Strawberry Cheesecake Trifle

This easy strawberry trifle recipe features dreamy cake layers, juicy strawberries, and creamy pudding. 

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This strawberry trifle is a spectacular, decadent-looking layered dessert that you won’t be able to resist. Layers of cake, juicy ripe strawberries, and a cheesecake pudding mixture will make this fantastic dessert the highlight of your meal. 

Strawberry Cheesecake Trifle Ingredients

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The cake’s strawberry essence, cream cheese’s richness, and the airy whipped cream create a perfect balance of sweet, fruity, and creamy flavors in this strawberry trifle.

You’ll need: 

• 1 strawberry cake (use a cake mix and bake in a 9×13-inch baking dish for ease), cooled completely
• 8 ounces of cream cheese, softened
• 1 tablespoon of vanilla extract
• 1 (3.4-ounce) package of instant cheesecake pudding mix (unprepared)
• 3½ cups of heavy whipping cream, divided into 1½ cups and 2 cups
• ¾ cup of powdered sugar, divided into ½ cup and ¼ cup
• 2 pounds of fresh strawberries, stems removed and sliced

PRO TIP:

I do not recommend using frozen fruit for this recipe. It will soak into the cake as it thaws, turning it into mush. Fresh fruit is best for this simple strawberry trifle.

Strawberry Cheesecake Trifle Substitutions And Additions

CREAM: You can substitute milk for a portion (up to half) of the heavy cream in the cream cheese/pudding mixture.

This will make a slightly lighter cream, and it will also be a bit thinner. 

PUDDING: Substitute vanilla pudding mix or white chocolate pudding mix for the cheesecake pudding in this delicious recipe. Be sure to use instant pudding mix. 

FRUIT: You could use any combination of your favorite fruit for your trifle dessert. 

CAKE: If you can’t find strawberry cake, you can substitute white cake or vanilla cake in your trifle.

FRESH STRAWBERRIES: While fresh strawberries are wonderful, you can experiment with other berries or fruits like raspberries, blueberries, or sliced peaches for a different twist on the trifle.

ADDITIONS: Get creative with additions like chocolate chips, crushed cookies, or chopped nuts between the layers for added texture and flavor.

How To Make Strawberry Trifle With Cream Cheese

Let’s have a look at creating each layer of this delightful and delicious dessert.

STEP ONE: Remove the cooled cake from the baking dish and slice it into ¾ to 1-inch cubes. Set aside. 

STEP TWO: In a large bowl, use a hand mixer to beat together the softened cream cheese and vanilla extract until smooth. 

STEP THREE: Beat in the pudding mix until thoroughly combined. The mixture will be thick and lumpy. 

STEP FOUR: Slowly drizzle in 1½ cups of the heavy cream, beating on low speed constantly.

Fully incorporate each drizzle of cream (about ⅛ cup at a time) before adding the next drizzle.

STEP FIVE: When the cream cheese/pudding mixture is smooth and creamy, add a half cup of powdered sugar and beat until combined. 

STEP SIX: Add fresh strawberries to the mixture, reserving about one cup of the strawberries for the top of the trifle. 

STEP SEVEN: In a large bowl or trifle dish, build the trifle by layering a third of the cake cubes, then about half of the strawberries and cream mixture.

Next, another layer of cake cubes, the remaining strawberry mixture, and then the final cake pieces. 

STEP EIGHT: In the bowl of a stand mixer (or you can use a hand mixer), use the whisk attachment to beat the remaining two cups of heavy cream until soft peaks begin to form.

Add the remaining quarter cup of powdered sugar and continue beating until the whipped cream forms stiff peaks. 

STEP NINE: Mound or pipe big dollops of whipped cream around the top of the trifle. Pile the reserved strawberry slices in the center.

Pipe one more dollop of whipped cream in the center and top with a halved strawberry with the stem still attached (or decorate as desired).

How To Serve Strawberry Cream Cheese Trifle

This strawberry dessert would be a beautiful centerpiece for a special occasion. Serve it when the strawberries are plentiful and juicy, and you will have an out-of-this-world dessert.

Add an extra dollop of whipped topping before serving it to your guests. 

You could also scoop a generous serving of vanilla ice cream into a bowl and top it with a spoonful of your strawberry trifle.

Can’t get enough of tasty trifles? Our vanilla trifle is a classic, and our chocolate trifle is a chocolate lover’s dream. 

MORE STRAWBERRY RECIPES

Fudge Recipes

Strawberry Shortcake Fudge

Pie Recipes

Strawberry Cool Whip Pie

Storing Strawberry Trifle

Here are some handy tips for storing your trifle to enjoy later:

MAKE AHEAD: If you want to plan ahead, you can prepare the trifle a day before serving.

Assemble all the layers in your trifle dish, cover it with plastic wrap, and store it in the fridge.

However, for the best texture and freshness, I recommend adding the final garnish and any fragile toppings, like fresh strawberries, just before serving.

IN THE FRIDGE: Cover the strawberry shortcake trifle with plastic wrap or store it in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to three days. 

IN THE FREEZER: We don’t recommend freezing leftover strawberry cheesecake trifle as the cake will end up soggy once thawed. 

Why We Love This Recipe

SENSATIONAL STRAWBERRY FLAVOR: This trifle celebrates the sweet, juicy essence of fresh strawberries. Every bite is a burst of fruity delight that’s simply irresistible.

VISUALLY STUNNING: With its vibrant layers of cake, creamy filling, and bright red strawberries, this trifle is a showstopper on any dessert table.

SIMPLE TO ASSEMBLE: Despite its impressive presentation, this recipe is incredibly easy to make. It’s a beginner-friendly dessert that looks and tastes like it was crafted by a pro.

Light and refreshing, your family will devour this strawberry trifle. Sweet strawberries, moist cake, and custardy pudding make this a creamy treat for a special occasion. 

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Strawberry Trifle with Cream Cheese

5 from 10 votes

This easy strawberry trifle recipe features dreamy cake layers, juicy strawberries, and creamy pudding. 

Prep Time 20 minutes minutes

Total Time 20 minutes minutes

Servings 8

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Ingredients

  

1x2x3x

• 1 strawberry cake, use a cake mix and bake in a 9×13 baking dish for ease, cooled completely
• 8 ounces cream cheese, softened
• 1 tablespoon vanilla extract
• 3.4 ounces cheesecake pudding mix (unprepared)
• 3½ cups heavy whipping cream, divided into 1½ cups and 2 cups
• ¾ cup powdered sugar, divided into ½ cup and ¼ cup
• 2 pounds fresh strawberries, stems removed and sliced

Instructions

 

• Remove cooled cake from baking dish and slice into ¾ to 1-inch cubes. Set aside.
• In a large mixing bowl, use a hand mixer to beat together the cream cheese and vanilla extract until smooth.
• Beat in the pudding mix until fully combined. The mixture will be thick and lumpy.
• Slowly drizzle in 1½ cups of the heavy cream, beating on low constantly and fully incorporating each drizzle of cream (about ⅛ cup at a time) before adding the next drizzle.
• When the cream cheese/pudding mixture is smooth and creamy, add ½ cup of powdered sugar and beat until combined.
• Add fresh strawberries to the mixture, reserving about 1 cup of the strawberries for the top of the trifle.
• Build the trifle by layering ⅓ of the cake cubes, then about ½ of the strawberries and cream mixture, another layer of cake pieces, the remaining strawberry mixture, and then the final cake pieces.
• In the bowl of a stand mixer (or you can use a hand mixer), use the whisk attachment to beat the remaining two cups of heavy cream until soft peaks begin to form. Add the remaining ¼ cup of powdered sugar and continue beating until the whipped cream forms stiff peaks.
• Mound or pipe big dollops of the whipped cream around the top of the trifle. Pile the reserved strawberry slices in the center. Pipe one more dollop of whipped cream in the center and top with a halved strawberry with the stem still attached (or decorate as desired).

Notes

• I do not recommend using frozen fruit for this recipe. It will soak into the cake as it thaws, turning it into mush. Fresh fruit is best for this simple strawberry trifle.
• Make sure the cream cheese is at room temperature when you add it.
• If you do not drizzle the cream in while mixing, it will be really difficult to get all of the lumps out of the creamy mixture.
• You can also layer the cream and strawberries separately, but it’s easy just to mix them all together.

Nutrition

Calories: 813kcal | Carbohydrates: 79g | Protein: 6g | Fat: 53g | Saturated Fat: 31g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 2g | Monounsaturated Fat: 14g | Cholesterol: 174mg | Sodium: 663mg | Potassium: 293mg | Fiber: 2g | Sugar: 53g | Vitamin A: 1925IU | Vitamin C: 67mg | Calcium: 214mg | Iron: 2mg

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