Strawberry Trifle with Cream Cheese Recipe
This Strawberry Trifle with Cream Cheese is a delightful layered dessert combining moist strawberry cake cubes, a creamy mixture of cream cheese and cheesecake pudding, fresh strawberries, and fluffy whipped cream. Perfect for celebrations or a sweet treat, it’s easy to assemble and showcases fresh strawberry flavors with a luscious texture.
- Prep Time: 20 minutes
- Cook Time: 30 minutes (for baking the cake)
- Total Time: 50 minutes plus chilling time
- Yield: 8 to 10 servings 1x
- Category: Dessert
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
Ingredients
Scale
Strawberry Cake
- 1 strawberry cake (use a cake mix and bake in a 9x13 baking dish, cooled completely)
Cream Cheese Mixture
- 8 ounces cream cheese, softened
- 1 tablespoon vanilla extract
- 3.4 ounces cheesecake pudding mix (unprepared)
- 1½ cups heavy whipping cream (divided)
- ½ cup powdered sugar (divided)
- 1½ pounds fresh strawberries, stems removed and sliced (reserved 1 cup for topping)
Whipped Cream Topping
- 2 cups heavy whipping cream (divided)
- ¼ cup powdered sugar (divided)
- Approx. 1 cup fresh strawberries reserved for topping
Instructions
- Prepare Cake Cubes: Remove the cooled strawberry cake from the baking dish and cut into ¾ to 1-inch cubes. Set aside for layering.
- Mix Cream Cheese Base: In a large mixing bowl, use a hand mixer to beat together the softened cream cheese and vanilla extract until smooth and creamy.
- Add Pudding Mix: Beat in the cheesecake pudding mix until the mixture becomes thick and lumpy but well combined.
- Incorporate Heavy Cream: Slowly drizzle in 1½ cups of the heavy whipping cream, about ⅛ cup at a time, beating on low constantly to fully incorporate each addition before adding the next. Continue until the mixture is smooth and creamy.
- Sweeten Mixture: Add ½ cup of powdered sugar to the cream cheese and pudding mixture and beat until fully combined and smooth.
- Add Strawberries: Fold in fresh sliced strawberries, reserving about 1 cup of strawberries for the trifle topping later.
- Assemble the Trifle: In a large trifle bowl or glass dish, layer one-third of the cake cubes, followed by half of the strawberry cream mixture, then another layer of cake cubes, the remaining strawberry cream mixture, and finish with the final layer of cake cubes.
- Prepare Whipped Cream: Using a stand mixer with a whisk attachment or a hand mixer, beat the remaining 2 cups of heavy whipping cream until soft peaks begin to form. Add the remaining ¼ cup powdered sugar and continue beating until stiff peaks form.
- Decorate the Trifle: Dollop or pipe large spoonfuls of whipped cream around the top of the trifle. Pile the reserved strawberry slices in the center, then add one more dollop of whipped cream in the middle. Garnish with a halved strawberry with stem intact or decorate as desired.
Notes
- Chill the assembled trifle for at least 2 hours before serving to allow flavors to meld.
- You can substitute the strawberry cake mix with a homemade strawberry cake if preferred.
- Ensure the cream cheese is fully softened for smooth mixing.
- Use fresh, ripe strawberries for best flavor and texture.
- Leftovers should be refrigerated and are best consumed within 2 days.
Keywords: Strawberry trifle, cream cheese dessert, layered trifle, strawberry cake trifle, easy trifle recipe
