Little Debbie Christmas Tree Cakes Ice Cream Returns: A Festive Recipe Guide
The holiday season is a time for traditions, and for many, that includes indulging in Little Debbie Christmas Tree Cakes. These iconic treats, with their festive shape, creamy filling, and green sprinkles, evoke a sense of nostalgia and holiday cheer. But what if you could take that holiday joy and transform it into something even more delightful? Enter Little Debbie Christmas Tree Cakes Ice Cream! The good news is that it’s making a triumphant return to stores this year, but what if you can’t find it, or just want to make your own festive version?
This article will explore the exciting return of the Little Debbie Christmas Tree Cakes Ice Cream, and provide a detailed, step-by-step guide on how to make your own version at home, plus some other creative recipes featuring this festive cake.
## The Excitement Around Little Debbie Christmas Tree Cakes Ice Cream
Little Debbie Christmas Tree Cakes have been a holiday staple for generations. The combination of soft cake, sweet cream filling, and festive decorations has made them a beloved treat for people of all ages. When Little Debbie announced the release of Christmas Tree Cakes Ice Cream, it generated a significant buzz. The idea of transforming the classic cake into a frozen dessert was immediately appealing to fans. The ice cream captures the essence of the original treat, offering a creamy, sweet, and festive experience in every bite.
The return of Little Debbie Christmas Tree Cakes Ice Cream this year has been met with enthusiasm. Social media is abuzz with posts about finding the ice cream in stores, and people are sharing their excitement about enjoying this festive treat once again. However, availability can be spotty, and sometimes the craving hits when you can’t easily find a pint. That’s where our homemade recipe comes in!
## Homemade Little Debbie Christmas Tree Cakes Ice Cream: A Step-by-Step Guide
Creating your own Little Debbie Christmas Tree Cakes Ice Cream at home is easier than you might think. This recipe captures the flavor and texture of the original treat, allowing you to enjoy it anytime you want. Plus, you can customize it to your liking.
**Yields:** Approximately 1 quart
**Prep Time:** 30 minutes
**Chill Time:** 2 hours (or overnight)
**Churning Time:** 20-30 minutes
**Ingredients:**
* 2 cups heavy cream
* 1 cup whole milk
* ¾ cup granulated sugar
* ¼ teaspoon salt
* 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
* 6 Little Debbie Christmas Tree Cakes, unwrapped
* ¼ cup green sprinkles
* ¼ cup red sprinkles (optional)
**Equipment:**
* Ice cream maker
* Large bowl
* Medium saucepan
* Whisk
* Measuring cups and spoons
* Freezer-safe container
**Instructions:**
**1. Prepare the Ice Cream Base:**
* In a medium saucepan, combine the heavy cream, whole milk, granulated sugar, and salt.
* Heat the mixture over medium heat, stirring constantly, until the sugar is completely dissolved. Be careful not to let the mixture boil.
* Remove the saucepan from the heat and stir in the vanilla extract.
* Pour the mixture into a large bowl and cover it with plastic wrap. Make sure the plastic wrap is touching the surface of the mixture to prevent a skin from forming. Refrigerate for at least 2 hours, or preferably overnight, to allow the mixture to chill completely.
**2. Prepare the Christmas Tree Cakes:**
* While the ice cream base is chilling, prepare the Little Debbie Christmas Tree Cakes. Unwrap the cakes and cut them into small, bite-sized pieces.
* Place the chopped cakes in a bowl and set aside.
**3. Churn the Ice Cream:**
* Once the ice cream base is thoroughly chilled, pour it into your ice cream maker. Follow the manufacturer’s instructions for churning. Typically, this involves churning the mixture for 20-30 minutes, or until it reaches a soft-serve consistency.
**4. Add the Christmas Tree Cakes and Sprinkles:**
* During the last 2-3 minutes of churning, add the chopped Little Debbie Christmas Tree Cakes and sprinkles to the ice cream maker.
* Allow the ice cream maker to continue churning until the cakes and sprinkles are evenly distributed throughout the ice cream.
**5. Freeze the Ice Cream:**
* Once the churning process is complete, transfer the ice cream to a freezer-safe container.
* Press a piece of plastic wrap against the surface of the ice cream to prevent ice crystals from forming.
* Seal the container tightly and freeze for at least 2 hours, or until the ice cream is firm enough to scoop.
**6. Serve and Enjoy:**
* When you’re ready to serve, remove the ice cream from the freezer and let it sit for a few minutes to soften slightly.
* Scoop the ice cream into bowls or cones and enjoy the festive flavors of homemade Little Debbie Christmas Tree Cakes Ice Cream!
**Tips and Variations:**
* **For a richer flavor:** Use all heavy cream instead of a combination of heavy cream and whole milk.
* **For a smoother texture:** Strain the ice cream base through a fine-mesh sieve before churning to remove any small particles.
* **Add cream cheese:** Adding 4 ounces of softened cream cheese to the base gives it a cheesecake-like tang.
* **Make it boozy:** A tablespoon or two of vanilla vodka can add some kick.
* **Customize the decorations:** Use different colored sprinkles or add other festive toppings, such as crushed peppermint candy or mini chocolate chips.
* **Vegan Option:** Substitute the heavy cream and milk with coconut cream and almond milk. Ensure your sprinkles are vegan as well.
## Other Creative Recipes Featuring Little Debbie Christmas Tree Cakes
While ice cream is a fantastic way to enjoy Little Debbie Christmas Tree Cakes, there are many other creative recipes you can try. Here are a few ideas:
**1. Christmas Tree Cake Milkshake:**
* Combine 2-3 Little Debbie Christmas Tree Cakes, 1 cup of milk, and 2 scoops of vanilla ice cream in a blender.
* Blend until smooth and creamy.
* Pour into a glass and top with whipped cream, sprinkles, and a piece of Christmas Tree Cake.
**2. Christmas Tree Cake Parfaits:**
* Layer crushed Little Debbie Christmas Tree Cakes, vanilla yogurt or whipped cream, and fresh berries in a glass or parfait dish.
* Repeat the layers until the glass is full.
* Top with sprinkles and a piece of Christmas Tree Cake.
**3. Christmas Tree Cake Dip:**
* Mix together softened cream cheese, powdered sugar, and crushed Little Debbie Christmas Tree Cakes.
* Serve with graham crackers, vanilla wafers, or fresh fruit for dipping.
**4. Christmas Tree Cake Truffles:**
* Crumble Little Debbie Christmas Tree Cakes and mix them with softened cream cheese.
* Roll the mixture into small balls and dip them in melted chocolate.
* Decorate with sprinkles and let them set in the refrigerator.
**5. Christmas Tree Cake French Toast:**
* Dip slices of Little Debbie Christmas Tree Cakes in a mixture of eggs, milk, and vanilla extract.
* Cook on a lightly greased griddle until golden brown on both sides.
* Serve with syrup, whipped cream, and fresh berries.
**6. Christmas Tree Cake S’mores:**
* Use Little Debbie Christmas Tree Cakes instead of graham crackers in your s’mores.
* Roast a marshmallow and sandwich it between the Christmas Tree Cakes.
* The heat from the marshmallow will melt the chocolate and create a delicious, festive treat.
**7. Christmas Tree Cake Brownies:**
* Prepare your favorite brownie batter.
* Cut Little Debbie Christmas Tree Cakes into small pieces and fold them into the batter.
* Bake according to the brownie recipe instructions.
* The Christmas Tree Cakes will add a festive flavor and texture to the brownies.
**8. Christmas Tree Cake Pancakes:**
* Prepare your favorite pancake batter.
* Crumble Little Debbie Christmas Tree Cakes and fold them into the batter.
* Cook the pancakes on a lightly greased griddle until golden brown on both sides.
* Serve with syrup, whipped cream, and sprinkles.
**9. Christmas Tree Cake Pizza:**
* Use a large Little Debbie Christmas Tree Cake as the base of your pizza.
* Spread a layer of cream cheese frosting or marshmallow fluff on top.
* Decorate with fresh fruit, sprinkles, and other candies to create a festive dessert pizza.
**10. Christmas Tree Cake Ice Cream Sandwiches:**
* Slice Little Debbie Christmas Tree Cakes in half horizontally.
* Place a scoop of your favorite ice cream between the two halves of the cake.
* Press gently to create an ice cream sandwich.
* Roll the edges in sprinkles for extra decoration.
**11. Christmas Tree Cake Bread Pudding:**
* Cut up Little Debbie Christmas Tree Cakes into cubes.
* Mix them with a custard made from eggs, milk, sugar, and vanilla extract.
* Bake until golden brown and set.
* Serve warm with a drizzle of caramel sauce or whipped cream.
**12. Christmas Tree Cake Smoothie:**
* Combine 1-2 Little Debbie Christmas Tree Cakes, ½ cup of yogurt, ½ cup of milk or juice, and a handful of ice in a blender.
* Blend until smooth and creamy.
* Add more liquid if needed to reach your desired consistency.
**13. Christmas Tree Cake Quesadillas (Sweet):**
* Spread cream cheese or Nutella on a tortilla.
* Place slices of Little Debbie Christmas Tree Cakes on one half of the tortilla.
* Fold the tortilla in half and cook in a lightly buttered pan until golden brown and the filling is melted.
* Serve with a dusting of powdered sugar.
**14. Christmas Tree Cake Rice Krispie Treats:**
* Melt butter and marshmallows together as you would for traditional Rice Krispie treats.
* Stir in crushed Little Debbie Christmas Tree Cakes instead of Rice Krispies.
* Press the mixture into a pan and let it cool before cutting into squares.
**15. Christmas Tree Cake Bark:**
* Melt white chocolate and spread it on a baking sheet lined with parchment paper.
* Sprinkle crushed Little Debbie Christmas Tree Cakes, sprinkles, and other candies on top.
* Let the bark harden in the refrigerator before breaking it into pieces.
## Tips for Working with Little Debbie Christmas Tree Cakes in Recipes
* **Handle with care:** Christmas Tree Cakes are delicate and can crumble easily, so handle them gently when cutting or crushing them.
* **Adjust sweetness:** Keep in mind that Christmas Tree Cakes are already very sweet, so you may need to adjust the amount of sugar in your recipes accordingly.
* **Consider the filling:** The creamy filling of the cakes can add moisture to your recipes, so you may need to adjust the amount of liquid you use.
* **Get creative with decorations:** Use the green sprinkles from the cakes to add a festive touch to your desserts.
* **Storage:** Store any leftover treats in an airtight container in the refrigerator or freezer.
## Conclusion
The return of Little Debbie Christmas Tree Cakes Ice Cream is a cause for celebration, but even if you can’t find it in stores, you can easily make your own version at home. With this guide, you have the tools and inspiration to create delicious and festive treats that will delight your friends and family. So, grab some Little Debbie Christmas Tree Cakes and get creative in the kitchen this holiday season! Whether you’re churning ice cream, baking brownies, or making milkshakes, the possibilities are endless. Embrace the holiday spirit and enjoy the sweet taste of Christmas!
Happy Holidays and Happy Baking!