Welcome to our country kitchen, where we celebrate the simple joys of homemade goodness and share recipes that evoke memories of warm gatherings and cherished traditions. Today, we invite you to join us in creating a delightful Strawberry Shortcake Trifle, a classic dessert that embodies the essence of comfort and hospitality.
In the heart of the south, where the air is sweet with the scent of ripe berries and the fields are painted with hues of green, there’s a timeless recipe that brings families together around the table: Strawberry Cake Trifle. With its layers of homemade cake, fresh-picked strawberries, and whipped cream, it’s a taste of summer that warms the soul and nourishes the spirit.
We start by baking a humble boxed cake mix of your choice, I am simple and just like plain old yellow. Bake your cake according to the box instructions. As the cake cools on the windowsill ( or counter) prepare the vanilla pudding, also according to the package instructions. Then comes the fun part: assembling the trifle. Layer by layer, we alternate slices of cake with plump strawberries and dollops of pudding and whip topping, building a tower of sweetness that promises to delight with every spoonful.
But it’s not just about the taste—it’s about the presentation. In our southern kitchen, we believe that food should not only nourish the body but also feed the soul. So we carefully arrange our Strawberry Shortcake Trifle in a beautiful rustic trifle dish, letting the vibrant colors of the berries and the creamy layers peek through. It’s a sight to behold, a feast for the eyes as much as it is for the palate.
As you gather with loved ones to enjoy this simple yet splendid dessert, may you feel the warmth of community and the joy of sharing a meal made with love. In our southern kitchen, every recipe tells a story, and every bite is a taste of home. So pull up a chair, pour yourself a glass of sweet tea, and savor the goodness of our Strawberry Shortcake Trifle—a delicious reminder of the simple pleasures that make life worth living.
RECIPE
Ingredients:
- 1 box cake mix of your choice (plus ingredients listed on the box, typically eggs, oil, and water)
- 1 box (3.4 oz) instant vanilla pudding mix
- 2 containers (8 oz each) whipped topping (like Cool Whip), thawed
- 3 quarts fresh strawberries, cleaned, hulled, and diced
- 1 cup granulated sugar
Instructions:
- Prepare the Cake:
- Follow the instructions on the box of the cake mix you’ve chosen to prepare the cake batter. Mix it with eggs, oil, and water as instructed. Bake the cake according to the instructions in a 9×13 inch baking pan. Allow it to cool completely.
- Prepare the Sugared Strawberries:
- In a mixing bowl, combine the diced strawberries with 1 cup of granulated sugar. Stir well until the strawberries are coated evenly. Place the bowl in the refrigerator for at least one hour to allow the strawberries to release their juices and macerate.
- Prepare the Vanilla Pudding:
- In a separate medium bowl, prepare the vanilla pudding mix according to the instructions on the box. Usually, this involves whisking the pudding mix with milk until thickened. Chill the pudding in the refrigerator to set.
- Assemble the Trifle:
- Once the cake has cooled, cut it into small cubes.
- In a large glass trifle dish or a clear bowl, start layering the ingredients:
- Begin with a layer of cake cubes at the bottom of the dish.
- Add a layer of the sugared strawberries over the cake cubes, including some of the juice that has formed.
- Spoon a layer of vanilla pudding over the strawberries.
- Spread a layer of whipped topping over the pudding.
- Repeat the layers until all the ingredients are used, finishing with a layer of whipped topping on top.
- Chill and Serve:
- Cover the trifle dish with plastic wrap and refrigerate for at least 2 hours before serving to allow the flavors to meld together.
- Serve:
- Once chilled, serve the strawberry cake trifle cold. Use a large spoon to scoop out servings, making sure to get all the layers.
