I’ll be honest: there’s something about a trifle that feels extra festive, especially around Christmas. Maybe it’s the layers of colorful cake, or maybe it’s the sweet, creamy filling that ties it all together—whatever it is, this Christmas trifle dessert has become a favorite in my household during the holiday season. This recipe is fun, visually striking, and comes together with just a handful of ingredients. Plus, it’s one of those desserts that always wows guests, whether you’re hosting family or attending a holiday potluck.

I first made this trifle a few years back when I was pressed for time and needed something easy, but impressive, for our annual Christmas Eve dinner. It’s now a tradition—one that everyone looks forward to! This recipe has a few shortcuts (hello, boxed cake mixes!) that make it super quick, but the end result looks like you’ve spent all day in the kitchen. Let’s just say no one has to know how simple it is!

The holiday dessert that became a family tradition 🎄

Every holiday season, I’m always on the lookout for recipes that capture the festive spirit but don’t leave me tied to the stove for hours. This Christmas trifle fits the bill perfectly. The vivid layers of red, white, and green are as eye-catching as any Christmas decoration, and the smooth cream filling provides the perfect contrast to the fluffy cake crumbles. The best part? It’s versatile enough to customize to your tastes or adjust for any last-minute ingredient swaps (more on that later).

There’s something magical about diving into a spoonful of this trifle and tasting the layers—each bite is slightly different, keeping things interesting. The red velvet cake brings a rich, slightly chocolatey flavor, while the green layer (which is just a white cake dyed green) adds a neutral sweetness, perfect for balancing out the rich cream filling.

A holiday moment in the making

I remember the first time I made this trifle vividly. It was two days before Christmas, and the house was full of the usual holiday hustle—gifts being wrapped, carols playing in the background, and the warm, cozy smell of something baking in the oven. I had been a little over-ambitious with my holiday cooking that year, and by the time I got to dessert prep, I was exhausted. That’s when I turned to this recipe, which a friend had recommended as an “emergency holiday dessert.” She wasn’t wrong! Not only was it quick and easy, but the festive colors and layers looked like I had gone the extra mile.

I served it in a big glass trifle dish, and as I set it down on the table, I could see everyone’s eyes light up. The combination of the velvety cake with the smooth creaminess of the filling was a hit. And the best part? No one guessed it was made from a boxed cake mix. I’ve made it every Christmas since, and it always brings back that cozy, joyful feeling.

How this festive dessert came to be

Trifles have been a holiday staple for centuries, originating from England as a way to use up leftover cake. Over the years, they’ve evolved into a more luxurious dessert, with layers of cake, custard, and fruit. This version, however, gives the classic recipe a seasonal twist with vibrant Christmas colors and a creamy, cheesecake-like filling. It’s become a modern holiday classic in my home, and it’s the perfect dessert for when you want something that looks elegant but is secretly super simple.

Let’s talk ingredients: the stars of the show

This trifle uses just a few basic ingredients that you can easily find at the store, but each one plays an important role in making this dessert as delicious as it is:

White box cake mix: This forms the base for the green layer of the trifle. Just a few drops of green food coloring transform it into the perfect Christmas hue. If you’re out of white cake mix, a yellow mix will work just fine too.
Red velvet box cake mix: Red velvet adds that deep, festive red color and a subtle cocoa flavor that balances beautifully with the cream filling. If red velvet isn’t your thing, a regular chocolate cake mix can be a good substitute, though the color won’t be as vibrant.
Green food coloring: Just a few drops turn your white cake into a Christmas masterpiece. Start with about 10 drops, but feel free to adjust based on how vibrant you want the color to be.
Cream cheese: This is the backbone of the filling. Softened cream cheese gives the trifle a rich, tangy flavor that pairs perfectly with the sweetened condensed milk.
Sweetened condensed milk: Adds sweetness and creaminess to the filling, making it silky smooth.
Whipped topping: Light and airy, this is folded into the cream cheese mixture to make it fluffy and easy to layer between the cake. You can also whip your own cream if you prefer!

Kitchen gear: what you need and what you can skip

To make this trifle, you’ll need a few basic kitchen tools, but nothing too fancy:

Two 9×13 baking pans: You’ll need these for baking the two different cake layers. If you don’t have two, no worries—you can bake them one at a time.
Electric mixer: This is helpful for making the cream cheese mixture, but if you don’t have one, a sturdy whisk and some elbow grease will do the trick!
Large trifle dish: The glass dish is key for showcasing those colorful layers, but if you don’t have one, you can use a large bowl or even individual serving cups for a fun twist.

Step-by-step: layering up for the win

Alright, let’s get started! Here’s how to put together this stunning Christmas trifle:

Prep and bake the cakes: First things first, preheat your oven to 350°F and prepare your cake mixes according to the package directions. To make the green layer, simply stir in about 10 drops of green food coloring into the white cake batter. Then, transfer each batter (red velvet and green) into its own greased 9×13 cake pan and bake for 23-25 minutes, or until a toothpick comes out clean.Pro tip: I’ve learned the hard way that it’s best to let the cakes cool completely before crumbling them. Warm cake crumbles too much and makes a mess!
Whip up the cream filling: While your cakes are cooling, it’s time to make the filling. In a medium bowl, beat together the softened cream cheese, sweetened condensed milk, and whipped topping until smooth and well combined. Set it aside.
Assemble the trifle: Once the cakes are cooled, crumble them into small pieces. Reserve about a ¼ cup of each color for topping later. Now, it’s time to layer! Start with a layer of green cake crumbles at the bottom of your trifle dish, then add a generous layer of the cream mixture. Follow with a layer of red velvet cake, and then another layer of cream. Keep alternating layers until you run out of ingredients.Don’t worry about perfection here—the beauty of a trifle is in its rustic, layered look!
Finish with cake crumbs: Finally, sprinkle the reserved cake crumbles on top for a festive finish. Now step back and admire your work!

Mix it up: fun variations and adaptations

While this trifle is pretty perfect as is, there’s always room to play around:

Gluten-free: You can easily swap out the cake mixes for gluten-free versions if needed. The taste is just as delicious!
Vegan version: Substitute vegan cream cheese, condensed coconut milk, and coconut whipped topping to make this trifle completely plant-based.
Fruity twist: Layer in some fresh berries, like raspberries or strawberries, for a pop of freshness. The red berries also add to the festive color scheme!
Chocolate overload: Add chocolate shavings or drizzle a bit of melted chocolate between the layers if you want to up the decadence factor.

Serving and presentation ideas

This trifle deserves to be the centerpiece of your holiday dessert table! Serve it in a large, clear glass trifle dish to show off those gorgeous layers, or use individual parfait glasses for a fun, single-serve option. For a little extra flair, sprinkle some festive red and green sprinkles on top, or add a few sprigs of fresh mint for a pop of green. This dessert looks stunning on its own, but pairing it with a side of Christmas cookies or a bowl of fresh berries can take it to the next level.

Drinks to serve alongside

Since this dessert is rich and sweet, I like to pair it with a lighter, more refreshing drink. A glass of Prosecco or a sparkling rosé complements the creamy texture without overwhelming your taste buds. For a non-alcoholic option, try a sparkling cranberry mocktail—it’s tart, festive, and cuts through the richness of the trifle beautifully.

Storage and reheating tips

If you somehow end up with leftovers (though, trust me, that’s rare), this trifle stores well in the fridge. Just cover the dish with plastic wrap or transfer individual portions into airtight containers. It’ll keep for up to 3 days, though the cake will soften as it sits. As for reheating—this one’s best served cold, so no need to warm it up. In fact, I’d recommend assembling the trifle the day before to let the flavors meld together for the best results.

Adjusting for different serving sizes

This recipe easily feeds a crowd, but if you’re making it for a smaller group, you can halve the ingredients and layer everything in a smaller dish. Likewise, if you’re expecting a big group, you could double the recipe and make it in a larger serving bowl or two smaller trifle dishes. Just be sure to keep an eye on your cake layers—doubling the cake batter may require longer baking times.

What if something goes wrong?

If you find that your cake layers turned out too dry, don’t panic! You can brush a little simple syrup or even a splash of your favorite liqueur over the cake crumbles to moisten them up. And if your cream cheese mixture ends up too thick, just fold in a bit more whipped topping to lighten it up.

Time to dive in!

There you have it—a stunning, festive, and totally do-able Christmas trifle that’s sure to steal the show this holiday season. Whether you’re serving it at a big family dinner or bringing it to a holiday party, this dessert is guaranteed to spread some cheer.

FAQs

1. Can I make this trifle ahead of time?
Yes! In fact, it’s even better if you assemble it a few hours (or a day) before serving so the flavors can meld together.

2. Can I use homemade cake instead of boxed mix?
Absolutely! If you’ve got the time, you can bake your favorite white and red velvet cakes from scratch.

3. What if I don’t have a trifle dish?
No problem! You can use a large glass bowl or even make individual servings in small jars or glasses.

4. Can I add alcohol to this dessert?
Sure! You can brush the cake layers with a bit of rum or Grand Marnier for an adult version of this trifle.

5. Is this recipe suitable for kids?
Yes, it’s kid-friendly! Just make sure to skip any alcohol if you’re serving it to little ones.