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18 delicious trifle recipes perfect for the holiday season

Plus, tips on how to get your trifle just right.
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A trifle is a classic dessert for Christmas day. It’s a crowd pleaser than can be adapted to cater to any flavour preferences or dietary requirements, and it’s a dish that usually encourages a second helping.

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The best part is, trifle almost always tastes better the day after it’s made, which means you can make this ahead of time and not worry about it on Christmas morning. And, it’s also delicious as leftovers!

We’ve rounded up our best trifle recipes so you can choose one that suits you. From the traditional berry and jam scroll to fun flavour pairings like peach and gingerbread (trust us, it’s tasty!), there’s a trifle for every kind of sweet tooth.

The best trifle recipes to make for Christmas

trifle with layers of panna cotta and jam scroll with rapsberries on top

Colin’s take on the traditional Christmas trifle has us even more excited about the silly season than ever. This panna cotta trifle recipe features silky Italian panna cotta and generous helpings of vibrant, seasonal fruit, it’s the perfect end to Christmas lunch or dinner.

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Double chocolate mousse trifle

You can’t beat this stunningly decadent take on a traditional trifle! A homemade chocolate case is filled with white chocolate custard, sponge, fruit, jelly and nuts – what’s not to love?

Christmas trifle
Strawberry trifle

Filled with custard, cream, jelly and swiss roll, this classic Aussie dessert is guaranteed to keep everyone happy!

best christmas dessert recipes peach trifle
(Credits: Con Poulos)

The hero ingredients for a luxe trifle with a twist could be hiding in your fridge and pantry!

Leftover yoghurt combined with a jar of peaches and instant coffee provides a delicious base for this decadent dessert.

Summer roasted plum trifle

Roasting plums caramelises the stone fruit into something that’s sweet, delicious and perfect in any dessert.

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Peach, strawberry and cherry trifle

Store-bought sponge cake, cut into cubes and drizzled with sweet sherry, forms the base of this fruit-filled, adults-only summer dessert. Divine!

Chocolate Christmas trifles

To make these trifles extra special, just scatter through silver cachous, drizzle over store-bought raspberry sauce or topping and finish with sparklers – what stunners!

Choosing between trifle and pav can be tough for a sweet tooth. Now you can skip the dilemma with a dessert that combines the two!

Vanilla is the magic ingredient in this dessert, with zesty ricotta, whipped cream and rum syrup. It’s a sophisticated summer dessert that’s rocking-around-the-tree good!

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Pina colada trifle

Love the idea of eating a tropical cocktail? Give your favourite dessert a pina-colada cocktail-inspired taste twist with coconut-flavoured cream, pineapple jelly, fresh fruit and toasted coconut flakes.

strawberry and blueberry trifle

The classic unforgettable favourite is given a distinctly adult twist, with fruit, cream and lashings of liqueur.

Ricotta and raspberry trifle with honeycomb

Put a zesty spin on this creamy confection with berries, nuts and honeycomb. A perfectly festive dessert for Christmas.

Strawberry rose jelly gingerbread trifle

Loosen up the layers for a luscious-looking trifle. The wine-flavoured jelly goes first, then dollops of nougat cream and gingerbread cake. Top with more cream, strawberries and mint.

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Nectarine trifle

Balance the smokiness of grilled nectarines with the sweetness of spiked cream, then add a splash of sherry for the perfect summer entertainer.

Sophisticated flavours of peach iced tea and Frangelico make this a divine dessert for adult palates. Give them an eyeful with this trifle-at-heart spectacular! Weave the toffee web topper for even more ‘WOW’ factor.

best trifle recipes

With layers of liqueur-soaked peaches and two-cheese cream, plus spiced biscuits and sweet bread, this trifle is one for the grown-ups. Top with white choc curls and mint leaves for a divine summer dessert.

Trifle cake with grilled peaches and gingerbread

Give them an eyeful with this trifle 2.0 spectacular! Complete with pfeffernüsse, toffee and peaches, this one’s a winner. 

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The hero of any Christmas dessert table is, of course, the trifle. Mix it up this year with this berry trifle recipe that incorporates a sparkling jelly! 

Tips for making a perfect trifle every time

  • Prepare all the separate components of the trifle before assembling.
  • Check the cup capacity of your dish before buying and preparing the ingredients. Larger trifle bowls will need greater quantities to fill them. The number of layers you create will depend on the size and shape of your dish.
  • The best way to save on costs when making a trifle is to choose a recipe with fruit that’s in season. Or, go rogue and add whatever layers you like without a specific recipe to follow!

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