Nothing screams “holiday cheer” quite like these adorable christmas tree cake balls! I still remember the first time I made them—my kitchen looked like a festive disaster zone, but the smiles on my kids’ faces made every crumb worth it. These little edible trees combine the best parts of cake pops and holiday decorating, with none of the fuss of rolling perfect spheres. The cone shape is so much easier to work with, trust me!

Every December, these become my go-to treat for cookie exchanges and last-minute hostess gifts. They’re ridiculously simple (we’re talking boxed cake mix simple), yet look like you spent hours decorating. Pro tip: the green candy coating hides any shaping imperfections beautifully—just add sprinkles and suddenly you’re a holiday baking genius!

Why You’ll Love These Christmas Tree Cake Balls

Okay, let me count the ways these little edible evergreens will steal your holiday heart:

They’re practically foolproof – Unlike finicky sugar cookies, lumpy trees just look “rustic” (my nice way of saying no one will notice your shaky hands!)
Kids go wild for them – Last year, my niece declared them “too cute to eat”… then ate three in one sitting
Secretly easy cleanup – No frosting bags to wash! The candy coating sets hard so sprinkles don’t smear everywhere
Customizable for any crowd – Use gluten-free cake mix, swap in vegan frosting, or make some with nuts for the adults

Seriously, these might just become your new edible holiday card – everyone remembers the house that gifts cake on a stick!

Ingredients for Christmas Tree Cake Balls

Here’s the beauty of this recipe – you probably have most of this in your pantry already! But let me share exactly what you’ll need to make these festive little trees:

1 box cake mix (I’m partial to vanilla or chocolate, but red velvet makes gorgeous “ornament” trees!)
1 cup frosting, softened (cream cheese pairs perfectly with vanilla cake)

2 cups green candy melts (look for the bright “Christmas green” shade at craft stores)

Assorted sprinkles (the tiny round ones mimic ornaments best)
Lollipop sticks (optional, but great if you want to display them upright)

See? Nothing fancy – just holiday magic waiting to happen! The candy melts are usually near the baking chocolates at most supermarkets this time of year.

Equipment You’ll Need

Grab these basics from your kitchen—nothing fancy required! You’ll need:

A large mixing bowl (for that satisfying cake-crumbling therapy)
Baking sheet lined with parchment paper
Microwave-safe bowl (for melting candy coating in 30-second bursts)
Lollipop sticks if you’re feeling fancy (but fingers work just fine!)

That’s it—no special tools needed to make these holiday cuties!

How to Make Christmas Tree Cake Balls

Okay, let’s make some edible holiday magic! Don’t let the fancy look fool you – these Christmas tree cake balls come together in just a few simple steps. I’ll walk you through each part like we’re baking together in my messy-but-cozy kitchen!

Baking and Preparing the Cake

First, bake your cake according to the package directions – easy peasy! Here’s my secret: slightly underbake it by a minute or two for extra moist cake balls. Let it cool completely (I know, the waiting is hard!). Once cool, crumble it into a big bowl until it looks like fluffy sand. No big chunks – we want these trees smooth!

Shaping the Trees

Now the fun part! Mix in your frosting until the crumbs stick together when squeezed. Roll about 2 tablespoons of mixture between your palms to form a ball, then gently shape into a cone. Don’t stress perfection – lopsided trees have character! Pro tip: chill the shaped trees for 30 minutes so they hold their shape when dipped.

Dipping and Decorating

Melt your green candy melts in 30-second bursts, stirring between each. Too thick? Add a teaspoon of coconut oil. Dip each chilled tree, letting excess coating drip off. Immediately add sprinkles – the coating sets fast! Stand them upright in styrofoam or lay on parchment to dry. Ta-da! Instant holiday cheer!

Tips for Perfect Christmas Tree Cake Balls

After making these little edible trees year after year (and yes, learning from plenty of mistakes!), here are my best tips:

Sticky dough? Pop it in the fridge for 15 minutes – cold hands shape better cones!
Coating too thick? Stir in a teaspoon of coconut oil or shortening to thin it out.
Sprinkles falling off? Toss them on immediately after dipping while the coating’s still wet.
Trees won’t stand? Let the base set for 2 minutes before placing upright.

Remember – even “flopped” trees taste delicious! The sprinkles hide a multitude of baking sins.

Variations and Substitutions

Oh, the possibilities are endless with these little trees! Here are some of my favorite twists:

Flavor swaps: Try chocolate cake with peppermint frosting, or spice cake with cream cheese frosting – holiday perfection!
Dietary needs: Use gluten-free cake mix and dairy-free frosting. For vegan, skip the candy melts and make a powdered sugar glaze instead.
Color fun: Who says trees have to be green? Use red candy melts for “ugly sweater” cake balls!

See? No matter what your holiday crowd prefers, there’s a version they’ll love! If you are interested in other fun holiday baking ideas, check out this guide on blue and red velvet cake recipes.

Serving and Storing Christmas Tree Cake Balls

These little trees are happiest at room temperature—just arrange them on a festive platter and watch them disappear! If you’re prepping ahead (smart cookie!), store them in an airtight container with parchment between layers. They’ll stay fresh for up to a week—if they last that long! For gift-giving, I love packing them in clear cellophane bags tied with ribbon. Pro tip: the candy coating makes them sturdy enough to mail to faraway loved ones!

Nutritional Information

Okay, let’s be real – these are holiday treats, not health food! But for those curious, each christmas tree cake ball clocks in at about 150 calories. The values are approximate (I mean, who measures sprinkles?!), but here’s the general breakdown per serving:

Calories: 150
Sugar: 12g
Fat: 6g
Carbs: 22g

Now go enjoy your edible evergreen without guilt – ’tis the season for sweet indulgences! For more information on general baking ingredients, you can check out resources on culinary salt usage.

Frequently Asked Questions

Over the years, I’ve gotten all sorts of questions about these adorable christmas tree cake balls. Here are the ones that pop up most often:

Can I use homemade cake instead of box mix?
Absolutely! My grandma’s vanilla pound cake works beautifully here – just reduce the frosting slightly since homemade cake tends to be more moist. The box mix is just my lazy-day shortcut!

Why do my cake balls keep falling off the sticks?
Ah, the classic cake pop struggle! Make sure your trees are chilled firmly before dipping, and don’t twist the stick – insert it straight. If they’re still sliding, try dipping the stick in melted candy first to act as “glue.”

Can I make these ahead of time?
You bet! These little trees actually taste better after a day as the flavors meld. Store them in an airtight container at room temperature – the candy coating keeps them fresh up to a week (if they last that long!).

Help! My green coating is too thick!
Been there! Just stir in a teaspoon of coconut oil or vegetable shortening to thin it out. The coating should flow smoothly but still cling to the cake ball. Test with one tree first – if it slides right off, chill your cake balls longer.

Share Your Holiday Creations

I’d love to see your edible Christmas trees! Tag me on social so we can swap decorating ideas – nothing makes me happier than seeing your kitchen adventures turn out even cuter than mine! If you are looking for other fun, easy recipes, consider trying this strawberry lassi drink.

Irresistible Christmas Tree Cake Balls in 5 Easy Steps

Author: Zach
Total Time: 1 hour 15 minutes (includes chilling time)
Yield: 24 cake balls 1x
Diet: Vegetarian

Print Recipe

Description

Delicious cake balls shaped like Christmas trees, perfect for holiday treats.

Ingredients

Scale

1 box cake mix (any flavor)
1 cup frosting (complementary flavor to cake)
2 cups candy melts (green)
Sprinkles or edible decorations
Lollipop sticks (optional)

Instructions

Bake the cake as per package instructions and let it cool.
Crumble the cake into fine crumbs in a large bowl.
Mix in frosting until the mixture holds together.
Roll the mixture into small cone shapes to resemble trees.
Chill the shaped cake balls for 30 minutes.
Melt the candy melts in a microwave-safe bowl.
Dip each cake ball into the melted candy, covering completely.
Decorate with sprinkles while the coating is still wet.
Let the cake balls set on parchment paper.

Notes

Use a toothpick for precise decorating.
Store in an airtight container for up to a week.
Experiment with different cake and frosting flavors.

Prep Time: 20 minutes
Cook Time: 25 minutes
Category: Dessert
Method: Baking
Cuisine: American

Nutrition

Serving Size: 1 cake ball
Calories: 150
Sugar: 12g
Sodium: 120mg
Fat: 6g
Saturated Fat: 3g
Unsaturated Fat: 2g
Trans Fat: 0g
Carbohydrates: 22g
Fiber: 0g
Protein: 1g
Cholesterol: 10mg

Keywords: Christmas tree cake balls, holiday treats, easy dessert, cake pops