Description

This Strawberry Trifle with Cream Cheese is a luscious and visually stunning layered dessert featuring tender strawberry cake cubes, a creamy cream cheese and cheesecake pudding mixture with fresh strawberries, and fluffy homemade whipped cream. Perfect for celebrations or a refreshing treat, this trifle combines sweetness and tartness with a smooth texture and colorful presentation.

Ingredients

Scale

Cake

1 strawberry cake (use a cake mix baked 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, divided)

Whipped Cream

2 cups heavy whipping cream
¼ cup powdered sugar
½ pound fresh strawberries (reserved for topping, stems removed and sliced)

Instructions

Prepare Cake Cubes: Remove the cooled strawberry cake from the baking dish and slice it into ¾ to 1-inch cubes. Set these aside for assembling the trifle layers.
Mix Cream Cheese and Vanilla: In a large mixing bowl, using a hand mixer, beat together the softened cream cheese and vanilla extract until the mixture is smooth and creamy.
Add Pudding Mix: Beat in the unprepared cheesecake pudding mix until it is fully combined with the cream cheese. The mixture will become thick and slightly lumpy.
Incorporate Heavy Cream Gradually: Slowly drizzle in 1½ cups of heavy whipping cream in small increments (about ⅛ cup at a time) while beating continuously on low speed. Make sure each addition is fully incorporated before adding more; this helps create a smooth, creamy texture.
Sweeten the Mixture: Add ½ cup powdered sugar to the cream cheese and pudding mixture and beat until well combined.
Add Strawberries: Gently fold the sliced fresh strawberries into the creamy mixture, reserving about 1 cup of the strawberries for decorating the top of the trifle later.
Layer the Trifle: In a large trifle dish or bowl, begin by layering one-third of the cake cubes. Then add about half of the strawberry and cream cheese mixture on top. Repeat with another layer of cake cubes and the remaining strawberry mixture, finishing with the last layer of cake cubes.
Prepare Whipped Cream Topping: Using a stand mixer fitted with a whisk attachment or a hand mixer, beat the remaining 2 cups of heavy cream until soft peaks start to form. Add the remaining ¼ cup powdered sugar and continue beating until stiff peaks form.
Decorate the Trifle: Spoon or pipe large dollops of the whipped cream over the top of the trifle. Arrange the reserved strawberry slices in the center, then add one more dollop of whipped cream on top. Garnish with a halved strawberry with the stem intact or arrange as desired.

Notes

For best results, chill the trifle for at least 2 hours before serving to allow flavors to meld and layers to set.
You can substitute homemade strawberry cake or any store-bought strawberry cake mix for convenience.
Use fresh strawberries for optimal flavor and texture; frozen strawberries may become too watery.
For a lighter version, consider using reduced-fat cream cheese and heavy cream, but note the texture may be less rich.
This trifle can be prepared a day ahead and stored covered in the refrigerator.
Adjust powdered sugar quantity to your preferred sweetness level.

Prep Time: 25 minutes
Cook Time: 30 minutes (for baking cake)
Category: Dessert
Method: No-Cook
Cuisine: American

Keywords: strawberry trifle, cream cheese dessert, layered dessert, strawberry cake, no-bake trifle, whipped cream dessert