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Birthday Cake Funfetti Trifle

This colorful Birthday Cake Funfetti Trifle recipe is the perfect excuse to party like it’s your birthday any day of the year. This funfetti trifle is a celebration dessert that’s both fun to make and eat.

Birthday Cake Funfetti Trifle


Easy Birthday Cake Funfetti Trifle Recipe

It’s no secret I love baking and most often, I choose to bake completely from scratch.  It’s a passion for me that was born from the sheer joy of taking simple ingredients from my pantry and turning them into something amazing. I also know there are moments that it’s completely fine to take advantage of convenience items to make life a little easier. That’s where this trifle comes in. If just saying the phrase birthday cake makes your heart flutter then this funfetti trifle is for you! It’s made with layers of cake, confetti sprinkles and lots of whipped cream. How to make Birthday Cake Trifle: (Scroll down for full printable recipe.)

  • Cake Batter – Prepare the cake per the package instructions using a 13×9 inch baking pan. Mix 1/2 cup rainbow sprinkles into the batter by hand. Bake per the instructions and cool completely. Cool then cut into 1-inch cubes. Set aside.
  • Pudding Mix – Using an electric mixer, whip together both packages of pudding mix with milk or half and half in a medium-size mixing bowl. Pour into another container. Set aside.
  • Cream Cheese Layer – In the same medium-size mixing bowl cream together the cream cheese with whipped topping just until combined.
  • Combine – Add the pudding to the whipped creamed cheese mixture whipping to combine.
  • Assemble the Trifle – Layer the cake and mousse in a 4 quart trifle bowl or large glass bowl beginning with a layer of cake. Divide the cubed cake into thirds and the cheesecake mousse in half. Line the edge of the bowl with cubed cake and roughly crumble the cake in the center.
  • Sprinkle each layer of cheesecake mousse with additional sprinkles.
  • Whipped Cream – Frost the top with the remaining whipped topping, garnish with sprinkles and Oreo cookies, as desired.
  • Chill for at least 4 hours before serving. Store leftovers chilled.
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How to Make the Best Birthday Cake Funfetti Trifle Recipe

When do you serve a birthday cake trifle? Well first of all,  it doesn’t have to be your birthday. You can use this trifle recipe as a dessert for any special occasion from picnics, church and office potlucks, baby and bridal showers, graduation parties, the holidays and more. If it’s a celebration, this funfetti trifle will be the talk of the table. It’s a party in a bowl.

  • Ingredients you’ll need to make this recipe for Birthday Cake Funfetti Trifle: One box of golden vanilla or vanilla cake mix, rainbow sprinkles instant cheesecake pudding mix, whole milk or half and half, plain cream cheese, Cool whip and birthday cake Oreo cookies for garnishing.
  • Kitchen tools you’ll need: Large bowl, medium bowl, hand mixer or stand mixer, measuring cups and spoons, 13×9 inch pan, sharp knife and cutting board.
  • When using a cake mix for this birthday cake trifle I choose not to use the funfetti cake mix as I recommend that you use the same sprinkles in the cake as you use to garnish the cake. Should you prefer, you certainly can if you have sprinkles that match.
  • I have also made this birthday cake trifle using my from scratch  Old Fashioned Butter Cake recipe. That said, it’s perfectly delicious using a cake mix as demonstrated in the recipe for the cake layers. If I say so myself,  it’s pretty fantastic either way.
  • Rainbow sprinkles work wonderfully and they are everywhere you look. You can find them easily at grocery stores, baking supply and specialty stores, as well as big box stores such as Target and Walmart.
  • How do you doctor a cake mix? One cake mix rule of thumb that I live by is; to replace the amount of water called for on the package with buttermilk. It does wonders for the texture of the cake.
  • You can also add an extra egg and vanilla or almond flavoring to give the batter it a bit more flavor.
  • The easy cheesecake mousse in this trifle is simply delicious and the ingredients aren’t difficult to find.
  • You can assemble this trifle one day in advance, then cover and chill in the refrigerator.
  • Store leftover Birthday Cake Funfetti Trifle covered with plastic wrap in the refrigerator for up to 5 days.
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More Decadent Southern Trifle Recipes to Make

My love of trifles and birthday celebrations combined to make my day even more special this year, and not a spoonful of this crazy delicious birthday cake funfetti trifle was leftover. Trifles are an absolute love of mine and I have many other variations here on my website for you to try. See also a few from friends at the end of this list.

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Helpful Kitchen Items: 

Birthday Cake Funfetti Trifle

Prep Time25 minutes
Cook Time30 minutes
Chill Time4 hours
Total Time4 hours 55 minutes
Course: Dessert
Cuisine: American, Southern
Keyword: birthday-cake-funfetti-trifle
Servings: 16 servings
Calories: 434kcal
Author: Melissa Sperka

Ingredients

  • 1 15.25 oz box golden butter or vanilla cake mix plus ingredients to prepare
  • 1/2 cup rainbow sprinkles plus additional for garnishing
  • 2 3.4 oz boxes cheesecake instant pudding mix
  • 3 cups whole milk or half and half
  • 2 8 oz blocks cream cheese, softened
  • 1 16 oz Cool-Whip, thawed or 4 cups sweetened fresh whipped cream
  • 6 Birthday Cake Oreo Cookies for garnishing optional

Instructions

  • Prepare the cake per the package instructions using the amount of water, oil and eggs called for. Mix 1/2 cup rainbow sprinkles into the batter by hand. Bake in a 13×9 inch baking pan per the package instructions and cool completely. Cut into 1-inch cubes. Set aside.
  • Using an electric mixer, whip together both packages of pudding mix with 3 cups whole milk or half and half in a medium-size mixing bowl. Whip for 2 minutes or just until the pudding is beginning to thicken but is still pourable. Pour into another container. Set aside.
  • In the same medium-size mixing bowl cream together the cream cheese with 2 cups whipped topping or fresh whipped cream. Whip just until combined.
  • Add the pudding to the whipped creamed cheese mixture. Continue to whip on medium speed about 2 minutes or until smooth and fully combined.
  • Layer the cake and cheesecake mousse in a 4 quart trifle bowl or large glass bowl beginning with a layer of cake. Divide the cubed cake into thirds and the cheesecake mousse in half. Sprinkle each layer of mousse with additional sprinkles. Line the edge of the bowl with cubed cake and roughly crumble the cake in the center.
  • Frost the top with the remaining whipped topping, garnish with sprinkles and Oreo cookies, if desired.
  • Chill for at least 4 hours before serving. Store leftovers chilled.

Notes

!) When using cake mix use the same amount of buttermilk in place of the water called for on the package for added flavor.
2) To garnish the top of the trifle as pictured, (1) additional (8) oz container of whipped topping or 2 cups of fresh sweetened whipped cream will be needed.

Nutrition

Serving: 1serving | Calories: 434kcal | Carbohydrates: 52g | Protein: 4g | Fat: 19g | Saturated Fat: 14g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 1g | Monounsaturated Fat: 1g | Cholesterol: 5mg | Sodium: 448mg | Potassium: 64mg | Fiber: 1g | Sugar: 33g | Vitamin A: 74IU | Calcium: 53mg | Iron: 1mg
Tried this recipe?Mention @melissassk or tag #melissassk!

 

36 Comments

  1. 5 stars
    This was delicious and a big hit. I was unable to find the cheesecake pudding ( not sure if maybe that is a product only available in the US ) so I substituted vanilla pudding instead. I also added some sliced fresh strawberries and raspberries in between the layers. Will definitely make this again.

  2. I’m so excited to try this trifle for my boyfriend’s birthday! He loves funfetti cake and I’ve been looking for variations to try.

    I won’t have time to make the whole trifle on the day I need it, how much of it can be made in advance without compromising the final product?

    Thanks!

    1. You can make the cake 2 days in advance if needed, cool then wrap tightly and chill. Assemble the entire trifle the day before and keep chilled and you’ll be good to go. I hope he enjoys this one!

  3. I made this at Easter and it was such a huge hit, I didn’t have any leftovers to take home! I’m back to see your modifications to the box mix for a strawberry cake I’m going to make.

  4. Are you sure on the 2 x 3.4 oz l cheesecake pudding? Jello sells 1 oz boxes. I’ll need 7 boxes!

    1. I’m sorry but, you’re mistaken. Cheesecake instant pudding mix made by Jell-O brand comes in 3.4-oz boxes. You do indeed need 2 total.

      1. I just made this and didn’t even look at the pudding box weight. I used 2 boxes of Jello brand cheesecake pudding BUT I see that they are indeed 1 oz boxes. They are sugar-free however which is why the weight is off! I did not find any cheesecake pudding mix that was not sugar-free. 2 boxes was plenty! In fact my trifle bowl was not big enough and I forgot the last layer of cake, oops!

      2. Well, I’m glad the amount was OK but, I can’t say I’ve ever seen the sugar free in any size.

    1. If you’d like to transform milk into homemade buttermilk add 1 Tbsp of distilled white vinegar or fresh lemon juice to 1 cup of milk. Let it sit for 2 minutes and it will curdle and you’re good to go.

  5. How much Vanilla or Almond Extract would you recommend adding to the cake mix should I choose to do so?
    This Trifle Recipe sounds amazing. Can’t wait to try this trifle recipe since it’s so not the normal versions we’ve all had or tend to make.

    1. I add 1 teaspoon of vanilla or 1/2 to almond extract. Almond extract is strong so perhaps begin with 1/4 tsp and taste, then you can adjust to your personal taste.

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