Little Debbie Christmas Tree Cakes (Copycat Recipe)
These copycat Little Debbie Christmas tree cakes are a version of the seasonal treat you can enjoy year round! Rich, fluffy yellow cake with layers of marshmallow filling all coated in a candy coating.
This post may contain affiliate links. As an amazon associate, I earn from qualifying purchases. See my full Disclosure Policy for details.
There’s just something about those classic Little Debbie Christmas Tree Cakes.
One bite and all the holiday magic hits me with full force.
The cakes are soft, sweet, and coated in that perfect layer of sweet coating.
They’ve been a lunchbox favorite for generations.
This homemade version captures all that nostalgic flavor with a simple, from scratch twist you can enjoy fresh from your own kitchen.
Whether you’re making them for a holiday party or just to treat yourself, these copycat Little Debbie Christmas Tree Cakes are sure to spread some cheer.
Ingredients
You’ll need a set of ingredients for the cakes, one for the filling, and a final set for the coating.
For the cake you’ll need:
- Flour– All purpose flour
- Baking powder– For lift
- Salt
- Butter– Softened to room temperature
- Sugar– Granulated
- Eggs
- Vanilla extract– Real vanilla extract is better than imitation
- Sour cream– For extra moisture. Use full fat if possible.
For the filling you’ll need:
- Butter– Softened to room temperature
- Marshmallow creme– Aka Fluff
- Sugar– Powdered
- Vanilla extract– Real is best.
And for the topping you’ll need:
- Candy melts– White candy melts
- Green sanding sugar – You can find this in the baking aisle of most big grocers or craft stores.
- Cookie frosting– The kind in the prepackaged tube. Red will give the most authentic look.
How to Make
Let’s break this down into making the cake, making the filling, and making the topping.
How to Make the Cake
Preheat the oven to 350 F. g
In a medium bowl, whisk together the flour, baking powder, and salt.
Cream together the butter and sugar in the bowl of your stand mixer until they are light and fluffy.
Beat in the eggs and vanilla.
Stir the dry ingredients into the wet ingredients until they are just combined.
Then stir in the sour cream until no streaks remain.
Spread the cake batter evenly into a greased and floured 18×13” baking sheet, using an offset spatula to get an even thickness.
Bake in a 350 degree oven for 16-20 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted into the center comes out clean.
Let the cake cool cool completely, and then use a tree shaped cookie cutter to cut out the cake.
Making the Marshmallow Filling
Once the cakes are cooled and cut, you can make the marshmallow filling.
In the bowl of a stand mixer fitted with the whisk attachment, whisk the butter, marshmallow creme, powdered sugar and vanilla, starting on low and gradually increasing the speed until light and fluffy.
Spread about 1-2 tablespoons of filling on half of the tree cakes, then place another tree on top, gently pushing down to make Christmas tree layered cake.
To Make the Topping
Once the cakes are layered together, make the topping by microwave the candy coating for 30 second intervals in a microwave safe bowl and mixing after each interval until the melts are smooth.
Dip each cake into the melted candy using a fork to gently lower each filled tree cake into the melted candy coating, letting the extra to drip off.
Put the coated cakes onto a parchment lined baking sheet.
Drizzle with the red cookie frosting and sprinkle with the green sanding sugar.
Allow to set for at least 30 minutes before serving.
Storing Leftovers
Storing leftovers in an airtight container on the counter for up to 3 days or in the fridge for up to a week.
Tips and Tricks
- Make sure to the grease the sheet pan liberally and coat it all in a dusting of flour so the cake doesn’t stick to the sheet pan.
- Space the cutouts close together to make sure you get as many cakes with as little waste as possible.
- Make sure the cakes are completely cool prior to spreading on the marshmallow filling and dipping them in the candy melts.
Other Little Debbie Christmas Tree Cake Recipes
Copycat Christmas Tree Cakes are every bit as good as the classic Little Debbie treat.
Make them and enjoy!
Looking for other recipes inspired by Little Debbie Christmas Tree Cakes?
Try these:
If you’ve tried these COPYCAT LITTLE DEBBIE CHRISTMAS TREE CAKES, or any other recipe on my site, let me know in the comment section how it turned out, we love hearing from our readers! You can also follow along with me on PINTEREST, FACEBOOK, and INSTAGRAM to see more amazing recipes and whatever else we’ve got going on!
Little Debbie Christmas Tree Cakes (Copycat Recipe)
Ingredients
For The Cake
- 1 ½ cups flour
- 1 teaspoon baking powder
- ¼ teaspoon salt
- ½ cup butter
- 1 cup sugar
- 2 large eggs
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- ½ cup sour cream
For The Filling
- ½ cup butter
- 1 7 oz tub marshmallow creme
- 1 ½ cups powdered sugar
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
For The Topping
- 2 cups white candy coating melting wafers
- 1 tablespoon green sanding sugar
- 1 tube red cookie frosting
Instructions
To Make The Cake
- Preheat the oven to 350 F. grease and flour an 18x13” baking sheet. (half slab size)
- In a medium bowl, whisk together the flour, baking powder, and salt; set aside.1 ½ cups flour, 1 teaspoon baking powder, ¼ teaspoon salt
- In a separate bowl, cream together the butter and sugar until light and fluffy. Add the eggs and vanilla and mix well.½ cup butter, 1 cup sugar, 2 large eggs, 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- Add the dry ingredients to the wet ingredients, then stir until just combined. Stir in the sour cream until no streaks remain.½ cup sour cream
- Spread the cake batter evenly into the prepared pan, using an offset spatula to get an even thickness.
- Bake in the preheated oven for 16-20 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted into the center comes out clean.
- Allow to cool completely, then use a tree shaped cookie cutter to cut out the cake. Be sure to cut as closely together as possible to ensure maximum usage of the cake.
To Make The Filling
- In the bowl of a stand mixer fitted with the whisk attachment, add the butter, marshmallow creme, powdered sugar and vanilla and mix, starting on low and gradually increasing the speed until light and fluffy.½ cup butter, 1 7 oz tub marshmallow creme, 1 ½ cups powdered sugar, 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- Spread about 1-2 tablespoons of filling on half of the tree cakes, then place another tree on top, gently pushing down to make “sandwiches”
To Make The Topping
- In a medium microwave safe bowl, melt the candy coating in 30 second intervals, mixing well after each, until completely melted and smooth.2 cups white candy coating melting wafers
- Use a fork to gently lower each filled tree cake into the melted candy coating, allow the extra to drip off, then place onto a parchment lined baking sheet.
- Drizzle with the red cookie frosting and sprinkle with the green sanding sugar.1 tablespoon green sanding sugar, 1 tube red cookie frosting
- Allow to set for at least 30 minutes before serving.
Notes
- Make sure to the grease the sheet pan liberally and coat it all in a dusting of flour so the cake doesn't stick to the sheet pan.
- Space the cutouts close together to make sure you get as many cakes with as little waste as possible.
- Make sure the cakes are completely cool prior to spreading on the marshmallow filling and dipping them in the candy melts.
Nutrition
This post may contain affiliate links. As an amazon associate, I earn from qualifying purchases. See my full Disclosure Policy for details. As always, all opinions are my own.
