Why You’ll Love This Christmas Trifle Dessert
This Christmas Trifle Dessert is bright, creamy, and full of holiday color. It mixes red velvet and green-tinted white cake with a smooth cream cheese filling. The trifle looks festive in a clear bowl, and it tastes sweet and light. You can make most of it ahead and chill it until guests arrive. The result is a show-stopping dessert that feels special but is easy to put together.
introduction
This dessert fits well on a holiday table and makes a great finish to a family meal. It adds color and a fresh look next to other sweet dishes. If you like simple crowd-pleasing desserts, you will enjoy this trifle. For other ideas and recipes for seasonal sweets, see this holiday desserts collection as a source of more treats and quick options.
Why Make This Recipe
Make this recipe because it is fast, forgiving, and made with store-bought cake mixes and common pantry items. You do not need to bake fancy layers or pipe frosting. The layers hide small mistakes and still look attractive. It serves many people and keeps well in the fridge, so it is great for potlucks and family get-togethers. The colors allow a festive presentation without extra effort.
What You Need for Christmas Trifle Dessert
You do not need many tools. A few simple items will do:
- A large trifle bowl or a clear glass bowl so you can see the layers.
- Two 9×13-inch baking pans to bake the cakes.
- A large mixing bowl and an electric mixer or whisk.
- A spatula for folding and spreading.
- A knife to cut cake if you prefer chunks.
These items help you assemble the dessert quickly. The clear bowl is optional but makes the trifle look special.
How to Make Christmas Trifle Dessert
Start by baking the two cakes and letting them cool fully. Tint the white cake batter with green food coloring so the red and green colors contrast. Once the cakes cool, make the cream cheese filling by beating cream cheese with sweetened condensed milk and whipped topping until smooth. Crumble the cakes into large pieces and save a little crumb for topping. Then layer cake and filling in the trifle bowl until it is full. Chill the trifle at least one hour so the filling firms and the flavors blend. Serve cold so each spoonful stays light and creamy. Below, you can find the exact ingredients and the boxed directions to follow step by step.
Ingredients:
1 box white cake mix (prepared per box directions), 1 box red velvet cake mix (prepared per box directions), Green food coloring (about 10 drops), 8 ounces cream cheese, softened, 14 ounces sweetened condensed milk, 8-ounce tub whipped topping
Directions:
Preheat oven to 350°F (175°C) and grease two 9×13-inch baking pans., Prepare each cake mix separately according to the box directions., Add about 10 drops of green food coloring to the white cake batter and mix until evenly colored., Pour each batter into prepared pans and bake for 23-25 minutes, until a toothpick comes out clean., Allow cakes to cool completely., In a bowl, beat together cream cheese, sweetened condensed milk, and whipped topping until smooth., Crumble both cakes into large chunks and reserve about 1/4 cup of each for topping., In a trifle bowl, layer cake crumbles and creamy filling alternately., Sprinkle reserved cake crumbs on top for garnish., Chill in the refrigerator for at least 1 hour before serving., Serve cold and enjoy!
Best Ways to Serve Christmas Trifle Dessert
Serve this trifle cold so the cream filling stays firm and the cake pieces stay fresh. Use a large spoon to scoop deep into the bowl so each serving has cake and filling. Place the trifle after the main meal and let guests serve themselves. For a fancier touch, add a few fresh berries or a sprig of mint on top before serving. If you serve slices on small plates, give guests a napkin or two — it can be a bit messy but very worth it.
How to Store Christmas Trifle Dessert
Store the trifle covered in the refrigerator. It stays good for up to 3 days, though it tastes best the first two days. Keep it in the fridge to prevent the whipped topping and cream cheese filling from getting soft. If you want to make parts ahead, bake the cakes a day earlier and store them wrapped at room temperature. Make the filling the day you plan to serve, then assemble so the cake keeps some texture. Do not freeze the layered trifle; freezing changes the cream texture.
Easy Tips to Make Christmas Trifle Dessert
- Let the cakes cool fully before crumbling. Warm cake will make the filling runny.
- Use the suggested amount of green food coloring and add a drop more if you want a deeper green. Mix a little at a time.
- Beat the cream cheese until it is very smooth before adding the condensed milk and whipped topping. This keeps lumps out.
- Keep the cake crumbles in large chunks for a good texture contrast against the creamy filling.
- Chill the assembled trifle at least an hour so it sets and the flavors meld.
- If you need to save time, bake the cakes the day before or use pre-baked cake pieces from a bakery.
Try These Variations of Christmas Trifle Dessert
You can change this trifle to fit other tastes. Try adding a layer of fresh raspberries or strawberries for tartness. You can also stir in a spoonful of cocoa powder into half of the filling for a chocolate cream layer. Add chopped nuts between layers for crunch if you like. For a no-bake spin or a different cookie crunch, try serving this style of layered dessert alongside a simpler chilled treat like a no-bake Oreo ice cream dessert to give guests more choices.
Common Questions About Christmas Trifle Dessert
Q: Can I use cool whip instead of the whipped topping tub?
A: Yes. Use a whipped topping like cool whip that you can fold into the cream cheese and condensed milk. Make sure it is thawed if it was frozen. The texture will be similar.
Q: How do I keep the cake from getting soggy?
A: Keep the cake pieces large and do not soak them with extra liquid. Chill the trifle soon after assembly to help the filling firm up. If you expect to serve much later, add a thin layer of filling on top of each cake layer to protect it.
Q: Can I make this gluten-free?
A: Yes, use gluten-free cake mixes for both the white and red velvet cakes. Check the whipped topping and other items for gluten-free labels. The method stays the same.
Q: Is there a dairy-free option?
A: For dairy-free, use dairy-free cream cheese, a dairy-free whipped topping, and a sweetened condensed milk substitute if available. The texture will change, but it can still work well.
Q: How long ahead can I assemble this trifle?
A: You can assemble it the night before and keep it covered in the fridge. It will be best within 24 hours for texture and flavor.
Final Thoughts
This Christmas Trifle Dessert gives you a festive, colorful dessert with little fuss. It uses simple store-bought mixes and a creamy filling that everyone will enjoy. The layers let you make a pretty presentation without fancy skills. It is a great choice for holiday meals, family parties, or when you need an easy make-ahead dessert.
Ready to Give It a Try?
Gather the cake mixes and cream cheese, bake the cakes, and plan a short chilling time. Once you assemble the layers, you will have a dessert that looks like you spent more time on it than you did. Serve it cold, and enjoy the smiles from family and friends.
Conclusion
If you want to see the original version and a step-by-step picture guide for this Christmas Trifle Dessert, check the full recipe at Christmas Trifle Dessert – Bitz & Giggles.
Print
Christmas Trifle Dessert
- Total Time: 40 minutes
- Yield: 12 servings 1x
- Diet: Vegetarian
Description
A festive layered dessert featuring red velvet and green-tinted white cake with a smooth cream cheese filling, perfect for holiday gatherings.
Ingredients
- 1 box white cake mix (prepared per box directions)
- 1 box red velvet cake mix (prepared per box directions)
- Green food coloring (about 10 drops)
- 8 ounces cream cheese, softened
- 14 ounces sweetened condensed milk
- 8-ounce tub whipped topping
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 350°F (175°C) and grease two 9×13-inch baking pans.
- Prepare each cake mix separately according to the box directions.
- Add about 10 drops of green food coloring to the white cake batter and mix until evenly colored.
- Pour each batter into prepared pans and bake for 23-25 minutes, until a toothpick comes out clean.
- Allow cakes to cool completely.
- In a bowl, beat together cream cheese, sweetened condensed milk, and whipped topping until smooth.
- Crumble both cakes into large chunks and reserve about 1/4 cup of each for topping.
- In a trifle bowl, layer cake crumbles and creamy filling alternately.
- Sprinkle reserved cake crumbs on top for garnish.
- Chill in the refrigerator for at least 1 hour before serving.
- Serve cold and enjoy!
Notes
Use large cake pieces to maintain texture. Chill the trifle immediately after assembly to help it set better.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 25 minutes
- Category: Dessert
- Method: Layering
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 serving
- Calories: 300
- Sugar: 25g
- Sodium: 200mg
- Fat: 12g
- Saturated Fat: 5g
- Unsaturated Fat: 6g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 45g
- Fiber: 1g
- Protein: 4g
- Cholesterol: 30mg