Christmas Tree Cake Balls Recipe Easy and Festive Treats

Updated On: October 13, 2025

The holiday season is the perfect time to get creative in the kitchen, and what better way to celebrate than with adorable, festive treats? Christmas Tree Cake Balls are a delightful, bite-sized dessert that combines the rich flavor of cake with the creamy sweetness of frosting, all wrapped up in a vibrant green coating and decorated to look like miniature Christmas trees.

These festive treats are not only visually appealing but also incredibly fun to make — perfect for holiday parties, gift-giving, or simply indulging in the spirit of the season.

Whether you’re an experienced baker or a newbie, this recipe is easy to follow and promises delicious results every time. Plus, they’re a great way to use up leftover cake or to customize with your favorite flavors.

Get ready to spread some holiday cheer with these charming Christmas Tree Cake Balls that everyone will be talking about!

Why You’ll Love This Recipe

Christmas Tree Cake Balls are a festive twist on a classic cake pop, making them perfect for the holidays. Here’s why you’ll adore making and eating them:

  • Simple and Quick: These cake balls come together in less than an hour, making them ideal for last-minute holiday treats.
  • Customizable: Use any cake flavor and frosting you love to create your own signature taste.
  • Fun to Decorate: The green coating and festive sprinkles let your creativity shine, great for kids and adults alike.
  • Perfectly Portable: These bite-sized delights are easy to pack for parties or gift boxes.
  • Deliciously Moist: The combination of cake and frosting yields a soft, melt-in-your-mouth texture.

Ingredients

  • 1 box of white or yellow cake mix (plus ingredients called for on the box: typically eggs, oil, and water)
  • 1/2 cup of buttercream frosting (store-bought or homemade)
  • 2 cups green candy melts (or white chocolate with green food coloring)
  • Christmas sprinkles (star-shaped, nonpareils, or edible glitter)
  • Wooden lollipop sticks (optional, if you want to make cake pops)
  • Mini marshmallows or green sugar pearls (for extra decoration)
  • Cooking spray (to grease your hands and bowls)

Equipment

  • Mixing bowls (medium and large)
  • Baking pan (9×13 inch recommended)
  • Electric mixer or hand whisk
  • Measuring cups and spoons
  • Microwave-safe bowl (for melting candy)
  • Baking sheet lined with parchment paper
  • Cooling rack (optional)
  • Toothpicks or fork (for dipping cake balls)
  • Refrigerator (for chilling cake balls)

Instructions

  1. Prepare the cake: Follow the instructions on your cake mix box to bake the cake in a 9×13 inch pan. Once baked, allow the cake to cool completely on a cooling rack or countertop.
  2. Crumble the cake: Use your hands or a fork to crumble the cooled cake into fine crumbs in a large mixing bowl. The texture should be crumbly but not powdery.
  3. Add frosting: Add about 1/2 cup of buttercream frosting to the cake crumbs. Mix thoroughly until the mixture is moist enough to hold together when rolled into balls. Add more frosting if needed, but avoid making the mixture too wet.
  4. Shape the cake balls: Spray your hands lightly with cooking spray to prevent sticking. Roll the mixture into small balls, about 1 inch in diameter. Place them on a parchment-lined baking sheet.
  5. Chill the balls: Refrigerate the cake balls for at least 1 hour or freeze for 15-20 minutes. This step helps them firm up and makes dipping easier.
  6. Melt the candy coating: In a microwave-safe bowl, heat the green candy melts in 30-second intervals, stirring after each, until smooth and fully melted.
  7. Dip the cake balls: Using a toothpick, fork, or lollipop stick inserted into each cake ball, dip them into the melted green candy, ensuring they are fully coated. Gently tap off excess coating.
  8. Decorate: While the coating is still wet, sprinkle your Christmas decorations like stars, pearls, or edible glitter onto the cake balls to resemble ornaments on a tree.
  9. Create the tree shape: To make a tree effect, you can stack three cake balls of decreasing size on a lollipop stick or arrange single balls with a small marshmallow or candy star on top.
  10. Set and serve: Place the decorated cake balls back onto the parchment paper and allow the coating to set completely at room temperature or in the refrigerator.

Tips & Variations

“For the best flavor and texture, use cake that is fresh but fully cooled before crumbling. Avoid over-mixing with frosting to keep the cake balls firm.”

  • Flavor twists: Add a teaspoon of peppermint extract to the frosting for a minty holiday flavor.
  • Color variations: Use red or white candy melts and decorate with festive sprinkles for a different look.
  • Vegan option: Try a vegan cake mix and plant-based frosting for a cruelty-free treat.
  • Nutty crunch: Roll finished cake balls in crushed pistachios or almonds for added texture.
  • Mini tree stands: Use green or brown sugar cones as bases and stick the cake balls on top for a 3D tree effect.

Nutrition Facts

Nutrient Per Cake Ball (approx.)
Calories 120 kcal
Fat 5 g
Saturated Fat 3 g
Carbohydrates 18 g
Sugars 14 g
Protein 1 g
Fiber 0.5 g

Serving Suggestions

Christmas Tree Cake Balls are perfect as a sweet bite at holiday gatherings or as charming additions to dessert tables. Serve them alongside hot cocoa, mulled wine, or festive punch for a cozy treat.

For party favors, place a few cake balls in clear cellophane bags tied with a festive ribbon. They also pair beautifully with other holiday desserts like cookies or cupcakes.

Want to mix up your holiday menu? Check out these fantastic recipes to complement your treats:

Conclusion

Christmas Tree Cake Balls are more than just a festive dessert—they’re a joyful celebration of holiday spirit in every bite. This recipe offers a delightful combination of moist cake and creamy frosting, coated in colorful candy melts that bring the magic of Christmas right to your table.

Whether you’re making them for a family gathering, gift-giving, or simply to enjoy throughout the holiday season, these cake balls are sure to impress with their charm and flavor. Plus, their easy preparation and endless decoration possibilities make them a fun project for bakers of all skill levels.

So grab your ingredients and get ready to create some edible holiday cheer. If you loved this recipe, don’t forget to explore other exciting holiday recipes and treats to keep your festive season sweet and memorable!

📖 Recipe Card: Christmas Tree Cake Balls

Description: Delicious bite-sized cake balls shaped like festive Christmas trees, perfect for holiday parties. Easy to make and decorate with green candy melts and sprinkles.

Prep Time: PT20M
Cook Time: PT0M
Total Time: PT20M

Servings: 24 cake balls

Ingredients

  • 1 box white cake mix
  • 1/2 cup water
  • 1/3 cup vegetable oil
  • 3 large eggs
  • 1 cup cream cheese frosting
  • 12 oz green candy melts
  • 1/2 cup assorted sprinkles
  • 24 mini pretzel sticks
  • Wax paper

Instructions

  1. Bake cake according to box instructions and let cool.
  2. Crumble the cooled cake into a large bowl.
  3. Mix in cream cheese frosting until combined.
  4. Roll mixture into 24 balls and chill for 30 minutes.
  5. Melt green candy melts in a microwave-safe bowl.
  6. Dip each cake ball into melted candy and place on wax paper.
  7. Before candy sets, insert a pretzel stick into each ball as a trunk.
  8. Decorate with sprinkles to resemble ornaments.
  9. Allow candy coating to harden before serving.

Nutrition: Calories: 150 | Protein: 2g | Fat: 8g | Carbs: 20g

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Marta K

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