Name: Festive Red Velvet and Green Cake Trifle Recipe
Prep time: 15 min
Cook time: 25 min
Total time: 2 h 5 min
Cuisine: American
Ingredients: 1 white box cake mix (prepared according to box directions); 1 red velvet box cake mix (prepared according to box directions); 10 drops green food coloring; 8 ounces cream cheese (softened); 14 ounces sweetened condensed milk; 8 ounces whipped topping

Jump to Recipe· 4.9 from 4 reviews

Hey friend! If you’re looking to wow your guests this holiday season with a dessert that’s as festive as it is delicious, you’re going to love this Festive Red Velvet and Green Cake Trifle Recipe. It’s a showstopper that’s layered with moist red velvet and bright green cake, all wrapped up in a creamy, dreamy filling. Trust me, once you try making it, you’ll want to bring it out for every celebration. Stick with me—I’ll guide you through every detail so you nail it with ease.

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Why This Recipe Works

Vivid Holiday Colors: The contrasting red velvet and bright green layers bring an instant festive vibe to your dessert table.
Simplicity Meets Elegance: Despite looking fancy, it’s straightforward enough for any home cook to master.
Creamy & Light Filling: The mix of cream cheese, sweetened condensed milk, and whipped topping strikes the perfect balance of richness without being heavy.
Make-Ahead Friendly: You can prepare it ahead, letting those layers meld together beautifully while freeing up your holiday day.

Festive Red Velvet and Green Cake Trifle, holiday dessert, Christmas cake trifle, layered festive dessert, red velvet green cake - The dish is a layered trifle dessert in a clear glass bowl showing five layers: the bottom layer is deep red crumbly cake, followed by a thick white creamy layer, then a bright green crumbly cake layer, another thick white creamy layer above it, and finally topped with a mix of green and red crumbly cake bits scattered loosely on top. Next to the bowl is a small clear glass bowl filled with deep red cake crumbs. The dish is set on a white marbled surface with a blurred background of some stacked white plates. The textures show soft crumbs and smooth cream clearly. Photo taken with an iphone --ar 2:3 --v 7

Ingredients & Why They Work

For this Festive Red Velvet and Green Cake Trifle Recipe, I keep it simple but intentional. Each ingredient plays its role in creating those signature colors and that indulgent texture we all crave during the holidays. Here’s a little scoop on my favorite components and how you can pick the best versions at the store.

Festive Red Velvet and Green Cake Trifle, holiday dessert, Christmas cake trifle, layered festive dessert, red velvet green cake - Flat lay of a small mound of bright white cake crumbs, a small mound of rich red velvet cake crumbs, a small white ceramic bowl of softened cream cheese, a small white ceramic bowl filled with glossy sweetened condensed milk, a small white ceramic bowl of fluffy whipped topping, a few drops of vibrant green food coloring on a white ceramic shallow dish, placed on a clean white marble surface, soft natural light, photo taken with an iPhone, professional food photography style, fresh ingredients, white ceramic bowls, no bottles, no duplicates, no utensils, no packaging --ar 2:3 --v 7 --p m7354615311229779997

White box cake mix: This acts as the base for your green cake layer, and it’s perfect for absorbing the green food coloring so you get that rich festive hue.
Red velvet box cake mix: This one’s the star for the red layers—choose a brand with that cocoa depth and vibrant color that stands out nicely against the green.
Green food coloring: I recommend gel food coloring for vibrant color without watering down the batter.
Cream cheese: Softened cream cheese adds tang and richness to the creamy filling, balancing out the sweetness.
Sweetened condensed milk: This adds smooth sweetness and keeps the filling luscious and thick.
Whipped topping: It lightens up the filling, keeping it fluffy and easy to layer, so your trifle doesn’t feel dense.

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Note: You’ll find the complete list of ingredients, along with their exact measurements, in the printable recipe card at the bottom of this post.

Tweak to Your Taste

One of the things I adore about this Festive Red Velvet and Green Cake Trifle Recipe is how flexible it is. I’ve played around with ingredients and garnishes to tailor it to different taste buds and occasions—don’t hesitate to make it your own!

Berry Boost: I love tossing fresh red berries over the red velvet layers for extra flavor and a punch of freshness—it makes the dessert feel lighter.
Non-Dairy Swap: For a dairy-free version, use coconut cream and dairy-free whipped topping, and I’ve found the texture still holds up beautifully.
Flavor Additions: A splash of vanilla or almond extract in the cream layer can elevate the flavor profile—try it and see how it brightens things up!

Step-by-Step: How I Make Festive Red Velvet and Green Cake Trifle Recipe

Step 1: Baking the Colorful Cakes

Start by preheating your oven to 350ºF. Prepare both the red velvet and white cake mixes just as the boxes instruct—easy peasy! For that beautiful green layer, add about 10 drops of gel green food coloring to the white cake batter and mix thoroughly until you get a consistent, festive green shade. Pour each batter into its own greased 9×13 pan and bake for about 23-25 minutes. Use a toothpick to check doneness; when it comes out clean, they’re ready! Allow the cakes to cool completely. Pro tip: Let the cakes rest on a wire rack to avoid sogginess.

Step 2: Whipping Up the Creamy Filling

While the cakes cool, grab a medium mixing bowl and combine softened cream cheese, sweetened condensed milk, and whipped topping. I like to use an electric mixer here to get the mixture silky smooth and just the right fluffy texture. Taste it and adjust if you want a tad sweeter or tangier. This filling is the magic that holds the layers together and adds that dreamy creaminess you’ll find yourself sneaking bites of.

Step 3: Crumbling and Layering Your Trifle

Here comes the fun part! Gently crumble each cake into bite-sized pieces—don’t pulverize, since you want nice layers of texture. Save about a ¼ cup of each color to sprinkle on top; it makes the presentation pop. Using a deep glass dish or trifle bowl, start layering: a layer of red velvet cake pieces, then a layer of cream, followed by green cake pieces, more cream, and so on until you’ve used up all your cake and filling. Top it off with those reserved crumbs for a festive finish. The layering is what gives this trifle that irresistible holiday charm.

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Pro Tips for Making Festive Red Velvet and Green Cake Trifle Recipe

Use Gel Food Coloring: It gives you vibrant green color needed for the ‘festive’ look without thinning your batter.
Cool Cakes Completely: Layering warm cakes will melt your creamy filling and make your trifle watery—definitely avoid that!
Choose Clear Containers: I love clear glass bowls because the layers look stunning and invite everyone to taste.
Save Crumbs for Garnish: That last sprinkle of cake crumbs on top adds texture and keeps the trifle looking fresh and festive.

How to Serve Festive Red Velvet and Green Cake Trifle Recipe

Festive Red Velvet and Green Cake Trifle, holiday dessert, Christmas cake trifle, layered festive dessert, red velvet green cake - A close-up view of a fork holding a bite of two-layer cake with bright red and light green crumb layers, topped with white creamy frosting that is slightly spread over both layers, showing a mix of crumb textures and smooth frosting. In the background, a white bowl filled with red crumbs and a white marbled surface are slightly blurred, enhancing focus on the cake piece. The layering and vivid colors make the dessert look inviting and fresh. photo taken with an iphone --ar 2:3 --v 7

Garnishes

I love finishing the trifle with a handful of fresh red berries like raspberries or strawberries because their tartness cuts through the sweetness and adds a pop of natural color. A few sprigs of mint or even some edible gold glitter can make the layers look extra magical—perfect for holiday parties.

Side Dishes

This trifle pairs beautifully with light sides like spiced nuts or a simple cheese board. I often like serving it after a hearty meal to balance the flavors, so something savory like roasted vegetables or turkey with herbs is a lovely complement.

Creative Ways to Present

For a crowd, try individual clear cups or mini trifle jars—your guests will adore having their own portion and it looks super charming on a holiday dessert buffet. Another idea is to layer vertically in a tall glass vase for a centerpiece-like effect that stops people in their tracks!

Make Ahead and Storage

Storing Leftovers

I usually cover my trifle tightly with plastic wrap and keep it chilled in the fridge—it stays fresh for up to 3 days. The flavors meld even more overnight, making leftovers even tastier in my opinion!

Freezing

Freezing isn’t really my go-to for this recipe because the cream filling can get grainy and separation may occur. If you do try it, freeze before assembling and thaw completely before making the trifle to preserve texture best.

Reheating

This dessert is best served chilled, so no reheating needed! Just bring it out of the fridge about 10 minutes before serving to let the flavors relax and the cream soften slightly for easier scooping.

FAQs

Can I use homemade cakes for this trifle?

Absolutely! Homemade cakes work wonderfully. Just make sure they’re completely cooled and firm enough to crumble without turning to mush. Feel free to add your own flavor twists to personalize your trifle even more.
How long should I chill the trifle before serving?

I recommend chilling for at least 2 hours. This lets the layers soak up flavors and the filling to firm up nicely, giving you that perfect forkful every time.
Can I make this dessert ahead of time for a holiday party?

Yes! Making it a day ahead really helps build the flavors and makes party day less stressful. Just cover it well and keep refrigerated until ready to serve.
Is this recipe suitable for kids to help make?

Definitely! Kids can help crumbling cake and layering the trifle, which makes for fun hands-on holiday activity. Just supervise with the oven part, and they’ll love seeing their work come alive.

Final Thoughts

This Festive Red Velvet and Green Cake Trifle Recipe has become my go-to for making holidays feel extra special. It’s easy enough to whip up after a busy day but looks spectacular enough to impress anyone. If you want a dessert that’s festive, flavorful, and fun to make, this is it. Give it a try and watch as your family and friends light up with every bite—I promise it’ll be a new holiday tradition in your home!