7 Holiday Trifles That Deserve a Spot On Your Table

Cookies and pies shouldn’t get all the love this holiday season. Trifles are nostalgic and showstopping at the same time. A dessert that can shine on the table and have everyone asking you for the recipe after they try it. Seasonal fruits and flavors star in these recipes including our Caramel-Pear-Cheesecake Trifle and Gingerbread and White Chocolate Mousse Trifle. While you’ll need to follow the baking recipes exactly so they turn out, have fun with garnishes or mix up your sauces. The best part? You can do a lot of the work ahead of time, making it a low-stress pick for hosting.

Gingerbread and White Chocolate Mousse Trifle

If you need a hit for your holiday dessert, this white chocolate mousse paired with gingerbread and pomegranate caramel is sure to wow.

Cornmeal Cake Trifle with Sabayon and Candied Kumquats

Greg DuPree / Food Styling by Torie Cox / Prop Styling by Christine Keely

Oranges and kumquats add tartness and color. Toasty Italian meringue adds sweetness, and cornmeal cake and Prosecco Sabayon complete this unique and dazzling trifle. Many of the steps can be completed ahead of time for easy trifle assembly.

Sour Cherry–Cheesecake Trifle with Black Pepper and Saba

Christopher Testani

A showstopping dessert that uses pound cake, cheesecake, and saba, a syrup made from grape must. While sour cherries are beautiful, swap out grapes or cranberries for a seasonal twist.

Black Sesame Banana Cake Trifle

Victor Protasio / Food Styling by Chelsea Zimmer / Prop Styling by Christine Keely

A dish that delights both your eyes and your tastebuds, this trifle delivers when you need to impress. With traditional Chinese sweets ingredients, including sesame seeds and sago, along with tahini whipped cream and moist banana cake, this showstopper deserves a place on your dessert table.

Mixed-Fruit Trifle

This old-fashioned trifle is worth the effort. Make as much as you can ahead of time so all that’s left to do is macerate your fruit, whip the cream and assemble. While Achatz calls for a classic combo of berries and kiwi, you could swap your favorite fruit for the layers.

Italian Trifle with Marsala Syrup

John Kernick

A simple but sophisticated dessert this Italian trifle shines with vanilla-infused pastry cream, sponge cake with a touch of orange zest, and Marsala syrup. Serve with whipped cream and berries.