Easter Trifle Dessert Recipe

Heavenly Easter Trifle: A Festive Dessert Recipe Everyone Loves

Sweet memories bloom like springtime blossoms with this colorful easter trifle that captures childhood nostalgia in every delightful spoonful.

Layers of soft cake, creamy custard, and vibrant fruit dance together in a playful dessert celebration.

Each ingredient whispers tales of family gatherings and warm afternoons.

Pastel colors peek through glass layers, creating a visual masterpiece that feels both elegant and comforting.

Light, airy textures contrast with rich, smooth cream in this classic springtime treat.

Crumbled cake pieces nestle between silky custard, promising a delectable journey through taste and texture.

Grab a spoon and let this easter trifle sweep you into a world of delicious memories.

Why Easter Trifle Dessert Is So Pretty And Sweet

  • Craft Colorful Easter Magic: Transform a simple cake mix into a vibrant, pastel-colored dessert that captures the playful spirit of Easter with minimal effort and maximum visual impact.
  • Quick and Effortless Delight: Whip up this impressive trifle in under an hour using convenient shortcuts like boxed cake mix, instant pudding, and optional pre-made whipped cream, making it perfect for busy holiday preparations.
  • Kid-Friendly Baking Adventure: Engage children in the fun process of adding food coloring to cake batter and decorating with sprinkles and mini eggs, turning dessert-making into a memorable family activity.
  • Crowd-Pleasing Party Centerpiece: Create a stunning layered dessert that serves multiple people, looks spectacular on the table, and offers a delightful combination of textures and flavors for Easter gatherings or spring celebrations.

What’s Inside Easter Trifle Dessert

Cake Base:
  • Yellow Cake Mix: Basic foundation for the colorful dessert, providing a soft and sweet backdrop.
  • Gel Food Coloring (Pink, Yellow, Blue, Green): Creates pastel rainbow effect, making the cake visually appealing and festive.
Creamy Layers:
  • Vanilla Pudding Mix, Cold Milk: Smooth, rich filling that adds creamy texture and classic flavor.
  • Heavy Cream, Powdered Sugar, Vanilla Extract: Light and fluffy whipped cream topping, adding richness and sweetness.
Decorative Toppings:
  • Coconut (Shredded), Green Food Coloring: Mimics grass-like texture for Easter themed decoration.
  • Mini Eggs, Sprinkles: Colorful and playful garnishes that enhance the festive Easter appearance.

How To Assemble Easter Trifle Dessert

Step 1: Craft Colorful Cake Layers

Preheat the oven to 350°F (175°C). Ready a 9×13-inch baking dish with a light butter coating. Prepare cake mix following package directions. Divide the batter into four separate bowls and transform each with gentle food coloring drops:
  • Soft pink
  • Delicate yellow
  • Pale blue
  • Light green

Pour each colored batter into designated sections or separate pans. Bake for 25-30 minutes until a toothpick emerges clean. Allow cake to cool completely at room temperature.

Step 2: Whip Up Creamy Pudding

In a spacious mixing bowl, combine pudding mix with chilled milk. Whisk energetically for two minutes until smooth. Refrigerate for five minutes to set and thicken.

Step 3: Create Fluffy Cloud Cream

Using an electric mixer, blend:
  • Heavy cream
  • Powdered sugar
  • Vanilla extract

Whip until soft, billowy peaks form. Alternatively, grab a container of Cool Whip for convenience.

Step 4: Build Magnificent Layers

Slice the cooled cake into bite-sized cubes. In a large trifle dish or individual serving glasses, construct beautiful layers:
  • Colorful cake cubes
  • Creamy vanilla pudding
  • Billowy whipped cream

Repeat these layers until the dish reaches its delightful peak.

Step 5: Add Festive Finishing Touches

Sprinkle the top with:
  • Coconut tinted spring green (mimicking grass)
  • Adorable mini chocolate eggs
  • Playful pastel sprinkles

Refrigerate for at least one hour to allow flavors to mingle and set.

Serve and watch eyes light up with pure Easter dessert magic!

Helpful Hints For Easter Trifle Dessert

  • Colorful Cake Creation: Mix food gel colors into separate batter bowls to create a pastel rainbow effect that makes your dessert visually stunning and festive.
  • Smooth Pudding Secret: Whisk pudding mix thoroughly and let it set in the refrigerator for exactly 5 minutes to achieve the perfect creamy consistency without lumps.
  • Layer Like a Pro: Alternate cake colors when cubing to create a playful, eye-catching pattern that adds visual interest to each serving of the trifle.
  • Whipped Cream Perfection: Beat heavy cream until soft peaks form for a light, fluffy texture that melts beautifully with the cake and pudding layers.
  • Festive Finishing Touch

How To Keep Easter Trifle Dessert Fresh

  • Refrigerate the Easter trifle immediately after assembling and serving.
  • Cover the dish tightly with plastic wrap or aluminum foil to prevent moisture loss and preserve freshness.
  • Store in the coldest part of your refrigerator for up to 3 days.
  • Avoid freezing this dessert, as the whipped cream and pudding layers may separate and lose their creamy texture.
  • Keep trifle chilled until ready to serve, and always use a clean spoon when scooping to maintain its delightful presentation.
  • Remember that the cake will continue to absorb the pudding and cream, making each bite even more deliciously moist as it sits in the refrigerator.

Tasty Add-Ons For Easter Trifle Dessert

  • Pair with Pastel Cocktails: Whip up light, springtime cocktails like lavender gin fizz or strawberry champagne to complement the trifle's delicate colors and sweet profile.
  • Match with Herbal Tea: Steep chamomile or earl grey tea to balance the dessert's richness, creating a refreshing contrast that enhances the Easter trifle's delightful layers.
  • Serve alongside Fruity Moscato: Select a chilled, sweet Moscato wine with soft fruit notes that harmonize perfectly with the trifle's creamy texture and playful pastel presentation.
  • Enjoy with Lemon Sorbet: Add a zesty, light lemon sorbet as a palate cleanser between bites, cutting through the dessert's sweetness and providing a bright, crisp finish.

Different Looks For Easter Trifle Dessert

  • Pastel Rainbow Delight: Swap traditional pudding with lemon curd for a tangy flavor profile. Add fresh berries between layers to enhance color and taste. Use white chocolate shavings as a delicate topping for extra elegance.
  • Chocolate Easter Basket: Replace vanilla pudding with rich chocolate pudding. Incorporate chocolate cake cubes instead of pastel-colored ones. Garnish with chocolate eggs and edible chocolate grass for a decadent version.
  • Spring Fruit Festival: Introduce fresh seasonal fruits like strawberries, kiwi, and mandarin oranges between cake and pudding layers. Use light Greek yogurt instead of whipped cream for a healthier alternative. Sprinkle toasted almond slivers for added crunch.
  • Tropical Easter Escape: Infuse coconut milk into pudding mixture. Add crushed pineapple and mango chunks between layers. Use coconut cake cubes and top with toasted coconut flakes. Finish with pastel-colored marshmallow bunnies for playful decoration.

All Your Easter Trifle Dessert FAQs

  • What makes this Easter Trifle unique?

This dessert stands out with its colorful pastel cake layers that create a beautiful rainbow effect when assembled. The mix of vibrant colors and festive decorations like mini eggs and green coconut “grass” makes it a perfect centerpiece for Easter celebrations.

  • Can I use natural food coloring instead of gel food coloring?

Absolutely! Natural food coloring works well, though gel colors tend to provide more intense pastel shades. You can use natural alternatives like beet juice for pink, turmeric for yellow, and spirulina for blue and green tones.

  • Is this recipe kid-friendly to make?

Yes! Kids will love helping mix the colorful cake batters, layering the trifle, and adding fun decorations like sprinkles and mini eggs. It’s a great family activity that allows children to be creative and get involved in baking.

  • How can I make this dessert ahead of time?

You can prepare the cake layers and pudding a day in advance. Assemble the trifle a few hours before serving to keep the cake layers from getting too soggy. Keep refrigerated until ready to serve for the best texture and flavor.

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Easter Trifle Dessert Recipe

Easter Trifle Dessert Recipe


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4.6 from 29 reviews

  • Total Time: 1 hour 50 minutes
  • Yield: 12 1x

Description

Irresistible Easter Trifle brings festive layers of creamy custard, fresh berries, and golden sponge cake to your holiday table. Sweet springtime memories and delightful textures combine, creating a dessert you’ll savor with pure delight.


Ingredients

Scale

Cake and Cake Components:

  • 1 box vanilla or white cake mix
  • Eggs (as specified on box)
  • Oil (as specified on box)
  • Water (as specified on box)

Pudding and Cream Components:

  • 2 (3.4 ounces) boxes instant vanilla pudding mix
  • 3 cups cold milk
  • 2 cups heavy whipping cream
  • ¼ cup powdered sugar
  • 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
  • 1 (8 ounces) tub Cool Whip (optional alternative)

Decorative and Garnishing Components:

  • Gel food coloring (pastel pink, yellow, blue, and green)
  • ½ cup shredded coconut (optional, can be dyed green for grass)
  • Easter sprinkles
  • Mini chocolate eggs
  • Jellybeans

Instructions

  1. Craft a vibrant, pastel-colored cake by dividing cake batter into four separate bowls and infusing each with delicate gel food coloring: soft pink, tender yellow, pale blue, and gentle green.
  2. Meticulously prepare the baking vessel by lightly greasing a 9×13-inch dish and evenly distribute the tinted batters, ensuring a kaleidoscope of colors.
  3. Bake the multicolored cake in a preheated oven at 350F (175C) for approximately 25-30 minutes, verifying doneness with a toothpick test. Allow the cake to cool completely.
  4. Whip up a silky vanilla pudding by vigorously whisking pudding mix with cold milk for two minutes, then refrigerate to set and firm.
  5. Create a luscious, cloud-like whipped cream by beating heavy cream with powdered sugar and vanilla extract until soft, billowy peaks emerge.
  6. Transform the cooled cake into bite-sized cubes, mixing the pastel colors for a playful visual effect.
  7. In a spacious trifle dish or individual serving glasses, construct elegant layers: begin with colorful cake cubes, then generously spread vanilla pudding, followed by a pillowy blanket of whipped cream.
  8. Repeat the layering process until the dish reaches its full, decadent potential.
  9. Embellish the dessert with verdant coconut “grass”, delicate mini eggs, and a sprinkle of festive decorations.
  10. Refrigerate the trifle for a minimum of one hour, allowing flavors to meld and the dessert to set, creating a perfect Easter centerpiece.

Notes

  • Color Coordination: Mix cake colors randomly for a vibrant, playful Easter aesthetic that delights both kids and adults.
  • Temperature Precision: Allow cake to cool completely before assembling to prevent whipped cream from melting and maintain structural integrity of the trifle.
  • Texture Variations: Experiment with different cake bases like pound cake or angel food for unique density and mouthfeel.
  • Dietary Adaptations: Substitute dairy milk with almond or oat milk, use gluten-free cake mix, and swap heavy cream with coconut whipped cream for allergy-friendly options.
  • Prep Time: 20 minutes
  • Cook Time: 30 minutes
  • Category: Desserts
  • Method: Baking
  • Cuisine: British

Nutrition

  • Serving Size: 12
  • Calories: 350
  • Sugar: 22 g
  • Sodium: 200 mg
  • Fat: 20 g
  • Saturated Fat: 12 g
  • Unsaturated Fat: 8 g
  • Trans Fat: 0 g
  • Carbohydrates: 36 g
  • Fiber: 1 g
  • Protein: 4 g
  • Cholesterol: 70 mg
Emily Morgan

Emily Morgan

Food Critic & Kitchen Tips Specialist

Expertise

Global Food Exploration & Critique, Simple Kitchen Hacks & Time-Saving Tips, Presentation & Plating Techniques, Culinary Research & Storytelling.

Education

New York University

  • Program: Bachelor’s in Journalism
  • Focus: Combined foundational journalism training with deep dives into global food traditions, restaurant criticism, and the cultural role of cuisine.

Emily Morgan has journeyed across the globe, collecting culinary secrets that turn everyday ingredients into impressive meals.

Based in Seattle and armed with a Journalism degree from NYU, she blends thorough research with a flair for presentation, ensuring every dish looks just as good as it tastes.

Focusing on fresh flavors, simple methods, and a bit of fun, Emily shows home cooks how to elevate their daily cooking without fancy gadgets or complex steps.

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