This Easter Trifle Dessert is a stunning, layered treat that’s perfect for spring celebrations. With layers of fluffy cake, creamy pudding, pastel-colored whipped topping, and festive decorations, this dessert is as beautiful as it is delicious. It’s easy to make, customizable, and a guaranteed showstopper for your Easter table!
Why You’ll Love This Recipe
- No baking required – Use store-bought cake for a quick version.
- Beautiful presentation – Colorful layers make this dessert a centerpiece.
- Light and creamy – A perfect balance of cake, pudding, and whipped cream.
- Customizable – Change the flavors and decorations to fit your taste.
- Make-ahead friendly – Ideal for prepping in advance for stress-free entertaining.
Ingredients
(Tip: You’ll find the full list of ingredients and measurements in the recipe card below.)
- Cake – Vanilla or pound cake (homemade or store-bought)
- Instant pudding mix – Vanilla, lemon, or white chocolate
- Milk – For the pudding
- Whipped topping (Cool Whip or homemade whipped cream)
- Food coloring – Pastel shades (pink, yellow, blue, green)
- Easter sprinkles or candy – Mini eggs, Peeps, or shredded coconut (dyed green)
Directions
1. Prepare the Cake
- Cut vanilla or pound cake into bite-sized cubes. If using homemade cake, bake and cool before cutting.
2. Make the Pudding
- Whisk pudding mix with cold milk until smooth. Let it set for 5 minutes.
3. Color the Whipped Topping
- Divide whipped topping into separate bowls and mix in different pastel food coloring.
4. Assemble the Trifle
- In a large trifle dish or individual glasses, start with a layer of cake cubes.
- Add a layer of pudding, spreading evenly.
- Add a layer of colored whipped topping.
- Repeat the layers until the dish is full, ending with whipped topping.
5. Decorate
- Sprinkle with Easter-themed decorations like mini eggs, sprinkles, or coconut “grass.”
- Add Peeps or chocolate bunnies for a festive touch.
6. Chill and Serve
- Refrigerate for at least 1 hour before serving to allow the flavors to meld.
Servings and Timing
- Servings: 8–10
- Prep time: 15 minutes
- Chill time: 1 hour
- Total time: 1 hour 15 minutes
Variations
- Chocolate lovers – Use chocolate cake and chocolate pudding for a rich twist.
- Fruity version – Add layers of fresh strawberries, raspberries, or pineapple.
- Lemon trifle – Use lemon cake and lemon pudding for a citrusy delight.
- Coconut cream trifle – Mix shredded coconut into the pudding.
- Easter cheesecake trifle – Add a cream cheese layer for extra richness.
Storage/Reheating
- Refrigeration: Store in the fridge for up to 3 days.
- Freezing: Not recommended as the texture may change.
- Serving: Best served chilled.
FAQs
Can I make this trifle ahead of time?
Yes! Assemble and refrigerate up to 24 hours in advance.
What’s the best cake to use?
Vanilla, pound cake, angel food cake, or lemon cake work well.
Can I use homemade pudding instead of instant?
Yes! Cooked pudding or pastry cream makes a great substitute.
How do I prevent the trifle from getting soggy?
Use a denser cake like pound cake and avoid over-soaking layers.
Can I make this trifle in individual servings?
Yes! Layer in parfait glasses or mason jars for personal-sized treats.
Can I use homemade whipped cream instead of Cool Whip?
Absolutely! Whip heavy cream with powdered sugar and vanilla for a fresh alternative.
How do I make the coconut look like Easter grass?
Dye shredded coconut with a few drops of green food coloring and mix well.
What candies work best for decorating?
Mini chocolate eggs, pastel M&M’s, Peeps, or white chocolate bunnies are great choices.
Can I add a crunchy element?
Yes! Crushed vanilla wafers, graham crackers, or chopped nuts add great texture.
How do I make a dairy-free version?
Use almond or coconut milk for the pudding and dairy-free whipped topping.
Conclusion
This Easter Trifle Dessert is a fun and festive way to celebrate the holiday with a light, creamy, and colorful treat. With its stunning layers and endless customization options, it’s a guaranteed crowd-pleaser. Try it for your Easter celebration and enjoy a delightful, easy-to-make dessert!
PrintEaster Trifle Dessert
This Easter Trifle is a stunning, layered dessert with fluffy cake, creamy pudding, and pastel-colored whipped topping. It’s easy to assemble, perfect for spring celebrations, and guaranteed to impress your guests!
- Prep Time: 20 minutes
- Chill Time: 1 hour
- Cook Time: 30 minutes
- Total Time: 1 hour 50 minutes
- Yield: 12 servings 1x
- Category: Dessert, Easter
- Method: No-Bake
- Cuisine: American
Ingredients
For the Cake Layer:
- 1 box vanilla or white cake mix (plus ingredients listed on the box: eggs, oil, water)
- Gel food coloring (pastel pink, yellow, blue, and green)
For the Pudding Layer:
- 2 (3.4 oz) boxes instant vanilla pudding mix
- 3 cups cold milk
For the Whipped Layer:
- 2 cups heavy whipping cream
- ¼ cup powdered sugar
- 1 tsp vanilla extract
(or use 1 (8 oz) tub Cool Whip for a shortcut)
For Topping:
- ½ cup shredded coconut (optional, dyed green for “grass”)
- Easter sprinkles
- Mini chocolate eggs or jellybeans
Instructions
Step 1: Bake the Cake
- Preheat oven to 350°F (175°C). Grease a 9×13-inch baking dish.
- Prepare cake batter according to the box instructions.
- Divide the batter into 4 bowls and add a few drops of gel food coloring to each, making pastel pink, yellow, blue, and green.
- Pour the colored batter into separate sections of the baking dish or bake in different pans.
- Bake for 25-30 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted in the center comes out clean. Let cool completely.
Step 2: Make the Pudding
- In a large bowl, whisk pudding mix and cold milk for 2 minutes. Let it set in the fridge for 5 minutes.
Step 3: Make the Whipped Cream
- In a bowl, beat heavy cream, powdered sugar, and vanilla extract until soft peaks form (or use Cool Whip).
Step 4: Assemble the Trifle
- Cut the cooled cake into cubes.
- In a large trifle dish (or individual glasses), layer:
- Cake cubes (mix colors for a fun look!)
- Vanilla pudding
- Whipped cream
- Repeat layers until the dish is full.
Step 5: Decorate
- Top with green-dyed coconut (grass effect), mini eggs, and sprinkles.
- Chill for at least 1 hour before serving.
Notes
- Swap cake mix for homemade vanilla cake if desired.
- Make it chocolate! Use chocolate cake with vanilla pudding.
- Store leftovers in the fridge for up to 3 days.
- Use clear cups for individual mini trifles—great for kids!