Ultimate Guide to Homemade Little Debbie Holiday Treats: 6 Iconic Recipes & Your Complete Shopping List
Get ready to infuse your holiday season with a delightful touch of nostalgia! This comprehensive compilation brings together six of our most beloved homemade Little Debbie-inspired recipes, perfect for adding a festive and familiar twist to your celebrations. Forget the hassle of searching for individual ingredients across multiple stores; we’ve made holiday baking easier than ever. Below, you’ll find everything you need to recreate these iconic treats, from detailed recipes and helpful video tutorials to a complete, Instacart-ready shopping list. Print off this list and take it to the store, or simply click the convenient Instacart button to add all your essentials directly to your cart. Prepare to bake, share, and enjoy the sweet magic of the holidays!
Watch All Our Recipe Videos for Inspiration!
Seeing is believing, especially when it comes to crafting these delightful treats! We’ve created step-by-step video tutorials for each of these recipes to guide you through every stage of the baking process. Whether you’re a seasoned baker or just starting, these visual guides will make recreating your favorite Little Debbie snacks a breeze. Hop on over to our official Instagram or TikTok channels to watch all the videos and get inspired for your holiday baking adventure!
@designeatrepeat Cake bites are out, cake *CUPS* are in 💃🎄 This is Day 2 of our Little Debbie holiday series and I can’t get over how cute these are!! 🥹 ✨ WHAT YOU NEED: ✔️ 1 Box of cake mix + listed ingredients ✔️ ½ can of canilla frosting ✔️ 2 packages almond bark (you probably won’t use all of it but good to have extra!). ✔️ Red food coloring ✔️ Green sanding sugar sprinkles TO MAKE: Mix the cooled cake with the frosting until it’s combined and smooth. Add about 1 teaspoon of melted almond bark to each mini cupcake liner, let harden (can speed up in the fridge), then add a 1-tablespoon sized ball of cake dough into each cup. Press down to flatten the dough, then top with more almond bark. Use a piping bag to pipe the red stripes, then immediately add the sprinkles. Let harden and enjoy! #cakepops #littledebbie #holidaybaking #christmastok #christmascountdown #christmascandy #cakebites #christmastreecakes
♬ Elf – Main Title – Geek Music
@designeatrepeat The cutting hack at the end, tho 👀🤯🎄These are based off my viral cosmic brownies but are a mini Christmas version! Instead of cutting them into 4 sections like the recipe says, cut into 6 to get minis for your holiday platters! #cosmicbrownies #christmasbrownies #littledebbie #holidaybaking #christmastok #christmascountdown
♬ Elf – Main Title – Geek Music
Cosmic Christmas Tree Brownies: A Festive Twist
Bring a touch of cosmic holiday cheer to your dessert table with these adorable Christmas Tree Brownies! Inspired by the classic Little Debbie Cosmic Brownies and our own viral recipe, these mini treats are perfectly sized for holiday dessert platters. Bake them in a 9×13 inch pan, then use a clever cutting hack to transform them into charming bite-sized triangles, resembling festive Christmas trees. They’re super fudgy, topped with a rich chocolate ganache, and adorned with colorful sprinkles, making them an irresistible addition to any holiday gathering.
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Effortless Christmas Cake Bite Cups
Say goodbye to the messy and often frustrating process of dipping traditional cake balls! Our Christmas Cake Bite Cups offer an ingenious, no-fuss alternative. These delightful bite-sized treats are pressed directly into mini cupcake liners, eliminating the need for dipping in melted chocolate. The result? Adorable, perfectly portioned “cake cups” that are not only easier to make but also incredibly cute and festive. Decorated to resemble the classic Little Debbie Christmas Tree Cakes, these will be a highlight on your holiday dessert table, offering all the flavor with none of the usual fuss.
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No-Bake Gingerbread Man Rice Krispie Treats
Transform ordinary crispy rice cereal into something extraordinary this holiday season with our Gingerbread Man Rice Krispie Treats! Inspired by the irresistible Little Debbie Star Crunch, these no-bake bars are incredibly easy to make with just a few simple ingredients. Each chewy, chocolatey-caramel treat is shaped like a festive gingerbread man, making them a fun and appealing snack for kids and adults alike. Perfect for when you need a quick dessert that doesn’t require oven space, these gingerbread-spiced delights are sure to become a new holiday favorite.
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Classic Homemade Oatmeal Creme Pies (Mini Version Included!)
Indulge in the comforting taste of childhood with our recipe for Homemade Oatmeal Creme Pies. These aren’t just any cookies; they’re incredibly soft, wonderfully chewy, and packed with a rich, nostalgic flavor that perfectly mimics the beloved Little Debbie oatmeal creme pies. We’ve even included instructions to make them mini, turning them into charming, bite-sized additions ideal for holiday dessert trays and party platters. The creamy filling sandwiched between two spiced oatmeal cookies makes for a truly irresistible treat that everyone will adore.
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No-Mess Oreo Truffles: Chocolatey Perfection
If you love the rich, chocolatey goodness of Oreo balls but dread the sticky, messy process of dipping them in chocolate, then these No-Mess Oreo Truffles are your new go-to recipe! Instead of traditional dipping, the melted chocolate is cleverly blended right into the Oreo dough, creating a firm, truffle-like texture without any fuss. These decadent bites are then delicately rolled in extra crumbs for a perfect finish. Enjoy all the irresistible flavor of classic Oreo truffles with a much cleaner, simpler preparation, making them ideal for holiday entertaining.
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Simple 4-Ingredient Nutty Buddy Bark
Craving that iconic sweet and salty crunch of a Little Debbie Nutty Buddy? Our easy-to-make Nutty Buddy Bark delivers all that irresistible flavor and texture with just four ingredients! This recipe transforms simple ingredients into a delectable peanut butter chocolate bark that’s perfect for a quick snack or a last-minute addition to your holiday dessert spread. It’s incredibly simple to prepare, making it a fantastic option for busy bakers looking for maximum flavor with minimal effort. Get ready to fall in love with this crunchy, satisfying treat.
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Streamline Your Shopping: Instacart Store-Specific Lists
To make your holiday baking prep as smooth as possible, we’ve gone the extra mile by creating store-specific Instacart shopping lists. These tailored lists aim to help you quickly find the correct products and brands available at your local grocers. Remember that while these lists are comprehensive, some specialty items or brand preferences may vary by location and retailer. Please review the items carefully, adjust quantities as needed for your desired yield, and be aware of the specific exclusions for each store detailed below. This ensures you get exactly what you need without any last-minute surprises!
Hyvee Instacart Shopping List Notes
Click the link below for a pre-filled Hyvee Instacart cart, designed to get you started on your Little Debbie holiday treats. Please note that a few non-grocery items or less common ingredients may not be included in the automated list and will need to be purchased separately:
HYVEE INSTACART LIST
- Mini cupcake liners (often found at craft stores or easily ordered from Amazon).
- Piping bags (essential for detailed decorations, also readily available at craft stores or online).
Aldi Instacart Shopping List Notes
For our Aldi shoppers, this Instacart list provides a great starting point for gathering your baking supplies. Aldi is known for its unique inventory, so please be mindful of the following items that might be harder to find or are intentionally excluded:
ALDI INSTACART LIST
- Marshmallow creme (some Aldi stores may carry it seasonally, but it might not always appear on Instacart).
- Hershey’s unsweetened cocoa powder (we recommend sticking with the specific brand for optimal flavor, and generic might not meet expectations).
- Waffle cones (may not be consistently stocked or available for Instacart delivery at all Aldi locations).
- Kraft caramels (a specific brand preference for quality and consistency in our recipes).
- Peppermint extract (optional for the Oreo truffles, but if you want that minty kick, you’ll need to source it separately).
- Rainbow chip sprinkles (A great alternative is to purchase two boxes of Pillsbury funfetti brownie mix, which typically includes a pouch of these festive sprinkles).
- Green sparkling sugar sprinkles (for those beautiful cake cup decorations).
- Christmas jimmies sprinkles (for adding extra holiday flair to your bark).
- Piping bag/tips (baking tools that are best sourced from a craft store or online).
- Red & green gel food coloring (essential for vibrant holiday colors, often found in baking aisles or craft stores).
- Mini cupcake liners (a small but crucial item for the cake bite cups, check craft stores or online).
Kroger Instacart Shopping List Notes
This Kroger Instacart list is designed to streamline your grocery run for these delightful Little Debbie copycat recipes. As with other retailers, a couple of specific items might not be auto-populated in your Instacart cart. Please make note of these additions you’ll need to acquire separately:
KROGER INSTACART LISTS
- Mini cupcake liners (commonly found in the baking aisle or specialty craft stores, also available on Amazon).
- Piping bag/tips (essential tools for precise decorating, typically found in the baking section or craft stores).
We’ve compiled all the essential ingredients for these fantastic holiday treats into one master list. This comprehensive shopping list ensures you have every item on hand to tackle all six recipes, making your holiday baking efficient and enjoyable. Remember to carefully check quantities, as the automated Instacart button below will add only one of each item by default. Always double-check product selections too, as different retailers might suggest alternative brands that you may want to manually switch to your preferred options. For even more convenience, don’t forget to scroll up and check out our store-specific Instacart lists for Hyvee, Aldi, and Kroger!
Little Debbie Holiday Tray (Compiled Shopping List)
For even more tailored shopping, we’ve created Instacart lists specific to each major grocer to help you effortlessly hunt down the correct products and brands:
*Scroll up in post for Hyvee, Aldi, and Kroger specific lists with important notes!
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Ingredients
Specialty Items:
- ¾ cup vanilla frosting (one can is typically enough for all recipes)
- 15 ounce box yellow cake mix
- 1 cup quick oats
- ½ cup raisins
- 16 ounces mini marshmallows
- 14 ounces marshmallow creme (e.g., two 7-ounce cans)
- 1 ⅓ cups Hershey’s unsweetened cocoa powder (one standard container is sufficient)
- ½ cup creamy peanut butter
- 1 box Waffle cones
- 18 ounces Oreo cookies (one family-size package)
- 4 cups crispy rice cereal (one 12-ounce box is enough)
- 2 cups white chocolate chips (one 12-ounce bag)
- 40 ounces white melting wafers or almond bark
- 32 ounces dark melting wafers or almond bark
- ½ cup semi-sweet chocolate chips
- 30 Kraft caramels (one bag is enough)
Baking Staples:
- 1 ½ cups granulated sugar
- 1 ¼ cup light brown sugar
- 1 ½ cups powdered sugar
- 2 cups all-purpose flour
- 1 cup vegetable oil
- ⅛ teaspoon peppermint extract (optional for Oreo balls, but highly recommended for a festive twist!)
- 4 ½ teaspoons vanilla extract
- 2 teaspoons salt
- ½ teaspoon baking soda
- 3 tablespoons cornstarch
- 1 teaspoon cinnamon
Refrigerated Essentials:
- ½ cup heavy cream
- 1 pound unsalted butter
- 1 dozen large eggs (you won’t use all of them, but this quantity covers variations in cake mix requirements)
- 8 ounces cream cheese (or ¼ cup sweetened condensed milk for Oreo balls, if you need them to be shelf-stable)
- 2 tablespoons milk (heavy cream can be substituted for milk in the oatmeal creme pie dough if you prefer not to buy extra milk)
Supplies & Decor:
- rainbow chip sprinkles (Tip: Pillsbury Funfetti brownie mix often includes a pouch of these; consider getting two boxes if you can’t find them separately!)
- Green sparkling sugar (perfect for the festive cake cups)
- Christmas jimmies sprinkles (for decorating the nutty buddy bark and other treats)
- parchment paper sheets (a baking essential for easy cleanup and non-stick surfaces)
- piping bags (for precise frosting and chocolate work)
- red & green gel food coloring (for vibrant holiday colors without diluting your frosting)
- mini cupcake liners (crucial for the Christmas Cake Bite Cups)
Before you begin! We hope you enjoy making these nostalgic holiday treats. If you make them, please do us a huge favor and leave a review and rating letting us know how you liked this recipe collection! Your feedback helps our small business thrive, allowing us to continue providing free, high-quality content and delicious recipes for you.
With these six delightful Little Debbie-inspired recipes and your perfectly organized shopping list, you’re all set for a season of joyful and delicious baking. From fudgy Christmas Tree Brownies to no-bake Gingerbread Man Rice Krispie Treats, and even homemade Oatmeal Creme Pies, each recipe promises to bring warmth and nostalgia to your holiday gatherings. Whether you’re making them for family, friends, or simply to treat yourself, these treats are guaranteed to be a hit. So gather your ingredients, turn on your favorite holiday music, and get ready to create some magical homemade memories!