Strawberry Shortcake Trifle

Juicy strawberries, blueberries and blackberries are layered with soft cubes of angel food cake and fluffy homemade whipped cream in this tempting summer must-make! Nothing brings people together like a Strawberry Shortcake Trifle.

Want more light summer dessert recipes? Try out this Berry Tart with Almond Crust or my Grilled Pineapple with Coconut Ice Cream.

The Best No-Bake Dessert for Summer Celebrations

Strawberry shortcake is such an irresistible treat, and this easy recipe turns it into a decadent layered trifle! My Pillowy Homemade Whipped Cream, delicate angel food cake and fresh summer berries make it stand out on any dessert table. Instead of using strictly strawberries, this trifle incorporates blueberries and blackberries for triple the fruity delight.

As an added bonus, the red and blue berries with the pearly whipped cream make this no-bake dessert work wonderfully for patriotic holidays. I frequently turn to this trifle when I need a crowd-favorite goodie with very little effort involved. It comes together in 15 minutes or less!

What Are the Layers in a Trifle?

Traditional English trifles are typically layered with cream, fruit, jelly, custard, and morsels of sponge cake or pound cake. Generally speaking, a trifle can be taken in tons of different directions – most Americans simply know it as a scoop-able layered dessert served in a large, clear dish. This recipe takes inspiration from the traditional end while also forging its own path with angel food cake, berries and whipped cream composing the layers.

Recipe Ingredients

Believe it or not, this show-stopping dessert uses only 5 ingredients! Scroll down to the recipe card for specifics.

• Pre-Made Angel Food Bundt Cake: You should be able to find this in the bakery section at your local grocery store. Cut the cake into 1-inch cubes.
• Homemade Whipped Cream: In a pinch, you can use Cool Whip instead – but I wouldn’t. My 3-Ingredient Whipped Cream is practically effortless and well worth the extra 5 minutes of work!
• Blackberries
• Blueberries
• Strawberries: Hulled and sliced.

Can I Use Frozen Berries?

Frozen and thawed berries will work for this recipe, but they won’t provide the same level of juicy goodness as their fresh counterparts. Best case scenario, all of the berries would be locally sourced to ensure maximum freshness. If they’re out of season, I suggest picking up some imported ones from the supermarket.

How to Make Strawberry Shortcake Trifle

Once your whipped cream is ready, your cake is cubed and your strawberries are sliced, making this trifle is just a matter of layering. It truly couldn’t get any easier!

Assemble First Cake Layer: Line the bottom of a trifle dish or a large glass bowl with 1/3 of the cake cubes until you can no longer see the bottom. This is your first layer.

Add Whipped Cream: Spread on 1/3 of the whipped cream to completely cover the angel food cake layer.

Add Berries: Add 1/3 of the berries in an even layer on top of the whipped cream.

Continue Layering: Continue with the layering process of angel food cake, whipped cream and berries until all 3 layers have been added.

Enjoy! Scoop out individual servings of strawberry shortcake trifle, transfer them to plates and serve.

Tips for Success

Take a quick second to review the helpful notes below. Then it’s on to strawberry shortcake bliss!

• Wash the Fruit: All fresh berries should be rinsed off and thoroughly dried before they’re used. You never know when pesticides may be present, and no one wants to consume a bunch of chemicals.
• Macerate the Strawberries: Strawberry shortcake is often made with macerated berries, or strawberries that have been tossed with sugar to help them soften up and release their juices. Macerating your strawberries is especially helpful when they aren’t as sweet as you’d like them to be. To do this, simply mix the sliced berries with about 1/3 cup of sugar and allow them to rest for 20-30 minutes. All that lovely juice will soak into the angel food cake for a serious boost of strawberry delight!
• Chill if Not Serving Immediately: Transfer your finished trifle to the fridge if you’re not serving it on the spot. This helps everything stay nice and fresh, especially during those warm summer months.

Variation Ideas

One of my favorite things about trifles is their flexibility. Here are a few fun ways to put your own spin on this recipe:

• Substitute Angel Food Cake for Pound Cake
• Add a Layer of Strawberry Jam
• Layer Into Glasses for Pre-Portioned Servings
• Use Raspberries Instead of Blackberries
• Incorporate Crushed Graham Crackers
• Swap Out Whipped Cream for Vanilla Pudding

How to Store Extras

If you’re lucky enough to have any leftover trifle, keep it sealed in an airtight container in the fridge. It’ll stay fresh for up to 3 days, but the texture of the whipped cream will loosen up over time. In terms of freezing, I wouldn’t try it – the trifle really wouldn’t be the same after thawing.

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More Scrumptious Strawberry Treats to Try

Want more berry goodness? Make these masterpieces next.

• Homemade Strawberry Basil Frozen Yogurt
• Strawberry Chia Pudding
• Skinny Mini Cheesecakes With Strawberry Sauce
• Easy Strawberry Oatmeal Bars

DON’T MISS A RECIPE ->

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