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Christmas Trifle is a delicious and impressive dessert. Start with a cake mix and layer with a cream cheese mixture for the best Christmas dessert.

A festive Christmas trifle in a glass dish with red velvet cake, green cake, and creamy white layers. Topped with whipped cream and red and green sprinkles. A red and green plaid cloth and decorative balls set the merry background perfectly.
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If you are looking for a dessert that will impress your family and guests this Christmas, make this Christmas Trifle. We love this dessert because it is made with a boxed caked mix and can be easily be made ahead of time.

Layering the cake and cream cheese mixture in a Trifle bowl that will sure to please everyone. If you are needing more ideas this holiday, try Christmas Tree Coffee Cake or Christmas Fudge.

Table of Contents

Why This Recipe Works

My kids and I love to make holiday desserts that are delicious but only need a few ingredients. This Christmas Trifle Dessert is one of those that you can make with any cake mix to create a layered dessert for the perfect holiday centerpiece.

The creamy custard layers keeps the cake moist and delicious. This dessert is easy to serve and can be made with a variety of ingredients.

Ingredients

  • White and Red Velvet Boxed Cake Mix – Ingredients to prepare both of the cake mixes based on the package instructions.
  • Green Food Coloring – We recommend use Gel Food Coloring for the best color
  • White Chocolate Pudding Mix – Cheesecake Flavor or banana pudding are another great option
  • Cream Cheese – Softened at room temperature

For the full recipe scroll to the bottom for the recipe card.

Variations Ideas

Feel free to make this trifle dessert with a variety of ingredients.

  • Garnish with berries and other fruits – You can top this dessert with fresh raspberries, strawberries, cranberries, cherries, almonds and coconut. You can even drizzle with a caramel syrup for additional flavors.
  • Cake – You can easily make this Trifle with sponge cake, madeira cake, ladyfingers or pound cake.
  • Cake Batter Add–Ins – Feel free to add in sprinkles, peanut butter candy, peppermint bark, crushed cookies, or candy canes for even more flavor.
  • Cream Center – Feel free to substitute the pudding with homemade whipped cream.

How to Make Christmas Trifle

A bowl filled with vibrant green cake batter sits on a white marble surface, reminiscent of festive Christmas colors.

Step 1 – Prepare the white cake mix batter based on the package instructions. Dye the batter green with the food coloring. Bake the cake in a 9X13 pan and allow the cake to cool completely at room temperature. 

A freshly baked red velvet cake rests in a rectangular metal pan on a marble surface, evoking festive Christmas cheer. The cake's surface has a slight crack in the center, and it appears moist and even in texture.

Step 2 – Prepare the red velvet cake based on the package instructions in a 9X13 pan and allow the cake to cool completely at room temperature. 

Three bowls sit elegantly on the marble surface: one with rich white frosting, another brimming with vibrant red cake crumbs, and a third showcasing lively green cake crumbs, reminiscent of a festive Christmas trifle.

Step 3 – Crumble each cake and  reserve a small amount of the cake crumbles for the topping. 

A clear glass bowl filled with a creamy, white cheese mixture resembles the makings of a delightful Christmas trifle, with a white spatula resting in it. Nearby, two other bowls hold similar decadent mixtures on a pristine white marble surface.

Step 4 – In a small bowl, combine the white chocolate pudding mix with the milk. Whisk for two minutes and set aside.

Three bowls on a marble surface: one with green cake crumbs, another with white frosting, and a third with more frosting, ready to create a festive Christmas trifle.

Step 5 – Place the  cream cheese into a mixing bowl and beat the cream cheese with a hand held mixer for 2-3 minutes until light and fluffy. Combine with cream cheese mixture and fold in cool whip.

A festive trifle dessert sits in a bowl, topped with white frosting and sprinkled with red and green cake crumbs, capturing the essence of Christmas. Nearby, a plaid cloth adds a cozy touch, accompanied by a white spoon and neatly stacked empty bowls.

Step 6 – Layer the ingredients in a Trifle Dish. Serve immediately or cover and place in the fridge until ready to serve. Enjoy!

Recipe Tips

  • Prepare Cake – This is the perfect Christmas dessert to prepare ahead of time. We recommend to prepare cake to allow the cake time to cool.
  • Cream Cheese – To easily combine the ingredients together, softened the cream cheese.
A festive Christmas cake adorned with red and green sprinkles on white frosting, partially sliced to reveal trifle-like layers of red, green, and white inside. It's elegantly placed on a table with a red and white striped cloth nearby.

What If I Don’t Have a Trifle Bowl?

If you do not have a Trifle Bowl, then you can still make this recipe. We recommend using a large glass bowl so the layers can be seen.

Trifle Bowls is a great addition to your favorite Kitchen Dishes.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is it Better to Make a Trifle the Night Before?

We think it is best to prepare the trifle the night before to allow the flavors to marinate together and soak into the cake layers.

Can I Make this Trifle with Homemade Cake?

Yes, if you have favorite cake recipe then you can use it to make this Christmas Trifle Recipe.

How to Store Leftover Christmas Trifle

Store the leftovers in a covered airtight container with plastic wrap in the refrigerator. The leftovers will last up to 5 days.

A close-up of a festive Christmas cake topped with white frosting and sprinkled with green and red crumbles, reminiscent of a holiday trifle. A red and white plaid napkin is visible in the background.

More Easy Christmas Recipes

We love to hear from you. If you make Christmas Trifle Recipe, please leave us a comment or a star review.

Review Pin Print
A Christmas trifle in a glass dish features layers of red and green cake, fluffy white frosting, and crumbled cake pieces on top, set against a white tiled background. A striped napkin and some marshmallows are partially visible nearby, adding to the festive charm.

Christmas Trifle

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Christmas Trifle is a delicious and impressive dessert. Start with a cake mix and layer with a cream cheese mixture for the best Christmas dessert.
Prep Time 20 minutes
Cook Time 25 minutes
Total Time 45 minutes
Servings 8
Cuisine American
Course Dessert
Calories 866
Author Carrie Barnard

Ingredients

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Instructions

  • Prepare the white cake mix batter based on the package instructions. Dye the batter green with the food coloring. Bake the cake in a 9X13 pan and allow the cake to cool completely at room temperature.
  • Prepare the red velvet cake based on the package instructions in a 9X13 pan and allow the cake to cool completely at room temperature.
  • Crumble each cake and  reserve a small amount of the cake crumbles for the topping.
  • In a small bowl, combine the white chocolate pudding mix with the milk. Whisk for two minutes and set aside.
  • Place the  cream cheese into a mixing bowl and beat the cream cheese with a hand held mixer for 2-3 minutes until light and fluffy. Reduce the speed to low and gradually add the powdered sugar. Once all of the sugar is incorporated, increase the speed to medium and beat for 1 minute, or until smooth.
  • Add the prepared pudding to the cream cheese mixture and gently fold and stir with a rubber spatula until completely combined.
  • Then add in 8 oz Cool Whip to the bowl and fold it into the mixture until no white streaks remain.
  • Place a layer of the red velvet cake crumbs in the bottom of a trifle dish or glass bowl.  Add just enough to cover the bottom of the pan.
  • Drizzle the white chocolate mixture over the cake cubes.  Making sure to cover the cake.
  • Top with the green cake crumbs and another layer of the pudding mixture.
  • Continue to layer the ingredients in the glass dish until you have used all the ingredients.
  • Top the trifle with the remaining cool whip and reserved cake crumbs.
  • Serve immediately or cover and refrigerate until ready to serve. Enjoy!

Recipe Notes

Refrigerate the leftovers in a covered airtight container for up to 5 days.

Nutrition Facts

Calories 866kcal, Carbohydrates 139g, Protein 11g, Fat 32g, Saturated Fat 12g, Polyunsaturated Fat 6g, Monounsaturated Fat 12g, Trans Fat 0.3g, Cholesterol 45mg, Sodium 1137mg, Potassium 412mg, Fiber 2g, Sugar 87g, Vitamin A 580IU, Calcium 387mg, Iron 4mg

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About the Author

Hi, I’m Carrie. Welcome to Eating on a Dime!

I’m on a mission to help you cook delicious meals without busting your budget. Together we are going to cook real food… for real families!

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