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- 1 box of vanilla cake mix (plus eggs, water, and oil required on the box) - 1 cup of buttercream frosting (store-bought or homemade) - 1 cup of green candy melts - 1/2 cup of white chocolate chips - 1/4 cup of crushed peppermint candies - Edible glitter or holiday-themed sprinkles for decoration - 1/2 cup of finely chopped nuts (optional) When making Christmas Tree Cake Truffles, using the right ingredients matters. Start with a box of vanilla cake mix. The box will tell you to add eggs, water, and oil. This mix makes the base of your cake. Next, you need frosting. You can choose store-bought buttercream or make your own. Both work great. The frosting helps bind the cake crumbs together. For the fun part, grab some green candy melts. These melts give your truffles that pretty Christmas color. You will also need white chocolate chips for the star decorations. Now, let’s talk toppings. You can use crushed peppermint candies for a minty touch. Edible glitter or fun sprinkles add sparkle. If you like, add chopped nuts for some crunch. With these ingredients, you can create festive treats that everyone will love. Get ready to dive into the fun of making these delightful truffles! {{ingredient_image_2}} To start, preheat your oven as the box instructs. Mix the vanilla cake with the eggs, water, and oil. Pour the batter into a greased 9-inch round cake pan. Bake until golden brown, and a toothpick comes out clean. After baking, let the cake cool in the pan. Then, transfer it to a wire rack to cool completely. Once the cake cools, crumble it into a large bowl. Use your hands or a fork to break it into fine crumbs. Make sure there are no large pieces left. Next, add the buttercream frosting. Mix until the cake and frosting blend well. The mixture should feel moist enough to hold its shape. Now, take about a tablespoon of the mixture and roll it into a ball. Aim for about 1 inch in diameter. Place the truffle balls on a baking sheet lined with parchment paper. For easier handling, chill the truffles in the fridge for about 30 minutes. This step helps them firm up. While the truffles chill, melt the green candy melts in a microwave-safe bowl. Heat them in 30-second intervals, stirring well each time. Once melted, dip each chilled truffle into the green coating. Let the excess drip off before placing them back on the baking sheet. While the coating is still soft, sprinkle on crushed peppermint candies and optional chopped nuts. Melt the white chocolate chips in another microwave-safe bowl. Once melted, put the chocolate in a piping bag or a zip-top bag with a snipped corner. Pipe small star shapes on a piece of parchment paper. Let them set at room temperature until firm. These stars will top each truffle. Finally, let the candy coating set completely. You can do this at room temperature or place them in the refrigerator for quicker results. After they set, your Christmas Tree Cake Truffles are ready to enjoy! To make great truffles, start with the right mixture. Mix your crumbled cake and frosting well. The mixture should feel moist but not sticky. If it's too dry, add more frosting. If it’s too wet, add more cake. To avoid a messy coating process, chill the truffles first. After rolling them into balls, place them in the fridge for about 30 minutes. This makes them firm and easy to handle. When you dip them, use a fork to lift them out. Let excess coating drip back into the bowl before placing them on the sheet. Arranging the truffles can add to their festive look. Place them in a holiday bowl or on a tree-shaped platter. For a snowy effect, scatter coconut flakes around them. This gives a winter wonderland feel and looks great on your table. To enhance their visual appeal, sprinkle crushed peppermint and edible glitter on top. You can also use colorful holiday sprinkles. These small touches bring joy to your holiday treats. Store your truffles in a cool place. Use an airtight container to keep them fresh. They can last for about a week in the fridge. If you want to keep them longer, you can freeze them. Just make sure to wrap them well before freezing. Pro Tips Use Room Temperature Ingredients: Allow your buttercream frosting and any other refrigerated ingredients to come to room temperature before mixing. This ensures a smoother texture and better incorporation into the cake crumbs. Experiment with Flavors: To add a unique twist, consider using flavored cake mixes or adding a splash of vanilla or almond extract to the frosting mix. Keep Coating Warm: If the candy melts start to thicken while coating the truffles, microwave them for a few seconds to keep the consistency smooth and easy to work with. Chill for Better Coating: If your truffles are too soft to handle, return them to the fridge for a few minutes before dipping. This will help them maintain their shape during the coating process. {{image_4}} You can switch it up with different cake flavors. Try chocolate or red velvet for a twist. They both add a rich taste that pairs well with frosting. For frosting, you can choose cream cheese or mint. Each option gives a unique flavor to your truffles. Add fun toppings to make your truffles pop. Use crushed candy canes or colorful sprinkles. You can also drizzle white chocolate for a fancy touch. Think about themes too! Go for a winter wonderland with blue and silver, or a classic red and green for Christmas. Don't feel stuck with round truffles! Shape your mixture into festive forms. Make holiday ornaments or even cute snowmen. These shapes add extra fun and charm to your treats. Tailor them to your holiday party or gift-giving needs. Yes, you can make these truffles ahead of time. Prepare them up to a week in advance. Store them in an airtight container in the fridge. If you want to keep them longer, freeze them. Just make sure they are well wrapped in plastic wrap or in a freezer-safe container. If you don’t have candy melts, use chocolate chips. Milk or dark chocolate chips work well. Melt them using the same method as the candy melts. Just make sure to add a bit of shortening to keep it smooth. To make this recipe gluten-free, use a gluten-free vanilla cake mix. Check the label to ensure it is truly gluten-free. You may need to adjust the amount of frosting based on the cake mix you choose. You can freeze cake truffles. Place them in a single layer on a baking sheet. Freeze until solid, then transfer to a container. When ready to eat, let them thaw in the fridge. Avoid thawing at room temperature to keep them fresh. You can use these truffles for many fun occasions. They shine at holiday parties. These treats also make great gifts for friends and family. Imagine someone opening a box filled with these sweet truffles! Pair the truffles with warm drinks. Hot cocoa or spiced cider works well. You can also serve them with coffee or tea. The flavors blend together perfectly. Think about cute ways to display these truffles. A tree-shaped platter adds a festive touch. You could also use a glass jar to show off the colors. Make serving fun with a DIY decorating station. Set out extra toppings like sprinkles and nuts. Let guests decorate their own truffles! This adds a personal touch to your gathering. You can use these truffles in other dessert ideas, too. Crumble them on top of ice cream for a sweet crunch. You can also layer them in a dessert parfait. Try adding them to a cake for extra flavor and fun. The options are endless! Enjoy experimenting with these delightful treats. You have everything you need to make these delicious truffles. We covered the right ingredients, from cake mix to candy melts. You learned how to bake, chill, and coat them perfectly. Plus, we discussed fun ways to present and store them. These truffles are perfect for any holiday celebration. Experiment with flavors and shapes for extra fun. Enjoy making these treats and sharing them with others!

Christmas Tree Cake Truffles

Delicious cake truffles shaped like Christmas trees, coated in green candy melts and decorated with festive toppings.
Print Recipe Pin Recipe
Prep Time 20 minutes
Cook Time 1 hour
Total Time 1 hour 20 minutes
Course Dessert
Cuisine American
Servings 24
Calories 150 kcal

Ingredients
  

  • 1 box vanilla cake mix (plus eggs, water, and oil required on the box)
  • 1 cup buttercream frosting (store-bought or homemade)
  • 1 cup green candy melts
  • 1/2 cup white chocolate chips
  • 1/4 cup crushed peppermint candies
  • to taste edible glitter or holiday-themed sprinkles for decoration
  • 1/2 cup finely chopped nuts (optional)

Instructions
 

  • Preheat your oven as directed on the cake mix box. Prepare the vanilla cake mix according to the package instructions, combining the necessary ingredients: eggs, water, and oil. Pour the batter into a greased 9-inch round cake pan and bake until golden brown and a toothpick comes out clean. Once baked, let the cake cool completely in the pan before transferring it to a wire rack.
  • Once the cake has cooled, crumble it into a large mixing bowl using your hands or a fork until the cake has become fine crumbs with no large pieces remaining.
  • Add the buttercream frosting to the crumbled cake mixture. Use your hands or a spatula to mix until everything is deeply combined and cohesive. The mixture should be moist enough to hold its shape when rolled into balls.
  • Take about a tablespoon of the mixture and roll it into balls approximately 1 inch in diameter. Place these truffle balls onto a baking sheet lined with parchment paper.
  • For easy handling, refrigerate the truffles for about 30 minutes until they are firm to the touch.
  • In a microwave-safe bowl, add the green candy melts. Microwave in 30-second intervals, stirring vigorously between each interval, until the melts are completely smooth and melted.
  • Retrieve your chilled truffles and dip each one into the melted green candy coating. Use a fork to lift each truffle out, allowing excess coating to drip back into the bowl before placing them back onto the lined baking sheet.
  • While the candy coating is still soft, generously sprinkle the crushed peppermint candies and optional chopped nuts on top. For an extra festive flair, add a dash of edible glitter or holiday sprinkles.
  • Melt the white chocolate chips in a microwave-safe bowl. Once melted, transfer the chocolate to a piping bag or use a zip-top bag with the corner snipped off. Pipe small star shapes onto a piece of parchment paper. Allow them to set at room temperature until firm before placing one star atop each truffle.
  • Finally, allow the candy coating on the truffles to set completely, either at room temperature or in the refrigerator for faster results.

Notes

Arrange truffles in a festive bowl for presentation. Add coconut flakes for a winter wonderland effect.
Keyword Christmas, dessert, holiday treats, truffles