Strawberry Shortcake Trifle
An easy, creamy, no-bake dessert featuring layers of fresh strawberries, moist cake, and luscious whipped mascarpone cream. Perfect for any occasion and sure to impress.
- Prep Time: 20 minutes
- Cook Time: 0 minutes
- Total Time: 1 hour 20 minutes
- Yield: 8 servings 1x
- Category: Dessert
- Cuisine: American
Ingredients
Scale
- 4 cups fresh ripe strawberries, hulled and sliced
- 8 cups shortcake or pound cake, cut into 1-inch cubes
- 2 cups heavy whipping cream, chilled
- 1/2 cup mascarpone cheese (optional)
- 1/2 cup powdered sugar
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 1 tablespoon fresh lemon juice
- 1/4 cup strawberry syrup or juice (optional)
Instructions
- Rinse and hull about 4 cups of fresh strawberries. Slice into halves or quarters depending on size. Toss gently with 1 tablespoon fresh lemon juice and 1 tablespoon powdered sugar if extra sweetness is desired. Set aside to macerate.
- Cube about 8 cups of shortcake or pound cake into 1-inch pieces. Drizzle 1/4 cup strawberry syrup or juice over the cubes to moisten if using. Let soak for 5 minutes.
- In a chilled bowl, whip 2 cups heavy whipping cream with 1/2 cup powdered sugar and 1 teaspoon vanilla extract until soft peaks form. In a separate bowl, mix 1/2 cup mascarpone cheese until smooth, then fold into whipped cream gently.
- In a trifle bowl or glass dish, layer cake cubes, whipped mascarpone cream, and macerated strawberries with juices. Repeat layers two more times, finishing with cream and garnish with whole strawberries.
- Chill the assembled trifle in the refrigerator for at least 1 hour before serving to allow flavors to meld and cake to soften.
Notes
Use fresh, firm strawberries to avoid watery dessert. Chill bowls and beaters for best whipped cream texture. Do not overwhip cream; stop at soft peaks. Let trifle chill at least 1 hour for best flavor and texture. Variations include dairy-free and gluten-free substitutions.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: About 1 cup (250 ml)
- Calories: 325
- Sugar: 20
- Sodium: 150
- Fat: 22
- Saturated Fat: 14
- Carbohydrates: 28
- Fiber: 2
- Protein: 5
Keywords: strawberry shortcake, trifle, easy dessert, no-bake dessert, creamy dessert, summer dessert, potluck dessert