Easy Christmas Trifle

Name: Best 5 Ingredient Easy Christmas Trifle Recipe
Prep time: 30 min
Cook time: 30 min
Total time: 60 min
Yield: 10
Ingredients: 1 package red velvet cake mix (plus ingredients needed to bake it); 2 packages JELL-O vanilla instant pudding 3.9 oz. each; 4 cups cold milk; 8 oz. cool whip thawed; Green food coloring

by All that's Jas

10 servings

1 hr

This easy Christmas trifle won't stress you out but will save your holiday entertainment. Layers of red velvet cake, pudding, and whipped cream come together quickly and make this gorgeous and delicious holiday treat.

easy best christmas trifle dessert recipe

Easy to make and so festive!

This Christmas trifle is quick and easy but it looks like you've spent hours making it. I had fun using gingerbread cookies and sprinkles to decorate it, but you can certainly make it your own.

Red velvet cake mix and vanilla pudding tinted with green food color are so festive and will definitely satisfy your sweet tooth. Doesn't it look just so Christmassy and inviting?

Dig into this delicious dessert this festive season! Happy Holidays to you and yours! For more Christmas recipes, be sure to check out my Edible Christmas Candles and Homemade Christmas Baileys.

Why this recipe works?

Although I prefer homemade cake to control what goes into it, I used a boxed mix for this recipe. Christmas cooking is already so demanding and stressful, so why not make baking a little easier, right? The little ones certainly don't care if it's made from scratch or not.
Because we use a boxed cake mix, you can easily make this gluten-free if you or someone in your family has an intolerance.
This is such a great make-ahead dessert! Perfect for the busy holidays!
If you are entertaining a crowd, this Christmas trifle will easily serve 10!
You can serve it in one dish or as individual servings!

There are plenty of ways to adapt this trifle for any occasion. Visit the recipe on the blog to get more ideas!

Easy Christmas Trifle

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Recipe details

Yield 10 servings
Time spent: Prep time: 30 Minutes Cook time: 30 Minutes Total time: 1 hr

Show Nutrition Info

Per serving

% Daily value

Instructions

Prepare cake batter and bake in a 9x13-inch pan as directed on the package. Cool completely.
Beat pudding mixes and milk in a medium bowl with whisk for 2 minutes. Mix in green food coloring until the desired shade is reached.
Cut cake into ½-inch cubes. Distribute two layers of the cake, pudding, and the whipped cream evenly into individual glasses or layer half each of the cake, pudding, and the whipped cream in a trifle bowl; repeat layers.
Decorate as desired.

Tips

Use white chocolate instant pudding mix instead of vanilla.
If you like, omit the food coloring and use pistachio pudding instead. It won't be as vibrant in color, but it will still look great!
Let the cake cool completely before building your Christmas trifle. If it's still warm, the pudding will slide off the pieces and end up in the bottom of the bowl.

Comments

Giselle on Dec 14, 2020

I’ve made trifle many times and it is always a hit! I don’t like Cool Whip so I use real whipped cream and it is so good! I usually use Angel’s food cake so I will have to try red velvet. You can also replace the pudding with jam. I’m sure this is delicious so don’t hesitate to try it!

1 Reply
- All that's Jas on Dec 15, 2020
  
  There are many trifle variations and I love them all!
  
  Like
- Gan on Dec 15, 2020
  
  I use brownies (from box mix) instead of cake - even better texture and richness. I also use the Cook n' Serve pudding; I know it takes longer, but I like the flavor and texture better than instant.
  
  3
Ann Hameeduddin on Dec 14, 2020

I add a layer of fruit ( canned or steamed)

1 Reply
- See 1 previous
- All that's Jas on Dec 15, 2020
  
  That's a great idea!
  
  Like
- Rebecca Jennifer Menzies Ednie on Dec 15, 2020
  
  Fresh is much better!
  
  Like