Jolly Christmas Trifle: A Sweet Holiday Treat Recipe

Festive gatherings call for an extraordinary Christmas trifle dessert that leaves everyone craving more.

Rich layers of flavor stack elegantly in this stunning holiday treat.

Creamy textures and vibrant colors make this dessert a showstopper at any celebration.

Silky custard, fluffy whipped cream, and tender cake create a delightful harmony of tastes.

Guests will be impressed by the stunning presentation and complex flavors.

Each spoonful promises a magical blend of sweet indulgence.

Prepare to dazzle your loved ones with this irresistible holiday classic.

What Makes Christmas Trifle So Festive

• Transform simple cake mixes into a stunning, colorful dessert that captures the Christmas spirit with minimal effort and maximum wow factor.
• Create a show-stopping dessert that looks professionally made but requires zero advanced baking skills, perfect for home cooks of all levels.
• Play with food coloring and cake layers to match any holiday theme or personal preference, making this recipe infinitely adaptable for different celebrations.
• Prepare this make-ahead dessert that impresses guests without last-minute kitchen chaos, giving you more time to enjoy holiday gatherings.

Ingredients for Christmas Trifle Dessert

• White Cake Mix: A light and fluffy base that provides the perfect canvas for the festive green layer.
• Red Velvet Cake Mix: A rich, classic cake that adds a vibrant red color to the dessert.
• Green Food Coloring: Transforms the white cake into a festive green layer for a Christmas theme.

• Cream Cheese: Creates a smooth and creamy base for the filling.
• Sweetened Condensed Milk: Adds sweetness and helps bind the cream mixture together.
• Whipped Topping: Provides a light and airy texture to the cream filling.

• Cake Crumbs: Sprinkled on top to add texture and enhance the festive Christmas appearance of the trifle.

How to Layer a Christmas Trifle

Step 1: Prepare Colorful Cakes

Preheat the oven to 350ºF.

Mix white and red velvet cake mixes according to package instructions.

Add green food coloring to the white cake batter to create a festive green layer.

Grease two 9×13 pans and pour the batters separately.

Bake for 23-25 minutes until a toothpick comes out clean.

Allow cakes to cool completely before handling.

Step 2: Create Creamy Filling

Prepare the cream cheese mixture in a medium bowl.

• Softened cream cheese
• Sweetened condensed milk
• Whipped topping

Whip until the mixture becomes light and fluffy.

Step 3: Crumble Cake Layers

Gently break the cooled cakes into small, light crumbles.

Set aside a quarter cup of each cake color for topping.

Keep the remaining crumbles ready for layering.

Step 4: Build Delightful Layers

In a trifle dish, start constructing your festive dessert.

Begin with a layer of green cake crumbles, followed by a generous spread of cream mixture.

Add a layer of red velvet cake crumbles.

Continue alternating layers until all ingredients are used.

Embrace the rustic, imperfect nature of the trifle.

Step 5: Garnish and Serve

Sprinkle the reserved red and green cake crumbs on top.

This final touch adds a playful, colorful finish to your Christmas trifle.

Chill before serving to let the flavors meld together.

Pro Tips for Holiday Trifles

• Cool cakes completely before crumbling to ensure light, airy texture without clumping.
• Blend cream cheese mixture until ultra-smooth, using room temperature ingredients for silkier consistency.
• Add green food coloring gradually to white cake batter for consistent, vibrant holiday color.
• Create rustic, imperfect layers for authentic trifle appearance – uneven edges add homemade charm.
• Reserve small cake crumb portions for decorative final sprinkle, enhancing visual appeal and adding textural contrast.

Storage Tips for Christmas Trifle

• Store the Christmas trifle covered with plastic wrap in the refrigerator for up to 3-4 days. Keep it chilled to maintain the cream's texture and prevent bacterial growth.
• Avoid freezing the entire trifle as the cream and cake layers will lose their original texture. The dessert becomes soggy and separates when thawed.
• Transfer single servings to airtight containers for easy storage. These can be kept in the refrigerator for 2-3 days without compromising taste or quality.
• Remove the trifle from the refrigerator 10-15 minutes before serving to let it slightly soften. This helps release the flavors and makes the dessert more enjoyable.

Pairing Suggestions for Christmas Trifle

• Festive Flavor Companions: Christmas Trifle Pairings
• Sip Sparkling Moscato: Light, sweet white wine perfectly complements the rich cream cheese filling and provides a delightful holiday bubble that matches the dessert's playful colors.
• Match with Peppermint Hot Chocolate: Warm, minty chocolate drink enhances the cake's sweetness while creating a cozy Christmas mood that mirrors the dessert's festive spirit.
• Serve with Vanilla Bean Espresso: Strong coffee cuts through the trifle's creamy texture, offering a sophisticated contrast and cleansing the palate between decadent bites.
• Pair with Spiced Mulled Cider: Warm, aromatic apple cider with cinnamon and clove notes echoes the dessert's festive nature and provides a comforting holiday warmth.

Creative Trifle Ideas for the Holidays

• Gluten-Free Christmas Trifle: Replace traditional cake mixes with gluten-free white and red velvet cake mixes, ensuring the same festive colors and flavors for those with gluten sensitivities.
• Vegan Holiday Trifle: Swap cream cheese and sweetened condensed milk with dairy-free alternatives like coconut cream cheese and cashew-based condensed milk. Use vegan whipped topping for a plant-based version that's equally creamy and delicious.
• Low-Sugar Christmas Trifle: Utilize sugar-free cake mixes and replace sweetened condensed milk with a sugar-free version or unsweetened condensed milk. Add stevia or monk fruit sweetener to maintain the dessert's sweetness without excess sugar.
• Fruit-Infused Christmas Trifle: Incorporate fresh seasonal berries like raspberries or cranberries between cake layers for added moisture and a tangy flavor profile that complements the cream cheese mixture.

FAQs

• Can I make this trifle ahead of time?

Yes, you can prepare the trifle a day in advance. Cover it with plastic wrap and refrigerate. The flavors will actually blend better overnight, making it even more delicious.

• Do I need any special equipment to make this trifle?

A trifle dish is ideal, but you can use a large glass bowl or individual serving glasses. The key is using a clear container so the beautiful layers are visible.

• Is it okay to use homemade cake instead of box mix?

Absolutely! Homemade white and red velvet cakes work perfectly. Just ensure they’re completely cooled before crumbling to get the right texture.

• Can I substitute any ingredients in the cream filling?

You can use mascarpone instead of cream cheese for a slightly different flavor. Greek yogurt can also replace some of the whipped topping if you want a tangier taste.

Christmas Trifle Dessert Recipe

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4.9 from 26 reviews

• Total Time: 50 minutes
• Yield: 12 1x

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Description

Festive Christmas Trifle brings holiday cheer with layers of velvety custard, rich sponge cake, and seasonal berries. Creamy and indulgent, this dessert promises to dazzle guests with its elegant presentation and irresistible flavors you’ll savor.

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Ingredients

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Cake Layer:

• 1 white box cake mix (prepared according to box directions)
• 1 red velvet box cake mix (prepared according to box directions)

Cream Mixture:

• 8 ounces (226 grams) cream cheese (softened)
• 14 ounces (397 grams) sweetened condensed milk
• 8 ounces (227 grams) whipped topping

Decorative Ingredient:

• Green food coloring

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Instructions

1. Prepare cake layers by preheating the oven to 350ºF. Mix white and red velvet cake batters according to package instructions, adding green food coloring to the white cake batter. Pour each batter into separate greased 9×13 pans and bake for 23-25 minutes until a toothpick comes out clean.
2. Allow cakes to cool completely to prevent clumping. Cool on wire racks for approximately 1 hour at room temperature.
3. Create creamy filling by blending softened cream cheese, sweetened condensed milk, and whipped topping in a medium bowl until smooth and fluffy.
4. Carefully crumble cooled cakes into small, light pieces. Set aside ¼ cup of each cake color for final garnish.
5. Assemble trifle in a clear dish by layering green cake crumbles as the first foundation. Add a generous cream mixture layer, followed by red velvet cake crumbles.
6. Continue alternating cake and cream layers, creating a visually appealing striped effect. Embrace the rustic, imperfect layering technique.
7. Finish the dessert by sprinkling reserved red and green cake crumbs across the top, creating a festive holiday presentation.

Notes

• Let cakes cool completely to ensure light, fluffy crumbles that won’t stick together when layering the trifle.
• Ensure cream cheese is softened at room temperature for smooth blending without lumps, creating a silky cream filling.
• Experiment with food coloring to match holiday themes or personal preferences, using natural food dyes for a healthier alternative.
• Prepare this trifle a day in advance to allow flavors to meld and develop a richer, more complex taste profile.

• Prep Time: 15 minutes
• Cook Time: 35 minutes
• Category: Desserts
• Method: Baking
• Cuisine: British

Nutrition

• Serving Size: 12
• Calories: 280
• Sugar: 20 g
• Sodium: 250 mg
• Fat: 10 g
• Saturated Fat: 5 g
• Unsaturated Fat: 3 g
• Trans Fat: 0 g
• Carbohydrates: 40 g
• Fiber: 1 g
• Protein: 4 g
• Cholesterol: 25 mg