Description
This Strawberry Trifle recipe is a fantastic starting point for a beautiful and delicious dessert! I love the basic combination of cake, pudding, fruit, and whipped cream. It’s a classic for a reason. But what I really love is how incredibly versatile this recipe is
Ingredients
Scale
- 1 cup 2% milk
- 1 cup sour cream
- 1 package (3.4 ounces) instant vanilla pudding mix
- 1 teaspoon grated orange zest
- 2 cups heavy whipping cream, whipped
- 8 cups cubed angel food cake
- 4 cups sliced fresh strawberries
- Additional sweetened whipped cream, optional
Customization Options:
Cake:
- 8 cups cubed angel food cake (store-bought or homemade)
- 8 cups cubed pound cake (store-bought or homemade)
- 8 cups cubed sponge cake (store-bought or homemade)
- 8 cups ladyfingers (soaked in fruit juice or liqueur, optional)
- 8 cups cubed brownies (for a chocolate version!)
Pudding:
- 1 package (3.4 ounces) instant vanilla pudding mix + 1 cup milk + 1 cup sour cream
- 1 package (3.4 ounces) instant cheesecake pudding mix + 1 cup milk + 1 cup sour cream
- 1 package (3.4 ounces) instant lemon pudding mix + 1 cup milk + 1 cup sour cream
- Homemade custard recipe (This will require additional ingredients)
Fruit:
- 4 cups sliced fresh strawberries
- 4 cups mixed berries (strawberries, raspberries, blueberries, blackberries)
- 4 cups sliced bananas
- 4 cups sliced peaches, plums, or nectarines
- 4 cups chopped mango or pineapple
- 4 cups canned fruit (drained well), such as mandarin oranges or peaches
Whipped Cream:
- 2 cups heavy whipping cream, whipped with 2-4 tablespoons powdered sugar and 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- Store-bought whipped topping
- Dairy-free whipped topping
“Extras” (Optional):
- Crushed cookies (graham crackers, shortbread, Oreos, etc.)
- Toasted nuts (pecans, almonds, walnuts)
- Granola
- Chocolate sauce, caramel sauce, or fruit coulis
- Fresh mint leaves, lemon or orange zest, chocolate shavings, edible flowers
Instructions
Beginner (Using all shortcuts):
- Prepare Pudding: Whisk together milk, sour cream, and instant pudding mix until thickened.
- Whip Cream (Optional): If using store-bought whipped topping, skip this step. Otherwise, whip heavy cream with powdered sugar and vanilla extract until stiff peaks form.
- Assemble: Layer cubed store-bought angel food cake, pudding mixture, sliced strawberries, and whipped cream (or topping) in a trifle bowl. Repeat layers.
- Chill: Cover and refrigerate for at least 2 hours.
- Garnish and Serve: Add any desired garnishes just before serving.
Intermediate (Homemade Whipped Cream, Some Customization):
- Prepare Pudding: Whisk together milk, sour cream, and instant pudding mix (choose your desired flavor) until thickened.
- Make Whipped Cream: Whip heavy cream with powdered sugar and vanilla extract (or other flavorings) until stiff peaks form.
- Prepare Fruit: If using a fruit other than strawberries, prepare it accordingly (peel, slice, chop, etc.). Macerate with a little sugar and lemon juice, if desired.
- Assemble: Layer cubed cake (store-bought or your favorite recipe), pudding mixture, prepared fruit, and homemade whipped cream in a trifle bowl. Repeat layers.
- Chill: Cover and refrigerate for at least 2 hours.
- Garnish and Serve: Add any desired garnishes (crushed cookies, nuts, sauce, etc.) just before serving.
Advanced (Homemade Cake, Custard, and Whipped Cream):
- Make Lemon Cake: Prepare the lemon cake recipe as directed (or use your own favorite recipe). Cool completely.
- Make Homemade Custard (Optional): If desired, make a homemade custard instead of using instant pudding. This will require additional ingredients and steps.
- Make Whipped Cream: Whip heavy cream with powdered sugar and vanilla extract (or other flavorings) until stiff peaks form.
- Prepare Fruit: Prepare your chosen fruit (strawberries, other berries, etc.).
- Assemble: Layer cubed cake, custard (or pudding mixture), prepared fruit, and homemade whipped cream in a trifle bowl. Repeat layers.
- Chill: Cover and refrigerate for at least 2 hours.
- Garnish and Serve: Add any desired garnishes (crushed cookies, nuts, sauce, etc.) just before serving.
No matter which level you choose, the basic steps are the same: layer, chill, and serve!