Christmas Dip
Christmas Dip is the sweet, fluffy party treat that tastes exactly like vanilla cake batter with festive red and green sprinkles on top.
Cool Whip and cream cheese create the perfect cloud-like base, while cake mix brings that irresistible birthday cake flavor everyone secretly wants to eat straight from the bowl.
This is the dip that had my family hovering around the kitchen island last December, grabbing “just one more” graham cracker until half the bowl disappeared before the party even started.
Christmas Dip Recipe Highlights
- Ready in 10 minutes with no baking required
- Tastes like birthday cake crossed with cheesecake
- Perfect make-ahead party dessert
- Kids and adults equally obsessed
- Uses pantry staples you probably have
Ingredient Notes
Please check the recipe card below for a detailed, printable ingredient list.
CREAM CHEESE – You need the full-fat block style at room temperature, not the spreadable tub version. Room temperature cream cheese beats smoothly without lumps and creates that signature cheesecake richness that makes this dip addictive. Philadelphia brand gives the most consistent results, and you can soften it quickly by cutting into cubes and letting sit for 15 minutes.
COOL WHIP – The thawed whipped topping provides structure and airiness that real whipped cream can’t maintain over time. Make sure it’s completely thawed in the refrigerator overnight, not speed-thawed at room temperature which causes separation. The stabilizers in Cool Whip keep your dip fluffy for days rather than deflating like homemade whipped cream would.
CAKE MIX – Dry white cake mix acts as both flavoring and thickener, transforming regular cream cheese dip into something that tastes magically like cake batter. The mix contains the perfect balance of vanilla, butter flavoring, and sweetness so you don’t need additional sugar. Duncan Hines or Betty Crocker work equally well, just avoid sugar-free versions which won’t dissolve properly.
MILK – Whole milk provides the right consistency to bring everything together smoothly. The fat content helps the cake mix particles dissolve completely while keeping the dip thick enough to stay on your dipper. You can use 2% in a pinch but the texture becomes slightly less creamy.
SPRINKLES – Classic jimmies-style Christmas sprinkles in red and green add the festive touch and slight crunch. Avoid nonpareils (the tiny balls) which bleed color into the dip. Add them right before serving for the best appearance since they can dissolve if mixed in too early.
How To Make a Christmas Dip
Please check the printable recipe card below for more detailed instructions.
- Beat Cool Whip and cream cheese until smooth.
- Add milk and vanilla. Mix until blended.
- Stir in cake mix until thick and smooth.
- Top with Christmas sprinkles.
Leftovers and Storage
STORE – Keep your Christmas Dip covered tightly with plastic wrap touching the surface to prevent a skin from forming. Refrigerate for up to 5 days and give it a quick stir before serving again since it may thicken slightly.
FREEZE – Skip freezing this dip completely since the Cool Whip and cream cheese separate when thawed, creating a grainy, watery mess that can’t be fixed.
MAKE AHEAD – Prepare the dip up to 2 days before your party, storing without sprinkles. Add fresh sprinkles just before serving so they stay crisp and the colors stay bright.
More Easy and Dessert Dips
Serving Suggestions
COOKIE PLATTER – Arrange sugar cookies, vanilla wafers, and gingersnaps around the dip bowl for a complete dessert table centerpiece that covers all the classic Christmas cookie flavors.
GRAHAM CRACKER BAR – Set up regular, chocolate, and cinnamon graham crackers alongside the dip for an easy interactive dessert perfect for casual holiday parties.
FRESH FRUIT OPTION – Strawberries, apple slices, and pear wedges turn this into a slightly lighter dessert that still feels indulgent, especially nice after a heavy holiday meal.
PRETZEL TWIST – Mini pretzels and chocolate-covered pretzels add a salty contrast that makes this sweet dip even more addictive, plus they’re sturdy enough for enthusiastic dippers.
BREAKFAST SURPRISE – Spread leftover dip on cinnamon toast or bagels for a special holiday morning treat that feels festive without any extra work.
Recipe Success Tips
EXPERT TIP – Beat your cream cheese for a full 2 minutes before adding Cool Whip to ensure zero lumps. Cold cream cheese will never smooth out completely no matter how long you mix, leaving white speckles throughout your dip.
CAKE MIX TECHNIQUE – Add the cake mix gradually while mixing on low speed to prevent powder clouds in your kitchen. Stop mixing immediately once combined since overmixing can make the dip too thick and gummy.
SPRINKLE STRATEGY – Wait to add sprinkles until 5 minutes before serving. Press them gently into the surface rather than stirring to keep colors from bleeding into the white dip and maintain that picture-perfect Christmas look.
TEXTURE ADJUSTMENT – If your dip seems too thick, add milk one tablespoon at a time until you reach dipping consistency. Different cake mix brands absorb liquid differently so you might need slight adjustments.
Commonly Asked Questions
Can I Use Homemade Whipped Cream Instead Of Cool Whip?
Fresh whipped cream will deflate within an hour, making your dip runny and disappointing. Cool Whip contains stabilizers that keep the fluffy texture for days, which is essential for this recipe’s success at parties.
What Other Cake Mix Flavors Work?
Funfetti cake mix creates birthday cake dip with built-in sprinkles, while strawberry or lemon cake mixes make fantastic spring variations. Avoid chocolate cake mix which creates an unappetizing gray color when mixed with white ingredients.
Why Is My Dip Too Thick Or Too Thin?
Thick dip means your cream cheese was too cold or you added too much cake mix. Thin dip happens with under-mixed ingredients or using low-fat substitutes. The perfect consistency coats your dipper without immediately sliding off.
Can I Make This Dairy-Free?
Substitute with dairy-free cream cheese and coconut whipped topping, using unsweetened coconut milk for thinning. The texture changes slightly but still tastes delicious, though it won’t be quite as stable for long party displays.
More Christmas Desserts
Christmas Dip
Ingredients
- 1 8-ounce tub whipped topping thawed, I used Cool Whip
- 1 8-ounce package cream cheese softened
- ¾ cup whole milk
- ½ teaspoon vanilla extract
- 1 15-ounce box white cake mix
- ¼ cup Christmas sprinkles
Serve with
- cookies, graham crackers, or fruit
Instructions
- In a large bowl, beat the thawed whipped topping and softened cream cheese with a hand mixer or stand mixer until smooth and creamy.
- Add the whole milk and vanilla extract, then continue mixing until fully blended and smooth.
- Stir in the cake mix until the mixture thickens and becomes smooth.
- Sprinkle with Christmas sprinkles and serve with cookies or graham crackers.
Notes
Nutritional Information
Nutritional Disclaimer
Cheerful Cook team members are not trained nutritionists or medical professionals. Calorie information and nutritional values are estimates. If you have nutritional concerns, we recommend using a nutritional calculator.
Maike Corbett is the founder and food blogger of Cheerful Cook, a popular recipe website featuring comfort food recipes from the US and Germany. She has been featured in numerous media outlets, including the AP Wire and MSN.