Christmas Tree Cake Trifle

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This Christmas Tree Cake Trifle is the ultimate holiday showstopper dessert. Layered with soft and festive Little Debbie Christmas Tree Cakes, creamy vanilla pudding, whipped topping, and bright red cherries, it captures all the charm of the season in every bite. With its vibrant green and red hues, fluffy textures, and a sweet vanilla profile, it’s as much a centerpiece as it is a crowd-pleaser.

Perfect for family gatherings, potlucks, or a holiday movie night, this no-bake treat is not only beautiful but ridiculously easy to put together. Whether you’re a seasoned baker or a dessert beginner, this trifle delivers flavor and festivity without stress. Let’s unwrap this joyfully delicious dessert layer by layer!

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Why You’ll Love This Christmas Tree Cake Trifle

• It’s a no-bake recipe that saves oven space during the busiest time of year.
• Requires minimal effort but yields maximum festive vibes.
• Kid-approved, adult-loved, and visually stunning.
• Uses store-bought ingredients for convenience.
• Easy to assemble and customizable with your favorite pudding or fruit.

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Preparation Phase & Tools to Use

To create this trifle, you’ll need a large glass trifle bowl to showcase the festive layers. This transparent dish is key—it not only serves the dessert beautifully but allows the red, green, and white layers to shine visually.

You’ll also need:

• A serrated knife for cutting the cakes without squishing them.
• A rubber spatula for spreading the pudding and whipped topping smoothly.
• A large mixing bowl if you’re preparing your own pudding.
• An electric mixer (optional) to whip cream if not using pre-made.

These tools streamline the layering process and help maintain the trifle’s beautiful structure.

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Preparation Tips

Let the cakes chill slightly in the fridge before slicing—this makes cleaner cuts and less mess. If you’re using homemade pudding, allow it to cool completely before layering so it doesn’t melt the whipped topping. Layering is best done in stages: cake, fruit, pudding, whipped topping, repeat. Press down gently after each layer to eliminate gaps and create that perfect stacked effect. Add your sprinkles and cake crumbles just before serving to keep the textures fresh and crisp.

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Ingredients for this Christmas Tree Cake Trifle

• 2 boxes of Little Debbie Christmas Tree Cakes (10 cakes total)
• 2 (3.4 oz) boxes of instant vanilla pudding mix
• 4 cups cold milk
• 1 (8 oz) container of whipped topping (Cool Whip), thawed
• 1 can of cherry pie filling (21 oz)
• Holiday sprinkles (red, green, white)
• Powdered sugar (for dusting)
• Optional: additional whipped cream for piping on top
• Optional: star-shaped cookies or gingerbread pieces for garnish

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Step 1: Prepare the Vanilla Pudding

In a large mixing bowl, whisk together the two boxes of instant vanilla pudding with 4 cups of cold milk. Whisk for about 2 minutes until the mixture thickens. Let it rest in the refrigerator for 5–10 minutes to fully set.

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Step 2: Slice the Christmas Tree Cakes

Carefully slice each Christmas Tree Cake horizontally into two thinner layers. This helps create more defined layers in your trifle and keeps the balance of cake to filling just right. For extra flair, reserve one or two cakes whole for topping.

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Step 3: Layer the Bottom of the Trifle Dish

Start with a layer of sliced Christmas Tree Cakes at the bottom of your trifle bowl. Lay them flat to create a base that fully covers the bottom.

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Step 4: Add Cherry Pie Filling

Spoon a thin layer of cherry pie filling evenly over the cakes. Try to focus the cherries toward the edges for visual effect, as the red will show nicely through the glass.

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Step 5: Spread Vanilla Pudding

Using a rubber spatula, gently spread a layer of vanilla pudding over the cherry filling. Smooth it out to ensure even distribution.

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Step 6: Add Whipped Topping

Spread a generous layer of whipped topping over the pudding. Make sure to smooth it all the way to the edge.

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Step 7: Repeat the Layers

Repeat steps 3 to 6 at least one or two more times depending on the depth of your trifle dish. The final layer should end with whipped topping.

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Step 8: Decorate the Top

Top your trifle with swirls or piped rosettes of whipped cream. Sprinkle holiday sprinkles generously across the top, and add cubed or whole Christmas Tree Cakes. Dust lightly with powdered sugar and garnish with gingerbread cookies or festive candies if desired.

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Step 9: Chill Before Serving

Cover the trifle with plastic wrap and refrigerate for at least 2 hours to allow the layers to meld together. Serve chilled and enjoy your festive masterpiece!

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Notes

This trifle can be made up to a day ahead, making it perfect for stress-free holiday planning. While the original recipe calls for cherry pie filling, feel free to substitute with strawberries, raspberries, or even a mixed berry blend to suit your preferences. If you’re feeling extra festive, you can dye part of the whipped topping green or red for colorful layers.

Use store-bought whipped topping for convenience, or make your own stabilized whipped cream if you prefer a less sweet finish. And remember: the trifle gets better the longer it sits—allowing the cakes to soak up the pudding makes each spoonful even more indulgent.

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Watch Out for These Mistakes While Cooking

• Overhandling the cakes: Little Debbie cakes are delicate—cut them gently to avoid squishing or crumbling.
• Using warm pudding: Make sure the pudding is fully set and chilled before layering to avoid a runny mess.
• Skipping the chill time: This dessert needs at least 2 hours in the fridge to hold its shape and develop flavor.
• Uneven layering: Take your time to build symmetrical layers so every scoop has all the elements.
• Overloading the top layer: While it’s tempting to pile on decorations, too much weight can compress the trifle below.

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Storage Instructions

Cover the trifle tightly with plastic wrap or a fitted lid and refrigerate for up to 3 days. The flavors will continue to blend beautifully, but after 48 hours the texture of the cakes may start to soften more than ideal. This dish is not freezer-friendly due to the whipped topping and pudding.

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Estimated Nutrition

Per serving (based on 12 servings):

• Calories: 370
• Fat: 15g
• Saturated Fat: 9g
• Carbohydrates: 55g
• Sugar: 39g
• Protein: 3g
• Fiber: 1g
• Sodium: 240mg
• Cholesterol: 25mg

(Note: Nutrition may vary depending on brands and substitutions used.)

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Frequently Asked Questions

Can I make this trifle the night before?

Yes! It’s actually better when chilled overnight, as the flavors meld and the texture improves.

Can I use homemade cake instead of Christmas Tree Cakes?

Absolutely. A vanilla pound cake or sponge cake dyed green with red sprinkles works well.

What can I substitute for cherry pie filling?

Try strawberry, raspberry, or mixed berry pie filling. You can also use fresh berries with a little sugar.

Can I freeze leftovers?

Freezing is not recommended due to the pudding and whipped topping texture changes.

How many people does this trifle serve?

Depending on portion size, it comfortably serves 10–14 people.

Can I make this recipe dairy-free?

Yes! Use plant-based milk for the pudding, dairy-free whipped topping, and check cake labels for allergens.

What size trifle bowl should I use?

A standard 3-quart trifle dish works well for this recipe. If your bowl is smaller, you may not need to use all ingredients.

How do I transport the trifle safely?

Chill it well, cover tightly with plastic wrap, and keep it cool in a carrier or cooler while traveling.

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Conclusion

This Christmas Tree Cake Trifle brings together everything we love about the holidays: color, joy, sweetness, and a little bit of nostalgia. Whether you’re serving it to a crowd or sneaking spoonfuls after dinner, it’s a simple and dazzling dessert that’s sure to leave everyone smiling. With layers of familiar flavors and a beautiful presentation, it may just become a new family tradition.

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