Christmas Trifle is a gorgeous dessert with layers of red and green cake, creamy filling and whipped cream. It’s so festive and easy to make.

Christmas Trifle layered in a dish.
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This stunning Christmas Trifle is one of my favorite Easy Christmas Dessert Recipes. The clear dish allows everyone to see the vibrant colors and pretty layers. It is definitely an impressive dessert but it’s very simple.

I also make ​​Red Velvet Trifle Cups when I need individual servings but still want a layered dessert.

Why We Love This Dessert

  • It’s gorgeous on the dessert table. This dessert will definitely impress.
  • Easy to make. You will love how easy it is to assemble this recipe.
  • Inexpensive. While the recipe looks fancy, it is budget friendly to prepare.

Ingredients

Ingredients for Christmas Trifle - white cake mix, red velvet cake mix, green food coloring, white chocolate pudding mix, cold milk, cream cheese, powdered sugar, cool whip.
  • White Cake Mix and Red Velvet Cake Mix. Use any brand you prefer. You also need the ingredients to prepare both of the cake mixes based on the package instructions.
  • Green Food Coloring. This will give the white cake the stunning green color for the festive colors.
  • White Chocolate Pudding Mix. Make sure to use instant pudding. You can also use cheesecake flavor pudding.
  • Cold Milk. I prefer to use whole milk for the richest flavor, but you can use reduced fat.
  • Cream Cheese. Softened at room temperature. Use full fat brick style cream cheese.
  • Powdered Sugar. Sift the powdered sugar to remove any lumps. This will make sure the filling is smooth.
  • Cool Whip. Instead of store bought, you can also use Homemade Whipped Cream.

Get the complete list of ingredients at the bottom of the page.

Substitutions and Variations

  • Cake. Swap the white cake for Green Velvet Cake Recipe. You can also use homemade Red Velvet Cake instead of a boxed cake mix. Also, try other cake combinations, pound cake or brownies to enjoy this year-round.
  • Sprinkles. Top the cake with festive Christmas sprinkles.
  • Nuts. Add chopped pecans, almonds or walnuts to the dessert.

Step By Step Instructions

Step 1. Start by making the white cake mix based on the package instructions. Dye the batter green with the food coloring. Then bake the cake in a 9X13 pan and allow the cake to cool completely at room temperature. 

Red velvet cake cooling in baking dish.

Step 2. Next, make the red velvet cake based on the package instructions. Bake in a 9X13 pan and allow the cake to cool completely.

Cake crumbs in separate bowls.

Step 3. One the cake has cooled, crumble into pieces. Save a small amount of the cake crumbles for the topping. 

White chocolate pudding mix combined in a bowl.

Step 4. Mix together the white chocolate pudding mix with the milk. Whisk for two minutes.

Separate mixing bowl with cream cheese beat until fluffy.

Step 5. Get out a separate bowl and add the cream cheese. Beat with a handheld mixer for 2-3 minutes until light and fluffy. Then reduce the speed to low and gradually add the powdered sugar. Finally, increase the speed to medium and beat until smooth.

Pudding and cream cheese mixture combined together in a bowl.

Step 6. Next, add the pudding mixture to the cream cheese mixture. Carefully stir with a rubber spatula until combined. Then fold in the whipped cream into the mixture.

Red velvet cake layered into trifle dish.

Step 7. Start assembling the trifle dessert. Add a layer of the red velvet cake crumbs to the bottom of a trifle dish or glass bowl.  Add just enough to cover the bottom of the pan. Then pour the white chocolate custard mixture over the cake cubes. 

Green cake layered on top.

Step 8. Then sprinkle the green cake crumbs and another layer of the pudding mixture. 

Final layer of whipped cream and cake crumbs on top.

Step 9. Keep layering the ingredients until you have used all the ingredients. Finally, top with the remaining cool whip and garnish with cake crumbs. 

Storage

Refrigerate the leftovers in a covered airtight container for up to 5 days. I do not recommend freezing this recipe. The texture will change once it starts to thaw after being frozen.

Pro Tips

  • Clear containers are best. You can use any type of container, but a large glass bowl or trifle dish allow you to see the pretty layers.
  • Serve right away. The recipe is best served immediately but you can cover and serve the next day. Just don’t prepare too far in advance or it will get soggy.
  • Fresh Fruit. Try topping with fresh raspberries or blueberries. Berries pair perfectly with red velvet cake.
  • Allow the cake to cool completely. Let the cake cool at room temperature before using to assemble this dessert.
Serving of Christmas Trifle in a bowl.

More Easy Holiday Desserts

Make this luscious Christmas Trifle Recipe for the perfect dessert. Once you try it, leave a comment and star rating.

Christmas Trifle

5 from 1 vote
Christmas Trifle is a gorgeous dessert with layers of red and green cake, creamy filling and whipped cream. It's so festive and easy to make.
Prep Time 20 minutes
Cook Time 25 minutes
Total Time 45 minutes
Servings 8
Cuisine American
Course Dessert
Calories 866

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 Desserts on a Dime!

I’m on a mission to help you create delicious desserts on a budget and do not require a ton of time. Together, we are going to make something sweet that the entire family will love!

5 from 1 vote

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Comments

  1. Kathy says:

    5 stars
    So gorgeous and really easy to make. Taste great too!