Little Debbie Christmas Tree Cheesecake

If you grew up with Little Debbie Christmas Tree Cakes on your holiday table, this cheesecake captures all the fun and flavor in a showstopping dessert. Imagine a luscious cream cheese filling full of soft, sweet cake pieces, nestled on a golden graham cracker crust and crowned with whipped cream and festive sprinkles. It is the ultimate mix of nostalgic joy and grownup indulgence, perfect for wowing guests at a Christmas party or sneaking a slice by the fire after a long day.

I first baked this at an ugly sweater party and it vanished in ten minutes—everyone begged for the recipe. Now my kids ask for it every year and it is truly become a holiday tradition for us.

Ingredients

• Graham cracker crumbs: add a nutty warmth and crunch that creates a sturdy base look for even texture and avoid overly powdery precrushed crumbs
• Unsalted butter: binds the crust and adds rich flavor select fresh sweet cream butter for best taste
• Granulated sugar: balances the cream cheese’s tang use pure white sugar for a clean finish in both crust and filling
• Cream cheese: the star for silkiness and classic cheesecake flavor always fully soften for lumpfree batter
• Vanilla extract: makes everything taste bakery-fresh pure vanilla adds depth so skip the imitation if possible
• Large eggs: ensure structure and richness go for quality pasture raised if you can
• Heavy cream: delivers the creamy luxury choose one with as few additives as possible
• Little Debbie Christmas Tree Cakes: set the holiday mood and bring soft sweetness use the freshest you find and chop gently to keep pieces distinct
• Whipped cream for topping: gives a light finish look for heavy cream real whipped is best or choose a high quality canned version
• Red and green holiday sprinkles: complete the festive look pick classic confetti or try specialty shapes for fun

Step-by-Step Instructions

Prep the Crust:

Bring your oven up to a steady 325 degrees Fahrenheit so the crust bakes evenly Briefly grease a nine inch springform pan so the dessert releases easily later Blend graham cracker crumbs melted butter and sugar in a mixing bowl with a fork until the mixture looks and feels like wet sand Press this mixture firmly and evenly into the bottom of your pan using the bottom of a glass or measuring cup for a flat surface Bake the crust just ten minutes until lightly golden and set Cool on a rack while you prepare the filling so it remains crisp

Make the Cheesecake Filling:

In a large bowl beat softened cream cheese and sugar together with an electric mixer start on low then increase to medium for about two minutes until completely smooth and no lumps remain Pour in vanilla extract and mix until fully blended Crack the eggs in one at a time beating just until each is incorporated Scrape down sides of bowl each time to keep batter uniform Gently pour in heavy cream then fold with a spatula or mix on low until silky and consistent Scatter in chopped Christmas Tree Cakes and gently fold so cake bits stay intact

Bake the Cheesecake:

Pour the cheesecake batter over your cooled crust and use a spatula to smooth the top Place the pan in the center of your oven and bake about fifty to sixty minutes The edges will appear set but the center may wobble when you tap the pan Turn off the oven prop open the oven door slightly and let the cheesecake cool inside for one hour This gradual cooling helps avoid cracks

Chill and Decorate:

Move the cheesecake to your fridge and chill at least four hours overnight is ideal so it fully sets Before serving add clouds of whipped cream around the edges and scatter a generous shower of holiday sprinkles Release the springform pan carefully then slice and serve cold for best flavor

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My favorite part is seeing flecks of red and green from the cakes in each slice—every bite brings back memories of eating those tree cakes by the Christmas lights with my little sister. This cheesecake brings both our childhoods and new family moments together.

Storage Tips

This cheesecake keeps well in the fridge up to five days if stored in a sealed airtight container The flavors meld and get even better by the second day If you want to freeze it slice and wrap slices tightly in plastic wrap then pop into a freezer container Thaw slices overnight in the fridge—not at room temperature—so the crust stays crisp and the filling creamy If you are traveling to a party pack the cake in a cooler with ice packs to keep it at safe temperature

Ingredient Substitutions

For crust swap in vanilla wafer crumbs or your favorite sugar cookies for a different spin out of Christmas Tree Cakes Use other Little Debbie snack cakes or another soft snack cake with a vanilla or white cake base Lower fat cream cheese can work though the result will be lighter in texture If you want less richness try part sour cream in place of heavy cream To switch up decorations try snowflake sprinkles candy cane bits or white chocolate curls

Serving Suggestions

Serve chilled with a mug of cocoa or holiday coffee for a cozy treat For parties add a miniature Christmas Tree Cake garnish on each slice or offer a topping bar with extra whipped cream and sprinkles If you want to amp up presentation add a drizzle of melted white chocolate or a dusting of powdered sugar over the surface Just before slicing run your knife under very hot water and wipe dry for the cleanest pieces—this makes each slice look picture perfect

Why This Recipe Is Special

Little Debbie Christmas Tree Cheesecake is a celebration of holiday memories and simple joys The snack cakes in the filling create soft pops of cake texture throughout a classic cheesecake base and the homemade crust adds just the right amount of crunch What makes this dessert truly special is the way it brings people together Whether you are baking it as a family project or delivering it to friends it is sure to be the star at any gathering

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Recipe FAQs

→ Can I make this cheesecake without the Little Debbie cakes?

Yes, omitting the snack cakes results in a smoother, more classic cheesecake texture with a subtler sweetness.

→ How can I prevent cracks in the cheesecake?

Use gentle mixing, bake at a moderate temperature, cool inside the oven with the door ajar, and consider a water bath to minimize cracking.

→ What if I don’t have the exact snack cakes used here?

Substitute with similar small, soft snack cakes chopped into pieces, adjusting sugar if those differ in sweetness.

→ Can I use a different pan size?

Yes, a larger pan makes thinner cheesecake needing less baking time; a smaller pan creates a taller cheesecake requiring more time.

→ How do I make whipped cream from scratch for the topping?

Whip 1 cup heavy cream with 2 tablespoons powdered sugar and 1 teaspoon vanilla until soft peaks form, then dollop or pipe onto chilled cheesecake.