for gifts, etc.

Ingredients

Cake Mix – You will use a white cake mix as well as the ingredients on the box to make the cake. Any brand of cake mix works.

Heavy Cream – Make sure to reach for heavy whipping cream. This is the best of the filling for the cakes.

Vanilla – A splash of vanilla extract is going to really add an aromatic sweetness and depth.

Powdered Sugar – Sift your powdered sugar if you want to have an ultra-velvety texture to the filling.

Marshmallow Cream – The secret ingredient in the filling of these popular tree cakes. Find this in the baking aisle near the marshmallows.

Candy Melting Wafers – White candy coating wafers are what is used for dipping the cakes in. This creates that hard shell for the outside of the cakes.

Shortening – The shortening is optional but it will thin up the chocolate a bit making it easier for dipping.

Icing – I used a pouch of store-bought icing for adding the lines to the cakes.

Sanding Sugar – Sanding sugar is the traditional topper for these cakes. You could use sprinkles if you wanted.

Variations to Recipe

Cake mix – You can use any flavor of cake you would like. Funfetti, red velvet, chocolate, etc. Feel free to play around with the flavors.

Filling – Feel free to use an almond extract, peppermint, or even a citrus extract to add flavor to the filling if you want a twist in flavors.

Decorating Cakes – Decorate the cakes with any type of sprinkles, icing, etc. Get creative and have fun!

Chocolate Dipping – Don’t care for white chocolate? Go ahead and do a milk chocolate, semi-sweet, etc. Any type of chocolate works for dipping the cakes in.

little debbies christmas tree cake cut in half on plate

Storing Cakes

These cakes can be stored in a sealed container at room temperature for around a week. You will find they dry out a bit as time passes as they are not sealed and don’t contain the preservatives like the traditional store-bought cakes.

Now you can also freeze the cakes for 4-5 months if you want. Place in a freezer bag or container. Then freeze and thaw on the counter when you are ready to eat them.

homemade cake for christmas on parchment paper

Tips for Success

Line Pan With Parchment Paper

To make the cake easy to be removed from the pan line it with parchment paper. This is going to allow you to lift the cake right out of the pan. Just ensure the parchment paper comes up around the edges, so you can grab the paper and lift it.

little debbie cakes on a parchment paper tray with glasses of milk around it

Cookie Cutter

You can buy any size cookie cutter for this recipe. These tend to be single-serve desserts so I recommend using a small to medium size cookie cutter.

cakes in a glass bowl on table with Christmas decor around it

Hand Mixer or Stand Mixer

I do recommend using a hand or stand mixer when it comes to whipping up the filling. This is going to help ensure all the ingredients mix well and you get that velvety smooth texture.

Melting Chocolate

Melt the chocolate in the microwave or use a double boiler on the stovetop. You can follow the directions on the package. The biggest thing is to make sure you do overheat the candy melts or it will cause them to burn or seize up.

side view of little cakes in shape of trees on table

Dipping

Tap off the excess candy melts before placing the cakes on a parchment-lined tray. This will help prevent all the chocolate from pooling up around the cakes.

FAQs

Can I make the cakes from scratch instead of using a cake mix?

If you have a white cake in mind or another flavor go right ahead. The cake mix is just to help speed up the prep but feel free to make homemade if you prefer.

plastic container with mini cakes inside

Can I make these cakes in advance?

You can make the cakes a day or two ahead of when you want to serve them up. I just recommend not doing it any sooner or it can dry out the cakes by the time you serve them up.