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 something undeniably festive and nostalgic about these sweet, tree-shaped treats that instantly bring holiday magic to your kitchen. This Copycat Little Debbie Christmas Tree Cakes Recipe is a fun, homemade spin on a classic favorite, perfect for sharing smiles and memories during the season.

A close-up view of a white Christmas tree shaped cookie covered with smooth white icing sprinkled with small green sugar crystals, decorated with wavy red icing lines across the surface. The cookie is placed on a stack of white plates with other similarly decorated cookies visible in the background. The background has a soft white marbled texture, and the scene includes a blurred white cup behind the plates. The overall look is clean, festive, and bright, emphasizing the holiday colors of red, green, and white. 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

Honestly, making these Copycat Little Debbie Christmas Tree Cakes always brings me right back to childhood holiday mornings. The balance of fluffy cake, creamy filling, and that sugary coating is just spot on, and it’s something you can feel proud to whip up yourself.

Authentic Flavor and Texture: This recipe nails the classic taste and moist, tender texture of the original snack cake you remember.
Festive and Fun: Shaped like Christmas trees, these cakes are as fun to make as they are to eat – perfect for holiday parties or gift-giving.
Customizable Coating: You get to play with colors and toppings, letting you personalize your treats with ease and creativity.
Great for All Skill Levels: Whether you’re a baking newbie or a seasoned pro, the clear steps make it achievable and fun.

A close-up view of a small, two-layer yellow cake piece with a thick layer of white frosting between and around the layers; the top edge is coated with a smooth red layer that drips slightly over the sides, and tiny green sprinkles dot the white frosting near the bottom. A woman's hand gently holds the cake piece against a soft, out-of-focus white marbled surface with red and white striped patterns blurred in the background. photo taken with an iphone --ar 2:3 --v 7

Ingredients & Why They Work

The blend of simple ingredients here creates that perfect combination of softness, sweetness, and creaminess. Each component plays a key role, and with a few tips, shopping and prepping becomes a breeze.

Flat lay of a small white ceramic bowl filled with smooth yellow cake mix powder, three whole uncracked brown eggs, a small white ceramic bowl with whole milk, a small white ceramic bowl with melted golden butter, a small white ceramic bowl with fluffy white marshmallow fluff, a small pile of soft room-temperature butter, a small white ceramic bowl of powdered sugar, a small white ceramic bowl with white almond bark chunks, a small white ceramic bowl with bright red candy melts, and a small mound of vibrant green sanding sugar, all arranged with perfect symmetry and balanced proportions 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 saves time and guarantees a moist, tender base that’s just right for layering and shaping.
Large eggs & egg yolk: These add richness and structure, helping the cake rise well without getting dry.
Whole milk: Adds moisture and a creamy undertone that makes the cake less crumbly.
Melted butter: Replaces oil or margarine for richer flavor and a tender crumb.
Marshmallow fluff: Gives the filling that iconic, light-as-air sweetness with a lovely marshmallowy texture.
Butter for filling (room temperature): Softened butter creams with the fluff for a smooth, spreadable filling.
Powdered sugar: Sweetens and thickens the filling perfectly without grit.
White almond bark: Melts easily for a sweet, shiny coating that hardens to a neat finish around each treat.
Red candy melts: Great for festive decoration, easy to melt and pipe vibrant stripes on the trees.
Green sanding sugar: Adds sparkle and color, creating that magical “snow-dusted” tree look.

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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

One of the things I love about this Copycat Little Debbie Christmas Tree Cakes Recipe is how welcoming it is to little tweaks. Don’t be shy about customizing the flavors or even the decorations to suit your style or dietary needs.

Variation: I’ve swapped out the yellow cake mix with a funfetti cake mix once, and it brought such a cheerful surprise inside the trees. Plus, it’s a hit with kids!
Dairy-Free Twist: Use a dairy-free butter and almond milk to adapt it for lactose intolerance. It still comes out deliciously moist!
Filling Swap: If you’re a chocolate fan, try mixing a bit of cocoa powder into the marshmallow filling for a chocolaty surprise.
Decoration Ideas: Swap the red candy melts with other holiday colors or use sprinkles to keep things brightly festive and fun.

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

Step 1: Whip Up the Cake Batter and Bake

Start by heating your oven to 350°F and lining a 16×12 inch jelly roll pan with parchment paper. I like using binder clips on the edges to keep that parchment perfectly flat—makes the batter spread evenly with no trouble. In a big bowl, whisk your yellow cake mix, eggs, egg yolk, milk, and melted butter together until completely smooth. Spread the batter evenly with an angled spatula—this helps you get a flat cake surface that’s super easy to layer and cut later. Bake for 12 to 15 minutes, just until a toothpick comes out clean or with a few moist crumbs. Let it cool fully before moving on—that cooling step is key for clean cuts and no crumbling!

Step 2: Make the Fluffy Marshmallow Filling

In a medium bowl, I combine marshmallow fluff, softened butter, and powdered sugar, then beat on medium speed until everything’s smooth and well blended. Adding the 2 tablespoons of milk last, I whip it on high to get that light, pillowy texture that makes these treats so iconic. The filling should be fluffy but spreadable—not runny or stiff.

Step 3: Layer and Freeze Before Cutting

Cut your cooled cake in half—lengthwise works best—and spread the marshmallow filling evenly on one half. Place the other half on top and press gently to create a nice sandwich. Now, here’s a tip I learned early on: freeze the layered cake for about 30 minutes before cutting your tree shapes. It firms everything up nicely, so those cute tree edges come out perfectly sharp and less crumbly.

Step 4: Coat, Decorate, and Chill the Trees

Melt your white almond bark in the microwave in 30-second bursts, stirring in between, until silky smooth. Carefully dip each tree, tap off excess, and lay them on parchment paper. While still wet, sprinkle with green sanding sugar so it sticks beautifully. Melt the red candy melts the same way, thin with a bit of coconut oil if needed, and pipe the red wavy stripes using a small cut in a plastic sandwich bag corner—it’s way easier than squeezing frosting tubes! After decorating, pop them in the freezer for about 30 minutes to set the coating perfectly.

Top Tip

From my experience making these over several holiday seasons, a few little things make a big difference in nailing the look and texture of these cakes. I’ve learned that patience during cooling and freezing really pays off, plus a gentle hand when dipping and decorating keeps everything tidy.

Chill Before Cutting: Freezing the filled cake block for 30 minutes is a game-changer—gives you clean, sharp edges with less mess.
Use Binder Clips: Keeping parchment flat with clips prevents batter pooling in corners and helps bake an even layer.
Thin Candy Melts: If your candy melts are thick, adding a tiny bit of coconut oil smooths piping and makes decorating easier.
Tap Off Excess Chocolate: When dipping trees, gently tap off extra coating to avoid thick, lumpy coverings.

How to Serve Copycat Little Debbie Christmas Tree Cakes Recipe

Christmas Tree Cakes - Serving Suggestion

Garnishes

I always stick with green sanding sugar on top because I love that twinkly, festive vibe it brings. For special occasions, I’ve also sprinkled edible glitter or used multicolored nonpareils for extra sparkle—it’s such a simple way to customize the look and wow your guests.

Side Dishes

These sweet tree cakes pair perfectly with a cozy cup of hot cocoa or a spiced holiday latte. I’ve also served them alongside a fruit platter to balance the richness and keep things fresh on dessert tables.

Creative Ways to Present

One year, I arranged the cakes upright in a rustic wooden box lined with fake snow and fresh pine sprigs for a centerpiece that instantly got compliments. You could also package a few in clear cellophane bags tied with red ribbons for adorable edible gifts friends and neighbors will treasure.

Make Ahead and Storage

Storing Leftovers

I store these little cakes in an airtight container at room temperature for up to three days, but if your kitchen is warm, the fridge is safer—just bring them back to room temp before serving for the best taste.

Freezing

You can absolutely freeze these if you want to prep well in advance. I wrap each cake individually in plastic wrap then place them in an airtight freezer bag. When you’re ready to enjoy, thaw them in the fridge overnight to keep the filling creamy.

Reheating

Because these are more about texture and decoration than warmth, I usually serve them cold or at room temperature. But if you want to soften the cake a bit, letting them sit out for 30 minutes after taking them from the fridge works wonderfully.

Frequently Asked Questions:

Can I use a homemade cake instead of boxed cake mix?

Absolutely! Homemade yellow cake works beautifully here. Just make sure it’s baked evenly and cooled thoroughly before layering with the filling. The box mix is a shortcut that guarantees consistent results, but homemade adds that personal touch.

What’s the best way to cut the tree shapes cleanly?

Freezing the layered cake sandwich for about 30 minutes before cutting helps tremendously. Use a sharp tree-shaped cookie cutter and press firmly but gently to avoid crumbling. Running the cutter under hot water and drying it before cutting can also help make smooth edges.

Can I make these without marshmallow fluff?

Marshmallow fluff is key to getting that signature fluffy, sweet filling texture. If you don’t have it, you could try a buttercream frosting, but the flavor and texture will be different. Some folks have had success with whipped cream cheese frosting for a tangier alternative.

How far in advance can I make these cakes?

You can prep and assemble these a day or two ahead, storing them in the fridge. Just add the candy melt decorations the day you plan to serve so they look fresh and vibrant. These cakes also freeze well for longer storage as described earlier.

Final Thoughts

Making the Copycat Little Debbie Christmas Tree Cakes Recipe has become one of my favorite seasonal traditions, partly because it’s delicious but also because it brings me closer to those joyful holiday memories. I hope you enjoy this recipe as much as I do—take your time, have fun with the decorating, and savor every bite with the people you love. Seriously, nothing says Christmas quite like these little trees!