15-Minute Patriotic Trifle

Last Updated on January 3, 2024 by Michele Tripple

This post contains affiliate links. If you click and buy we may make a commission, at no additional charge to you. Please see our disclosure for more details.

This stunning patriotic trifle recipe will be your new go-to for every patriotic holiday! In 15 minutes you’ll have a red, white, and blue cheesecake trifle with graham cracker layers and creamy filling.

Patriotic Trifle

I have a love-hate relationship with holiday desserts. They’re so much fun but they take so much time that I’d rather spend with my family! I’m always looking for a dessert like this patriotic trifle that is decorative and on-theme without taking too much time.

3 jars of patriotic trifle with wooden spoons and decorations

And let me tell you, this cheesecake trifle is GOOD. It’s got the creamiest layers of cheesecake filling with the perfect amount of graham cracker crunch. 

I know it’s simple (4 ingredients!), but it’s so delicious. Coloring the filling to make it red, white, and blue makes it perfect for the fourth of July, Memorial Day, Veterans Day, and any other patriotic occasion.

My kids love it. I love it. My friends love it. I guarantee that you’ll love this trifle recipe too! And if you really want these trifles to stand out, you should try serving them with some layered red white and blue sparkling drinks too!

overhead shot of patriotic trifle sitting on a star plate with decor

More patriotic recipes you’ll love 

Patriotic Trifle Recipe

You won’t get enough of this creamy cheesecake trifle recipe! I love a good festive dessert that doesn’t take a ton of time to get ready!

Ingredients

ingredients for patriotic trifle
  • 8 oz cream cheese (1 package), softened
  • ¾ cup granulated sugar
  • 8 oz whipped topping, thawed
  • 4-5 graham crackers 
  • Food coloring
  • Sprinkles, optional

Tools block

How to Make a Patriotic Trifle

3 patriotic trifle jars with decorative wooden spoons

Don’t forget to download the full printable recipe below so you can print it out and use it whenever you feel like making this delicious recipe!

  • To make your cheesecake trifle, start by adding the softened cream cheese to a large mixing bowl. 
  • Use a hand mixer to beat the cream cheese for a few minutes until it’s fluffy.
  • Add the sugar and beat the mixture again until it’s well combined. 
  • Use a rubber spatula to gently fold the whipped topping into the cream cheese mixture just until it’s smooth. 
  • Now it’s time to add the patriotic trifle twist! Separate the cream cheese mixture into 3 bowls. It should be about 1 cup per bowl.
  • Color one bowl with red food coloring, one bowl with blue food coloring, and keep the last bowl plain white. 
  • Cover the colored mixtures and place them in the fridge for 30 minutes to chill.
  • While your cheesecake filling chills, crush the graham crackers in a food processor. Set the crumbs aside. 
  • Spoon the red cheesecake filling evenly into 4 small jars. 
  • Add a layer of graham cracker crumbs on top.
  • Repeat with the white and blue layers and decorate with whipped topping and sprinkles!
red white and blue patriotic trifle jars on cake stands

Tips Tricks and FAQs 

  • If you don’t have a food processor, all you’ll need is a bag and a rolling pin to crush up the graham crackers. Place the crackers in the bag and seal it tight. You may want to double bag it so no crumbs get out. Use the rolling pin to crush the graham crackers until they’re as smooth as you can get them. It takes a little more work but it works just as well!
  • When I have a skinnier cup or jar, it’s easiest to use a disposable bag or piping bag to layer my trifles. I place the cheesecake filling in the bag and squeeze it into the jars for nice clean layers. 
  • Either gel or liquid food coloring works just fine for this recipe, but gel food coloring tends to be a little easier to work with. It also has a stronger pigment so you can be sure you’ll get a true red and blue!
  • You can absolutely double this recipe (and we often do)! Just double the ingredients and make everything the same way as listed in the directions. It never hurts to have too much delicious dessert!

Storage

Store your trifles in a sealed container in the fridge for up to 3 days. If you know you’ll have leftovers, it’s best to save the cheesecake filling separately and make the trifles as you need them to avoid soggy graham cracker crumbs!

Can I use this trifle recipe for other occasions?

After you try this, you’ll be dying to have this cheesecake trifle all the time! I know my family is. 

We’ve used this recipe for everything from birthdays to christmas to family movie nights at home. All you need to change is the color and you’re all set!

An ombre pink would be perfect for a little girl’s birthday, or blue and pink for a gender reveal. You could even add little candy cane bits for a holiday party. The options are endless with this simple treat. 

More Easy Cheesecake Recipes

phone with @micheletripple Instagram homepage with text encouraging people to follow us on Instagram
Yield: 4

Patriotic Trifle

3 patriotic trifle jars with decorative wooden spoons

This stunning patriotic trifle recipe will be your new go-to for every patriotic holiday! In 15 minutes you’ll have a red, white, and blue cheesecake trifle with graham cracker layers and creamy filling.

Prep Time 15 minutes
Additional Time 30 minutes
Total Time 45 minutes

Ingredients

  • 8 oz cream cheese (1 package), softened
  • ¾ cup granulated sugar
  • 8 oz whipped topping, thawed
  • 4-5 graham crackers
  • Food coloring
  • Sprinkles, optional

Instructions

  1. To make your cheesecake trifle, start by adding the softened cream cheese to a large mixing bowl. 
  2. Use a hand mixer to beat the cream cheese for a few minutes until it’s fluffy.
  3. Add the sugar and beat the mixture again until it’s well combined. 
  4. Use a rubber spatula to gently fold the whipped topping into the cream cheese mixture just until it’s smooth. 
  5. Now it’s time to add the patriotic trifle twist! Separate the cream cheese mixture into 3 bowls. It should be about 1 cup per bowl.
  6. Color one bowl with red food coloring, one bowl with blue food coloring, and keep the last bowl plain white. 
  7. Cover the colored mixtures and place them in the fridge for 30 minutes to chill.
  8. While your cheesecake filling chills, crush the graham crackers in a food processor. Set the crumbs aside. 
  9. Spoon the red cheesecake filling evenly into 4 small jars. 
  10. Add a layer of graham cracker crumbs on top.
  11. Repeat with the white and blue layers and decorate with whipped topping and sprinkles!

Leave a Comment

This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. Learn how your comment data is processed.

Skip to Recipe