Add a show-stopping dessert to your holiday table with these Christmas trifle recipes!
These recipes are festive, indulgent, and surprisingly simple to put together. This collection rounds up the best layered bowl desserts for the holidays, from nostalgic classics to fun modern twists, so you can serve a showstopping Christmas treat without spending all day in the kitchen. Whether you're building one big centerpiece trifle for a crowd or prepping mini cups for small gatherings, these desserts are all about big flavor, gorgeous presentation, and simplicity.
You'll find plenty of creative ideas in this lineup-think rich chocolate trifles loaded with brownies and caramel, pretty red and green cake trifles, and fruit-filled ones that feel light but still festive. There are quick options for last-minute gatherings and over-the-top party dessert ideas that look like you've gone all out (even when you haven't). Just grab a trifle bowl, layer everything up, and let the delicious flavors do the heavy lifting.
If you love classic Christmas flavors, you’ll find recipes with gingerbread, peppermint, eggnog, and more that taste like pure holiday cheer in every bite. You'll also find traditional options and classic English trifles for those who crave that old-fashioned custard, jelly, and sponge cake vibe, along with fun twists like Little Debbie Christmas Tree cake layers and cookie butter creations. From cozy and nostalgic to bold and decadent, there's something here for every sweet tooth at the table.
Many of these ideas can easily be made in individual cups for parties, Christmas potlucks, and buffets, so everyone gets their own perfectly layered dessert. They're easy to transport and easy to customize with your favorite toppings, making them a smart go-to for any holiday gathering. Whether you're hosting a big family celebration or a casual get-together with friends, they deliver all the wow-factor with none of the fuss.
Christmas Trifle Recipes
This festive one stacks crumbled red velvet and green-tinted white cake with a rich, creamy layer made from cream cheese, sweetened condensed milk, and whipped topping for a bold red, white, and green centerpiece. The vibrant colors make it perfect for Grinch parties.
This one has cozy Christmas flavors with gingerbread cake, silky custard swirled with Biscoff, generous clouds of vanilla whipped cream, and ribbons of caramel. This layered dessert tastes like a gingerbread latte in trifle form. Topped with gingerbread men or even a tiny gingerbread house, it looks wonderfully over-the-top and party-ready. It’s a decadent, modern twist on trifle that skips the fruit and jelly.
This ultra-decadent one layers fudgy brownie chunks with a homemade chocolate peppermint sauce, fluffy peppermint whipped cream, and plenty of crushed candy canes for crunch. It’s a rich choice that’s perfect when you want a showy chocolate-mint finale for a crowd.
This classic-style trifle showcases cubes of soft cake soaked with liqueur or juice, layered with real cranberry jelly, thick vanilla custard, and whipped cream. Strawberries, blueberries, and raspberries in the jelly give it a bright flavor in contrast with the creamy custard. It delivers that traditional trifle nostalgia with real-fruit flavor that feels both festive and sophisticated.
This one transforms the beloved Black Forest cake into layers of moist chocolate cake, lush chocolate custard or pudding, sweet-tart cherry pie filling, and soft vanilla whipped cream. A drizzle of cherry liqueur (or cherry juice) adds that signature Black Forest flavor to every bite. It’s an eye-catching centerpiece that feels special enough for Christmas dinner or any holiday celebration.
This elegant dessert layers cubes of buttery pound cake that are brushed with raspberry jam, soaked with Grand Marnier, and nestled between silky homemade crème anglaise. Fresh raspberries are added throughout, adding bright, juicy bursts that cut through the rich custard and cream. A thick, sweet whipped cream topping and a sprinkling of raspberries and sliced almonds finish it off. It’s a classic trifle that feels timeless and luxurious.
This one layers deeply spiced, molasses-rich gingerbread cake with a lush eggnog-vanilla pudding and freshly whipped cream for the ultimate cozy holiday dessert. The distinct eggnog flavor runs through the creamy filling. Crumbles of gingerbread and pops of red fruit and cookie crumbs add a delicious mix of textures and flavors.
This decadent layered dessert stacks cubes of vibrant red velvet cake with silky chocolate pudding, ribbons of hot fudge or Nutella, and a tangy-sweet cream cheese whipped cream. Topped with red velvet crumbles and chocolate curls, it’s a true centerpiece dessert with romantic, holiday-worthy flair. It’s a must for red velvet cake lovers!
This fun, family-style trifle starts with tender white cake cubes, then stacks on creamy vanilla pudding, bright strawberry Jello, and a trio of festive berries for layers that pop with red holiday color. Each spoonful blends soft cake, silky pudding, cool jelly, and juicy fruit for a light-yet-indulgent mix of textures. A generous topping of freshly whipped cream and festive Christmas sprinkles finishes this delicious dessert off.
This one turns nostalgic Little Debbie Christmas Tree Cakes into a delicious festive dessert, layering bite-sized pieces with a fluffy cream cheese and whipped topping filling scented with almond and vanilla. Sliced strawberries are added through the layers. It shows off those iconic tree cakes in every scoop, so you get soft snack cake, creamy filling, and juicy berries all together.
This one is perfect for Biscoff fans! It's made with spiced gingerbread-style cake cubes layered with a luxurious cookie butter cheesecake filling, whipped cream, and chunky Biscoff cookie pieces. The triple-hit of cookie butter—inside the filling, studded with cookies, and drizzled over the top—makes it wildly flavorful without feeling one-note. It’s a showstopper for your dessert table!
This trifle layers moist white cake with a homemade cranberry sauce. Layers of velvety from-scratch custard soften everything into a creamy, pudding-like consistency. Fluffy whipped cream and sparkling sugared cranberries on top add festive flair. It has classic holiday flavors without being heavy.
These individual chocolate peppermint trifles stack rich brownie cubes with thick fudge, vibrant peppermint cream cheese, and clouds of peppermint whipped cream. Andes Peppermint Crunch candies scattered throughout add cool mint, crunch, and a pretty striped effect that's perfect for Christmas.
This one layers fudgy brownie chunks with rich cheesecake pudding and whipped topping. Crushed white chocolate peppermint candies (or candy canes) are added through the layers, giving it crunch, sweetness, and that classic minty flavor. It’s a candy-cane-inspired dessert that's perfect for peppermint and chocolate lovers.
This over-the-top trifle loads up chunks of moist chocolate cake with layers of sweetened condensed milk and caramel sauce for intense gooey richness. Fluffy whipped cream and heaps of toffee or Skor/Heath bar pieces weave through the layers, giving a crunchy, buttery flavor in every bite. All that chocolate, caramel, cream, and toffee melt together into a messy, indulgent spoonful. It’s decadent and perfect for a crowd at any gathering.
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