Strawberry Shortcake Trifles

4.94 from 15 votes
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An easy and delicious no-bake mini strawberry shortcake trifles recipe made with layers of angel food cake, fresh strawberries, and homemade whipped cream.

Light, fresh, and sweet, this easy trifle dessert is perfect for summertime. For another easy no-bake strawberry dessert recipe try this Strawberry Fluff Salad Recipe and this No-Bake Strawberry Cheesecake Recipe. They are both delicious and perfect for hot summer days when you don’t want to turn on your oven.

The sweet, juicy strawberries pair perfectly with the soft and airy angel food cake and homemade whipped cream.

mini strawberry shortcake trifles in glass jars, showing their layers of angel food cake, fresh strawberries, and whipped cream

Trifles are beautiful and impressive, yet are surprisingly easy recipes to prepare.

This makes the layered desserts wonderful for dinner parties, holidays, or to surprise your family with just because.

This easy strawberry shortcake trifles recipe is a perfect dessert for Mother’s Day. The strawberry shortcake cups are also great spring and summer desserts and wonderful for baby showers and bridal showers.

Having the trifles made in individual cups (we used these small glass jars) makes it easy to serve the sweet treats to your guests when the time comes.

woman's hand holding small dessert cup topped with whipped cream and strawberry

Or you can place the beautiful miniature trifles out on your dessert table and your guests can help themselves to the strawberry desserts.

For more easy trifle recipes try my red, white, and blue berry trifle or Halloween candy trifle.

Ingredients 

powdered sugar, heavy whipping cream, angel food cake, vanilla, strawberry jam, sugar, lemon juice, water, strawberries

You will need:

  • 3 cups strawberries, quartered or sliced
  • 1 Tablespoon lemon juice 
  • 1 Tablespoon granulated sugar
  • 2 cups heavy whipping cream
  • 1 cup confectioners sugar (aka powdered sugar)
  • 1 teaspoon pure vanilla extract
  • ¼ cup strawberry jam
  • 2 Tablespoons water
  • 1 (20 oz.) angel food cake, cubed
  • additional strawberries for garnish

Recipe Variations and Additions

  • Full-size trifle: Prefer to make this in a traditional trifle dish? That works too! You may want to double the recipe for a large trifle bowl.
  • Vanilla pudding: Add a layer of vanilla pudding (instant pudding mix or homemade) for more vanilla flavor. Yum!
  • Pound cake: Don’t care for angel food cake or can’t find any at the store? No worries, pound cake works well in this recipe too!
  • Cool whip: Make the recipe even easier and use Cool Whip whipped topping instead of homemade whipped cream.
individual size strawberry trifle in glass cup

Step-by-Step Instructions 

First, combine the strawberries, lemon juice, and granulated sugar in a medium bowl. Set them aside to macerate for at least 15 minutes, but no longer than 1 hour. 

Wondering what macerate means? Check the FAQ section below!

Next, in a large bowl use a hand mixer or stand mixer to combine the heavy whipping cream and vanilla. Add in the powdered sugar gradually with your mixer on low speed and continue mixing until soft peaks form. Place the whipped cream in the refrigerator until ready to use. 

Left: chopped strawberries in large bowl with spoon; Right: whipped cream forming soft peaks in large bowl

Combine the strawberry jam and water in a small microwave-safe bowl. Microwave until warm (about 45 seconds) and then whisk to combine.

Time to assemble the mini trifles!

Layer the angel food cake cubes, whipped cream, strawberry sauce, and strawberries in your trifle jars. Repeat the layers, finishing off with a layer of whipped cream and a strawberry for garnish.

Enjoy!

Spoon taking a scoop of whipped cream out of strawberry shortcake trifle

Storage

Store covered in the refrigerator for up to 3 days.

Strawberry Shortcake Trifle Recipe FAQ

What in the world does it mean to macerate strawberries?

Don’t let the word macerate scare you, it just means softening and sweetening the strawberries by soaking them in lemon juice and sugar.

Can a strawberry trifle be made the night before?

Yes! The strawberry trifles can be made up to 24 hours ahead of time and stored, covered, in the refrigerator until ready to serve. However, I would recommend waiting until just before serving to top them with their final layer of whipped cream and place a strawberry on the top of the trifle.

Where did you get those adorable mini glass jars?

I used 1/5 liter Weck glass tulip jars for these mini trifles. Order a set on Amazon here.

Can I use heavy cream instead of heavy whipping cream?

Yes! They are essentially the same thing and can be used interchangeably.

More strawberry recipes you will love

Recipe
strawberry, angel food cake, and whipped cream trifle in small glass jar
Recipe
4.94 from 15 votes

Strawberry Shortcake Trifles

Author: Jaclyn
Prep: 30 minutes
Total: 30 minutes
An easy and delicious no-bake mini strawberry shortcake trifles recipe made with layers of angel food cake, fresh strawberries, and homemade whipped cream.

Ingredients
 

  • 3 cups strawberries quartered or sliced
  • 1 Tablespoon lemon juice
  • 1 Tablespoon granulated sugar
  • 2 cups heavy whipping cream
  • 1 cup confectioners sugar
  • 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
  • ¼ cup strawberry jam
  • 2 Tablespoons water
  • 1 20 oz. angel food cake, cubed
  • additional strawberries for garnish

Instructions

  • Combine the strawberries, lemon juice, and granulated sugar in a medium bowl. Set them aside to macerate for at least 15 minutes (but no longer than 1 hour). 
  • In a large mixing bowl, add in the heavy whipping cream and vanilla and beat on medium speed using a hand or stand mixer. Add in the confectioners sugar gradually and continue mixing until soft peaks form. Place in the refrigerator to chill until ready to use.
  • Combine the strawberry jam and water in a small microwave-safe bowl. Microwave until warm (about 45 seconds) and then whisk to combine. Set aside until ready to use. 
  • Layer the angel food cake cubes, whipped cream, strawberry sauce, and strawberries in small glass jars. Repeat the layers, finishing off with a layer of whipped cream and a strawberry for garnish.

Notes

Pound cake: This recipe is also great when made with cubed pound cake instead of angel food cake.
Make ahead: The trifles can be made up to 24 hours ahead of time and stored, covered, in the refrigerator until ready to serve. However, I would recommend waiting until just before serving to top them with their final layer of whipped cream.
Storage: Leftovers can be stored covered in the fridge for up to 3 days.

Nutrition

Serving: 1g | Calories: 460kcal
strawberry, angel food cake, and whipped cream trifle in small glass jar

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Strawberry Shortcake Trifles; easy recipe

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