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If you are looking for a festive, crowd-pleasing dessert that practically makes itself, this Christmas Trifle Dessert is exactly what your holiday table needs. With its stunning red, white, and green layers, it captures the true spirit of Christmas in every bite. Whether you are hosting a big family gathering or a cozy holiday dinner, this layered trifle brings together the richness of red velvet cake, the lightness of a green-tinted white cake, and a luscious cream cheese whipped filling that ties it all together.
The best part? You do not need to be a professional baker to pull this off. Using box cake mixes makes the process incredibly simple, while the final presentation looks like it took hours of effort. The vibrant layers remind you of a strawberry shortcake aesthetic brought into the Christmas season, making it as beautiful as it is delicious. Think festive strawberry shortcake pictures, but for your holiday dessert table.
Table of Contents
Why You Will Love This Christmas Trifle Dessert
- It is a no-fuss recipe that uses box cake mixes for convenience
- The red, white, and green layers create a stunning holiday presentation
- The cream cheese filling is rich, creamy, and perfectly balanced
- It can be made ahead of time, making holiday prep easier
- It serves a crowd and is always a conversation starter at the table
Equipment You Will Need
Before you get started, make sure you have the right tools on hand. Having the proper kitchen equipment makes this recipe seamless and enjoyable.
- Oven – for baking the cake layers to perfection
- Pots – useful for any prep work and boiling needs
- Mixing bowls – for preparing each cake batter and the cream filling
- Electric mixer – to blend the cream cheese, condensed milk, and whipped topping smoothly
- Measuring cups and spoons set – for accurate ingredient portions
- Kitchen utensils – spatulas and spoons for folding and assembling layers
- Baking sheets – helpful for stabilizing your cake pans in the oven
- Cutting board – for crumbling cooled cakes cleanly
Ingredients
This recipe uses simple, easy-to-find ingredients. Here is everything you need to make this festive Christmas trifle:
| Ingredient | Quantity | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| White box cake mix | 1 box | Prepared according to box directions |
| Red velvet box cake mix | 1 box | Prepared according to box directions |
| Green food coloring | 10 drops | Added to white cake batter |
| Cream cheese | 8 ounces | Softened to room temperature |
| Sweetened condensed milk | 14 ounces | One standard can |
| Whipped topping | 8 ounces | Tub-style, such as Cool Whip |
Step-by-Step Instructions
Follow these simple steps to assemble your Christmas Trifle Dessert like a pro. Grab your mixing bowls and your electric mixer and get ready to create something truly special.
- Preheat your oven to 350 degrees Fahrenheit.
- Prepare both cake mixes according to their box directions in separate mixing bowls.
- Add 10 drops of green food coloring to the white cake batter and stir until the color is fully incorporated.
- Pour each batter into a separate greased 9×13 cake pan. Place on baking sheets for easy oven handling.
- Bake both cakes for 23 to 25 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted in the center comes out clean.
- Remove from the oven and allow both cakes to cool completely. Set aside.
- In a medium mixing bowl, use your electric mixer to beat together the softened cream cheese, sweetened condensed milk, and whipped topping until smooth and well combined.
- Using your hands or a cutting board, crumble both cooled cakes into rough chunks. Reserve about 1/4 cup of each color for the topping.
- To assemble, layer the crumbled red velvet cake at the bottom of your trifle dish, followed by a generous layer of the cream cheese mixture. Then add a layer of green crumbled cake, followed by another layer of cream.
- Repeat the layering process until all ingredients are used, finishing with the cream layer on top.
- Sprinkle the reserved red and green cake crumbles on top for a festive Christmas finish.
- Refrigerate for at least 2 hours before serving for best results.
Pro Tips for the Perfect Christmas Trifle
Make It Ahead
This trifle actually tastes better the next day as the layers meld together in the refrigerator. You can prepare it up to 24 hours in advance, making it the ideal make-ahead holiday dessert. Cover it tightly with plastic wrap and store it chilled until ready to serve.
Adjust the Green Color
For a deeper, more vibrant green that really pops in the Christmas layers, feel free to add more than 10 drops of green food coloring to your white cake batter. Gel food coloring tends to give a more intense color than liquid drops if you want a true emerald green shade.
Use a Clear Trifle Bowl
The visual impact of this dessert comes entirely from the visible red, white, and green layers. Using a clear glass trifle bowl or a large glass serving dish makes all the difference when presenting it to guests. The layers are the star of the show.
Customize the Cream Filling
You can easily elevate the cream layer by adding a teaspoon of pure vanilla extract or a splash of almond extract to the cream cheese mixture. This adds depth of flavor without changing the beautiful appearance of the trifle.
Serving Suggestions
This Christmas Trifle Dessert is best served cold, straight from the refrigerator. It pairs beautifully with hot cocoa, mulled wine, or a classic holiday punch. Use your kitchen utensils to scoop generous portions into individual dessert glasses or bowls so each guest can admire the colorful layers. Garnish individual servings with a light dusting of powdered sugar or a fresh sprig of mint for extra holiday elegance.
Storage Instructions
- Refrigerator: Store covered in the refrigerator for up to 3 days
- Freezer: This trifle is not recommended for freezing as the cream layer may separate upon thawing
- Make ahead: Assemble up to 24 hours before serving for the best flavor and texture
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I make this Christmas Trifle Dessert without a trifle bowl?
Yes, absolutely. Any large, deep clear glass dish or even individual glass cups will work well. The key is using something transparent so the beautiful red, white, and green layers are visible to your guests.
Can I use homemade cake instead of box cake mix?
Of course. If you prefer baking from scratch, you can substitute your favorite homemade white cake and red velvet cake recipes. Just make sure the cakes are fully cooled before crumbling to keep the layers clean and distinct.
How far in advance can I make this Christmas trifle?
You can assemble this trifle up to 24 hours ahead of time. Simply cover it and store it in the refrigerator. The flavors deepen and the layers soften slightly overnight, making it even more delicious the next day.
Can I add fruit to this Christmas Trifle Dessert?
Yes, fresh or frozen raspberries, strawberries, or even pomegranate seeds would complement both the flavor and the red and green color theme beautifully. Layer them alongside the cake crumbles for added freshness and texture.
Can I substitute the whipped topping with homemade whipped cream?
Yes, you can use freshly whipped heavy cream in place of tub-style whipped topping. Keep in mind that homemade whipped cream is less stable, so the trifle should be assembled and served within a shorter timeframe, ideally the same day.
Equipment List
- Oven
- Mixing bowls
- Electric mixer
- Measuring cups and spoons set
- Kitchen utensils
- Baking sheets
- Cutting board
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PrintChristmas Trifle Dessert: Easy Red, White & Green Holiday Layered Cake
This Christmas Trifle Dessert is a stunning layered holiday dessert made with red velvet cake, green-tinted white cake, and a creamy cream cheese filling. It is easy to make, festive in presentation, and perfect for serving a crowd during the holiday season.
- Prep Time: 20 minutes
- Cook Time: 25 minutes
- Total Time: 45 minutes
- Yield: 12 servings
- Category: Dessert
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
- Diet: Vegetarian
Ingredients
1 white box cake mix (prepared according to box directions)
1 red velvet box cake mix (prepared according to box directions)
10 drops green food coloring
8 ounces cream cheese, softened
14 ounces sweetened condensed milk
8 ounces tub whipped topping
Instructions
1. Preheat oven to 350 degrees Fahrenheit.
2. Prepare both cake mixes according to their box directions in separate bowls.
3. Add 10 drops of green food coloring to the white cake batter and stir to combine.
4. Pour each batter into a separate greased 9×13 cake pan.
5. Bake for 23 to 25 minutes or until a toothpick inserted in the center comes out clean.
6. Allow both cakes to cool completely. Set aside.
7. In a medium bowl, use an electric mixer to beat together the cream cheese, sweetened condensed milk, and whipped topping until smooth and well combined.
8. Crumble each cooled cake, reserving 1/4 cup of each color for the topping.
9. Assemble the trifle by alternating layers of each cake color with layers of the cream cheese filling.
10. Finish with a cream layer on top and sprinkle the reserved cake crumbles over the surface.
11. Refrigerate for at least 2 hours before serving.
Notes
This trifle can be assembled up to 24 hours in advance and refrigerated until serving.
For a more vibrant green, use gel food coloring instead of liquid drops.
Fresh berries such as strawberries or raspberries can be added between layers for extra flavor.
Store leftovers covered in the refrigerator for up to 3 days.