Strawberry Shortcake Trifle

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This Strawberry Shortcake Trifle recipe is simple to make with layers of moist vanilla cake, fresh strawberries, strawberry sauce & fresh whipped cream! It’s perfect for fresh summer strawberries!

If you love trifle, you’ll adore this Triple Berry Trifle! And for strawberry dessert fans, this traditional Strawberry Shortcake recipe can’t be beat.

So the boys are at the most fun age right now – 6 months. I imagine every stage could be a new favorite, but so far this one is a blast. The boys are so curious and sweet – smiling and laughing like crazy. They are sitting so well on their own, though a touch wobbly. And they are still little snugglers, which I’ll take all day long. The other morning, Ashton started mimicking the kisses I was giving him and gave me some big, drooly open-mouthed kisses for the first time. It was SO cute!

This summer we’ve been going to the pool, going out and about now that they are more portable, and going for nice, long walks. We are even taking them to the beach for the first time next month and I cannot wait to see them in the sand and ocean for the first time! While I’m looking forward to some cooler weather as fall approaches, I’m going to be sad to say goodbye to the warmth and being outside. Before that happens though, we are going to enjoy as much of the remaining summer as we can.

Overhead view of a Strawberry Shortcake Trifle with a serving removed in a glass trifle dish

Why I Love this Trifle

A Strawberry Shortcake Trifle combines two things that are perfect for the remainder of summer – strawberry shortcake and trifles! I love the delicious strawberries you get this time of year – I can eat them by the carton – and this trifle is FULL of strawberries! And when you combine them with cake and whipped cream in a simple-to-make dessert like a trifle, I’m totally sold!

Side view of a full Strawberry Shortcake Trifle in a glass trifle dish

How to Make a Strawberry Shortcake Trifle

Make the vanilla cake: To make the trifle, I started with my Moist and Fluffy Vanilla Cake. It’s so tender, soft and fluffy and has such a wonderful buttery vanilla flavor. The cake has wonderful reviews and is a reader favorite! It’s perfect in this trifle.

Make the strawberry sauce: Next up is the strawberry sauce. You’ll puree about a pound of strawberries and combine it with some sugar and vanilla extract, then cook it over the stove to thicken it up a bit and bring out the flavor of the strawberries. It’s very similar to the strawberry sauce I used on my Strawberry Poke Cake and it adds great flavor and moisture.

Assemble the layers with whipped cream: The cake and strawberry sauce are layered with freshly chopped strawberries and homemade whipped cream. The whole dessert is light, full of strawberries and just like eating strawberry shortcake in trifle form. This is my kind of strawberry trifle! Such a delicious, classic dessert!

Side view of a full Strawberry Shortcake Trifle in a glass trifle dish

More strawberry recipes you’ll love:

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Side view of a full Strawberry Shortcake Trifle in a glass trifle dish
Recipe

Strawberry Shortcake Trifle

  • Author: Life, Love and Sugar
  • Prep Time: 1 hour
  • Cook Time: 45 minutes
  • Total Time: 1 hr 45 min, plus cooling time
  • Yield: 10-12 servings
  • Category: Dessert
  • Method: Oven
  • Cuisine: American

Description

This Strawberry Shortcake Trifle is simple to make with layers of moist vanilla cake, fresh strawberries, strawberry sauce and fresh whipped cream!


Ingredients

Vanilla Cake

  • 3 cups (390g) all purpose flour
  • 1/4 tsp baking soda
  • 2 3/4 tsp baking powder
  • 1 tsp salt
  • 1 1/2 cups (336g) unsalted butter, room temp
  • 2 cups (414g) sugar
  • 4 egg whites
  • 3 tsp vanilla extract
  • 1 1/2 cups (360ml) milk

Strawberry Sauce

  • 1 lb strawberries, pureed
  • 1/2 cup (104g) sugar
  • 3/4 tsp vanilla extract

Whipped Cream

  • 2 3/4 cups (660ml) heavy whipping cream, cold
  • 1 1/2 cup (173g) powdered sugar
  • 1 tbsp vanilla extract
  • 2 lbs strawberries, chopped (about 5 cups)

Instructions

Make the Vanilla Cake

  1. Preheat the oven to 350°F (176°C). Grease a 9×13 cake pan.
  2. Combine the flour, baking soda, baking powder and salt in a medium sized bowl. Set aside.
  3. Beat the butter and sugar in a large bowl on medium speed about 2 minutes, until light and fluffy. Scrape down the sides of the bowl.
  4. Add the egg whites and vanilla and beat on medium speed until well combined and smooth.
  5. Add about a third of the flour mixture to the batter and beat on medium speed until incorporated.
  6. Add about half of the milk and beat on medium speed until incorporated.
  7. Add another third of the flour mixture and beat until incorporated, scraping down the sides of the bowl as needed.
  8. Add the remaining milk and beat on medium speed until incorporated.
  9. Add the remaining flour mixture and beat until well combined, scraping down the sides of the bowl as needed.
  10. Bake the cake for 35-40 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted in the center comes out clean. The cake will be browned on top.
  11. When the cake is done, set aside to cool.

Make the Strawberry Sauce

  1. To make the strawberry sauce, add the strawberry puree, sugar and vanilla extract to a medium saucepan. Cook over medium heat until it begins to boil, stirring occasionally.
  2. Allow sauce to boil for one minutes, then remove from heat and seat aside to cool.

Make the Whipped Cream & Assemble the Trifle

  1. When everything has cooled, make the whipped cream. Add the heavy whipping cream, powdered sugar and vanilla extract to a large mixer bowl and whip on high speed until stiff peaks form.
  2. To layer everything in the trifle dish, add a layer of cake on the bottom, then about half of the chopped strawberries, about half of the strawberry sauce, then about half of the whipped cream.
  3. Add a second layer of cake, strawberries and strawberry sauce, then pipe the remaining whipped cream on top in swirls. Add a few additional strawberries on top as decoration.

Notes

Note: You may not need to use all of the cake for the trifle.

Nutrition

  • Serving Size: 1 Slice
  • Calories: 840
  • Sugar: 72.7 g
  • Sodium: 274 mg
  • Fat: 45.2 g
  • Carbohydrates: 101.5 g
  • Protein: 10.4 g
  • Cholesterol: 127.3 mg

Categories

Enjoy!

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66 Comments
  1. mary

    I thought you said seven or nine different Trifles I only see strawberry where the rest of them I’m interested in the Trifles like a lemon one

  2. Carin

    This is my favorite trifle! The cake makes so much thought that I was able to make two 8” round pans and only used one. Do you think it will freeze well to make another in a week?

    1. Lindsay

      So glad you enjoy it! Yes, it should freeze find. Just wrap it well in plastic wrap and foil and thaw in the fridge before using.

  3. Carissa

    Hi there,
    I’ve made your recipe so many times it’s always such a hit ! Absolutely delicious! However do you think this recipe could be halved for smaller more intimate gatherings? If so what size baking pan for the cake would you recommend?






    1. Lindsay

      I’m so glad you enjoy it! If you cut the cake recipe in half, you could probably bake it in an 8 or 9 inch pan.

  4. susan

    This cake has too much butter and came out rather greasy and heavy. Also, from cake to sauce to whipping cream: way too much sugar.

  5. Kim

    Can I add a pudding layer to trifle ? I love the idea of pudding from your triple berry recipe, but love the vanilla cake from this one!

  6. Nicole S.

    This is one of the best Strawberry Shortcake’s I have ever had! I made this for Easter, it was amazing. I did make it the night before, and it held up perfectly! I made some extra strawberry sauce and had some extra whip cream on the side. YUMO!






  7. Ya-Ya

    I made this for my family tonight, and it was a hit! The cake, especially, is the perfect consistency. We will definitely be having this again.






  8. Ella

    This was so easy to make especially with the detailed instructions! It was so delicious! Thank you for the recipe 🙂






  9. Amie

    This was so yummy and my entire family loved it. Tour recipes are delicious. For mother’s day I am going to try the nutella cheese cake…. so excited. Happy to continue to try new recipes in the future… Excellent work. ❤️❤️❤️❤️






  10. Mindy

    Made this for a dinner party Saturday night and it was a big success! Everyone loved it.
    I have more than enough cake left over to make a second one.






  11. Beatrice

    Followed this recipe exactly and it was DELICIOUS!  Will definitely put this in my lineup of “favorites” ❤️😋






  12. Diana Richardson

    I have not tried this recipe yet but wanted to know if I would I be able to use frozen strawberries since fresh are not in season in this part of the country??

    1. Lindsay

      I personally wouldn’t really recommend frozen strawberries. When they thaw, they are quite soft and soggy. I personally don’t think I would care for that texture, but if you would like that then you could certainly use them.

Lindsay
About Lindsay

I’m the baker, recipe developer and photographer behind Life, Love and Sugar. I love sharing trusted recipes with helpful tips to give you great results.

Scripture I’m Loving

“Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you and learn from me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls.” Matthew 11:28-29