StrawBerry Trifle

Strawberry trifle is a show-stopping dessert that’s perfect for any occasion. Whether you’re hosting a holiday party, attending a potluck, or just craving a sweet treat, this recipe is a winner. It’s a beautiful layered dessert featuring soft pound cake, juicy strawberries, and fluffy whipped cream. A true crowd-pleaser!

This classic dessert is easy to assemble, yet looks elegant and impressive. I learned the basics from my mom, but over the years I’ve personalized my strawberry trifle with a few special touches. My secret? Homemade whipped cream with a hint of vanilla! It takes the flavor to the next level. Believe me, this dessert disappears quickly, especially with my kids around! If you’re looking for other delicious desserts, try this fresh strawberry pie recipe.

Why this Strawberry Trifle is Special

This strawberry trifle recipe stands out because it focuses on fresh, ripe strawberries. You’ll taste the difference! The simple, homemade pound cake provides a perfect base, letting the natural sweetness of the berries shine through. The beautiful layers make it a stunning centerpiece for any gathering. For a fun twist, consider making chocolate covered strawberries as a complementary treat.

Ingredients

Here’s what you’ll need to create this delicious strawberry trifle. I like to gather everything before I start, so I’m not scrambling mid-recipe!

For the Pound Cake:

• 1 cup (2 sticks) unsalted butter, softened
• 2 cups granulated sugar
• 4 large eggs
• 3 cups all-purpose flour
• 1 teaspoon baking powder
• 1/2 teaspoon salt
• 1 cup milk
• 1 teaspoon vanilla extract

For the Strawberry Filling:

• 4 cups fresh strawberries, hulled and sliced
• 1/2 cup granulated sugar
• 1 tablespoon lemon juice

For the Whipped Cream:

• 2 cups heavy whipping cream, chilled
• 1/4 cup powdered sugar
• 1 teaspoon vanilla extract

For Assembly (Optional Garnishes):

• Fresh strawberries, sliced
• Mint sprigs
• Toasted slivered almonds

Instructions

Let’s get baking! These instructions are easy to follow, even for beginner bakers. You can also try other breakfast options like this delicious breakfast burrito.

Making the Pound Cake:

1. Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Grease and flour a 9×13 inch baking pan. This will prevent the cake from sticking.
2. In a large bowl, cream together the softened butter and sugar until light and fluffy. This usually takes a few minutes with an electric mixer.
3. Beat in the eggs one at a time, then stir in the vanilla extract.
4. In a separate bowl, whisk together the flour, baking powder, and salt.
5. Gradually add the dry ingredients to the wet ingredients, alternating with the milk, beginning and ending with the dry ingredients. Mix until just combined. Be careful not to overmix!
6. Pour the batter into the prepared pan and bake for 30-35 minutes, or until a wooden skewer inserted into the center comes out clean.
7. Let the cake cool in the pan for 10 minutes before inverting it onto a wire rack to cool completely.

Preparing the Strawberry Filling:

1. In a medium bowl, combine the sliced strawberries, sugar, and lemon juice.
2. Gently toss to coat the strawberries.
3. Let the mixture sit at room temperature for at least 30 minutes, or up to 2 hours, to allow the strawberries to macerate and release their juices. This creates a delicious, syrupy filling. If you enjoy fruity desserts, you might also like this blueberry shortcake recipe.

Making the Whipped Cream:

1. In a chilled bowl, beat the heavy whipping cream with an electric mixer until soft peaks form. Make sure your cream is cold for best results.
2. Gradually add the powdered sugar and vanilla extract, continuing to beat until stiff peaks form. Don’t overbeat, or you’ll end up with butter! For more information on whipped cream, check out this external resource: Heavy Cream vs. Whipping Cream.

Assembling the Trifle:

1-Cut the cooled pound cake into 1-inch cubes.

2-In a trifle bowl or large glass bowl, create the first layer by arranging half of the pound cake cubes in an even layer.

3-Spoon half of the strawberry filling (including the juices) over the pound cake layer.

4-Top with half of the whipped cream.

5-Repeat the layers: pound cake, strawberry filling, and whipped cream.

6-Garnish with fresh strawberries, mint sprigs, and toasted almonds, if desired.

7-Chill for at least 2 hours before serving to allow the flavors to meld. This step is important for the best taste! Looking for other chilled desserts? Check out this chocolate peanut butter pie recipe.

Tips and Variations

Here are a few tips and variations to help you create the perfect strawberry trifle. For health-conscious choices, explore these healthy dessert options.

Tips for Success:

• Room Temperature Ingredients: Using room temperature butter and eggs for the pound cake will help create a smoother batter and a more even rise.
• Whipping Cream: Make sure your heavy cream is well-chilled before whipping. Use a chilled bowl and beaters, too! This will help you achieve those perfect stiff peaks.
• Chilling Time: Chilling the trifle for at least 2 hours allows the flavors to meld and the cake to soak up the delicious strawberry juices. This is key for the best flavor and texture!
• Cake Layer: Don’t worry about making the pound cake layers perfectly even. The beauty of a trifle is its rustic charm!

Variations:

• Berrylicious: Feel free to use other berries, like raspberries, blueberries, or blackberries, in addition to or instead of strawberries. A mixed berry trifle is always a hit! If you love raspberries, consider making raspberry sauce to drizzle over your trifle.
• Creamy Layers: Add a layer of vanilla custard or instant pudding for extra richness and creaminess. My kids love this addition.
• Angel Food Cake: For a lighter trifle, substitute angel food cake for the pound cake. It creates a delicate and airy texture.
• Boozy Trifle (for the adults!): Add a splash of Grand Marnier, Chambord, or your favorite liqueur to the strawberry filling for a sophisticated twist. Just be sure to omit this if serving to children.
• Sweetness Level: Adjust the amount of sugar in the strawberry filling and whipped cream to your liking. If your berries are extra sweet, you might want to use less sugar.

FAQ

Here are some frequently asked questions about making strawberry trifle:

How to make homemade strawberry trifle?

This recipe provides a complete guide to making a homemade strawberry trifle from scratch. It includes easy-to-follow instructions for baking the pound cake, preparing the juicy strawberry filling, whipping the cream, and assembling the trifle for a beautiful presentation.

Is it better to make a trifle the day before or day of?

Making the trifle the day before is often preferred. This allows the flavors to blend together beautifully and the cake to absorb the strawberry juices, resulting in a richer, more flavorful dessert. However, wait to add the whipped cream until just before serving to prevent it from getting soggy.

What are the layers of a trifle recipe?

A traditional trifle usually includes layers of cake, fruit (or jam/jelly), custard, and whipped cream. This particular recipe uses layers of moist pound cake, a sweet and tangy strawberry filling, and homemade whipped cream. You can adjust the layers to your preference.

What jelly is best for trifle?

This recipe doesn’t call for jelly, focusing on fresh strawberries instead. But if you’d like to add a layer of jelly, red currant jelly or strawberry jelly pairs nicely with the strawberries. Seedless raspberry jam is another delicious option.

Serving and Storage

Here’s how to serve and store your delicious strawberry trifle:

Serving Suggestions:

This trifle is best served chilled. Scoop generous portions into individual dessert bowls or glasses. It’s a delightful treat for any occasion. A single recipe typically serves 8-10 people. This dessert pairs well with a scoop of vanilla ice cream, a dollop of extra whipped cream, or a simple glass of chilled milk or sparkling wine.

Storage Advice:

Store leftover trifle in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. The whipped cream may soften slightly over time, but the trifle will still be delicious. For best results, I recommend assembling the trifle a day in advance (without the whipped cream) and adding the whipped cream just before serving.

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