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Trifles have long been the favorite layered dessert served at holiday occasions. Beautifully set within glass serving dishes to view the colorful layers, trifles can be a quick dessert to create for any crowd. However, that being said, many trifles are tailored to a specific holiday. Strawberry Lemon for Easter, Strawberry Blueberry for the Fourth of July, Cranberry Orange for Thanksgiving… While I love creating seasonal desserts, sometimes you need a staple that will work for all occasions. Thus, was born the perfect trifle dessert for any holiday: the Strawberry Cranberry Cheesecake Trifle.

By including both summery and wintry tones through the strawberries and cranberries, this trifle seamlessly blends in any season. Not too sweet or too tart, it provides the perfect refreshment after a delicious meal.

What are the layers of a trifle?

First, to create a trifle, you must understand what makes a trifle. Trifles are typically created with layers of a cake / pastry, fruit mixture, and a creamy custard set within a glass serving dish for display. They range in difficulty, some being completely non cook, while others involve double boilers to create the perfect custard. On the simpler side, this trifle uses layers of angel food cake, creamy cheesecake, and a strawberry cranberry blend. Trifles have become a favorite of many due to the lightness of the fruit complemented with the richness of the custard and even can be used as a show stopping accent for your table with the colorful layers adding to your table display. To see more table inspirations for various times of year, check out this Valentine’s Day luncheon, spring tablescape or fall table setting. This holiday trifle could be an easy addition to each of them.

How To Make The Perfect Trifle Dessert For Any Holiday

Can you make a trifle the night before?

On the whole, you certainly can make a trifle the night before. Most recipes, including this one, require a chilling time for your trifle for at least 2 or 3 hours before serving. This chilling time allows the custard and fruit to set thoroughly before being served to your guests. If you have a busy day ahead however, you may want to create this dessert the night before. I created mine the night before a Valentine’s Day Luncheon and it was delicious. The only comment that I have about making it the night before is that you will have some bleeding between your layers, which will result in less defined layers. As you can tell from my images, I personally enjoy the more blended affect, however if you are looking for extremely defined layers with super fluffy cake, I would serve after the 2 or 3 hours of chilling time instead of overnight.

How can you decorate a trifle?

Once you have assembled your trifle, there are many ways to decorate the top. You can add a layer of billowy fresh whipped cream, piles of fruit or even abstract candy décor. For this trifle, I wanted to change it up from the typical fruit displays, so I created an abstract form from hard candies. This topper was truly so easy, inexpensive, and added a tremendous amount of drama to the dessert.

Strawberry Cranberry Cheesecake Trifle

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Prep Time 30

Cook Time 15

Chilling Time 3 45

Total Time 4 30

Course Dessert

Servings 10 people

Ingredients

Layer 1: Cake

1 angel food cake

Layer 2: Custard

8 oz cream cheese block
3.4 oz pack instant cheesecake pudding mix
2 cup heavy whipping cream

Layer 3: Fruit Blend

⅓ cup water
1 cup granulated sugar
2 cups fresh or frozen cranberries (about a 12 oz bag of fresh)
2 cups frozen strawberries (about a 15 oz bag frozen)
1 lemon

Layer 4: Topping

1 cup heavy whipping cream
2 tbsp granulated sugar

Layer 5: Decorations

10-20 Jolly Ranchers
ice

Instructions

Creating The Layers

When creating your trifle, first combine your water, sugar, cranberries and strawberries into a saucepan.
Add the zest and juice of the lemon in with your fruit mixture and stir.
Bring the fruit mixture to a low simmer and simmer for at least 10 minutes or until the liquid is reduced and several of your cranberries have popped.
Once the mixture has simmered and thickened, let the fruit blend chill in the refrigerator for at least 45 minutes or until cool and almost a thick jam consistency.
While your fruit blend is chilling, cut your angel food cake into 1 in x 1 in pieces. Set to the side for assembly later.
Next, in a medium bowl, use a mixer to combine your room temperature cream cheese and the package of cheesecake pudding mix. Blend until thoroughly combined.
Following creating the base of your custard mixture, whip the 2 cups of heavy whipping cream in another bowl until stiff peaks emerge. Slowly add this whipped cream in intervals to your cream cheese mixture. Mix until a smooth texture has emerged and set to the side.

Creating Your Toppings

Now that your custard is made, your cake prepared and your fruit blend chilling, it is time to make the topping. Whip the remaining cup of heavy whipping cream with the 2 tbsp of granulated sugar until stiff peaks form. Set aside.
Next, fill a bowl with ice cubes.
Unwrap your Jolly Rancher hard candies (I used the pink and red colors for this trifle, but you could use any color, or a variety of colors) and place in a glass, microwavable measuring cup. Microwave for 1 minute or until the hard candy has melted.
Working quickly, pour the candy mixture over the ice to create an abstract form. If you are not able to pour it all out before the candy begins to harden again, reheat in the microwave and pour over the ice, scraping out the remaining bits.
The Jolly Rancher mix should harden quickly over the ice. Once it has, gently pick up the form and slide out any remaining ice cubes. Place on a small plate and set aside in the fridge.

Assembling

After your fruit has chilled and everything has been prepared, assemble your trifle layers starting with your cake, then custard then fruit blend. Repeat as many times as your container can hold.
Once your layers are formed, top the final layer with the fresh whipped cream.
Finally, place your candy topper on top of the whipped cream.
Let chill in the refrigerator for at least 3 hours before serving and enjoy!

Notes

This dessert will keep in the fridge for up to 4 days, however is best served the day of or day following its creation.

Final Thoughts

Whether sharing as a dessert for a Valentine’s Day Luncheon or your Thanksgiving dinner, this Strawberry Cranberry Cheesecake Trifle is certain to have your guests coming back for seconds. A beautiful blend of sweet, tart and creamy, this trifle is dessert you definitely should add to your next party menu.

Happy baking!