Easy Strawberry Shortcake Trifle Recipe

Whip Up a Dreamy Easy Strawberry Shortcake Trifle Recipe Today

Sweet strawberry shortcake trifle beckons with layers of pure deliciousness that dance across your plate.

Creamy textures mingle with fresh berries in a dreamy dessert.

Summer memories flood back through each delectable spoonful.

Classic ingredients combine in unexpected ways to create magic.

Crumbly cake pieces nestle between silky cream and bright fruit.

Guests will swoon over this simple yet stunning treat.

You can whip up this showstopping dessert in minutes, making everyone feel like a kitchen hero.

Easy Strawberry Shortcake Trifle That Wins Hearts

  • Craft Layers of Joy: Create a visually stunning dessert that delights both eyes and taste buds with its beautiful, colorful layers of cake, strawberries, and creamy whipped topping.
  • Customize with Ease: Adapt the recipe to your preferences by using different cake flavors, adding fresh berries, or experimenting with alternative toppings for a personalized touch.
  • Perfect Party Pleaser: Ideal for gatherings, potlucks, and special celebrations, this trifle serves multiple people and impresses guests with its elegant presentation and irresistible flavor combination.
  • No-Stress Dessert: Requires minimal baking skills and uses simple ingredients, making it accessible for home cooks of all experience levels who want to create a delectable sweet treat without complicated techniques.

Ingredients For Easy Strawberry Shortcake Trifle

Cake Base:
  • Yellow Cake Mix: A convenient base that provides a soft and sweet foundation for the trifle.
  • Eggs: Bind the cake mix and contribute to its light texture.
  • Water: Helps to create the cake batter's consistency.
  • Vegetable Oil: Ensures the cake remains moist and tender.
Fruit Filling:
  • Strawberries: Fresh, sweet berries that create a juicy and vibrant layer in the dessert.
  • Sugar: Enhances the strawberries' natural sweetness and helps create a syrupy texture.
  • Lemon Juice: Adds a bright, tangy note and helps prevent the strawberries from browning.
Cream Topping:
  • Heavy Whipping Cream: Creates a rich, fluffy topping that adds luxurious creaminess.
  • Powdered Sugar: Sweetens the whipped cream and helps stabilize its structure.
  • Vanilla: Provides a classic, warm flavor that complements the strawberries and cake.

How To Build Easy Strawberry Shortcake Trifle

Step 1: Bake the Cake

Grab a yellow cake mix and prepare it according to the package instructions. You’ll need to combine:
  • Cake mix
  • Eggs
  • Water
  • Vegetable oil

Grease a baking pan and pour the batter in. Bake until golden and a toothpick comes out clean. Let the cake cool completely, then slice it into bite-sized cubes.

Step 2: Create Strawberry Magic

Wash and hull fresh strawberries. Slice them into beautiful pieces. In a mixing bowl, toss the strawberries with sugar and a splash of lemon juice. Let the mixture sit and get juicy for about 15-20 minutes. This creates a delicious, syrupy strawberry goodness that’ll make your trifle irresistible.

Step 3: Whip Up Creamy Clouds

Pull out a chilled mixing bowl. Pour in heavy whipping cream, sprinkle in powdered sugar, and add a touch of vanilla. Whip the mixture on high speed until it forms beautiful, fluffy peaks that stand up tall and proud.

Step 4: Build Delicious Layers

Grab a large trifle dish or some cute serving glasses. Start layering your masterpiece:
  • First, a layer of cake cubes
  • Next, spoon over the strawberry mixture with its syrupy juices
  • Then, add a generous dollop of whipped cream

Repeat these layers until you’ve used up all your ingredients. Make sure to end with a crowning glory of whipped cream on top.

Step 5: Chill and Wait

Pop your trifle into the refrigerator for at least 2 hours. This waiting time allows all the flavors to mingle and get to know each other, creating a truly spectacular dessert.

Step 6: Serve and Enjoy

When you’re ready to serve, add a few fresh strawberries on top for extra pizzazz. Grab a spoon and dive into your creamy, fruity, cakey creation!

Tips To Make Easy Strawberry Shortcake Trifle Shine

  • Swap yellow cake mix with gluten-free or whole wheat options for dietary variations.
  • Choose ripe, in-season strawberries for maximum sweetness and vibrant flavor.
  • Macerate strawberries longer to intensify their natural syrup and enhance overall taste.
  • Chill the mixing bowl and whisk before whipping cream for faster, fluffier peaks.
  • Add a splash of Grand Marnier or orange liqueur to the strawberry mixture for an elegant twist.

Fun Twists On Easy Strawberry Shortcake Trifle

  • Lemon Berry Burst: Replace strawberries with mixed berries and add lemon zest to the whipped cream for a citrusy kick.
  • Chocolate Strawberry Dream: Sprinkle chocolate shavings between layers and use chocolate cake instead of yellow cake.
  • Tropical Paradise Trifle: Swap strawberries for diced mangoes and pineapples, add coconut flakes to the whipped cream.
  • Almond Crunch Delight: Incorporate toasted almond slivers between layers and mix ground almonds into the whipped cream for extra texture.

Pairings That Work Perfectly With Easy Strawberry Shortcake Trifle

  • Savor Sweet Wine Pairing: Moscato d'Asti complements the strawberry shortcake trifle with its light, sweet bubbles and delicate fruity notes that enhance the dessert's strawberry essence.
  • Brew Perfect Coffee Match: Cold brew or vanilla-infused coffee balances the trifle's sweetness, providing a rich, smooth contrast that cleanses the palate between creamy bites.
  • Create Dessert Cocktail Companion: Strawberry bellini or champagne cocktail adds a celebratory touch, echoing the dessert's fruity profile while introducing a sophisticated sparkling element.
  • Enjoy Creamy Liqueur Option: Bailey's Irish Cream or strawberry liqueur drizzled over the trifle creates a decadent, smooth experience that amplifies the dessert's creamy texture and sweet profile.

Storage Tips For Easy Strawberry Shortcake Trifle

  • Carefully transfer leftover trifle to a sealed container, keeping it in the coldest part of the refrigerator. Consume within 2-3 days for best taste and texture.
  • Wrap individual portions tightly in plastic wrap, then place in a freezer-safe container. Freeze for up to 1 month, understanding that whipped cream might slightly separate upon thawing.
  • Remove frozen trifle from freezer and let it defrost slowly in the refrigerator overnight. Avoid room temperature thawing to prevent soggy texture.
  • For best results, enjoy cold directly from the refrigerator. If slightly warmed is preferred, microwave in 10-second intervals, checking consistency to prevent separation of layers.

Easy Strawberry Shortcake Trifle FAQs

  • Can I use frozen strawberries instead of fresh ones?

Yes, you can use frozen strawberries. Thaw them completely and drain excess liquid before mixing with sugar and lemon juice to prevent the trifle from becoming too watery.

  • How do I know when my whipped cream is ready?

The whipped cream is ready when it forms stiff peaks. This means when you lift the beater, the cream stands up straight without falling over, creating a firm, glossy texture.

  • What type of cake works best for this trifle?

Yellow cake is traditional, but you can use white cake, pound cake, or even angel food cake. The key is to choose a cake that can absorb the strawberry syrup without falling apart.

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Easy Strawberry Shortcake Trifle Recipe

Easy Strawberry Shortcake Trifle Recipe


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4.9 from 18 reviews

  • Total Time: Approximately 3 hours
  • Yield: 8 1x

Description

Delightful strawberry shortcake trifle brings classic summer dessert layers into one irresistible bowl. Creamy mascarpone, fresh berries, and crumbled shortbread create a luscious treat that will have guests asking for seconds.


Ingredients

Scale

Primary Ingredients:

  • 1 box yellow cake mix
  • 2 eggs
  • 1 cup (240 milliliters) water
  • 1/2 cup (120 milliliters) vegetable oil

Dairy Components:

  • 8 ounces (226 grams) cream cheese, softened
  • 1 cup (240 milliliters) heavy whipping cream

Fruit and Finishing Ingredients:

  • 4 cups (600 grams) fresh strawberries, sliced
  • 1 cup (200 grams) powdered sugar
  • 1 teaspoon vanilla extract

Instructions

  1. Prepare the cake base by mixing yellow cake mix with eggs, water, and vegetable oil according to package instructions. Bake in a greased pan at recommended temperature until golden and a toothpick comes out clean. Allow cake to cool completely, then slice into uniform bite-sized cubes.
  2. Transform fresh strawberries by removing stems and slicing into elegant pieces. Combine sliced strawberries with granulated sugar and a splash of lemon juice. Let the mixture rest for 15-20 minutes, allowing natural juices to develop a vibrant, sweet syrup.
  3. Create luxurious whipped cream using a chilled mixing bowl. Whip heavy cream with powdered sugar and vanilla extract until peaks form that hold their shape definitively, creating a light and airy texture.
  4. Construct the trifle by strategically layering components in a clear glass dish or individual serving vessels. Alternate between tender cake cubes, macerated strawberry mixture with its syrupy essence, and billowy whipped cream. Repeat layers, ensuring each component is evenly distributed.
  5. Enhance flavor development by refrigerating the assembled trifle for a minimum of 2 hours. This resting period allows ingredients to meld and intensify their complementary taste profiles.
  6. Present the dessert beautifully by garnishing with additional fresh strawberry slices. Serve directly from the refrigerator for optimal taste and visual appeal.

Notes

  • Ensure cake is completely cooled to prevent whipped cream from melting during layering.
  • Use room temperature strawberries for maximum flavor release and natural sweetness.
  • Choose fresh, ripe strawberries with deep red color for the most vibrant taste and presentation.
  • For gluten-free version, substitute yellow cake mix with gluten-free cake mix or almond flour cake.
  • Prep Time: 25-30 minutes
  • Cook Time: 25-35 minutes
  • Category: Desserts
  • Method: Baking
  • Cuisine: American

Nutrition

  • Serving Size: 8
  • Calories: 292kcal
  • Sugar: 22g
  • Sodium: 250mg
  • Fat: 13g
  • Saturated Fat: 2g
  • Unsaturated Fat: 10g
  • Trans Fat: 0g
  • Carbohydrates: 38g
  • Fiber: 1g
  • Protein: 3g
  • Cholesterol: 30mg
Samantha Lee

Samantha Lee

Recipe Developer & Content Creator

Expertise

Plant-based and vegetarian recipes, Recipe testing and development, Food blogging and digital content creation, Culinary education and workshops​

Education

Oregon Culinary Institute (Portland, OR)

  • Program: Diploma in Culinary Arts
  • Focus: Emphasized plant-based cooking, global cuisines, and recipe testing methodologies.​

Samantha sees cooking like painting, every fresh herb, every juicy tomato, a new splash of color on a canvas.
After graduating from Oregon Culinary Institute, she blended her love of global cuisines and plant-based cooking into recipes that feel fresh, fearless, and full of heart.
Samantha’s kitchen is a place where comfort food gets a modern remix and every meal feels like a little adventure. When she’s not cooking, she’s out exploring farmers’ markets, sketching new recipe ideas, or getting her hands dirty in a community garden.

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