Strawberry Cheesecake Trifle

This stunning Strawberry Cheesecake Trifle is a make ahead dessert that’s always a crowd pleaser. It’s filled with layers of sweet strawberries, angel food cake and a luscious cheesecake filling. Serve it for any special occasion when show stopping desserts are on the menu.

Ingredients to Make Strawberry Cheesecake Trifle Recipe

This impressive strawberry trifle is a cinch to make. It features the flavors of strawberries and cream and it serves a crowd. This layered confection features cake pieces, layer of strawberries and a creamy cheesecake filling in each bite. Depending on the size and depth of the trifle bowl used, the layers could come together differently, so consider the size of the bowl you’re using when separating the ingredients into layers. It’s a fun dessert to make and serve and there’s never a spoonful leftover.

Key ingredients to make simple Strawberry Cheesecake Trifle: (Scroll down for full printable recipe card.)

• Strawberry Layer – Fresh diced strawberries mixed with one can of premium strawberry pie filling, plus 1/3 cup sugar and lemon juice to macerate the strawberries.
• Cheesecake Layer – Cream cheese, powdered sugar, heavy whipping cream and vanilla extract. No instant pudding mix needed!
• Cake – One baked angel food cake cooled and cubed. You can bake it from scratch using my recipe or using a box of angel food cake mix baked in a 13×9-inch pan. You could also purchase one at the grocery store bakery. If you prefer pound cake, you can use my buttermilk pound cake recipe for the cake layer.

How to Make the Best Strawberry Cheesecake Trifle Recipe

• Prep Strawberries – Hull and cube the strawberries.
• Macerate the Strawberries – Mix together the cubed strawberries with 1/3 cup granulated sugar and 1 juiced lemon. Stir well then set aside to macerate for 10 minutes.
• Add Pie Filling – Add the strawberry pie filling to the macerated strawberries, mix well then set aside until assembling the trifle.
• Make the Cheesecake Layer – Whip together the cream cheese with powdered sugar and heavy cream plus the vanilla extract until combined.
• Make Whipped Cream – In a separate bowl, use the mixer to whip the remaining heavy cream with powdered sugar and vanilla. Whip until stiff peaks form, don’t overbeat.
• Combine – Fold 2 cups of the whipped cream into the cheesecake mixture by hand. Reserve the remaining whipped cream for the top.
• Assemble – In a large glass bowl or trifle dish assemble alternate layers of cake cubes, strawberry mixture and cream cheese mixture in that order. Repeat until all ingredients have been used.
• Decorate the Top – Frost the top with the reserved whipped cream and garnish as desired.
• Refrigerator – Chill for at least 4 hours or overnight, prior to serving.

Kitchen Equipment to Make Strawberry Cheesecake Trifle

• Kitchen Tools You’ll Need: A stand mixer or a hand mixer, measuring cups and spoons, a strawberry huller, sharp knife and cutting board, large trifle dish, large bowl, medium bowl, large spoon.

Recipe Variations, Tips and Variations

• Angel Food Cake Substitutions – You could use a strawberry cake or a pound cake for the cake layers in this trifle.
• Flavorings – For the cheesecake layer, you could replace some of the vanilla extract with almond extract or strawberry extract.
• Fresh Berries – You could add a layer, or two, of fresh blueberries for a red, white and blue trifle.
• Why Use Pie Filling? It’s a shortcut hack to make the strawberry layer more pie-like. If you want to adapt using one of the packets of premade strawberry glaze found in the produce department, you could.
• Decorate the Top to Suit Your Taste: You don’t have to get super fancy with the whipped cream on top. It’s perfectly fine to frost the top just as you would a cake using cool whip and decorate it with fresh strawberries.
• No Trifle Bowl? Use a Large Glass Bowl – If you don’t have a trifle bowl, any large glass bowl will do. It should be able to hold at least 4-6 quarts. My rule of thumb with trifle bowls is to go larger, rather than smaller. A large bowl is still pretty if the filling doesn’t go to the top but a small bowl overfilled is never a good idea.
• Serving Options – You can serve this strawberry trifle at birthday parties, potluck gatherings and of course, for the holidays. I make this trifle year-round when I can get my hands on sweet strawberries. Add blueberries and it’s perfect for July 4th!

Storage and Leftovers

• Leftovers – Store Strawberry Trifle covered with plastic wrap chilled in the refrigerator for up to 4 days.
• Freezer – You can freeze leftovers by scooping it into a freezer safe container. Store trifle frozen for up to 2 months, thawing in the fridge prior to serving. It won’t be as pretty, but it will still taste delicious.

 

More Strawberry Desserts To Make

Fresh strawberries tend to be readily available year-round. For more ways to add strawberries to the dessert menu check-out these recipes:

• My Strawberries and Cream Poke Cake is dressed to impress.
•  Black Bottomed Strawberry Cheesecake Pie has a surprise chocolate layer hidden inside.
• Easy Strawberry Layer Cake is pretty in pink.
• Easy Strawberry Parfaits are beautiful and delicious.
• Classic Strawberry Shortcake is one the whole family will love.
• Cool down on a summer day with no churn Strawberry Shortcake Ice Cream.
• Fresh Strawberry Coffee Cake is a spectacular treat with a cup of coffee or hot tea.
• Strawberry Cookies from An Edible Mosaic.

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Helpful Kitchen Items:

• Mixer
• Mixing Bowls
• Measuring Set
• Trifle Bowl