Easy Strawberry Trifle With Angel Food Cake

You know those desserts that look perfect in pictures but somehow never turn out the same at home, and I’ve been there because my first attempt at Strawberry Trifle was a total mess, so I tried to make neat layers, but somehow the cake sank while the pudding ran everywhere, and the whipped cream looked more like clouds after a windstorm, yet.

I was ready to give up, however, then I tasted the Strawberry Trifle, and oh wow, because even messy or lopsided, it was still magical, sweet and fruity all at once, so that’s when I realized imperfections don’t ruin a dessert but make it real.

Have you ever wanted a dessert that looks fancy yet doesn’t stress you out, or something you can whip up after a busy day and still feel proud of, because Strawberry Trifle is exactly that, so you don’t need perfect layers or exact measuring cups, since sometimes I even toss in extra strawberries.

Well why not, and every spoonful is a little surprise, while kids love it, and adults love it, so honestly, Strawberry Trifle feels like a tiny celebration in a bowl every single time.

ingredients

• 1 pound of fresh strawberries
• 1 package of store-bought sponge cake or pound cake
• 1 package (3.4 oz) instant vanilla pudding mix
• 2 cups cold milk
• 2 cups heavy whipping cream
• 1/4 cup powdered sugar
• 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
• Optional: chocolate shavings, sprinkles, or crushed cookies for topping

ingredients notes

• Strawberries: Make sure they are fresh and sweet. If you use frozen strawberries, thaw them and drain any extra juice.
• Cake: You can use store-bought cake to save time. Sponge cake works best because it soaks up the juice and pudding nicely.
• Pudding: Instant pudding is easiest for kids to help with because you just mix it with cold milk.
• Whipped cream: You can make it from scratch or use the kind in a can for a shortcut.
• Toppings: Chocolate, sprinkles, or cookie crumbs make it look extra fun and colorful.

How to make Strawberry Trifle ?

step 1: prepare the pudding

In a medium bowl, mix the instant vanilla pudding with 2 cups of cold milk. Stir for 2 minutes until it’s thick and smooth. If you want, you can let it sit in the fridge for 5 minutes to get a little thicker.

step 2: whip the cream

In another bowl, pour the heavy whipping cream, add powdered sugar and vanilla extract. Use a hand mixer or a whisk to beat the cream until soft peaks form. This means the cream will hold its shape but still be soft.

step 3: slice the strawberries

Wash the strawberries and cut off the green tops. Slice them into thin pieces so they can easily layer in the trifle. Keep a few whole strawberries to decorate on top if you like.

step 4: cut the cake

Cut the cake into small cubes. They should be bite-sized so that every spoonful of trifle has a bit of cake.

step 5: start layering

In a clear glass bowl or individual cups, start with a layer of cake cubes at the bottom. Make sure it covers the whole bottom evenly.

step 6: add pudding

Spoon a layer of vanilla pudding on top of the cake cubes. Spread it gently with a spoon so it’s smooth.

step 7: add strawberries

Place a layer of sliced strawberries over the pudding. Try to cover all the pudding so every bite has fruit.

step 8: add whipped cream

Spoon a layer of whipped cream on top of the strawberries. Spread it gently to make a nice smooth layer.

step 9: repeat layers

Repeat the layers in the same order: cake, pudding, strawberries, whipped cream. Keep layering until you reach the top of the bowl or run out of ingredients.

step 10: decorate

Finish with a layer of whipped cream. Decorate with whole strawberries, chocolate shavings, sprinkles, or cookie crumbs. Make it look fun and colorful.

step 11: chill

Put the trifle in the fridge for at least 1 hour before serving. Chilling helps the flavors mix together and makes it taste even better.

step 12: serve

Scoop the trifle into bowls or cups and enjoy! Make sure everyone gets a little bit of every layer.

kitchen equipment needed

• Medium bowl
• Mixing spoon
• Hand mixer or whisk
• Knife
• Cutting board
• Clear glass bowl or individual cups
• Measuring cups and spoons

storage options!

You can store leftover strawberry trifle in the fridge for up to 2 days. Keep it covered with plastic wrap so it doesn’t dry out or absorb other smells from the fridge. Avoid freezing because the whipped cream can become watery, and the cake can get soggy.

variations!

You can make strawberry trifle in lots of fun ways. Try using different fruits like blueberries, raspberries, or peaches. You can swap vanilla pudding for chocolate or strawberry pudding to change the flavor. Some people like to add a layer of crushed cookies or nuts for extra crunch. You can even make mini trifles in cups for individual servings. The fun part is that you can mix and match layers however you like.

what to enjoy with Strawberry Trifle ?

Have you ever had a dessert that looks fancy, but is actually super easy to make and I’ve definitely been there because my first try at Strawberry Trifle was kind of a disaster, so I tried to layer it neatly but the cake sank while the pudding ran everywhere, the whipped cream looked more like a cloud mess, yet I tasted it wow because even messy it was still delicious and that’s when I realized desserts don’t have to be perfect to be amazing

I love eating Strawberry Trifle with other treats especially after a long busy day so sometimes I pair it with the Butter Steak Bites Cooker Garlic because the savory bites and sweet trifle make a crazy good combo while other times I grab the Chocolate Old-Fashioned Sour Cream Donuts because chocolate and strawberries together just feel like a little party in my mouth.

Sometimes, I even mix things up, and try it with fresh fruit smoothies because, the fruity flavors make everything taste brighter or I have it with a cup of warm tea because it calms me down after a hectic morning.

tips for making the best strawberry trifle

• Use fresh, sweet strawberries for the best flavor.
• Make sure to slice the strawberries evenly so the layers look nice.
• Don’t overmix the whipped cream; you want it light and fluffy.
• Chill the trifle before serving to let all the flavors blend together.
• If you want, soak the cake cubes in a little fruit juice or milk for extra moistness.
• Keep the layers even so every bite has a mix of cake, pudding, strawberries, and cream.
• Use a clear glass bowl so everyone can see the pretty layers.

FAQ

what is strawberry trifle made of?

Strawberry trifle is made of layers of cake, vanilla pudding, fresh strawberries, and whipped cream.

can i use frozen strawberries?

Yes, but thaw them first and drain extra juice so your trifle doesn’t get too watery.

can i make it ahead of time?

Yes, make it a few hours before serving and keep it in the fridge.

how long does Strawberry Trifle last?

It lasts up to 2 days in the fridge.

can i use chocolate pudding?

Absolutely! Chocolate pudding is a tasty variation.

what cake is best for trifle?

Sponge cake or pound cake works best because it absorbs the pudding and strawberry juice.

can kids help make Strawberry Trifle ?

Yes, kids can help layer the ingredients and decorate the top.

can i use store-bought whipped cream?

Yes, it’s a shortcut and still tastes great.

can i make individual trifles?

Yes, use small cups or jars for fun individual servings.

what toppings are good?

Chocolate shavings, sprinkles, cookie crumbs, or extra strawberries are all great.

what does strawberry trifle taste like?

It tastes sweet, creamy, fruity, and soft. Every bite has cake, pudding, strawberries, and cream.

can i use other fruits?

Yes, blueberries, raspberries, peaches, or mixed fruits are all delicious alternatives.