If there’s one dessert that truly embodies effortless elegance and pure delight, it has to be this Strawberry Trifle Recipe. Imagine layers of fluffy angel food cake, luscious homemade vanilla pudding, juicy sweet strawberries, and decadent clouds of whipped cream—all nestled together in a beautiful glass dish. This showstopper not only tastes amazing but looks like a celebration in itself. Whether you’re planning a summer picnic, hosting a family gathering, or just want to treat yourself, this Strawberry Trifle Recipe is guaranteed to charm everyone with its vibrant flavors and stunning presentation.

Ingredients You’ll Need

The magic of this Strawberry Trifle Recipe lies in its simple, familiar ingredients—each plays a key role in making every bite irresistible. From the pillowy cake to the creamy pudding, and, of course, the spotlight-stealing strawberries, you’ll find these elements come together for an unforgettable treat.

Homemade Vanilla Pudding: Silky and rich, this forms the creamy backbone of the trifle, balancing sweetness with a comforting, custard-like texture.
Fresh Strawberries: Two pounds of juicy berries, hulled and sliced, offer bright color and a refreshing tartness that cuts through the sweetness.
Granulated Sugar: A touch of sugar helps the strawberries develop their juices, infusing each layer with lush, fruity syrup.
Angel Food Cake: Soft, airy cubes of cake soak up the juices and pudding, becoming delightfully tender and flavorful.
Homemade Whipped Cream: Billowy whipped cream crowns each layer, delivering a dreamy, light finish that makes the whole creation feel decadent yet delicate.

How to Make Strawberry Trifle Recipe

Step 1: Macerate the Strawberries

Start by combining the sliced strawberries and granulated sugar in a medium bowl. Give them a good stir, cover, and set aside for about 30 minutes. This little waiting period lets the berries release their natural juices, creating a fruity syrup that will infuse your trifle with incredible freshness and sweetness.

Step 2: Cube the Angel Food Cake

While the strawberries are working their magic, slice your angel food cake lengthwise into three rounds, then cut those into neat, one-inch cubes. Uniform cubes don’t just look pretty—they also make for easy, even layering that helps every spoonful deliver the perfect mix of cake and filling.

Step 3: Prepare the Pudding Mixture

Once your homemade vanilla pudding has chilled completely, gently fold in one cup of fresh whipped cream until the mixture is fully blended. This creates a pudding that’s even lighter, silkier, and more luxurious—without sacrificing that rich, classic flavor.

Step 4: Layer the Trifle

Now comes the fun part—the assembly! Start by layering the cake cubes along the bottom of your trifle dish. Next, spoon over a generous helping of macerated strawberries and all their delicious juices. Add a thick layer of your creamy pudding, then top with a blanket of whipped cream. Repeat these layers, making sure to reserve a scattering of strawberries for a beautiful finishing touch on top.

Step 5: Chill and Serve

Let the trifle chill in the refrigerator for at least one hour (or up to overnight if you like). This gives all those lovely layers a chance to mingle and the flavors to meld, resulting in a harmonious dessert that’s as refreshing as it is indulgent. Serve chilled and enjoy every dreamy spoonful!

How to Serve Strawberry Trifle Recipe

Garnishes

There’s so much room to play with garnish here! For an extra burst of freshness, add a few whole strawberries or delicately fan-sliced berries on top just before serving. A sprinkle of finely grated lemon zest or a few mint leaves adds both beauty and a pop of color, making your Strawberry Trifle Recipe even more inviting.

Side Dishes

Though this trifle truly shines on its own, you can pair it with simple accompaniments like a platter of fresh seasonal fruit or crisp butter cookies for a delightful contrast. A light cup of tea or bubbly prosecco makes the experience feel extra celebratory, perfect for special occasions and everyday desserts alike.

Creative Ways to Present

If you’re feeling fancy, there are plenty of playful twists for serving your Strawberry Trifle Recipe. Try scooping it into individual mason jars or small glass tumblers for a portable, personalized treat at picnics or parties. Or set up a “build-your-own trifle” bar with mini cake cubes, strawberries, pudding, and whipped cream, and let guests create their own delicious masterpieces.

Make Ahead and Storage

Storing Leftovers

Got leftovers? No problem! Transfer the trifle into an airtight container (or simply cover the trifle dish tightly with plastic wrap) and refrigerate for up to 2 days. The flavors may deepen and meld even more, making the Strawberry Trifle Recipe taste absolutely irresistible for a second helping.

Freezing

While the whipped cream and fresh strawberries in this trifle don’t freeze particularly well, you can prepare the pudding base or cubed angel food cake ahead of time and store them in the freezer separately. Assemble and chill the complete dessert just before serving for the freshest result.

Reheating

This dessert is always served cold, straight from the fridge. If the trifle has been stored for a day or two and the cake has softened further, just give it a quick stir before serving to blend the layers together for that perfectly lush, scooping texture.

FAQs

Can I use store-bought pudding and whipped cream?

Absolutely! If you’re looking to save time without sacrificing taste, feel free to pick up good-quality vanilla pudding and whipped cream from your grocery store. The Strawberry Trifle Recipe is wonderfully flexible and still delightfully delicious with these shortcuts.

How far in advance can I assemble the trifle?

You can assemble the Strawberry Trifle Recipe up to one day in advance. Chilling it overnight actually helps the flavors meld and the cake soak up the juices, but for the best texture and most dramatic presentation, add the final whipped cream and garnishes just before serving.

Can I substitute other fruits for the strawberries?

Definitely! While strawberries are the star, this classic recipe adapts beautifully to other berries like raspberries, blueberries, or blackberries. You can even try sliced peaches or a mix of your favorite fruits to make the Strawberry Trifle Recipe your own.

What if I don’t have a trifle dish?

No special trifle dish? No worries! Any large, clear glass bowl works perfectly for showing off the beautiful layers. For individual portions, use glass jars, wine glasses, or even pretty drinking glasses to highlight your handiwork.

Is this recipe gluten-free?

The traditional recipe uses angel food cake, which contains wheat flour. However, you can easily swap in a gluten-free angel food cake (store-bought or homemade) to make this Strawberry Trifle Recipe completely gluten-free and just as scrumptious.

Final Thoughts

If you’re looking for a dessert that dazzles with its appearance and wins hearts with its unforgettable taste, you really can’t go wrong with this Strawberry Trifle Recipe. It’s simple, stunning, and absolutely delicious—so grab your spoon and dig in!

Strawberry Trifle Recipe

★★★★★

4.7 from 27 reviews

Author: Jack
Total Time: 1 hour 45 minutes
Yield: 8–10 servings 1x
Diet: Vegetarian

Print Recipe

Description

This delightful Strawberry Trifle Recipe combines layers of homemade vanilla pudding, fresh strawberries, sweet angel food cake cubes, and whipped cream for a luscious and refreshing dessert.

Ingredients

Scale

Homemade Vanilla Pudding:

1 batch

Fresh Strawberries:

2 pounds, hulled and sliced

Granulated Sugar:

½ cup

Angel Food Cake:

1 cake, cut into cubes

Homemade Whipped Cream:

1 batch

Instructions

Macerate Strawberries: In a medium bowl, combine sliced strawberries and sugar. Cover and let them sit for about 30 minutes.
Prepare Angel Food Cake: Slice the cake into cubes after cutting it into rounds.
Combine Pudding and Cream: Fold 1 cup of whipped cream into the chilled pudding.
Assemble Trifle: Layer cake, strawberries, pudding, and whipped cream in a trifle dish. Repeat the layers.
Chill: Refrigerate for at least 1 hour before serving.

Notes

You can customize this trifle by adding other fruits or nuts between the layers.
For a quicker version, use store-bought pudding and whipped cream.

Prep Time: 45 minutes
Cook Time: 0 minutes
Category: Dessert
Method: Layering
Cuisine: American

Nutrition

Serving Size: 1 serving
Calories: 320 kcal
Sugar: 25g
Sodium: 200mg
Fat: 12g
Saturated Fat: 8g
Unsaturated Fat: 4g
Trans Fat: 0g
Carbohydrates: 50g
Fiber: 3g
Protein: 4g
Cholesterol: 40mg

Keywords: Strawberry Trifle, Trifle Recipe, Strawberry Dessert