Little Debbie Christmas Tree Trifle Recipe
Introduction
This festive Little Debbie Christmas Tree Trifle is a delightful and easy no-bake dessert perfect for holiday gatherings. Layers of creamy filling, strawberries, and classic Christmas Tree Cakes create a beautiful and delicious treat everyone will love.
Ingredients
- 8 ounces cream cheese (softened)
- ⅓ cup powdered sugar
- ½ teaspoon almond extract
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 8 ounces whipped topping (thawed)
- 12 Little Debbie Christmas Tree Cakes (2 ½ boxes)
- 1 ½ pounds strawberries (washed, hulled, and sliced)
- Coarse green sanding sugar (optional, for garnish)
Instructions
- Step 1: In a large bowl, beat the softened cream cheese, powdered sugar, almond extract, and vanilla extract together using a hand mixer until smooth, scraping down the sides and bottom as needed.
- Step 2: Gently fold in the thawed whipped topping until the mixture is smooth and well combined.
- Step 3: Chop the Christmas Tree Cakes into bite-sized pieces, about 8 pieces per cake.
- Step 4: Layer half of the chopped cakes in the bottom of a large trifle dish.
- Step 5: Arrange half of the sliced strawberries over the cake layer, then spread half of the cream mixture evenly on top. Smooth with an offset spatula.
- Step 6: Repeat the layers with the remaining cakes, strawberries, and cream mixture, smoothing the last layer of cream on top.
- Step 7: If desired, garnish with additional Christmas Tree Cakes pieces and a sprinkle of coarse green sanding sugar.
- Step 8: Serve the trifle within 24 hours of assembling for the best freshness and flavor.
Tips & Variations
- Use fresh, ripe strawberries for the best flavor, or substitute with other berries like raspberries or blueberries.
- For added texture, sprinkle chopped nuts or crushed graham crackers between the layers.
- Make the dessert a day ahead to allow the flavors to meld, but keep it refrigerated until serving.
- For a dairy-free option, try using a whipped coconut topping and dairy-free cream cheese alternatives.
Storage
Store the assembled trifle covered in the refrigerator for up to 24 hours. Because the cake layers absorb moisture, it’s best enjoyed fresh within a day. When reheating is desired, this dessert is best served cold and is not recommended for reheating.
How to Serve
Serve this delicious recipe with your favorite sides.
FAQs
Can I use a different cake instead of Little Debbie Christmas Tree Cakes?
Yes, you can substitute with any similar snack cakes or pound cake pieces. Just make sure they hold up well when layered with cream and fruit.
How far in advance can I prepare this trifle?
It’s best to assemble the trifle up to a day before serving to maintain freshness and texture. Storing it longer than 24 hours may cause the cake to become soggy.
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Little Debbie Christmas Tree Trifle Recipe
- Total Time: 20 minutes
- Yield: 12 servings 1x
Description
This festive Little Debbie Christmas Tree Trifle is a delightful layered dessert perfect for holiday gatherings. Creamy and fluffy with layers of chopped Little Debbie Christmas Tree Cakes, fresh strawberries, and a smooth cream cheese and whipped topping mixture, it’s both visually impressive and deliciously sweet. Easy to assemble, this trifle combines classic holiday flavors into a show-stopping treat.
Ingredients
Cream Mixture
- 8 ounces cream cheese, softened
- ⅓ cup powdered sugar
- ½ teaspoon almond extract
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 8 ounces whipped topping, thawed
Layers
- 12 Little Debbie Christmas Tree Cakes (approximately 2 ½ boxes)
- 1 ½ pounds strawberries, washed, hulled, and sliced
- Coarse green sanding sugar, optional
Instructions
- Prepare Cream Mixture: In a large bowl, beat 8 ounces of softened cream cheese, ⅓ cup powdered sugar, ½ teaspoon almond extract, and 1 teaspoon vanilla extract with a hand mixer until the mixture is smooth, scraping down the sides and bottom of the bowl as needed to ensure even consistency.
- Fold in Whipped Topping: Gently fold in 8 ounces of thawed whipped topping to the cream mixture until fully combined and smooth, maintaining a light and fluffy texture.
- Chop Cakes: Chop the 12 Little Debbie Christmas Tree Cakes into bite-sized pieces, approximately 8 pieces per cake.
- First Layer: Layer half of the chopped cakes (about 6 cakes worth) evenly in the bottom of a large trifle dish.
- Add Strawberries: Layer half of the sliced strawberries over the cake pieces, spreading them evenly.
- Spread Cream Mixture: Add half of the cream cheese and whipped topping mixture over the strawberries, smoothing the surface with an offset spatula or the back of a spoon.
- Repeat Layers: Repeat the layering process with the remaining chopped cakes, strawberries, and cream mixture, ending with smoothing the last of the cream mixture on top.
- Optional Decoration: Top the trifle with additional whole or chopped Christmas Tree Cakes and sprinkle with coarse green sanding sugar for a festive finish.
- Serve: Chill and serve within 24 hours of assembling to maintain freshness and texture.
Notes
- For best results, use a clear glass trifle dish to showcase the beautiful layers.
- This dessert should be served within 24 hours for optimal texture and flavor.
- You can substitute strawberries with other fresh berries if preferred.
- Ensure the whipped topping is fully thawed before folding it in to avoid lumps.
- If almond extract is not available, you can omit it or replace with an additional ½ teaspoon vanilla extract.
- Prep Time: 20 minutes
- Cook Time: 0 minutes
- Category: Dessert
- Method: No-Cook
- Cuisine: American
Keywords: Little Debbie Christmas Tree Trifle, Christmas dessert, holiday trifle, layered dessert, no-bake dessert, strawberry trifle
