If you ask me, layered trifles are a holiday game-changer.
This festive peppermint dessert brings together classic Christmas flavors in the easiest way possible. Cool whipped cream and crushed candy canes mingle with rich chocolate cake and a hint of mint.
It’s layered with store-bought chocolate cake (yes, I said store-bought – no judgment here!) and topped with a sprinkle of crushed peppermint candies that slowly melt into the cream. The red and white layers look so cheerful in a glass bowl.
It’s a no-fuss dessert that always gets smiles at holiday gatherings, perfect for busy December days when you want something special but simple.
Why You’ll Love This Peppermint Trifle
- Quick assembly – This festive dessert comes together in just 20-30 minutes, making it perfect for last-minute holiday gatherings or when you’re short on time.
- No-bake convenience – Using store-bought brownies and instant pudding means you can skip the oven completely – just layer and serve!
- Make-ahead friendly – You can prepare this trifle several hours or even a day before your event, giving you more time to focus on other holiday preparations.
- Crowd-pleasing dessert – The combination of rich brownies, creamy pudding, and cool peppermint creates a dessert that both kids and adults will love during the holiday season.
What Kind of Brownies Should I Use?
For a trifle, you’ve got plenty of flexibility when it comes to your brownie choice.
Store-bought brownies will work just fine if you’re short on time, but homemade ones add that extra special touch.
The key is to pick brownies that are fudgy rather than cake-like, since they’ll hold up better when layered with the pudding and won’t get too soggy.
If you’re making them from scratch, let them cool completely and consider under-baking them slightly – this helps them stay nice and chewy in the trifle.
Just make sure to cut your brownies into bite-sized chunks before assembling the trifle, as this makes it easier to serve and eat.
Options for Substitutions
This festive trifle recipe can be customized with several easy swaps:
- Instant cheesecake pudding: If you can’t find cheesecake pudding mix, vanilla or white chocolate pudding mix work great too. You could also use homemade vanilla pudding – just make sure it’s completely cooled before assembling.
- Whipped topping: Not a fan of whipped topping? Make your own by whipping 2 cups of heavy cream with 1/4 cup powdered sugar until stiff peaks form. You’ll get about the same amount as an 8 oz container.
- Brownies: While homemade brownies are great, you can totally use store-bought ones to save time. You could also swap in chocolate cake or even chocolate pound cake – just make sure whatever you use isn’t too moist or your trifle might get soggy.
- White chocolate peppermint candies: Can’t find these? Regular candy canes work perfectly fine when crushed. Or try using Andes Peppermint Crunch baking chips, or even a mix of white chocolate chips and crushed candy canes.
- Cold milk: Any type of milk works here – whole, 2%, or even non-dairy options like almond or oat milk. Just note that non-dairy milk might make the pudding slightly less thick.
Storage Instructions
Chill: Your peppermint trifle needs to be kept cold! Pop it in the fridge right after assembly, and it’ll stay fresh for up to 3 days. The flavors actually get better after a day as everything mingles together, making this a perfect make-ahead dessert for your holiday gathering.
Make Ahead: Want to prep in advance? You can make all the components separately up to 2 days before assembly. Keep the pudding mixture and crushed candies separate, and store the brownies in an airtight container at room temperature. Just layer everything together up to 24 hours before serving for the best texture.
Keep Fresh: Cover your trifle bowl tightly with plastic wrap to prevent the top from drying out or absorbing other flavors from the fridge. The whipped topping might lose a bit of its fluff after a few days, but it’ll still taste great!
Christmas Peppermint Trifle FAQ
Does the type of milk matter for the pudding mix?
Yes, the type of milk you use will affect the texture of your pudding. I always use whole milk because it makes the pudding extra creamy and helps it set properly. While you can use 2% milk, I wouldn’t recommend skim milk as it can make the pudding too thin and watery.
Should I let my brownies cool completely before assembling the trifle?
Yes, letting your brownies cool completely is super important! If you try to layer warm brownies, they’ll melt the pudding and whipped topping, creating a messy situation. I usually bake my brownies the day before and let them cool overnight – this also makes them easier to cut into nice, clean pieces.
How fine should I crush the peppermint candies?
I like to crush the peppermint candies into a mix of sizes – some small pieces and some slightly bigger (about the size of a pea). This gives you a nice mix of texture and makes each bite interesting. I put them in a zip-top bag and use a rolling pin, being careful not to crush them into powder.
| Preparation Time | 20-30 minutes |
| Cooking Time | 0 minutes |
| Total Time | 20-30 minutes |
| Level of Difficulty | Easy |
Estimated Nutrition
Estimated nutrition for the whole recipe (without optional ingredients):
- Calories: 2800-3200
- Protein: 40-50 g
- Fat: 120-140 g
- Carbohydrates: 400-450 g
Ingredients
- 2 packages instant cheesecake pudding mix (3.4 oz each)
- 3 cups cold milk
- 8 oz thawed whipped topping
- Brownies, cooked and cooled: either two 8×8 pans or one 13×9 batch
- 10-12 oz crushed white chocolate peppermint candies (amount varies by brand)
Step 1: Prepare the Pudding Mixture
In a large mixing bowl, whisk together the pudding mix and milk for 2 minutes until smooth and well combined.
Next, gently fold in the whipped topping into the pudding mixture.
If you’d like to use some as a garnish later, you may reserve 1 cup of the whipped topping at this stage.
Once combined, place the mixture in the refrigerator to chill while you prepare the other ingredients.
Step 2: Prepare the Brownies and Chocolate
Take the brownies and cut them into 1-inch cubes.
If the chocolate is in large pieces, crush or chop it into smaller bits to make layering easier and more uniform.
Step 3: Assemble the Trifle
In a 3-quart bowl or trifle dish, begin assembling the dessert by layering.
Start with 1/3 of the brownie cubes at the bottom, followed by 1/3 of the pudding mixture, and then sprinkle 1/3 of the chocolate bits.
Repeat these layers two more times, ensuring even distribution across the trifle to create a visually appealing dessert.
Step 4: Garnish and Chill
If you reserved any whipped topping, use it as a garnish on top of the trifle for an extra touch of decoration and sweetness.
Cover the completed trifle with plastic wrap and place it in the refrigerator.
Chill until you are ready to serve to allow the flavors to meld and the trifle to set.
We loved this! Thank you!
This was absolutely delicious! I made it for a family Christmas gathering, and it fed all 11 of us with a little to spare. My son baked a chocolate peppermint cake mix to start. I made the cheesecake Jello pudding (so easy!), which happened to be zero sugar. I whipped my own cream, cut back just a little on the sugar, and pulverized about 10 peppermint Lifesavers with a mortar and pestle to add in. Also did the pounded peppermint candies.