No holiday spread is complete without at least one dessert on the table, and in the South, that dish is likely a trifle. They are much easier to make than a layer cake but just as impressive—and more portable, too. One of the best things about trifles is how quickly you can create a delicious dessert display—thanks in part to the large glass dishes in which they are assembled. With the primary base components consisting of cake, custard, and fruit, there is plenty of room for creativity when it comes to flavors, toppings, and composition.
From a rich brownie trifle to a festive ambrosia version, these impressive (and impressively easy!) treats are ready for any celebration. Serve up a bowlful of cheer with one of our delicious and decadent trifle recipes that are sure to be the start of your holiday table.
Victor Protasio, Food Stylist: Chelsea Zimmer, Prop Stylist: Shell Royster
Banana pudding is often served in a trifle bowl, especially when you need to feed a crowd. This version includes bourbon-soaked vanilla wafers for an extra festive twist.
Robby Lozano, Food Stylist: Marianne Williams, Prop Stylist: Josh Hoggle
Made with brownie pieces, a peanut butter-pudding “custard,” chunks of peanut butter cups, and sweetened whipped cream, this trifle truly lives up to its name.
Hector Manuel Sanchez
Don’t be intimidated by this decadent dessert; even the novice baker can pull it off. With its rich flavors and elegant presentation, your guests will have no idea you didn’t labor over the pudding and brownies all day. Kahlua adds a fresh flavor to a traditional chocolate trifle; however, if you prefer to avoid alcohol, four tablespoons of strong brewed coffee and one teaspoon of sugar make a great substitute.
Morgan Hunt Glaze, Food Stylist: Jennifer Wendorf, Prop Stylist: Shell Royster
This “bowl cake” starts with a boxed vanilla cake mix and vanilla pudding, and from there, the flavor combinations are seemingly endless. This recipe includes layers of cherry pie filling, coconut, bananas, whipped topping, and maraschino cherries on top.
Iain Bagwell
This one is shockingly easy: You can make it in just 30 minutes and up to four days before your guests arrive. Cranberries add the right amount of tartness to balance the other components, and they add a pretty pop of red to your table too.
Photo: Hector Sanchez
Our traditional chocolate trifle just got an upgrade. Just like a cup of hot cocoa, we’re layering in marshmallow topping. Complete this dessert by sprinkling delicate chocolate curls on top.
Antonis Achilleos; Prop Styling: Giulietta Pinna; Food Styling: Ali Ramee
We’d be remiss not to include ambrosia, a classic Southern holiday dish made with citrus, cherries, and coconut. Those ingredients, plus cake and custard, also happen to also make a fantastic trifle.
Iain Bagwell
Dress up this red velvet dessert by creating snowflakes with royal icing. To make the snowflakes, draw the desired shapes on wax paper with icing and let them dry.
Victor Protasio; Food Stylist: Chelsea Zimmer; Prop Stylist: Christina Brockman
This trifle is a love letter to vanilla. We recommend assembling this trifle a few hours ahead, or even the night before, to allow the cubes of golden chiffon cake to absorb the cream and velvety vanilla custard.
Caitlin Bensel; Food Stylist: Torie Cox
This red-and-white trifle adds a beautiful pop of color to your holiday table. With layers of macerated strawberries and crisp meringue cookies combined with lime-flecked coconut whipped cream, this recipe is both simple and elegant.