Festive Cranberry Holiday Trifle layered with cranberry compote, white chocolate cream, and Swiss roll slices in a glass trifle bowl.

This Festive Cranberry Holiday Trifle is a show-stopping dessert that perfectly balances creamy richness with tart, fruity brightness. Layers of cranberry compote, velvety white chocolate cream, and soft slices of Swiss roll create a decadent yet effortless treat for the holidays. Elegant, easy, and bursting with seasonal flavour, it’s the perfect finale to any festive feast.

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This post was originally published in December 2021, last updated in October 2025.

Hey, folks – I hope you all are doing well!

Today, I’m delighted to share a stunning holiday dessert that looks impressive but couldn’t be simpler to make. This festive Cranberry Holiday Trifle combines tangy cranberries with smooth white chocolate cream cheese filling and tender cake layers for a dessert that’s both classic and modern. It’s festive, creamy, and beautifully balanced – a true celebration of holiday flavours. So, let’s dive into!

Why You’ll Love This Festive Cranberry Holiday Trifle

Make-ahead: This dessert tastes even better after a few hours of chilling, allowing the flavours to meld perfectly.
Festive: Vibrant layers of ruby-red cranberries and luscious cream make this dessert perfect for Christmas entertaining.
Easy: No baking required – it comes together quickly with simple, store-bought ingredients.
Balanced: The tangy cranberry layer offsets the sweetness of the cream and cake beautifully.
Elegant: Gorgeous presentation in a trifle bowl or individual glasses makes it ideal for special occasions.

Flavour and Texture Profile

This Cranberry Trifle offers a perfect mix of textures – soft, creamy, and slightly tart. The cranberry layer adds a refreshing brightness, while the cream cheese and white chocolate mixture brings silky smooth indulgence. Slices of Swiss roll soak up just the right amount of flavour, creating a dessert that’s rich but not overly heavy. Each spoonful is a delicious contrast of sweet, tangy, and creamy.

Ingredients You’ll Need for This Recipe

To make this Festive Cranberry Holiday Trifle, you will need the following ingredients:

Cranberries: Fresh or frozen cranberries provide that beautiful tartness and vibrant colour.
Citrus juice: Orange or tangerine juice adds freshness and a hint of natural sweetness.
Honey: Lightly sweetens the cranberry mixture while enhancing its fruitiness.
Cinnamon: Optional but adds a cozy warmth that complements the cranberries perfectly.
Cream (18%): Creates a light, silky base for the creamy layer – make sure it’s at room temperature for best texture.
Cream cheese: Gives the trifle structure and a delightful tang that balances the sweetness of white chocolate.
White chocolate: Adds richness and a hint of vanilla flavour to the cream.
Vanilla extract: Enhances the sweetness and rounds out the overall flavour.
Swiss roll: Store-bought rolls make this trifle quick and easy — their soft texture soaks up the cream beautifully.
Sugared cranberries: Optional for garnish, but they add sparkle and festive charm.

Cranberry Trifle Recipe - Festive Cranberry Holiday Trifle layered with cranberry compote, white chocolate cream, and Swiss roll slices in a glass trifle bowl.

How to Make Festive Cranberry Holiday Trifle

This Festive Cranberry Holiday Trifle consists of several components, and the good news is that they can be prepared in advance. The cranberry sauce and the cream cheese layer both keep well in the refrigerator for a day or two, making assembly quick and stress-free when you’re ready to serve.

Cranberry Layer

For the cranberry layer, combine all the ingredients in a small to medium saucepan. Bring to a gentle boil, then reduce the heat and simmer for about 5 minutes, stirring occasionally, until slightly thickened but still spoonable. The sauce will be pleasantly tart, so feel free to add a little sugar if you prefer a sweeter flavour.

Cream Cheese Layer

For the cream cheese and white chocolate layer, melt the white chocolate and allow it to cool for about 5 minutes. In a separate bowl, beat the room-temperature cream cheese on low speed for about one minute until smooth. Add the cooled chocolate, then pour in the cream and vanilla, and continue beating for another 30–40 seconds until incorporated and fluffy. Chill the mixture completely before assembling.

Assembling the Festive Cranberry Holiday Trifle

To assemble the trifle, use a bowl that holds approximately 800 to 1000 ml; you can use individual glasses, too. Spoon a small amount of the cream cheese mixture into the bottom, then arrange a layer of sliced Swiss roll. Spread a portion of the cranberry sauce over the cake, followed by more cream. Continue layering in this order. Depending on the height of your bowl, you may have two or three layers – the exact arrangement doesn’t matter, as the layers will blend beautifully when served. If decorating with sugared cranberries, finish with the cream layer on top for a striking colour contrast. Otherwise, top with the cranberry layer for a vibrant, jewel-toned finish. Either way, it will be delicious.

More Easy Holiday Desserts

Looking for more easy festive holiday desserts, just like this Festive Cranberry Holiday Trifle? Be sure to check them below:

I hope you like this Festive Cranberry Trifle – An Easy Holiday Dessert, and you will give it a try soon. If you make it, let me know in this post or send me an Instagram message or share you photos adding the hashtag #havocinthekitchen.

Cheers!