Layered with festive color, creamy textures, and nostalgic sweetness, this Christmas Tree Cake Trifle is everything a holiday dessert should be. Whether you’re hosting a cheerful holiday gathering or simply want to bring a joyful centerpiece to your dessert table, this trifle delivers both flavor and flair. With its vibrant layers of Little Debbie Christmas Tree Cakes, pudding, whipped topping, cherries, and crushed peppermint, each bite is a merry explosion of textures and tastes.

The best part? It’s a no-bake treat that comes together quickly—making it perfect for last-minute holiday prep. The playful pops of red, green, and white make this dessert irresistibly Instagram-worthy, while the nostalgic cakes bring back warm childhood memories. It’s a holiday win in every spoonful.

What Kind of Cake Should I Use?

For the most iconic holiday look, Little Debbie Christmas Tree Cakes are the ultimate choice. Their soft vanilla cake, fluffy creme filling, and snowy white coating offer both flavor and structure to the trifle. If you can’t find them, swap in pound cake or vanilla snack cakes, and use festive sprinkles or frosting to mimic the Christmas theme.

Ingredients for the Christmas Tree Cake Trifle

Little Debbie Christmas Tree Cakes – The heart of this dessert, bringing in signature layers and sweetness. Slice them into bite-sized pieces for easy layering.

Vanilla Pudding Mix – Adds a smooth, creamy base that contrasts beautifully with the cake texture. Instant pudding is ideal for a no-fuss prep.

Milk – Used to mix with the pudding, giving it the right silky consistency.

Whipped Topping – Fluffy and light, this adds volume and softness to every layer.

Red Cherries or Maraschino Cherries – A bright pop of color and tangy contrast. These are also perfect for topping the trifle.

Crushed Peppermints – Sprinkle on top for that wintry crunch and holiday flair.

Green and Red Sprinkles – Add visual delight and bring that festive feel.

Optional: Green Food Coloring – Add a couple drops to your pudding or whipped topping if you want to lean into a stronger green aesthetic.

How To Make the Christmas Tree Cake Trifle

Step 1: Prep the Pudding Layer

In a large mixing bowl, whisk together the vanilla pudding mix and cold milk until smooth and creamy. Allow it to set for 5 minutes so it thickens. If using food coloring, add a few drops of green and stir until you reach your desired shade.

Step 2: Slice the Christmas Tree Cakes

Carefully slice each Christmas Tree Cake into thirds or bite-sized cubes. This helps them layer more evenly and allows the cream filling to blend into the trifle beautifully.

Step 3: Begin the First Layer

In a large trifle bowl or glass dish, start with a layer of pudding at the bottom. Spread evenly, then top with a layer of sliced Christmas Tree Cakes.

Step 4: Add Cherries and Whipped Topping

Scatter a handful of cherries over the cake layer. Spoon or pipe a layer of whipped topping on top of that, smoothing it out with a spatula for a clean finish.

Step 5: Repeat the Layers

Continue layering in the following order: pudding, cake slices, cherries, whipped topping—until you reach the top of your bowl. The number of layers will depend on the size of your dish.

Step 6: Decorate the Top

Finish with a generous crown of whipped topping, then sprinkle crushed peppermint and festive green and red sprinkles over the top. Add a few extra cherries for a pop of holiday color.

How to Serve and Store Your Christmas Tree Cake Trifle

Serve this trifle chilled, straight from the fridge. Use a long-handled spoon to scoop down through the layers so each serving has a bit of everything. It’s ideal as a dessert for Christmas parties, holiday potlucks, or Christmas Eve dinner.

To store, cover the trifle dish tightly with plastic wrap or a fitted lid and refrigerate. It will stay fresh for up to 3 days. The cakes will soften slightly over time, but the flavors meld beautifully.

Frequently Asked Questions

How far in advance can I make this trifle?

You can make it up to 24 hours in advance. Just keep it refrigerated until serving to maintain the freshness.

Can I freeze Christmas Tree Cake Trifle?

Freezing is not recommended, as the whipped topping and pudding can become watery when thawed.

What if I can’t find the Christmas Tree Cakes?

Use vanilla snack cakes, pound cake, or angel food cake with white icing and red/green sprinkles for a similar look.

Can I use homemade whipped cream instead of store-bought?

Absolutely! Homemade whipped cream works wonderfully—just make sure it’s stabilized if you’re making the trifle ahead.

Is this trifle overly sweet?

It’s definitely a sweet treat, but the whipped topping and pudding balance the sugar from the cakes and cherries. You can use sugar-free pudding or whipped topping for a lighter version.

Want More Christmas Dessert Ideas?

If you love this layered beauty, you’ll probably enjoy these festive sweet treats:

For more holiday-ready recipes and everyday inspiration, follow along on Pinterest at Life with Nina.

📌 Save this recipe to your Pinterest dessert board so you can come back to it any time.

And let me know in the comments how yours turned out. Did you go all in with the green pudding? Did you add extra toppings for flair?

I love seeing your creations and hearing how you make these recipes your own. Questions are welcome too—let’s keep the festive baking spirit alive!

Christmas Tree Cake Trifle

Author: Nina Johnson
Prep Time: 15 minutes
Cook Time: None
Total Time: 15 minutes + chill time
Yield: Serves 8–10 1x
Category: Dessert
Method: No-bake
Cuisine: American
Diet: Vegetarian

Print Recipe

Description

This festive Christmas Tree Cake Trifle is a no-bake holiday dessert layered with creamy vanilla pudding, whipped topping, cherries, and nostalgic Christmas Tree Cakes. It’s vibrant, simple to prepare, and perfect for any Christmas gathering.

Ingredients

Scale

1 box Little Debbie Christmas Tree Cakes (5 cakes), sliced into bite-sized pieces

1 box (3.4 oz) instant vanilla pudding mix

2 cups cold milk

8 oz whipped topping (like Cool Whip)

1 jar maraschino cherries, drained

1/2 cup crushed peppermint candies

Green and red sprinkles

Optional: 2 to 3 drops green food coloring

Instructions

1. In a large bowl, whisk together vanilla pudding mix and cold milk until smooth. Let it sit for 5 minutes to thicken. Add green food coloring if desired.

2. Slice each Christmas Tree Cake into thirds or small cubes.

3. In a trifle dish, layer pudding on the bottom, followed by sliced cakes.

4. Add a layer of cherries and then a generous layer of whipped topping.

5. Repeat the layers until you reach the top of the dish.

6. Finish with whipped topping, then garnish with crushed peppermint, sprinkles, and extra cherries.

7. Chill for at least 1 hour before serving.