Name: Copycat Little Debbie Christmas Tree Cakes Recipe
Prep time: 30 min
Cook time: 15 min
Total time: 1 h 45 min
Cuisine: American
Ingredients: 13.25 ounce box yellow cake mix; 3 large eggs; 1 large egg yolk; 1 cup whole milk; ½ cup melted butter; 7 ounces marshmallow fluff; ¾ cup butter, room temperature; 2 cups powdered sugar; 2 tablespoons whole milk; 1 pound white almond bark; 1 cup red candy melts; Green sanding sugar

There’s just something magical about those festive little treats, and making your own version can be so rewarding. The Copycat Little Debbie Christmas Tree Cakes Recipe brings back all that holiday cheer with its moist cake layers and fluffy filling, all wrapped up in a cozy, sweet coating. I promise, once you try making these, store-bought will feel a little less special.

The image shows three triangular cookies stacked on one another on a white plate, each cookie is covered in white icing with green sugar sprinkles scattered all over. Red icing in wavy lines runs across the surface of each cookie, creating a festive contrast. The cookies have a slightly rough texture visible under the icing. The background is a white marbled texture, and there is a blurry white cup behind the plate. photo taken with an iphone --ar 2:3 --v 7

Jump to:

Why You'll Love This Recipe
Ingredients & Why They Work
Make It Your Way
Step-by-Step: How I Make Copycat Little Debbie Christmas Tree Cakes Recipe
Top Tip
How to Serve Copycat Little Debbie Christmas Tree Cakes Recipe
Make Ahead and Storage
Frequently Asked Questions:
Final Thoughts
Copycat Little Debbie Christmas Tree Cakes Recipe

Why You'll Love This Recipe

I love how this Copycat Little Debbie Christmas Tree Cakes Recipe nails the nostalgic charm of the original but lets you control the freshness and flavors. Plus, handmade treats always mean a little extra love in every bite.

Authentic Texture: The combination of moist yellow cake and marshmallow filling replicates the original perfectly.
Fun & Festive: Shaped like Christmas trees and decorated with sanding sugar and red stripes, they bring holiday joy to any dessert table.
Customizable: You can personalize the colors, sprinkle types, or even the filling for your taste and occasion.
Make-Ahead Friendly: These can be made in advance, frozen, and still taste fresh when served!

A close-up view of a small, square-shaped cake piece held by a woman's hand showing two layers of soft yellow sponge with a thick layer of white cream filling in the middle. The cake is fully covered in a smooth white icing with a thin layer of shiny red icing on the top edge. Few tiny green sprinkles are visible on the white icing around the sides. The background features a white marbled texture with blurred hints of red, white, and green colors. Photo taken with an iphone --ar 2:3 --v 7

Ingredients & Why They Work

Each ingredient in this Copycat Little Debbie Christmas Tree Cakes Recipe plays a crucial role — from the yellow cake base that bakes up light and tender to the fluffy marshmallow filling that adds that signature softness. Here’s why these ingredients make the magic happen when combined.

Flat lay of a small white ceramic bowl of yellow cake mix powder, three whole brown eggs with clean shells, a small white ceramic bowl of whole milk, a small white ceramic bowl with melted butter, a small white ceramic bowl of fluffy marshmallow fluff, a small white ceramic bowl of softened butter, a small white ceramic bowl filled with powdered sugar, a small white ceramic bowl with green sanding sugar crystals, a small white ceramic bowl containing smooth white almond bark, a small white ceramic bowl with smooth red candy melts, all arranged in perfect symmetry, ingredients fresh and natural, placed on a clean white marble surface, soft natural light, photo taken with an iPhone, professional food photography style, fresh ingredients, white ceramic bowls, no bottles, no duplicates, no utensils, no packaging --ar 2:3 --v 7 --p m7354615311229779997

Yellow Cake Mix: Using a box mix keeps things simple and guarantees a consistent, moist cake every time.
Eggs: They provide structure and richness, especially with that extra yolk for added density.
Whole Milk: Adds moisture and helps create a tender crumb—don’t swap this out for skim unless you want a drier cake!
Melted Butter: Gives the cake a lovely buttery flavor and a soft texture that’s crucial here.
Marshmallow Fluff: This is the star of the filling, delivering that creamy, sweet character you remember.
Powdered Sugar: Makes the filling smooth and perfectly sweet without graininess.
White Almond Bark: Melts cleanly and hardens with a nice shine, perfect for coating your cake trees.
Red Candy Melts: For piping those festive stripes—easy to melt and handle, plus they add a punch of color.
Green Sanding Sugar: Adds sparkle and texture on top, making the cakes look like little Christmas trees dusted with snow.

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Note: You'll find the complete list of ingredients, along with their exact measurements, in the printable recipe card at the bottom of this post.

Make It Your Way

I love mixing things up based on the season or who I’m serving. This Copycat Little Debbie Christmas Tree Cakes Recipe really shines when you play with different fillings or add a personal touch to the decoration. Feel free to experiment!

Variation: One year, I swapped half the yellow cake mix for a spice cake mix — it added a cozy depth that was a hit at our holiday party.
Dietary Twist: For a dairy-free version, try coconut milk instead of whole milk and a vegan butter substitute — just keep an eye on baking time since moisture content changes.
Seasonal Flavors: Add a teaspoon of peppermint extract to the filling for a minty twist that feels like Christmas in every bite.

Step-by-Step: How I Make Copycat Little Debbie Christmas Tree Cakes Recipe

Step 1: Prep Your Baking Pan and Cake Batter

The first step is all about setting yourself up for success. I line a 16×12 inch jelly roll pan with parchment paper and then lightly spray it with nonstick cooking spray to ensure the cake doesn’t stick. Using binder clips to secure the parchment keeps it from sliding—trust me, this trick saves so much frustration! Then, in a large bowl, whisk your yellow cake mix, whole eggs, extra yolk, milk, and melted butter until the batter is silky smooth. Even spreading with an angled spatula helps the cake bake evenly.

Step 2: Bake and Cool the Cake

Pop the pan into your preheated 350°F oven and set your timer for about 12-15 minutes. Keep an eye out—once a toothpick inserted in the center comes out clean or with just a few moist crumbs, it’s done. Letting the cake cool completely before the next step is crucial so that the filling doesn’t melt or slide around.

Step 3: Whip Up the Fluffy Filling

While the cake is cooling, I recommend making the filling. Beat together marshmallow fluff, room-temperature butter, and powdered sugar until it's all smooth and creamy. Then add your milk and whip on high until the filling becomes light and airy — that fluffiness is what brings this Copycat Little Debbie Christmas Tree Cakes Recipe to life. If you want a sweeter or less sweet filling, adjust the powdered sugar to taste.

Step 4: Assemble and Chill Your Cake Layers

Carefully slice your cooled cake in half horizontally, then spread the fluffy filling evenly on the bottom half. Top it with the other half and gently press down to seal. Now comes a little trick: freeze your cake stack for about 30 minutes before cutting out your tree shapes—this step firmed up the cake for me and helped prevent crumbly edges.

Step 5: Shape and Chill the Cakes

Use a Christmas tree-shaped cookie cutter to cut out your mini cakes. Place them on a parchment-lined baking sheet and return them to the freezer to chill for another 30 minutes. This double chilling step makes the dipping process a breeze.

Step 6: Coat with Almond Bark and Decorate

Melt your white almond bark in the microwave in short bursts, stirring in between for a silky consistency. Dip each chilled tree into the melted coating, lightly tapping off the excess so the coating isn’t too thick. Before the coating sets, sprinkle green sanding sugar on top for that classic tree sparkle. Then, melt your red candy melts, thin if needed, and pipe on wavy stripes right on the coated cakes to mimic garland — this is the fun decorating part I always look forward to!

Top Tip

Having made this recipe multiple times, I’ve learned a few little secrets that made all the difference — here are the tips I wish I knew from my first batch!

Chilling is Key: Freezing your cake before cutting and coating is a game changer. It prevents crumbling and helps the coating set perfectly without melting the filling.
Binder Clips Save Time: Securing parchment paper with clips keeps everything neat and prevents batter from leaking or sliding around during baking.
Use an Angled Spatula: Spreading the batter evenly with this tool helps get a flat, uniform cake layer that bakes consistently.
Don’t Overheat Candy Melts: Melting too long makes them thick and tough to pipe — short bursts and stirring keep them silky smooth.

How to Serve Copycat Little Debbie Christmas Tree Cakes Recipe

Christmas Tree Cakes - Serving Suggestion

Garnishes

I tend to keep it simple but festive — green sanding sugar gives that sparkly, frosted tree look, and the red candy stripes add just the right pop of holiday color. Sometimes I’ll add tiny edible silver pearls for an extra touch, especially when serving guests.

Side Dishes

These little cakes pair beautifully with a warm cup of cocoa or a glass of milk. For a holiday spread, serve alongside peppermint bark, cranberry cookies, or even a simple fruit platter to balance the sweetness.

Creative Ways to Present

Once, I arranged the trees in a circle on a festive plate with a small mound of coconut “snow” in the center and twinkle lights around it—it made for a charming centerpiece. You can also stack them like little tiered cakes or wrap individually for gifting.

Make Ahead and Storage

Storing Leftovers

I store leftover trees in an airtight container at room temperature if I plan to eat them within three days, or in the fridge if I want them to last up to five. Just be sure they’re protected from moisture to keep the coating crisp.

Freezing

You can freeze these treats successfully. I individually wrap the cakes in plastic wrap and place them in a freezer bag. When thawed overnight in the fridge, they taste just as fresh. The key is to let them fully thaw before unwrapping to avoid condensation ruining the coating.

Reheating

No need to reheat! These cakes are best enjoyed cold or at room temperature. If you want to soften the filling slightly, just let them sit out for 15 minutes before serving.

Frequently Asked Questions:

Can I use homemade cake instead of box mix?

Absolutely! If you prefer, a homemade yellow cake recipe will work perfectly. Just make sure the cake is sturdy enough to hold the filling and coatings without crumbling. I recommend chilling homemade cakes before assembly for easier handling.

What if I don’t have a tree-shaped cookie cutter?

No worries! You can use any festive cookie cutter shape you like — stars, bells, or even simple squares. Alternatively, you can freehand cut the cakes with a sharp knife. Just keep the shapes manageable for dipping and decorating.

How long do these Christmas tree cakes stay fresh?

When stored in an airtight container, these cakes stay fresh at room temperature for about 3 days. Refrigerating them extends their life up to 5 days. Beyond that, freezing is your best bet for preserving freshness.

Can I prepare these for a crowd or a party?

Definitely! This recipe scales well, and you can make the cakes in advance and freeze them. Just allow enough time for assembly, chilling, and decorating. They make a stunning addition to any holiday dessert spread.

Final Thoughts

This Copycat Little Debbie Christmas Tree Cakes Recipe is close to my heart — it’s the kind of treat that instantly transports me back to festive mornings and cozy family moments. I hope you enjoy making and sharing these as much as I do, and that they become a beloved tradition in your own holiday celebrations. Give this recipe a try — your kitchen will smell like the holidays, and your dessert table will steal the show!