Strawberry Trifle with Angel Food Cake (Easy Recipe)

Name: Strawberry Trifle with Angel Food Cake (Easy Recipe)
Prep time: 20 min
Ingredients: 1 Angel Food Cake (Store bought or homemade); 1 (5.1 oz) box Vanilla Instant Pudding (mix according to package directions); 3 cups milk (used in vanilla pudding); 2 quart containers Fresh Strawberries (sliced); ½ cup sugar; 1 (8 oz) block Cream Cheese (softened); 1 cup Powdered Sugar; 2 (8 oz) containers Cool Whip (divided)

Strawberry Trifle with Angel Food Cake is a dessert masterpiece that combines light layers of angel food cake with creamy vanilla pudding, fresh strawberries, and sweet whipped cream. It’s layered in a trifle bowl, and each spoonful of this quick and easy dessert screams deliciousness. Strawberry Trifle takes minutes to assemble, which makes it great for entertaining and is one of my easy, no-bake dessert recipes that comes together in minutes.

Jump to Recipe Print Recipe

Strawberry trifle dessert shown in a trifle bowl with text overlay.

This strawberry trifle is a sensational spring and summertime treat bursting with light, fresh, and cool flavors. There’s no better way to embrace the warmer temperatures than with a dessert that captures the season. Whether you’re hosting a backyard barbecue, potluck, family gathering, or simply craving a taste of sunshine, this dessert will certainly brighten any occasion and those fortunate enough to indulge.

Trifle desserts are easy and make a nice presentation. My Chocolate Brownie Trifle is a delicious dessert that is sure to please everyone.

What Is A Trifle Dessert

A trifle dessert is a layered dessert consisting of several layers. Trifle recipes can vary widely, including different types of cake, fruit, and custard flavors. Some trifle recipes use nuts or chocolate for added texture and flavor. Overall, trifle is known for its rich and creamy texture, as well as its visually appealing presentation. It’s a beloved dessert that’s perfect for entertaining and indulging in on special occasions.

Is Strawberry Trifle Made With An Angel Food Cake or Pound Cake

This recipe uses an Angel Food Cake. Trifle cakes are made with various cakes or brownies as a base. A pound cake would also work for this strawberry trifle, and the outcome would be delicious.

Why This Recipe Works

This recipe works because it offers a delightful combination of flavors and textures. It’s cool, creamy, and a delightful dessert for any time of the year. It’s easy to prepare but, most importantly, enjoyed by all.

Balanced Flavors: This dessert offers the right combination of balanced flavors that complement each other nicely.

Texture: Each layer offers a different contrast in texture- soft angel food cake, creamy pudding, juicy strawberries, and sweet whipped topping.

Visually Appealing: This dessert is assembled and displayed in a large glass bowl or trifle dish. The layers make an eye-catching display and appeal to any dessert table.

Easy to Make: This easy strawberry trifle is simple to prepare thanks to the store-bought sponge cake, fresh berries, whipped cream, and pudding mix. This dessert only takes about 20 minutes to prepare and will look like it took hours to make.

Strawberry trifle dessert with angel food cake shown layered in a small jar with text overlay.

How Many Layers In This Dessert

A traditional trifle dessert usually has four layers- cake layer, pudding layer, fruit layer, and cool whip layer. The layers are then repeated for a visually appealing dessert. There are variations to many trifle desserts; some may have more layers than others. These additional layers might include nuts, brownies, different pudding flavors, or additional fruit. Regardless of the number of layers, the essence of a trifle remains the same. My chocolate brownie trifle is another layered dessert that is absolutely delicious and will feed a crowd.

What Is The Best Dish for a Trifle

The best dish to serve a trifle dessert is in a trifle bowl or glass trifle dish. The clear glass bowl allows the layers to be seen and makes a visually appealing dessert.

Trifle bowls come in different shapes and sizes. Choose one fitting for the occasion for which you will serve this dessert. The wide opening of the trifle dish makes it easy to layer and assemble the dessert. This also makes it easy for the guests to serve themselves, scooping out all of the delicious layers.

Ingredients Needed

Angel Food Cake – This light and airy sponge cake serves as the perfect base for this strawberry angel food cake trifle. You can make a homemade angel food cake, use a box mix, or buy one from the grocery store. I usually opt for a store-bought version to save time.
Vanilla Instant Pudding – Vanilla pudding adds a creamy layer to the trifle dessert. You’ll need a large box of the vanilla instant pudding mix.
Milk – Cold Milk is needed to mix the pudding. Follow the directions on the box for the required amount.
Strawberries – Fresh strawberries thinly sliced are the star of this dish. Be sure to choose ripe, sweet strawberries for this dish. I love to buy them during strawberry season if possible.
Sugar – Just a little bit of sugar is added to the strawberries for enhanced sweetness and to create a juicy syrup.
Cream Cheese – Cream cheese adds richness to the trifle. It’s mixed with powdered sugar and Cool Whip, creating a decadent layer.
Powdered Sugar – Powdered sugar is mixed with the cream cheese and helps to create a smooth and creamy texture.
Cool Whip – A convenient whipped topping is added to the cream cheese mixture and on top of the dessert.

How To Make

Steps shown for preparing the ingredients for strawberry trifle dessert with text overlay.

Prep the ingredients.

Using a knife, cut the angel food cake into squares or tear into small pieces. Set aside.
Make the pudding according to package directions. Set aside.
Slice the strawberries and add the sugar to the top. Mix gently. Set aside.
Mix the cream cheese, powdered sugar, and one container of cool whip. Set aside.

Assemble the trifle dessert.

Layer 1: Add half of the angel food cake cubes to the bottom of the bowl.
Layer 2: Add half of the pudding. Gently spread on top of the cake layer.
Layer 3: Using a slotted spoon, add half of the strawberries.
Layer 4: Add all of the cream cheese mixture. Gently spread on top of the strawberries.

Repeat Layers

Layer 5: Layer cake.
Layer 6: Add the remaining pudding.
Layer 7: Add the remaining strawberries.
Layer 8: Top with Cool Whip.

Expert Tips

This is an easy dessert recipe; these tips will ensure you make the best dessert, a huge hit, and a new favorite dessert recipe.

Use fresh ingredients. This trifle dessert calls for fresh strawberries, which, with their sweetness, will enhance the flavor and texture.
Allow the dessert to chill. This will allow the flavors to meld together and the dessert to set properly.
Take care when assembling the dessert, and keep beautiful layers for a nice presentation.
If using frozen strawberries, allow them to thaw completely before beginning this dessert.
Add sliced strawberries to the top of the trifle for a beautiful presentation.

Recipe Variations

These variations offer endless possibilities to create a delicious trifle for any occasion. Experiment and make a dessert perfect for any special occasion.

Make mini trifles and individual portions using small mason jars.
Use different flavors of the pudding mix.
Use different flavors of cake for the holidays. (A spice cake for Christmas)
Make a Lemon Blueberry Trifle – White cake, lemon pudding, blueberries, and cool whip.

How to Serve This Dessert

Serving a trifle dessert can be a fun and enjoyable experience. This dessert is suitable for a casual gathering to an elegant celebration. A few suggestions for serving this dessert:

Set up a dessert location such as a dining table, dessert bar, or buffet table. Place on a decorative cake stand for an elegant presentation.
Garnish the top of the trifle with a layer of strawberries or mint leaves.
Use a long serving spoon to scoop and dip the dessert from the bowl. Be sure to include all layers of the trifle in each serving.

Be sure to try this Layered Strawberry Cheesecake Bowl for another easy layered dessert.

Recipe FAQs

Can I Make This Trifle Ahead of Time?

Yes, you can make this dessert ahead of time. It often tastes better if it can chill in the refrigerator for a few hours or overnight. Cover the dish with plastic wrap to keep it from drying out.

How Long Will A Trifle Last in the Refrigerator?

Typically, a trifle will last for 2-3 days in the refrigerator before it begins to get soggy. It is best to consume within the first two days for the best taste and texture.

Can I Substitute Angel Food Cake for Another Cake?

Yes, you can substitute angel food cake for a pound cake, and the result will be a delicious dessert.

More Strawberry Dessert Recipes

Strawberry Cheesecake Bars

Strawberry Cobbler

Strawberry Pie Filling