Get ready to delight in pure holiday joy with these irresistible Little Debbie Christmas Tree Cheesecake Bites. Imagine everything you love about the iconic snack cake, blended seamlessly with creamy cheesecake and dipped in festive chocolate—each bite is the ultimate combination of nostalgia and modern holiday dessert magic. Bursting with rich flavor and adorned with cheerful sprinkles, these cheesecake bites are speedy to prepare and guaranteed to steal the show at any party or family gathering.
Ingredients You’ll Need
With just a handful of fun and reliable staples, this recipe shows off how the simplest ingredients can create show-stopping results. Each component matters, combining to deliver flavor, texture, and festive flair in every single bite of your Little Debbie Christmas Tree Cheesecake Bites.
- Little Debbie Christmas Tree Cakes: These joyful cakes are the heart of the recipe, providing instant holiday spirit and a dreamy cake crumb base.
- Cream cheese (8 oz, softened): This brings the luscious cheesecake element and creamy texture to the bites.
- White chocolate chips (1/2 cup, melted): Adds a touch of sweetness and helps bind the mixture for the perfect truffle consistency.
- Vanilla extract (1/2 teaspoon): For a warm, cozy depth of flavor that makes everything taste homemade.
- Almond extract (1/4 teaspoon, optional): If you love that bakery-style almond aroma, a little goes a long way—completely optional but lovely.
- Salt (1/4 teaspoon): Just a pinch intensifies flavors and keeps the treats from tasting flat.
- Red and green sprinkles (for decorating): Essential for that festive finish—don’t skip this, it’s the easiest way to dress them up!
- White chocolate or candy melts (for coating, optional): For an extra decadent, professional bakery vibe, dip your bites and drizzle away.
How to Make Little Debbie Christmas Tree Cheesecake Bites
Step 1: Prepare the Christmas Tree Cake Crumbs
Toss all of your Little Debbie Christmas Tree Cakes into a food processor and pulse until you have even, fine crumbs. This step is essential—breaking the cakes down makes sure you’ll get uniform, tender cheesecake bites that hold together perfectly.
Step 2: Mix the Cheesecake Base
Add your softened cream cheese, melted white chocolate chips, vanilla extract, almond extract (if you’re using it), and salt straight into those cake crumbs. Blend in the food processor or mix by hand until a smooth, even dough forms. The mixture should pull together and look creamy but not too wet.
Step 3: Chill the Mixture
Transfer the dough to a bowl and pop it into the refrigerator for about 30 minutes. Chilling gives everything time to firm up, which makes rolling the mixture into uniform balls a breeze (and much less messy).
Step 4: Roll Into Cheesecake Bites
Once chilled, scoop out tablespoon-sized portions and roll them into 1-inch balls with your hands. Arrange the balls evenly spaced on a parchment-lined baking sheet so they don’t stick. This is where the magic starts—you’ll see how festive and cute they already look!
Step 5: Freeze and Coat
Pop the tray in the freezer for 15–20 minutes to set the bites. If you’re going all out, melt some extra white chocolate or candy melts for coating. Dip each cold cheesecake bite into the melted chocolate, let the excess drip off, and return them to the tray right away so you can decorate.
Step 6: Decorate with Sprinkles
Before the chocolate sets, immediately top each bite with a generous pinch of red and green sprinkles. These aren’t just for looks—they add playful crunch and signal that this treat is ready for any holiday celebration. Let the coating set completely before serving or storing.
How to Serve Little Debbie Christmas Tree Cheesecake Bites
Garnishes
For the most festive touch, sprinkle your Little Debbie Christmas Tree Cheesecake Bites with extra holiday sprinkles, edible glitter, or a zig-zag of colored icing. Arrange them atop mini cupcake liners for a pretty presentation and to keep them from sticking to each other on a serving platter.
Side Dishes
Pair these cheesecake bites with mugs of hot cocoa, spiced cider, or fresh fruit for a well-balanced dessert table. They’re delightful alongside salty snacks like pretzel sticks or a cheese board, adding sweet contrast on your holiday spread.
Creative Ways to Present
Stack the bites in a pyramid to mimic the shape of a Christmas tree, or wrap them up in clear treat bags tied with ribbon for adorable edible gifts. You can also skewer them on festive toothpicks for a holiday party tray, or tuck a few into cookie boxes as a sweet surprise.
Make Ahead and Storage
Storing Leftovers
Store your Little Debbie Christmas Tree Cheesecake Bites in an airtight container in the refrigerator. They stay perfectly fresh for up to 5 days, so you can enjoy them throughout the holiday week—or surprise guests with a ready-made treat!
Freezing
Good news: these cheesecake bites are very freezer-friendly! Freeze them on the baking sheet first, then transfer to a zip-top bag or container. They’ll keep in the freezer for up to 2 months. For best results, freeze before dipping in chocolate and decorating—just thaw and coat right before serving for ultimate freshness.
Reheating
These morsels are meant to be served chilled or at room temperature, no reheating required. If you prefer them slightly less cold, let them rest at room temp for 10–15 minutes before enjoying—they’ll be creamy and dreamy every time.
FAQs
Can I use a different flavor of Little Debbie cakes?
Absolutely! While the classic Christmas Tree Cakes make these extra festive, you can substitute with Birthday Cakes, Unicorn Cakes, or any seasonal variety that tickles your fancy. Just keep in mind that the decorations will look different, but the results are equally delicious!
Do I need a food processor to make these?
A food processor is easiest for quick, even crumbs, but a large mixing bowl and sturdy spoon can work in a pinch—just crumble the cakes very finely first for the smoothest texture in your Little Debbie Christmas Tree Cheesecake Bites.
How do I make these gluten-free?
Swap the Little Debbie cakes for any gluten-free snack cakes of similar style and flavor. Make sure all other ingredients are certified gluten-free. You may have to adjust the cream cheese slightly for the right consistency.
What if I don’t want to use white chocolate for coating?
You can skip the coating entirely if you’d like—just roll the chilled cheesecake balls directly in festive sprinkles or crushed candy canes for crunch and color. The bites will still be creamy and mouthwatering!
Can I double this recipe for a big party?
Yes, you can! Simply double every ingredient for a larger batch. Since these cheesecake bites set in the fridge or freezer, you can make them in advance and chill in batches if needed—perfect for any holiday crowd.
Final Thoughts
There’s an extra bit of magic in every batch of Little Debbie Christmas Tree Cheesecake Bites. If you’re looking for a sweet way to create memories and wow your holiday guests, this recipe is as easy as it is nostalgic. Give them a try this festive season—and get ready for joyful smiles and requests for seconds!
PrintLittle Debbie Christmas Tree Cheesecake Bites Recipe
- Prep Time: 20 minutes
- Cook Time: 0 minutes
- Total Time: 50 minutes (including chilling)
- Yield: 20–24 bites
- Category: Dessert
- Method: No-Bake
- Cuisine: American
- Diet: Vegetarian
Description
These Little Debbie Christmas Tree Cheesecake Bites are a fun and festive holiday dessert that combines the flavors of the iconic Christmas Tree Cakes with creamy cheesecake. Perfect for holiday parties or as edible gifts!
Ingredients
Ingredients:
- 1 box Little Debbie Christmas Tree Cakes (5 cakes)
- 8 oz cream cheese, softened
- 1/2 cup white chocolate chips, melted
- 1/2 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 1/4 teaspoon almond extract (optional)
- 1/4 teaspoon salt
- Red and green sprinkles (for decorating)
- White chocolate or candy melts (for coating, optional)
Instructions
- In a food processor, pulse the Christmas Tree Cakes into fine crumbs.
- Chill the mixture in the refrigerator for 30 minutes to firm up.
- Once chilled, roll the mixture into 1-inch balls and place them on a parchment-lined baking sheet.
- Chill until the coating is set. Serve cold or at room temperature.
Add softened cream cheese, melted white chocolate chips, vanilla extract, almond extract (if using), and salt. Process or mix until a smooth dough forms.
Freeze for 15–20 minutes to set. If desired, dip each bite in melted white chocolate or candy melts, then return to the baking sheet and immediately top with red and green sprinkles.
Notes
Notes:
- Store in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 5 days.
- These make great holiday party treats or edible gifts.
- For extra festive flair, drizzle with red or green icing after dipping.