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Outrageous Lemon Lovers Trifle

This Outrageous Lemon Lovers Trifle is a dessert filled with creamy irresistible citrus deliciousness. It starts with our family recipe for Lemon Lovers Pound Cake that’s liberally brushed with a homemade lemon simple syrup. The pound cake is cubed and then layered with fluffy lemon cream and whipped cream then garnished with fresh lemon slices. It’s outrageously delicious!

Outrageous Lemon Lovers Trifle

Easy Outrageous Lemon Trifle Recipe

I am a huge fan of trifles both sweet and savory. They fall into the category of edible centerpieces in my kitchen and I gravitate to them in various flavors when entertaining. I have several over-the-top trifle desserts on the website that remain fan favorites and this lemon trifle is no exception. How to make Outrageous Lemon Lovers Trifle: (Scroll down for full printable recipe.)

  • Make Lemon Syrup – In a small saucepan over medium-high heat the granulated sugar and lemon juice together. Stir until the sugar is completely dissolved then set aside to cool.
  • Filling – Whip both packets of Dream Whip with 2 cups of cold whole milk. Whip for 5 minutes or until soft peaks form.
  • Pudding Mx – Add both packages of lemon pudding and the remaining 1 cup of whole milk. Whip for 2-3 minutes until thickened.
  • Assemble – Divide the cubed cake in half. Begin with a layer of cubed cake on the bottom of the trifle bowl. Brush with 1/2 of the lemon syrup. Add a layer of lemon pudding and 1/2 of the whipped topping.
  • Repeat with cake, brush with lemon syrup, lemon pudding mixture ending with whipped topping.
  • Garnish – Sprinkle the top with grated white chocolate and garnish with lemon slice and fresh mint if desired.
  • Chill thoroughly for at least 4 hours prior to serving.
Outrageous Lemon Lovers Trifle

How to Make the Best Outrageous Lemon Lovers Trifle

When spring blooms so does this Outrageous Lemon Lovers Trifle in my Southern kitchen. It’s a happy flavor combination that’s spectacular for any occasion such as a bridal or baby shower, girls night with friends, Easter dinner, Mother’s Day, a casual backyard picnic, a church potluck and beyond.

  • Ingredients you’ll need to make Lemon Lovers Trifle recipe: Lemon pound cake and 1/2 cup granulated sugar and 1/2 cup lemon juice to make the simple syrup to brush on the cake layers. Whole milk or half and half plus 2 boxes of instant lemon pudding mix, Dream Whip mix, whipped cream or Cool Whip to frost the top and grated white chocolate and lemon slices to arrange on top.
  • Kitchen tools you’ll need: Large trifle bowl, stand mixer or hand mixer, large bowl, sharp knife and cutting board, measuring cups and spoons.
  • Let’s talk trifle bowls. I am a trifle lover and have a variety in different sizes. This is a big lemon trifle and you’ll need a 5 quart or larger bowl to make it. You can also use any large glass bowl to display the layers or in a pinch make it in a 13 x 9 inch dish. If you plan on purchasing a trifle dish now or in the future, my rule of thumb is go bigger not smaller.
  • You can make this trifle using a stand mixer or a hand mixer. A stand mixer makes light work of the extended amount of time it takes to fully whip the lemon filling. That said, either will work, of course.
  • Dream Whip is a dry whipped topping mix that’s readily available on the baking aisle of most grocery stores including stores like Walmart and Target. It’s an important ingredient to make the layers for this lemon trifle adding a creamy texture, volume and flavor.
  • You can make this trifle using my recipe for lemon lovers pound cake  or my lemon butter bundt cake.  If you’re pressed for time with no time to bake, you could use a lemon or vanilla cake from your local bakery in a pinch.
  • This trifle can be made one day in advance, then covered and chilled in the refrigerator. When doing so, wait and decorate and garnish the top until just before serving.
  • You can store leftovers chilled in the refrigerator for 3-5 days.
lemon Lovers Trifle ingredients

More Lemon Desserts and Trifle Recipes to Make

This stunning outrageous lemon trifle should be made and assembled in advance and thoroughly chilled to allow the flavors to become even more robust. It’s a happy dessert for a happy occasion. More lemon desserts you may like to try:

Outrageous Lemon Lovers Trifle

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Outrageous Lemon Lovers Trifle

Prep Time25 minutes
Chill Time4 hours
Total Time4 hours 25 minutes
Course: Dessert
Cuisine: American, Southern
Keyword: lemon-trifle-recipe, outrageous-lemon-lovers-trifle
Servings: 16 servings
Calories: 582kcal
Author: Melissa Sperka

Ingredients

  • 1 Lemon Lovers Pound Cake cut into 1-inch cubes
  • 1/2 cup granulated sugar
  • 1/2 cup fresh lemon juice
  • 1 2.7 oz box Dream Whip
  • 3 cup very cold whole milk divided
  • 2 3.4 oz boxes instant lemon pudding mix
  • 16 oz frozen whipped topping OR 4 cups fresh sweetened whipped cream
  • 2 Tbsp grated white chocolate
  • Lemon slices and sprigs of fresh mint for garnishing

Instructions

  • Lemon Syrup: In a small saucepan over medium-high mix the granulated sugar and lemon juice together. Stir until the sugar is completely dissolved then set aside to cool.
  • In the bowl of a stand mixer whip together both packets of Dream Whip [The box contains 2 envelopes use both] with 2 cups of cold milk. Whip for 5 minutes or until soft peaks form.
  • To the bowl add both packages of lemon pudding mix and the remaining 1 cup of milk. Whip for 2-3 minutes on medium high speed until thickened.
  • Assemble: Divide the cubed cake in half. On the bottom of the bowl begin with a layer of cubed cake. Brush the cake with 1/2 of the lemon syrup.
  • Add a layer of lemon pudding mixture and 1/2 of the whipped topping. Repeat with cubed cake, brush with lemon syrup, lemon pudding mixture ending with whipped topping.
  • Sprinkle the top with grated white chocolate and garnish with lemon slices and fresh mint, if desired.
  • Chill thoroughly for at least 4 hours prior to serving.

Notes

A bakery lemon or vanilla pound cake may be substituted, if desired.
See Lemon Lovers Pound Cake recipe here

Nutrition

Serving: 1serving | Calories: 582kcal | Carbohydrates: 68g | Protein: 10g | Fat: 21g | Saturated Fat: 20g | Trans Fat: 1g | Cholesterol: 35mg | Sodium: 459mg | Potassium: 282mg | Fiber: 1g | Sugar: 90g | Vitamin A: 980IU | Vitamin C: 7mg | Calcium: 171mg | Iron: 1mg
Tried this recipe?Mention @melissassk or tag #melissassk!

235 Comments

  1. If I were needing 30 3.4oz trifles of this dessert for a wedding, do you know how many this recipe would make? I didn’t know if it would be the same as the serving size you have for this recipe?

    1. Hi Carlie, I can’t answer that with confidence as I haven’t tested the exact amounts you mention. You could use the amount of servings as a guideline but there would most certainly be variables. Let us know how it goes!

  2. There are so many of these ingredients that arenot available herein England can you please help with substitutes

    1. You could perhaps adapt using lemon curd with whipped cream but it’s only a guess as I’m not familiar with the items in your market. If you try it, let us know how it goes.

  3. 5 stars
    This was OUTSTANDING! So lemony and light. Even my chocolate addict husband loved it. I used your lemon pound cake, but didn’t use all of it. I made my own whipped cream for the top layer. SO good!

  4. 5 stars
    I’ve made this many many times. It always turns out great. I’ve even made a chocolate version

  5. When using your Lemon Lovers Pound Cake recipe for the trifle, do you put the glaze on or just use the cake without the glaze?

    1. At what point does the cool whip go in? Is it supposed to be mixed with the lemon pudding and milk? Am I missing something here?

  6. I need to know what whipped cream I can use to keep it from going flat. I waited to garnish the top and within 10 min it went flat and wouldn’t hold up my lemons!!!

    1. Fresh whipped cream is delicious but isn’t as stable as a whipped topping like Cool Whip or a similar store brand. While it shouldn’t have gone flat in 10 minutes (Was it fully whipped?) if you want longevity with this or any dessert, use Cool Whip.

  7. 5 stars
    Very delicious recipe, I plan on making it again! The lemon syrup really makes this so refreshing. I used a boxed lemon cake mix for the cake. Next time I may try adding freshly squeezed lemon juice for the liquid in the cake to add even more tanginess.

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