10+ Trifle Recipes to Brighten Your Dessert Table

Trifle recipes make dessert fun and easy. Layers of cake, cream, fruit—what’s not to love?

You can mix and match cakes, creams, fruits, and whatever else you feel like. It’s a sweet treat you can tweak to fit your mood or whatever’s in the fridge.

Trifles are simple to put together, making them perfect for any occasion.

You don’t have to be a pro baker to pull off a trifle. With only a handful of ingredients, you can whip up something that feels special but takes almost no effort.

Fruity, creamy, or chocolatey—there’s a trifle for every craving.

Ingredients

• Cake (sponge, angel food, or pound cake)
• Custard or pudding
• Fresh or canned fruit
• Whipped cream
• Jam or jelly (optional)

Cooking Instructions

1. Cut the cake into bite-sized pieces.
2. Layer the cake at the bottom of a clear bowl or dish.
3. Add a layer of fruit on top of the cake.
4. Pour custard or pudding over the fruit.
5. Repeat the layers as desired.
6. Finish with a generous layer of whipped cream on top.
7. Chill in the refrigerator for at least 2 hours before serving.

1) Classic English Trifle with Custard and Sherry-Soaked Cake

Start with sponge cake or ladyfingers soaked in sherry. The sherry adds a nice kick, but you can skip it if you want.

Add a layer of fresh fruit or jam—berries are always a solid choice. They bring a pop of flavor.

Spoon on a thick layer of creamy custard. That’s what gives this dessert its rich, smooth feel.

Top it all off with whipped cream. Use a clear bowl so you can see those pretty layers.

Ingredients

• Sponge cake or ladyfingers (6 pieces)
• 2 to 3 tablespoons sherry (optional)
• Mixed fresh fruit or berry jam
• 2 cups thick custard
• 1 cup whipped cream

Cooking Instructions

1. Soak the cake pieces in sherry.
2. Place soaked cake at the bottom of a glass bowl.
3. Add a layer of fruit or jam.
4. Pour custard over the fruit layer.
5. Top with whipped cream.
6. Chill in the fridge for at least 2 hours before serving.

More details at Traditional English Trifle Recipe – The Spruce Eats.

2) Strawberry Angel Food Cake Trifle

This trifle is so light and fresh. Angel food cake is soft and fluffy, making it a perfect base for juicy strawberries and creamy layers.

The strawberries add a natural sweetness. Layer them with whipped cream or pudding for a smooth, dreamy bite.

Use instant pudding or make your own whipped cream—whatever works. If you want it richer, toss in white chocolate pudding or a bit of cream cheese whipped topping.

This one screams summer, but honestly, it’s good any time.

Ingredients

• 1 (9 inch) angel food cake, cut into cubes
• 3 cups fresh strawberries, sliced
• 1 package instant vanilla pudding mix
• 3 cups cold milk
• 1 cup whipped cream or whipped topping

Cooking Instructions

1. Mix the instant vanilla pudding with cold milk and let it set for five minutes.
2. Cut the cake into cubes.
3. In a trifle bowl or glass dish, add a layer of cake cubes.
4. Spoon on some pudding, then a layer of strawberries.
5. Repeat layers, finishing with whipped cream on top.
6. Chill for at least 2 hours before serving.

More ideas here: Angel Food Cake Strawberry Trifle.

3) No-Bake Summer Berry Trifle with Ladyfingers

This no-bake summer berry trifle is a lifesaver on hot days. Fresh berries, Chantilly cream, and ladyfingers—what could go wrong?

You can make it ahead and stash it in the fridge. The flavors just get better the longer they hang out together.

The combo of soft cream, crispy ladyfingers, and juicy berries is super refreshing. It’s a crowd-pleaser for cookouts or family get-togethers.

Ingredients

• Fresh summer berries (strawberries, blueberries, raspberries)
• Ladyfingers (savoiardi)
• Heavy cream
• Sugar
• Vanilla extract

Cooking Instructions

1. Whip heavy cream with sugar and vanilla until soft peaks form.
2. Layer ladyfingers, berries, and whipped cream in a glass bowl.
3. Repeat layers until you run out of ingredients.
4. Chill in the fridge for at least 2 hours before serving.

4) Easy Chocolate Trifle with Pudding and Crushed Cookies

Chocolate trifle is the answer when you want something quick and decadent. Grab chocolate pudding, whipped cream, and crushed cookies to get started.

You can use store-bought pudding and whipped cream. Toss in some chocolate cake or brownies if you’re feeling extra.

Crushed Oreos or chocolate cookies add crunch. No oven needed—just layer and chill.

Ingredients

• 2 cups chocolate pudding
• 1 cup whipped cream
• 1 package of chocolate cookies, crushed
• 2 cups chocolate cake or brownies, cut into pieces

Cooking Instructions

1. Spoon a layer of chocolate pudding into a clear bowl.
2. Sprinkle crushed cookies on top.
3. Add chocolate cake pieces.
4. Spread whipped cream over the cake.
5. Keep layering until the bowl’s full.
6. Chill for at least 2 hours before serving.

Check out this easy chocolate trifle recipe for more inspo.

5) White Chocolate Raspberry Trifle

White chocolate and raspberries just work. This trifle has layers of white chocolate mousse, fresh raspberries, and cake.

You can go for whipped cream or a white chocolate ganache for extra richness. Raspberry jam or sauce keeps it fruity.

The layers look beautiful in a clear bowl—almost too pretty to eat.

Ingredients

• White chocolate
• Fresh raspberries
• Pound cake or white chocolate cake
• Raspberry jam or sauce
• Whipped cream or white chocolate ganache
• Heavy cream (for mousse)

Cooking Instructions

1. Melt white chocolate and mix with whipped heavy cream to make mousse.
2. Cut cake into cubes.
3. Layer cake cubes, mousse, raspberries, and jam in a bowl.
4. Repeat until the bowl is full.
5. Top with whipped cream or ganache.
6. Chill for at least 2 hours before serving.

More ideas: white chocolate raspberry trifle recipe.

6) 4-Ingredient Chocolate Butterfinger Trifle

This one’s for the candy lovers. Chocolate cake, chocolate pudding, Butterfinger bars, and whipped topping—nothing fancy, just delicious.

Bake a cake or grab one from the store. Mix up some instant chocolate pudding.

Break up the Butterfingers for that signature crunch. Layer everything in a big bowl or trifle dish and chill.

Ingredients

• Chocolate cake (baked and cooled)
• Instant chocolate pudding mix (prepared with milk)
• Butterfinger candy bars
• Cool Whip or whipped topping

Cooking Instructions

1. Bake and cool the chocolate cake, or use a store-bought one.
2. Prepare the pudding as directed.
3. Smash Butterfinger bars into small pieces.
4. Layer cake, pudding, whipped topping, and Butterfingers.
5. Repeat layers as needed.
6. Chill for at least 2 hours before serving.

Full details: 4-Ingredient Trifle recipe.

7) Raspberry Orange Layered Trifle

This trifle feels bright and fresh. Start with orange pound cake for a sweet, citrusy base.

Layer in raspberry jam and fresh raspberries for a tangy contrast. Add a smooth orange cream to tie it all together.

Top with whipped heavy cream for a soft finish. Serve it in glasses or a big bowl—either way, it’s a showstopper.

Ingredients

• Orange pound cake
• Raspberry jam
• Fresh raspberries
• Orange cream
• Heavy cream, cold

Cooking Instructions

1. Slice orange pound cake into even pieces.
2. Place a slice in your glass or bowl.
3. Spoon raspberry jam over the cake.
4. Add fresh raspberries.
5. Spread a layer of orange cream.
6. Whip cold heavy cream until stiff peaks form.
7. Add a final layer of whipped cream.
8. Repeat layers if you want it taller.
9. Chill before serving.

Tips for orange pound cake and orange cream: Raspberry Orange Trifle Recipe.

8) Individual Strawberry Trifles in Cups

Individual strawberry trifles in cups are just fun. Layer cake rounds, marinated strawberries, and whipped cream in clear cups—easy and pretty.

Use sponge or vanilla sheet cake, cut into rounds. Marinate strawberries in a splash of balsamic vinegar to boost their sweetness.

Finish with vanilla whipped cream for a light, tasty bite. These are perfect for parties or when you want dessert without fuss.

Ingredients

• 12 cake rounds (sponge or vanilla sheet cake)
• 1 quart fresh strawberries, halved
• 1/3 cup aged balsamic vinegar
• 3 cups heavy cream
• 2 teaspoons vanilla extract
• 2 tablespoons sugar

Cooking Instructions

1. Toss the strawberries with balsamic vinegar and sugar.

2. Let them marinate for about 30 minutes.

3. Whip the heavy cream with vanilla extract.

4. Stop when you see soft peaks.

5. Put one cake round in each cup.

6. Spoon some strawberries over the cake.

7. Add a layer of whipped cream.

8. If you feel like it, repeat the layers.

9. Chill the trifles for at least an hour before serving.

You can find a detailed recipe for individual strawberry trifles here.

9) Thin Mint Cookie Trifle

If you love chocolate and mint, this one’s a winner. Layer chocolate cake, minty whipped cream, and crushed Thin Mint cookies for a dessert that’s got a bit of everything—soft, creamy, and crunchy.

Start with chocolate cake chunks.
Spread some mint cream on top.

Add a handful of crushed Thin Mint cookies for that unmistakable crunch.
You can throw in chocolate mousse or pudding if you’re feeling extra.

Keep layering until you reach the top of your dish.
Chill it in the fridge so the flavors meld together.

Ingredients

• Chocolate cake, cubed
• Whipped mint cream or mint-flavored whipped topping
• Thin Mint cookies, crushed
• Chocolate mousse or pudding (optional)

Cooking Instructions

1. Cut the chocolate cake into cubes.

2. Whip up the mint cream or use a minty whipped topping.

3. In a glass dish, add a layer of cake cubes.

4. Spoon on mint cream, then scatter crushed Thin Mint cookies.

5. Add chocolate mousse or pudding if you want to go all out.

6. Repeat the layers until you fill the dish.

7. Chill for at least 2 hours before serving.

10) Lemon Tiramisu Trifle

This lemon tiramisu trifle is bright and creamy, with a punch of tangy lemon.
You get soft ladyfingers soaked in lemon syrup, layered with mascarpone and lemon curd.

It’s light, almost sunny, and honestly, it’s perfect for spring or summer.
No baking needed, so you can put it together in a snap.

Kids can help with the layering if you’re up for it.
The mascarpone and lemon curd make it rich but not too heavy.

Serve it chilled.
If you want, make it ahead—no one will complain.

Throw some fresh berries on top for a pop of color and a little extra flavor.

Ingredients

• Ladyfingers
• Lemon juice
• Granulated sugar
• Cream cheese
• Mascarpone cheese
• Lemon curd
• Heavy cream
• Fresh berries (optional)

Cooking Instructions

1. Mix lemon juice with sugar. This makes the lemon syrup.

2. Dip ladyfingers quickly in the syrup. Layer them in a trifle dish.

3. Whip cream cheese, mascarpone, and lemon curd together until smooth.

4. In a separate bowl, whip heavy cream. Gently fold it into the lemon mixture.

5. Spread the creamy layer over the ladyfingers.

6. Add another layer of soaked ladyfingers. Top with more cream.

7. Keep layering, but make sure you finish with cream on top.

8. Chill the whole thing for at least 4 hours. Honestly, overnight is even better.

9. Toss on some fresh berries if you’re feeling fancy.

For more detail, check this lemon tiramisu recipe.