50 Green and Red Velvet Holiday Trifle

Every year we challenged with what dish to pass at our holiday gatherings. We’re always striving for beauty AND slightly festive. Our little Red and Green Velvet Holiday Trifle concoction fit the bill completely. It’s ridiculously easy and was such a hit. The best part is that friends and family are STILL talking about it (a year later)!!

We made two batches for Christmas Eve and Christmas day family gatherings the evening before the 24th. We are blessed to have two trifle bowls one regular and one with a lid (from pampered chef). I must say, the lidded one was more convenient than trying to wrangle plastic wrap and rubber bands.  

Red and Green Velvet Holiday Trifle

Recipe Yield: 12-16 servings

Ingredients:

1 c + 2 Tbsp flour

1/2 tsp baking powder

1/2 tsp salt

4 Tbsp unsalted butter, at room temperature

3/4 c sugar

1 egg

1/2 tsp vanilla extract

1/2 c buttermilk

1/2 tsp baking soda

1 1/2 tsp distilled white vinegar

1.5 Tbsp red food coloring
1 tub whipped topping

Green food coloring (to color)

2 1/2 Tbsp unsweetened cocoa powder

Cream cheese frosting. Our favorite easy homemade recipe from here (we don’t even measure precisely).

Directions:

1. Pre-heat the oven to 350°F. Generously butter and flour two 9-inch round cake pans.
2. Sift flour, baking powder, and salt into a medium bowl; set aside.
3. In two small bowls, mix two separate batches of food coloring paste until lumps disappear. For each batch, half the cocoa powder and combine with red or green food coloring, individually (don't forget to change the spoons).
4. Using a stand mixer, beat butter and sugar for a few minutes until light and fluffy. Add egg, then vanilla. Slowly add the flour mixture then buttermilk in two batches alternating between them. Beat until well combined; continually scraping down the bowl.
5. In a separate tiny bowl, mix vinegar and baking soda, which will fizz slightly. Add to the cake batter and mix in with a scraper. Divide batters in half. Add food coloring mixtures separately.
6. Fill each colored mixture into separate cake pans and bake 15-20 minutes if you have a convection oven (otherwise 25-30 minutes). When a toothpick inserted comes out clean, the cakes are done.
7. Cool cake for 5-10 minutes then freeze for an additional 5 minutes. Cut cake into cubes or break randomly depending on the 'look' you're trying to achieve.
8. Starting with the colored velvet cake, layer cake then frosting then chocolate chips alternating red and green. Reserve crumbs for garnishing. There will be approximately 3 layers of cake. Top with whipped topping, cake crumbles in the center, and chocolate chips on top.

*Want to make the trifle easier? Substitute all the ingredients but the food coloring, whipped topping, and cocoa powder with a box of white cake mix and follow the boxed instructions. 

Feel free to get creative and substitute your favorite toppings and flavors to come up with a Holiday masterpiece! I’d love to see/hear about your variation… leave yours in the comments below or shout it out on twitter @bnwobsession.

Every year, we try to mix it up with new recipes. This year being no different, we’re leaning toward a thrown together soup sine it’s been obnoxiously cold around these neck of the woods. Hmmm… how can we sneak red and green into our soup? Any ideas?

P.S. I was not paid or perked from Pampered Chef; I just happily gush about products which work best for us.

Megan from Rental Revival shows you how to make 10 minute garland:

All week long Megan and I will be bringing on the Holiday Cheer! So stay tuned!

 

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