Christmas Truffles
Three-ingredient Christmas Truffles are the perfect no-bake solution for your pressing Holiday entertaining needs. Last minute potluck party? No problem! Soft and creamy bites of sweetened cream cheese melt in your mouth. The sanding sugar adds a beautiful holiday flare and can be customized to match any occasion.
These gorgeous truffles will take about 15 to 20 minutes to heat treat the cake mix, at least thirty minutes to set up in the fridge and only about ten minutes to mix. If you have an hour to spare, you can make a batch to take along or dress up your charcuterie tray.
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Ingredients for Christmas Truffles
See the recipe card at the bottom of the post for all ingredients and quantities.
- Cream Cheese - Use a full-fat cream cheese and make sure the cream cheese is up to room temperature.
- White Cake Mix - The brand doesn't matter. Cake mix gives the truffles structure and changes the texture to make it more pleasant. Of course, it will also add flavor. You'll need to heat-treat the cake mix.
- Festive Sanding Sugar - This is colorful and extra fine sugar you can find at your local craft store in the cake decorating aisle.
How to Heat Treat Cake Mix
Since we aren't baking out cake mix, heat treating it is important to kill off any potential bacteria in the raw flour.
Microwave Method
To heat treat the dry cake mix in the microwave, first, add it to a microwave-safe bowl. Microwave in 30-second increments and stir after each increment. It should take about 1 minute, but it can vary depending on your microwave wattage. Repeat until the cake mix reaches 160 degrees F using an instant-read thermometer.
You'll notice the dry cake mix will start to stick to the sides of the bowl so be sure to scrape the sides down after each time in the microwave and after it's done being heat treated.
Oven Method
To heat treat your dry cake mix using the oven, first, preheat the oven to 350 degrees F. Spread the cake mix out on a parchment-lined baking sheet. Place it in the oven and bake for about 5 to 7 minutes or until an instant-read thermometer reads 160 degrees F.
Allow the cake mix to cool to room temperature before making the Christmas Truffles.
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How to Make Christmas Truffles Step-By-Step
Step 1: In a large mixing bowl, add the cream cheese in a large bowl. Beat with a hand mixer until smooth.
Step 2: Gradually add the cake mix to the cream cheese. Continue to mix until the box of cake mix is fully incorporated and a dough has formed.
Step 3: Cover the dough with plastic wrap and allow it to chill for at least 1 hour.
Step 4: Use a 1-tablespoon cookie scoop, scoop the dough, and roll until a smooth ball forms.
Step 5: Roll the cream cheese truffles in the festive sanding sugar until thoroughly coated.
Step 6: Place in the fridge to firm up before serving.
TIP: Coat your hands in vegetable oil or canola oil to roll the truffles into a smooth ball. This will keep your hands from sticking to the mixture.
Variations and Additions
Add flavors! Adding your favorite extracts can change these completely up to match your mood or event. Try one of these:
- ¼-1/2 teaspoon of peppermint extract
- One teaspoon of lemon extract
- One teaspoon of almond extract
- One teaspoon of orange extract
Mix-ins! Try adding something crunchy as an extra twist. Try one of these:
- toasted nuts of any kind
- crushed peppermint
- toffee,
- crushed lemonheads candy
- crushed cookies such as Oreos or vanilla wafers
- crushed candy bars such as Butterfinger
Change it up! Try a different type of cake mix like Funfetti cake mix, chocolate cake mix, lemon cake mix, orange cake mix, or strawberry cake mix.
Decorate differently! Try sprinkles, non-pariels, or semi-sweet cocoa powder in place of sanding sugar for a different effect.
Tips for Best Results
In a hurry? Speed run the chilling process by putting these into the freezer for fifteen to twenty minutes.
Cream cheese truffles look and work best when they are thoroughly coated in the sanding sugar. Don't rush past that step and leave bare spots.
If your Christmas Truffles are too soft, try adding a small amount of powdered sugar.
How to Store/Freeze
Store your cream cheese cake mix truffles in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 2 weeks.
To freeze these Christmas truffles, place them in a freezer-safe container or a zippered freezer bag in a single layer. The truffles will last up to 2 months in the freezer.
Place the truffles in the fridge to thaw overnight.
Frequently Asked Questions
Yes. Cream cheese based foods can sit out for a party for several hours, but may soften over time. Refrigerate the truffles as soon as the party ends.
Yes. Just decrease the amount of cream cheese and substitute with a gluten-free cake mix. The reason you have to decrease the cream cheese is because the gluten-free cake mixes are smaller. Try two ounces less cream cheese and adjust as needed. If the truffles are too soft, add powdered sugar.
More Great Truffle Recipes
- Strawberry Shortcake Truffles
- Toasted Marshmallow Mocha Truffles
- German Chocolate Truffles
- Malted Milk Chocolate Truffles
- S'mores Truffles
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Christmas Truffles
Ingredients
- 8 ounces cream cheese room temperature
- 15.25 ounce box white cake mix heat-treated to 160 degrees F
- festive sanding sugar
Instructions
- Line a cookie sheet with parchment paper/wax paper. Set aside.
- In a large mixing bowl, add the cream cheese. Beat with a hand mixer on medium speed until smooth.
- Gradually add in the cake mix to the cream cheese while continuing to beat with the hand mixer until the box of cake mix is incorporated and a dough has formed.
- Cover the bowl with plastic wrap and place in the fridge to chill for at least an hour.
- Using a 1 tablespoon cookie scoop, scoop the dough and roll until a smooth ball forms. If you find the dough is sticking to your hands as you roll it, lightly grease your hands with vegetable oil.
- Place the sanding sugar in small shallow bowls.
- Roll the truffles in the sanding sugar until thoroughly coated with no bare spots.
- Place on the parchment paper/wax paper and continue to make the remaining truffles.
- Place the truffles in the fridge while still on the cookie sheet until they firm up, about 30 minutes to 1 hour.
- Transfer to an airtight container and store in the fridge.
Notes
Nutrition
(Nutrition facts are an estimate and not guaranteed to be accurate. Please see a registered dietitian for special diet advice.)
Sorry, Miranda, but I'm quite disappointed. Based on paragraph 2 of your narrative, "...If you have forty-five minutes, you can make a batch to take along..."
I thought "Perfect! A quick, last minute treat."
And then I continued reading.
The aforementioned 45 minutes did not take into account heat treating, then cooling the cake mix. Or the fact that the recipe requires TWO chilling periods.
Perhaps you could also add (heat treated, see notes), beside the listed cake mix, on the recipe card. This would ensure people were aware this needs to be done.
Thanks for listening! I think I'll make citrus flavored ones, with matching sugar colors.
Hi Terry! You have a great point. I'll make some improvements to the post.