Eggnog Trifle

Published OnDecember 8, 2023

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This Eggnog Trifle is the greatest holiday recipe. It is perfect for any party of holiday get together because it can feed so many. There are layers of pudding, cake, and whipped cream all with the best eggnog flavor and red velvet cake. It’s so easy to make too!

large clear glass with frosting, cake and chocolate chips layered in it.

The Best Eggnog Trifle

Trifles can be made with so many flavors and themes in mind. All trifles have layers of sponge cake, pudding, and whipped cream and this specific one screams warm holidays. If you like eggnog or know someone who does, this is the recipe you should make. It encapsulates eggnog perfectly!

It starts with a red velvet cake that are stacked together with an eggnog frosting, along with whipped cream. You can add chocolate chips in there too. If you want to stay true to eggnog and the holidays–add some rum! It will not disappoint.

Ingredients Needed

Unsweetened Cocoa Powder: Just a little bit of cocoa is traditional in red velvet recipes.
Buttermilk: The acid helps activate the baking soda. Did you know you can make buttermilk at home?
Vegetable Oil: I always use oil in my red velvet cake recipes – that’s the traditional fat to use.
White Vinegar: Helps the cake rise and gives the signature tang of red velvet.
Red Food Coloring: Make red velvet the perfect color. You’ll need about a tablespoon of regular food coloring, or less if you’re using gel food coloring.
Instant Vanilla Pudding: This is the pudding element of the layered trifle.
Eggnog: We’re making the pudding with eggnog, like my eggnog pie!

Click to see the recipe card below for full ingredients & instructions and below the recipe card for process shots.

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How to make Eggnog Trifle

First we need to make the cake recipe. Whisk flour, sugar, baking soda, cocoa, and salt in a large bowl.
Whisk buttermilk, oil, vinegar, and vanilla in a large measuring cup and whisk into dry ingredients until combined. Stir in food coloring carefully.
Pour into a 9×13-inch baking pan and bake until a toothpick comes out clean. Cool completely.
To assemble the trifle, first make the pudding. Whisk pudding mix and eggnog in a medium bowl. Let set up for 5 minutes.
Beat heavy cream, powdered sugar, and vanilla in a large bowl until stiff peaks form.
Slice the cake into small squares.
Place a layer of cake squares into the bottom of a trifle dish. Optional: brush with rum.
Layer the eggnog mixture, whipped cream, and cake cubes with white chocolate chips in the trifle bowl until the bowl is full and you’re out of ingredients.
Chill until ready to serve.

Expert Tips

Don’t want to make whipped cream or don’t have time? Use cool whip instead!
Carefully brush rum onto the cake – this is optional – but it adds tons of flavor.
Sprinkle cake crumbs and white chocolate chips over the top of trifle.
Use a clear bowl for this trifle to see all the layers!
Store loosely covered in refrigerator for up to 3 days.