What You’ll Need: Assembling Your Festive Toolkit
Ingredients
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For the Truffles:
- 1 (10.75 oz) package Little Debbie Christmas Tree Cakes (or similar), unwrapped
- 4 oz cream cheese, softened
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
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For the Coating:
- 12 oz white chocolate melting wafers (or almond bark)
- Green gel food coloring
- Sprinkles (various colors and shapes for decorating)
- Optional: Mini M&Ms, silver edible pearls, edible glitter
Equipment
- Mixing bowl
- Electric mixer (handheld or stand mixer)
- Baking sheet
- Parchment paper or silicone mat
- Double boiler or microwave-safe bowl
- Spoon or rubber spatula
- Fork or dipping tools
- Toothpicks (for details)
Let’s Get Baking: Step-by-Step Instructions
Step 1: Preparing the Cake Mixture
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Crumble the Cakes: In a large mixing bowl, crumble the Christmas Tree Cakes completely. The finer the crumbs, the smoother your truffles will be. I like to use my hands for this, but a food processor works too!
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Combine Ingredients: Add the softened cream cheese and vanilla extract to the crumbled cake. Using an electric mixer, blend everything together until you have a smooth, dough-like consistency. Don’t overmix, or the truffles can become dense.
Step 2: Forming the Truffle Shapes
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Scoop and Roll: Using a small cookie scoop or spoon, portion out the cake mixture into evenly sized balls. Roll each portion between your palms to create a smooth, round truffle. Aim for about 1 inch in diameter – this makes them the perfect bite-sized treat.
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Chill the Truffles: Place the rolled truffles onto a baking sheet lined with parchment paper or a silicone mat. This prevents them from sticking. Refrigerate the truffles for at least 30 minutes, or even better, an hour. This firming-up step is crucial for easier dipping!
Step 3: Melting the Chocolate
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Melt the Chocolate: In a double boiler or microwave-safe bowl, melt the white chocolate melting wafers. If using a double boiler, heat over simmering water, stirring frequently until smooth. If microwaving, heat in 30-second intervals, stirring in between, until melted and smooth. Be careful not to overheat the chocolate, as it can seize up.
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Add Color: Once the white chocolate is melted and smooth, add a few drops of green gel food coloring. Stir until you achieve your desired shade of green. Remember, a little goes a long way!
Step 4: Dipping and Decorating
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Dipping Time: Remove the chilled truffles from the refrigerator. Using a fork or dipping tools, carefully dip each truffle into the melted green chocolate, ensuring it’s fully coated. Gently tap off any excess chocolate.
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Decorate Immediately: Place the dipped truffle back onto the parchment paper or silicone mat. Immediately decorate with your favorite sprinkles, mini M&Ms, silver edible pearls, or edible glitter. The chocolate will set quickly, so it’s important to decorate while it’s still wet.
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Add the ‘Tree Trunk’: You can create the effect of a ‘tree trunk’ by adding a sliver of pretzel to the base of the truffle before the chocolate sets. This adds a lovely salty crunch and a realistic touch.
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Let Set: Allow the decorated truffles to set completely at room temperature or in the refrigerator. This usually takes about 30 minutes to an hour. Don’t rush this step – it’s important for the chocolate to harden properly.
Troubleshooting Tips: My Kitchen Secrets
- Chocolate seizing? A small amount of vegetable oil or shortening (a teaspoon or less) can help bring it back to a smooth consistency. Add gradually and stir gently.
- Truffles too soft? Add a bit more crumbled cake or refrigerate the mixture longer before rolling.
- Chocolate too thick for dipping? Add a very small amount of vegetable oil or shortening to thin it out.
- Sprinkles not sticking? Make sure you’re decorating immediately after dipping, while the chocolate is still wet. If the chocolate has already set, you can lightly brush it with melted chocolate before adding sprinkles.
Creative Variations: Let Your Imagination Run Wild!
- Flavor Boost: Add a pinch of peppermint extract to the cake mixture for a refreshing twist.
- Chocolate Drizzle: Drizzle melted white chocolate or dark chocolate over the green chocolate for an elegant touch.
- Different Coatings: Experiment with different colored melting wafers or candy melts.
- Nutty Delight: Roll the truffles in chopped nuts before the chocolate sets.
Storage Secrets: Keeping the Magic Alive
Store your Christmas Tree Cake Truffles in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to a week. They are best enjoyed within a few days of making them, but they will still be delicious later! You can also freeze them for longer storage – just thaw them in the refrigerator before serving.
Perfect Pairings: What to Serve Them With
These festive truffles are delightful on their own, but they also pair wonderfully with other holiday treats. Imagine serving them alongside Caramel Apple Cheesecake Bars for a decadent dessert spread, or including them in a gift box with Pretzel Bark. They’re also fantastic with a warm mug of hot chocolate or a festive cocktail.
Making it a Family Affair: Baking with Kids
These Christmas Tree Cake Truffles are a fantastic recipe to make with kids. They’ll love crumbling the cakes, rolling the truffles, and especially decorating them with sprinkles. Just be prepared for some messy fun – and plenty of taste-testing!
For even more fun, make a batch of Pecan Pie Cookie Bites or Sugar Cookie Bars together, teaching them valuable baking skills while creating cherished holiday memories. And if you want a super simple treat, try making Peanut Butter Fudge or Strawberry Bars. With a few simple steps, you’ll create some wonderful treats.
Share the Joy: Gifting Your Creations
Christmas Tree Cake Truffles make a thoughtful and delicious homemade gift. Package them in a festive box or tin lined with parchment paper. Tie with a ribbon and add a personalized tag for a special touch. They’re perfect for teachers, neighbors, coworkers, or anyone who deserves a little holiday cheer.
So, gather your ingredients, put on some festive music, and get ready to create these adorable and irresistible Christmas Tree Cake Truffles. They’re sure to be a hit at your next holiday gathering, and they’re a fun and easy way to spread some joy. Happy baking!
Can I use a different type of cake instead of Little Debbie Christmas Tree Cakes?
Yes, you can use a similar type of cake, as the recipe suggests using ‘Little Debbie Christmas Tree Cakes (or similar)’.
What can I do if my chocolate seizes up while melting?
If your chocolate seizes, you can add a small amount of vegetable oil or shortening (a teaspoon or less) to help bring it back to a smooth consistency. Add it gradually and stir gently.
How long can I store these Christmas Tree Cake Truffles?
You can store your Christmas Tree Cake Truffles in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to a week. They are best enjoyed within a few days of making them. You can also freeze them for longer storage and thaw them in the refrigerator before serving.
What if my truffle mixture is too soft to roll into balls?
If your truffle mixture is too soft, you can add a bit more crumbled cake or refrigerate the mixture longer before rolling.
Easy Christmas Tree Cake Truffles
Ingredients
Equipment
Method
- Crumble the Christmas Tree Cakes completely in a large mixing bowl. The finer the crumbs, the smoother your truffles will be.
- Add the softened cream cheese and vanilla extract to the crumbled cake. Using an electric mixer, blend everything together until you have a smooth, dough-like consistency. Don’t overmix.
- Using a small cookie scoop or spoon, portion out the cake mixture into evenly sized balls. Roll each portion between your palms to create a smooth, round truffle. Aim for about 1 inch in diameter.
- Place the rolled truffles onto a baking sheet lined with parchment paper or a silicone mat. Refrigerate the truffles for at least 30 minutes, or even better, an hour.
- In a double boiler or microwave-safe bowl, melt the white chocolate melting wafers. If using a double boiler, heat over simmering water, stirring frequently until smooth. If microwaving, heat in 30-second intervals, stirring in between, until melted and smooth. Be careful not to overheat the chocolate.
- Once the white chocolate is melted and smooth, add a few drops of green gel food coloring. Stir until you achieve your desired shade of green.
- Remove the chilled truffles from the refrigerator. Using a fork or dipping tools, carefully dip each truffle into the melted green chocolate, ensuring it’s fully coated. Gently tap off any excess chocolate.
- Place the dipped truffle back onto the parchment paper or silicone mat. Immediately decorate with your favorite sprinkles, mini M&Ms, silver edible pearls, or edible glitter. The chocolate will set quickly, so it’s important to decorate while it’s still wet.
- Optionally, add a sliver of pretzel to the base of the truffle before the chocolate sets to create the effect of a ‘tree trunk’.
- Allow the decorated truffles to set completely at room temperature or in the refrigerator. This usually takes about 30 minutes to an hour.
Notes
* Chocolate seizing? Add a small amount of vegetable oil or shortening (a teaspoon or less) to help bring it back to a smooth consistency. Add gradually and stir gently.
* Truffles too soft? Add a bit more crumbled cake or refrigerate the mixture longer before rolling.
* Chocolate too thick for dipping? Add a very small amount of vegetable oil or shortening to thin it out.
* Sprinkles not sticking? Make sure you’re decorating immediately after dipping, while the chocolate is still wet. If the chocolate has already set, you can lightly brush it with melted chocolate before adding sprinkles. Creative Variations:
* Flavor Boost: Add a pinch of peppermint extract to the cake mixture for a refreshing twist.
* Chocolate Drizzle: Drizzle melted white chocolate or dark chocolate over the green chocolate for an elegant touch.
* Different Coatings: Experiment with different colored melting wafers or candy melts.
* Nutty Delight: Roll the truffles in chopped nuts before the chocolate sets.
