Print

Tree Cake Truffle

Print Recipe

5 Stars 4 Stars 3 Stars 2 Stars 1 Star

No reviews

Tree Cake Truffles are delightful no-bake treats made with soft vanilla snack cakes, cream cheese, and a smooth white chocolate coating. Decorated with festive red and green accents, these bite-sized Christmas truffles are perfect for holiday parties, dessert trays, and homemade gifts.

Ingredients

10 vanilla tree snack cakes

4 oz cream cheese, softened

12 oz almond bark or white chocolate candy melts

Red food coloring, for decoration

Green sanding sugar, for decoration

Instructions

  1. Prepare the baking sheet: Line a large baking sheet with parchment paper and set it aside. Make sure there is enough space to arrange approximately 20 truffles without touching.
  2. Crumble the cakes: Place the vanilla tree snack cakes in a large mixing bowl. Use your hands or a fork to crumble them into small, even pieces.
  3. Mix the filling: Add the softened cream cheese to the crumbled cakes. Using a hand mixer, blend until the ingredients are thoroughly combined and form a soft, cohesive mixture.
  4. Shape the truffles: Scoop tablespoon-sized portions of the cake mixture and roll them between your palms to form smooth balls. Arrange the truffles in a single layer on the prepared baking sheet.
  5. Freeze the truffles: Transfer the baking sheet to the freezer for 30 minutes, or until the truffles are firm enough to hold their shape when dipped into melted chocolate.
  6. Melt the chocolate: Place the almond bark or white chocolate candy melts in a microwave-safe bowl. Microwave in 20–30-second intervals, stirring thoroughly between each interval, until completely melted and smooth. Avoid overheating the coating.
  7. Coat the truffles: Remove the chilled truffles from the freezer. Using a fork or dipping tool, dip each truffle into the melted white chocolate, turning to coat completely. Allow the excess chocolate to drip back into the bowl before placing each coated truffle onto the parchment-lined baking sheet.
  8. Decorate the truffles: While the white chocolate coating is still wet, sprinkle the truffles with green sanding sugar. For red accents, use a small amount of melted coating tinted with oil-based red food coloring and drizzle it over the truffles. Avoid adding regular water-based food coloring directly to melted chocolate, as it may cause the coating to seize.
  9. Allow the coating to set: Let the decorated truffles rest until the white chocolate coating has completely hardened. Refrigerate briefly if necessary to help the coating set.
  10. Serve: Arrange the finished Tree Cake Truffles on a festive dessert platter or place them in individual candy cups. Serve chilled or slightly softened at cool room temperature.

Notes

No-bake dessert: These truffles require no oven. The only heating needed is melting the white chocolate or almond bark for dipping.

Snack cake substitution: Prepared vanilla cake may be used instead of vanilla tree snack cakes, but the texture and sweetness may differ because packaged snack cakes typically contain frosting and filling. Adjust the cream cheese as needed.

Chocolate coating options: Use either almond bark or white chocolate candy melts. Both create a smooth, sweet coating that hardens around the creamy filling.

Food coloring tip: Use oil-based candy coloring for melted chocolate. Regular liquid food coloring can cause chocolate to seize. Alternatively, use red candy melts or red sprinkles for decoration.

Decoration variations: Substitute colorful sprinkles, different sanding sugar colors, or festive candy decorations to match holidays and special occasions.

Simple finish: Skip the decorations and leave the truffles coated in plain white chocolate for a classic appearance.

Soft filling tip: If the cake and cream cheese mixture is too soft to roll, refrigerate it for 10–15 minutes before shaping.

Freezing before dipping: Chilling the shaped truffles for 30 minutes helps them maintain their shape and prevents them from falling apart in the warm coating.

Smooth chocolate tip: Melt the coating gradually in short microwave intervals, stirring frequently. Overheating can make the coating thick or grainy.

Dipping tip: Use a fork or candy dipping tool to lower each truffle into the melted coating. Gently tap off excess chocolate for a smooth, even shell.

Make ahead: Prepare the truffles in advance and refrigerate them in an airtight container until ready to serve.

Refrigeration: Store finished truffles in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 4–5 days. Separate layers with parchment paper to prevent sticking.

Freezing: Place finished truffles in a freezer-safe airtight container, separating layers with parchment paper. Freeze for up to 2 months for best quality.

Thawing: Thaw frozen truffles overnight in the refrigerator before serving. Keep them covered while thawing to minimize condensation on the chocolate coating.

Serving suggestions: Arrange the truffles on holiday dessert trays, serve them in decorative candy cups, or package them in treat boxes for homemade Christmas gifts.

Nutrition: Nutritional values are estimates per truffle based on 20 truffles. Actual values vary depending on the brand and size of vanilla snack cakes, chocolate coating, and decorations used.

Nutrition

Find it online: https://chocolatecoveredamy.com/tree-cake-truffles/