Christmas Tree Cakes
These Christmas Tree Cakes are a homemade version of the classic Little Debbie Christmas Tree Cakes. Soft, vanilla cake is filled with a marshmallow filling, then coated in white chocolate and decorated with a sprinkle of the iconic green sprinkles and red stripes. These cakes are so fun to make and you truly can’t beat the homemade version.
Is there anything more nostalgic than the Little Debbie Christmas Trees?! I remember growing up on these and I still to this day, get them year after year. They are a classic for a reason. Not only are they tasty, but I just love the green sprinkles and classic red stripes on the trees.
Well, okay, this may be the first year I don’t get them, because I have realized you can make these at home and they are truly so good and fun to make!
Here’s what you will love about these Christmas Tree Cakes
- Easy to make – the cake can be mixed in one bowl and only takes 10 minutes to bake! The cake is thin, as it is sandwiched together.
- Nostalgic – Truly who doesn’t love the classic Little Debbie Christmas Trees!? These are so fun to make at home and you really can’t beat a homemade version.
- The perfect Christmas treat – these are, of course, a delicious Christmas treat to enjoy, but they also would make a great homemade Christmas treat to give out to friends and neighbors.
Here are a few other Christmas recipes
- Jumbo Cinnamon Rolls (like Cinnabon)
- Soft 1-hour cinnamon rolls
- Nutella Star Bread
- Easy Pear Tarte Tatin
Let me know what you thought!
If you make these Christmas Tree Cakes, let me know what you thought in the ratings and comments below. I absolutely love reading all of your comments! Also, make sure to snap a picture and tag me @simplebakingwithjolene on instagram. It truly makes my day to see all of your wonderful creations
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Christmas Tree Cakes
- Total Time: 50 minutes
- Yield: 9 Christmas tree cakes 1x
Description
These Christmas Tree Cakes are a homemade version of the classic Little Debbie Christmas Tree Cakes. Soft, vanilla cake is filled with a marshmallow filling, then coated in white chocolate and decorated with a sprinkle of the iconic green sprinkles and red stripes. These cakes are so fun to make and you truly can’t beat the homemade version.
Ingredients
Cake
- 1/2 cup unsalted butter, melted
- 2 large eggs
- 3/4 cup granulated sugar
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 2/3 cup milk
- 1 1/2 cups all-purpose flour
- 1 teaspoon baking powder
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
Filling
- 3/4 cups Marshmallow Fluff
- 6 tablespoons unsalted butter, softened
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 1 tablespoon heavy cream or milk
- 1 1/2 cups confectioners sugar
Coating
- 2 1/2 cups white candy melts
- 2 tablespoons powdered sugar
- Green sanding sugar
- Red food gel
Instructions
1. Preheat oven to 350F. Line a ½ sheet pan with parchment paper and spray with nonstick cooking spray.
2. In a large bowl, add butter, eggs, sugar, vanilla extract and milk. Whisk to combine. Add in the flour, baking powder and salt. Mix just until combined.
3. Pour batter into prepared pan. Evenly spread batter in pan with an offset spatula.
4. Bake in preheated oven for 10 minutes.
5. Remove from the oven and allow to cool for 15 minutes.
6. Flip cake out of pan. Place piece of parchment paper on top of cake, then place a large baking pan on top of the parchment paper. Carefully lift the pan up and flip over, so the cake turns out onto the baking pan.
7. In the bowl of a stand mixer fitted with the paddle attachment, or using a handheld mixer, beat together all ingredients for the filling until smooth and creamy. Place the filling in a piping bag or zip-top bag with one corner snipped off.
8. Using a Christmas tree cookie cutter (mine was 3 1/2 inches), cut out the cake into Christmas tree shapes.
9. Pipe the filling on half of the Christmas tree cakes. Place a non-filled Christmas tree cake on top.
10. In a large shallow bowl, add white candy melts. Melt in 30 second increments in microwave, stirring in between each. Stir in the confectioners sugar.
11. Dip the cakes, one at a time in the melted mixture, flipping to coat. Place the coated cakes on a piece of parchment paper (do not use a wire cooling rack, they will get stuck on there!). Sprinkle the cakes with green sanding sugar.
12. With the leftover melted white candy, add red food gel and mix to combine. Add to a piping bag, then pipe stripes on top of the Christmas tree cakes, once the white candy shell has hardened.
- Prep Time: 20
- Decorating Time: 20
- Cook Time: 10
- Category: Dessert
- Method: Oven
- Cuisine: American
Trying these for my Christmas Cookie tray. My family is not fond of marshmallow. Any ideas for an optional filling?
Hi Nancy!
You could just make it a simple buttercream filling instead. Just omit the marshmallow fluff. You can try 8 tablespoons unsalted butter, 1 teaspoon vanilla extract and 2 cups confectioners sugar instead. You can add 1-3 tablespoons heavy cream or milk depending on the consistency. You want it to be stiff enough to stay within the center of the cakes and not fall out. I hope you enjoy these!
-Jolene
Cream cheese icing!!!
Now that would be delicious!
Have you tried freezing them?
Hi Laura! I have not. I think they would work fine to freeze though! I hope you enjoy these! 🙂
-Jolene
What size is the cookie cutter?
Hi Kristen! It is 3 1/2 inches. I will add that to the recipe instructions. Thanks for the question!
-Jolene
Would this work with gluten free flour?
Hi Melissa! To be honest I have not tried it with gluten free flour, but I do know that a lot of gluten free all-purpose blends work on a one to one ratio. This cake recipe has nothing fancy or specific about it, so I believe the gluten free all-purpose blend should work. I hope you enjoy these!
-Jolene
So cute! What size pan for the cake? I see it it mentions 1/2 depth.
Hi Chris! The pan is a 1/2 sheet pan, or 18×13 inches. I hope you enjoy!
-Jolene