Jolly Little Debbie Tree Cheesecake Recipe for Holiday Magic

Creamy cheesecake meets holiday magic in this delightful Little Debbie tree cheesecake recipe that captures seasonal nostalgia.

Childhood memories blend perfectly with festive dessert creativity.

The classic Little Debbie Christmas tree cakes inspire this delectable treat that sparkles with sweet charm.

Layers of rich cream cheese and classic cake create a stunning dessert centerpiece.

Seasonal bakers will adore this simple yet impressive confection.

Chocolate drizzles and festive decorations complete this showstopping dessert that promises to become a new holiday tradition.

You’ll want to share every delicious bite with loved ones.

Quick Recipe Overview

Prep Time: 20 minutes

Cook Time: 1 hour

Total Time: 1 hour 20 minutes

Calories: 380 kcal

Servings: 12

Ingredients in Little Debbie Tree Cheesecake

• Graham Cracker Crumbs: Provides a classic, buttery foundation that creates delightful texture and holds the cheesecake together.
• Unsalted Butter: Binds the crumbs and adds rich, smooth flavor while helping create a sturdy base.

• Cream Cheese: Delivers the signature creamy, tangy base that makes cheesecake luxuriously smooth.
• Granulated Sugar: Sweetens the filling and balances the cream cheese's tanginess.
• Vanilla Extract: Enhances overall flavor with warm, aromatic notes.
• Sour Cream: Adds moisture and creates a velvety, silky texture.
• Large Eggs: Provides structure and helps bind the filling together.
• Little Debbie Christmas Tree Cakes: Infuses nostalgic holiday flavor and creates unexpected texture surprises.

• White Chocolate: Creates a smooth, glossy ganache for elegant finishing touch.
• Heavy Cream: Helps create silky ganache consistency.
• Green Sanding Sugar: Adds festive sparkle and holiday-themed visual appeal.
• Red Icing: Provides classic Christmas tree decoration details.

Equipment Needed for Tree Cheesecake

• Springform Pan: Essential 9-inch pan for easy cheesecake removal.
• Mixing Bowls: Needed for combining crust and cheesecake ingredients.
• Electric Mixer: Perfect for beating cream cheese and mixing batter smoothly.
• Measuring Cups and Spoons: Crucial for accurate ingredient measurements.
• Spatula: Helps fold Little Debbie cakes into batter and spread ganache.
• Large Baking Dish: Used for creating water bath during baking.
• Knife: Useful for cutting Little Debbie cakes into pieces.
• Whisk: Helps blend white chocolate ganache until smooth.
• Piping Bag (optional): Helpful for creating red Christmas tree stripes.

How to Build Little Debbie Cheesecake

• Craft the Base

Crush your favorite holiday cookies and blend with melted butter. Press the mixture firmly into a springform pan, creating a solid foundation for your festive dessert. Pop the crust in the refrigerator to set while you prepare the creamy filling.

• Whip Up the Cheesecake Magic

Blend cream cheese until silky smooth. Gently incorporate sugar, vanilla, and sour cream, creating a luxurious mixture. Slowly introduce eggs, maintaining a delicate touch to keep the batter light and airy. Lovingly fold chopped Little Debbie cakes into the batter, adding a playful holiday twist.

• Layer and Bake with Care

Pour half the filling into the chilled crust. Arrange whole Little Debbie cakes on top, then cover with remaining batter. Gently tap the pan to eliminate any sneaky air bubbles. Nestle the pan in a warm water bath and bake until the edges are firm and the center has a gentle wobble. Turn off the oven, crack the door, and let the cheesecake cool gracefully for an hour. Refrigerate for several hours to achieve the perfect texture.

• Deck the Cheesecake

Create a dreamy white chocolate ganache by melting chocolate and cream together. Drizzle the smooth mixture over the chilled cheesecake. Sprinkle green sanding sugar for a festive touch. Add vibrant red icing stripes to capture the essence of a Christmas tree, transforming your dessert into a holiday masterpiece.

Cheesecake Tricks for Holiday Flavor

• Perfect Crust Trick: Press cookie crumbs firmly and evenly into the pan's bottom to create a stable, crisp base that won't crumble when slicing the cheesecake.
• No-Crack Baking Strategy: Always use a water bath to ensure gentle, even heating and prevent surface cracks by creating a humid baking environment.
• Gluten-Free Adaptation: Swap regular cookie crumbs with gluten-free graham crackers or almond flour-based cookies to make the recipe celiac-friendly without compromising texture.
• Make-Ahead Magic: This cheesecake can be prepared up to 3 days in advance, stored covered in the refrigerator, which actually enhances the flavor and makes holiday meal planning easier.
• Festive Decoration Alternatives: For a playful twist, use red and green sprinkles instead of sanding sugar, or pipe different holiday-themed designs with colored buttercream for a personalized touch.

Serving Tree Cheesecake the Festive Way

• Festive Family Gathering: Serve this delightful cheesecake during holiday parties as a showstopping dessert that brings everyone together with its whimsical Christmas tree design and sweet Little Debbie cake surprise.
• Cozy Afternoon Treat: Pair each slice with a warm mug of hot cocoa or peppermint coffee, creating a comforting moment that captures the magic of the holiday season right in your kitchen.
• Seasonal Gift Idea: Package individual slices in clear holiday-themed boxes with a festive ribbon, making this cheesecake a perfect homemade gift for neighbors, teachers, or close friends who appreciate a personal touch.
• Instagram-Worthy Presentation: Garnish the cheesecake with mini candy canes, sprinkle extra green sanding sugar around the edges, and add a few holly leaves for a picture-perfect dessert that will wow your social media followers.

Storage Tips for Holiday Cheesecake Bites

• Smart Refrigeration Strategy: Store the cheesecake covered tightly in the refrigerator for up to 5 days. Wrap the springform pan with plastic wrap or transfer slices to an airtight container to maintain freshness and prevent absorbing other food odors.
• Make-Ahead Magic: Prepare the entire cheesecake 1-2 days before serving. The flavors will deepen and the texture will become more rich and creamy when allowed to rest in the refrigerator.
• Freezing Friendly: Slice the cheesecake and wrap individual portions in plastic wrap, then aluminum foil. Freeze for up to 3 weeks. Thaw overnight in the refrigerator before enjoying, keeping the decorative elements intact.
• Temperature Watch: Always serve chilled, removing the cheesecake from the refrigerator about 15 minutes before serving. This allows the texture to soften slightly and enhances the overall taste experience, making each bite more luxurious and smooth.

Festive Little Debbie Tree Cheesecake Recipe

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4.9 from 36 reviews

• Total Time: 1 hour 20 minutes
• Yield: 13 1x

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Description

Little Debbie tree cheesecake brings festive nostalgia to holiday dessert tables. Creamy layers with signature Christmas tree cake crumbles create a sweet memory you’ll savor.

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Ingredients

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• 24 oz (680 g) cream cheese (softened)
• 6 Little Debbie Christmas Tree Cakes
• 3 large eggs (room temperature)
• 1 ¼ cups (250 g) granulated sugar
• 1 ½ cups (180 g) vanilla wafer cookie crumbs
• 6 tbsps (85 g) unsalted butter, melted
• 4 oz (113 g) white chocolate, chopped
• ¼ cup (60 ml) heavy cream
• ¼ cup (60 g) sour cream (room temperature)
• 1 tbsp vanilla extract
• Green sprinkles
• Red icing (for decorating stripes)

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Instructions

1. Crust Formation: Pulverize cookie crumbs with melted butter, pressing mixture firmly into springform pan’s base. Refrigerate briefly to set foundation while preparing filling.
2. Cheesecake Batter Composition: Blend cream cheese until silky, gradually incorporating sugar, vanilla, and sour cream. Gently fold in Little Debbie cake pieces, maintaining smooth consistency while integrating cake fragments evenly throughout mixture.
3. Layer Construction: Pour half the cheesecake batter into chilled crust, strategically positioning whole Little Debbie cakes across initial layer. Cover completely with remaining batter, eliminating potential air pockets by gently tapping pan.
4. Precision Baking: Submerge cheesecake in water bath, baking at recommended temperature. Watch for characteristic doneness: set edges with slightly jiggly center. After baking, deactivate oven, leaving door slightly ajar for gradual cooling during one-hour resting period.
5. Chilling and Structural Stabilization: Transfer cheesecake to refrigerator, allowing minimum five-hour cooling to solidify texture and enhance flavor profile.
6. Festive Decoration: Craft white chocolate ganache by melting chocolate with cream until glossy. Drizzle over chilled cheesecake, adorning with emerald sanding sugar and crimson icing to evoke classic Christmas tree design.

Notes

• Prevent Cracking: Bake cheesecake in water bath and cool gradually to minimize surface cracks, ensuring smooth, professional-looking texture.
• Cake Fragment Distribution: Chop Little Debbie cakes into consistent, small pieces to guarantee even flavor throughout each slice and prevent large cake chunks.
• Softening Ingredients: Allow cream cheese and eggs to reach room temperature before mixing, promoting smoother blending and preventing lumpy batter.
• Ganache Precision: Melt white chocolate carefully at low heat, stirring constantly to prevent scorching and achieve glossy, silky finish for topping.

• Prep Time: 20 minutes
• Cook Time: 1 hour
• Category: Desserts, Snacks
• Method: Baking
• Cuisine: American

Nutrition

• Serving Size: 13
• Calories: 370
• Sugar: 24 g
• Sodium: 250 mg
• Fat: 22 g
• Saturated Fat: 13 g
• Unsaturated Fat: 7 g
• Trans Fat: 0 g
• Carbohydrates: 36 g
• Fiber: 1 g
• Protein: 6 g
• Cholesterol: 90 mg