Festive Little Debbie Christmas Tree Cheesecake Recipe

Dreamy christmas little debbie tree cheesecake beckons with nostalgic holiday magic that transports you straight to childhood memories.

Whimsical layers promise sweet indulgence and festive cheer.

Childhood snack lovers will swoon over this decadent dessert reimagined.

Creamy textures mingle with crunchy cookie elements for a delightful twist.

Seasonal spirit infuses every delectable bite of this playful treat.

Minimal effort yields maximum deliciousness in this crowd-pleasing confection.

Why Christmas Little Debbie Tree Cheesecake Is Popular

• Creative festive dessert that transforms classic snack cakes into a showstopping cheesecake.
• Simple recipe with straightforward steps that delivers impressive results without complicated techniques, perfect for bakers of all skill levels.
• Cleverly incorporates beloved Little Debbie tree cakes into a classic cheesecake, creating a delightful blend of childhood memories and sophisticated dessert.
• Designed specifically for holiday gatherings, this dessert provides a unique twist that will surprise and delight guests with its playful Christmas tree design and unexpected ingredient combination.

What You’ll Need for Tree Cheesecake

• Graham Cracker Crumbs, Butter: Classic base for cheesecake with rich, buttery flavor. Use fresh crumbs for the best texture and taste.

• Cream Cheese: Smooth, creamy foundation of the cheesecake. Select full-fat, room temperature cream cheese for best results.
• Sugar: Provides sweetness and helps create smooth texture. Granulated white sugar works perfectly.
• Vanilla Extract: Adds warm, classic flavor. Pure vanilla gives the best taste.
• Sour Cream: Enhances creaminess and tanginess. Full-fat version recommended.
• Eggs: Binding agent that helps set the cheesecake. Use large, room temperature eggs.

• Little Debbie Christmas Tree Cakes: Signature festive ingredient that adds unique flavor and texture. Look for fresh, seasonal cakes.
• White Chocolate: Creates smooth ganache for topping. High-quality chocolate melts best.
• Heavy Cream: Helps create smooth ganache consistency.
• Green Sanding Sugar: Provides festive, sparkling decoration. Use fine, even sugar crystals.
• Red Icing: Allows for decorative tree stripe design. Premade decorating icing works well.

How to Prepare the Little Debbie Tree Cheesecake

Step 1: Create Cookie Base

Preheat oven to 350°F. Crush cookie crumbs and blend with melted butter until fully incorporated. Press mixture firmly into the bottom of a springform pan. Refrigerate the crust while preparing the filling.

• Cookie crumbs
• Melted butter

Step 2: Whip Creamy Filling

Blend cream cheese until silky smooth. Gently incorporate sugar, vanilla, and sour cream. Add eggs individually at low speed to prevent air pockets. Chop Little Debbie cakes into small pieces and fold into the batter.

• Cream cheese
• Sugar
• Vanilla extract
• Sour cream
• Eggs
• Little Debbie cakes

Step 3: Layer and Bake Cheesecake

Pour half the filling into prepared crust. Position two whole Little Debbie cakes on top. Cover with remaining batter. Softly tap pan to eliminate air bubbles. Place pan in water bath and bake for 55-65 minutes until edges set and center slightly wiggles. Turn off oven, leave door slightly open, and allow cheesecake to cool for one hour. Refrigerate for minimum five hours.

Step 4: Decorate Festive Masterpiece

Melt white chocolate with cream, stirring until glossy and smooth. Spread ganache over cooled cheesecake. Sprinkle green sanding sugar across surface. Use red icing to create classic Christmas tree stripes for a playful holiday touch.

Helpful Tricks for Tree Cheesecake Success

• Soften Cream Cheese Perfectly: Let cream cheese sit at room temperature for 30-45 minutes before mixing to ensure a smooth, lump-free cheesecake base that blends effortlessly.
• Prevent Cracking Technique: Bake the cheesecake in a water bath to create a gentle, even heat that prevents surface cracks and maintains a creamy texture throughout.
• Little Debbie Cake Hack: Freeze the Little Debbie cakes for 10 minutes before cutting to make them easier to slice into clean, precise pieces for even distribution in the batter.
• Water Bath Pro Tip: Wrap the springform pan in double layers of aluminum foil to prevent water from seeping into the crust during the baking process, keeping the bottom perfectly dry and crisp.
• Decorating Precision Trick: Use a piping bag with a small tip for creating clean, even Christmas tree stripes with red icing, giving the cheesecake a professional and festive finish.

How to Keep Tree Cheesecake Fresh for Days

• Store covered in an airtight container for up to 5 days. Wrap tightly with plastic wrap or transfer to a sealed container to prevent drying out.
• Slice cheesecake into individual portions, wrap each slice in plastic wrap, then place in a freezer-safe bag. Freeze for up to 2 months for best quality.
• Move frozen cheesecake from freezer to refrigerator and let defrost overnight. Remove plastic wrap before serving to prevent condensation.
• Enjoy chilled or let sit at room temperature for 15-20 minutes before serving. Avoid microwaving, as it can make the texture soggy and compromise the creamy consistency.

What Pairs Best with Tree Cheesecake

• A dark, rich espresso cuts through the cheesecake's sweetness, balancing the rich cream cheese and Little Debbie cake layers with its intense flavor profile.
• Amaretto or Frangelico liqueur adds a warm, almond-like essence that enhances the dessert's festive Christmas tree theme and complements the white chocolate ganache.
• A chilled prosecco or champagne provides crisp bubbles that refresh the palate between dense cheesecake bites, creating a delightful contrast to the creamy dessert.
• A warm, spiced chai tea brings complementary holiday notes of cinnamon and cardamom that beautifully echo the cheesecake's sweet, nostalgic Christmas spirit.

New Ways to Present Tree Cheesecake

Gluten-Free Holiday Cheesecake: Replace cookie crumbs with gluten-free graham cracker crumbs or almond flour. Use certified gluten-free Little Debbie cakes or swap with gluten-free snack cakes.

Vegan Festive Cheesecake: Substitute cream cheese with cashew-based cream cheese. Replace eggs with flax eggs or silken tofu. Use vegan white chocolate for ganache and dairy-free butter for crust.

Low-Sugar Christmas Cheesecake: Swap sugar with monk fruit sweetener or stevia. Use sugar-free Little Debbie cakes or homemade low-carb cake alternatives. Reduce ganache sweetness by using dark chocolate with minimal sugar content.

Nut-Free Holiday Version: Use seed-based flour like sunflower seed flour for crust. Replace almond-based ingredients with oat flour or coconut flour. Ensure all ingredients are processed in nut-free facilities for severe allergies.

Tree Cheesecake Curious? Answers Inside

• How do I prevent cracks in my cheesecake?

Beat cream cheese at room temperature, mix ingredients gently, avoid overmixing, and bake in a water bath to create a smooth, crack-free surface.

• Can I use a different type of Little Debbie cake?

While Christmas tree cakes work best, you could substitute similar holiday-themed or vanilla Swiss roll-style cakes for comparable results.

• What's the purpose of the water bath when baking?

A water bath creates a moist, even heating environment that helps prevent cracking and ensures the cheesecake bakes uniformly without drying out or developing a tough texture.

• How do I know when the cheesecake is perfectly baked?

Look for set edges with a slight jiggle in the center. The cheesecake should not be liquid-like but should have a gentle wobble when the pan is lightly shaken.

Christmas Little Debbie Tree Cheesecake Recipe

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4.6 from 8 reviews

• Total Time: 1 hour 20 minutes
• Yield: 12 1x

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Description

Festive Christmas Little Debbie Tree Cheesecake delights holiday gatherings with its nostalgic charm and sweet, creamy layers. Seasonal dessert lovers will savor this whimsical treat that brings childhood memories and winter magic to the dessert table.

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Ingredients

Scale 1x2x3x

Main Ingredients:

• 24 ounces (680 grams) cream cheese (softened)
• 6 Little Debbie Christmas Tree Cakes
• 3 large eggs (room temperature)
• 1 ¼ cups (250 grams) granulated sugar

Crust Ingredients:

• 1 ½ cups (180 grams) vanilla wafer cookie crumbs
• 6 tablespoons (85 grams) unsalted butter, melted

Topping and Additional Ingredients:

• 4 ounces (113 grams) white chocolate, chopped
• ¼ cup (60 milliliters) heavy cream
• ¼ cup (60 grams) sour cream (room temperature)
• 1 tablespoon vanilla extract
• Green sprinkles
• Red icing (for decorating stripes)

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Instructions

1. Prepare the foundational layer by blending cookie crumbs with melted butter until thoroughly incorporated. Compress the mixture evenly into the base of a springform pan, creating a compact, uniform crust. Refrigerate briefly to solidify while assembling the subsequent components.
2. Whip cream cheese until velvety and uniform, gradually integrating sugar, vanilla extract, and sour cream. Incorporate eggs methodically, using low-speed mixing to prevent excessive air incorporation. Delicately fold chopped Little Debbie cakes into the silky batter, ensuring even distribution of cake fragments.
3. Carefully transfer half the cheesecake mixture into the chilled crust. Strategically position two whole Little Debbie cakes across the initial layer, then generously cover with remaining batter. Gently tap the pan to eliminate potential air pockets and ensure smooth texture.
4. Position the cheesecake within a water bath, then bake at moderate temperature. Monitor for precise doneness: edges should appear set while center maintains a subtle wobble. Once baking completes, deactivate oven, partially open door, and allow gradual cooling for approximately one hour.
5. After initial cooling, transfer cheesecake to refrigerator and chill thoroughly for minimum five hours, enabling complete structural stabilization.
6. Create decorative topping by melting white chocolate with cream, stirring until achieving glossy, seamless consistency. Generously spread ganache across chilled cheesecake surface. Embellish with emerald-toned sanding sugar and festive crimson icing stripes, mimicking classic Christmas tree aesthetics.

Notes

• Swap Little Debbie cakes for gluten-free or homemade tree cakes to accommodate dietary restrictions and personal preferences.
• Use room temperature ingredients to ensure smooth, lump-free cheesecake batter and prevent cracking during baking.
• Create a water bath by placing the springform pan inside a larger pan filled with hot water to promote even baking and prevent surface cracks.
• Minimize mixing time when adding eggs to prevent incorporating too much air, which can cause the cheesecake to rise and fall, creating potential cracks.

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

Nutrition

• Serving Size: 12
• Calories: 380
• Sugar: 30 g
• Sodium: 210 mg
• Fat: 24 g
• Saturated Fat: 14 g
• Unsaturated Fat: 8 g
• Trans Fat: 0 g
• Carbohydrates: 36 g
• Fiber: 1 g
• Protein: 5 g
• Cholesterol: 90 mg