If there were ever a dessert that captured the fun, cheerful flavors of the holidays in one oversized glass bowl, it would be this Christmas Tree Cake Trifle. It’s bright, whimsical, and built around one of the season’s most beloved grocery-store treats: Little Debbie Christmas Tree Cakes.
What makes this trifle stand out isn’t just the festive look—it’s the layers. Those soft vanilla snack cakes, complete with their signature red-and-green crunch, turn instantly irresistible once they’re chopped and nestled between swirls of fluffy cream and fresh strawberries. The combination feels just perfect for any holiday gathering.
Below is everything you need to know about how this trifle comes together, why it works, and the simple steps that turn a handful of supermarket staples into a holiday centerpiece.
1. They tap into the nostalgia trend
Holidays and nostalgia go hand-in-hand, and Christmas Tree Cakes are practically built for this moment. The design alone sparks childhood memories, while the flavor—sweet vanilla with a gentle crunch—is comfort in cake form. Turning them into a trifle doubles down on that cozy familiarity.
2. They’re easy to assemble but look gorgeous
Tall glass sides. Swirls of whipped cream. Layers of strawberries. And those adorable tree cakes. It’s a centerpiece that asks for almost no work.
3. They’re customizable
You can swap berries, add flavored extracts, use different sprinkles, or fold crushed cake inside the cream. You can assemble it in a classic trifle dish or build it in clear cups for individual servings.
4. They’re budget-friendly
With just a few grocery-store staples, you get a dessert that feeds a crowd and feels special for far less money than baking a cake from scratch.
Christmas Tree Cake Trifle
Serves 10–12 | No baking required | Prep time: about 20 minutes
Ingredients
2 packages of Christmas Tree Cakes
2 cups heavy whipping cream
8 oz cream cheese, softened
2 teaspoons vanilla extract
1 teaspoon almond extract
1–2 pints strawberries, chopped or sliced
Holiday sprinkles or glittery sugar
Instructions
Chop all but three Christmas Tree Cakes into small bite-size pieces and set aside. Reserve the uncut cakes for the top.
In a mixing bowl, beat the heavy whipping cream until stiff peaks form. Refrigerate to keep it cold.
In a separate bowl, mix the cream cheese, powdered sugar, vanilla, and almond extract until smooth and creamy.
Gently fold the whipped cream into the cream cheese mixture until combined and fluffy.
Assemble the trifle:
Spread half of the chopped cakes across the bottom of your trifle dish.
Spoon half of the cream mixture over the cake.
Add half of the chopped or sliced strawberries.
Repeat the layers. You can keep the same order or switch it up—cake/cream/berries or cake/berries/cream both work.
Finish by topping the trifle with sprinkles, glittery sugar, and the three reserved Christmas Tree Cakes.
Refrigerate until serving.
The cake layer
Snack cakes like Christmas Tree Cakes soak up moisture beautifully. Once layered between cream and fruit, they soften into something that resembles a tender sponge cake, creating that classic trifle texture without any baking.
The cream layer
This isn’t plain whipped cream—it’s stabilized with cream cheese and powdered sugar, creating a blend that holds its structure for hours. The almond extract enhances the vanilla in the snack cakes, adding a bakery-style flavor.
The fruit layer
Strawberries add freshness and cut the sweetness of the cake and cream. They also create color contrast, which makes every scoop look vibrant.
Christmas Tree Cake Trifle
Keep everything cold
Cold cream layers assemble more cleanly. Refrigerate the bowl you’ll whip the cream in for best results.
Don’t overmix the cream
You want soft but sturdy peaks—overmixing can create a dense texture.
Use a glass dish
Part of this dessert’s charm is visual. A clear trifle dish or a tall glass bowl works best.
Make it ahead
You can assemble the trifle up to 12 hours in advance. The cake will soften but won’t go mushy.
Customize the top
Try edible glitter, snowflake sprinkles, sugared cranberries, or chocolate curls.
Peppermint Bark Trifle
Swap the strawberries for crushed candy canes and chocolate chips. Use peppermint extract in the cream.
Cherry Almond Trifle
Use canned cherry pie filling instead of strawberries and add extra almond extract for a bakery flavor
Chocolate Christmas Tree Cake Trifle
Use the chocolate version of the snack cakes and add mini chocolate curls between layers.
Berry-Blitz Trifle
Use a mix of raspberries, blueberries, and strawberries for a red-and-blue theme.
1. Make it the centerpiece of dessert hour
Place your trifle bowl in the middle of your dessert spread with holiday lights or greenery around it.
2. Serve in mini cups
Perfect for large gatherings—they’re cute, portion-friendly, and easier to transport.
3. Pair with a cozy drink
Hot cocoa, coffee, or a holiday punch balances the sweetness.
4. Use it for a Christmas-movie night
This dessert feels like it belongs next to a twinkling tree while you watch Home Alone or The Santa Clause.
Refrigeration: Keeps well for 2–3 days in the fridge.
Leftovers: Spoon into airtight containers for the best texture.
Avoid freezing: The strawberries and whipped layers become icy and watery.
Do Christmas Tree Cakes hold up in the cream?
Yes. They soften slightly but keep enough structure to create distinct layers.
Can I swap the strawberries?
Absolutely. Blueberries, raspberries, cherries, or even canned pie filling work.
Can I make this the night before?
Yes—12 hours ahead is ideal. The flavors meld, and the texture improves.
Will store-bought whipped topping work?
It can, but freshly whipped cream with cream cheese creates a richer, more stable layer.
Can I add more layers?
Definitely. This recipe is forgiving—repeat the cake/cream/berry cycle as many times as your dish allows.
This Christmas Tree Cake Trifle is the kind of dessert that instantly becomes a tradition. It’s fun, it’s tasty, it’s wildly simple, and it brings that unmistakable holiday touch to any table.
It’s proof that magic doesn’t require complicated steps or fancy ingredients. Sometimes it’s just a stack of snack cakes, a bowl of cream, and a little sparkle.
Dining and Cooking