Description
This Easy Christmas Peppermint Trifle is a delightful no-bake dessert that layers creamy cheesecake pudding, fluffy whipped topping, rich brownie cubes, and crushed white chocolate peppermint candies. Perfect for the holiday season, this trifle combines festive flavors and textures into an eye-catching and delicious treat ready in just 20 minutes.
Ingredients
Scale
Cheesecake Pudding Mixture
- 2 packages instant cheesecake pudding mix (3.4 oz each)
- 3 cups cold milk
- 8 oz thawed whipped topping (such as Cool Whip)
Brownies
- Brownies, cooked and cooled: either two 8×8 pans or one 13×9 batch
Garnish
- 10–12 oz crushed white chocolate peppermint candies (amount varies by brand)
Instructions
- Prepare the Pudding Mixture: In a large mixing bowl, whisk together the two packages of instant cheesecake pudding mix with 3 cups of cold milk for 2 minutes until the mixture is smooth and thickened. Gently fold in the 8 oz of thawed whipped topping until well combined. Reserve 1 cup of the whipped topping separately if you want to use it for garnish later. Place the pudding mixture in the refrigerator to chill while you prepare the other components.
- Prepare the Brownies and Chocolate: Cut the cooked and cooled brownies into 1-inch cubes to create uniform layers. If the white chocolate peppermint candies are in large pieces, crush or chop them into smaller bits to facilitate even layering in the trifle.
- Assemble the Trifle: Using a 3-quart trifle dish or a large clear bowl, start by placing one-third of the cubed brownies evenly at the bottom. Spoon one-third of the pudding mixture over the brownies, spreading it out gently. Sprinkle one-third of the crushed peppermint candies evenly on top. Repeat this layering process two more times to build three layers of brownies, pudding mixture, and peppermint candy, ensuring all ingredients are evenly distributed and visually appealing.
- Garnish and Chill: If you reserved whipped topping earlier, pipe or spoon it decoratively on top of the last candy layer for an extra festive look and creamy texture. Cover the trifle tightly with plastic wrap and refrigerate for at least 1 hour, or until ready to serve. Chilling allows the flavors to meld and the dessert to set perfectly.
Notes
- Use a clear trifle dish to showcase the beautiful layered effect and colors of the dessert.
- For an extra kick, you can add a splash of peppermint extract to the pudding mixture, but start with a small amount as it is quite potent.
- Brownies can be homemade or store-bought to save time.
- This dessert is best served within 24 hours of assembling for optimal texture and freshness.
- If you want to keep the topping extra fresh and fluffy, add the garnish just before serving instead of during assembly.
