Red Velvet Trifles

These Red Velvet Trifles layer moist red velvet cake, black raspberry gelato, ginger cookie crumbles, creamy eggnog sauce, tangy whipped cream, and fresh raspberries to create a uniquely flavored and highly craveable dessert!  

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Three raspberry trifles next to one another ready to serve

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Trifles are one of my favorite desserts to put together! The repetitive layering is almost therapeutic. Cake, custard, fruit, repeat! I also love the incredible versatility of a trifle. You can make one out of just about anything you have on hand.

This time around, I had some leftover red velvet cake that I desperately did not want to see go to waste. So, what else was there to do than whip up this trifle? Red Velvet trifles are one of my best creations yet; theyโ€™re creamy, crunchy, sweet, tangy, and indulgent. If you want to know whatโ€™s in them, youโ€™ll have to keep reading!

This dessert is as easy to make as it is indulgent; after preparing the red velvet cake ahead of time, assembly takes less than 30 minutes. And, you can make either one large trifle to share, or individual trifles!

What is a Trifle?

Simply put, a trifle is a dessert that is assembled in layers. A triflesโ€™ layers will depend on which recipe youโ€™re following or what ingredients youโ€™re using. But, the most common way to layer a trifle is, from bottom to top: cake, custard then fruit, repeating until you reach the top of your dish.

Usually, a trifle will then be topped with whipped cream and a crunchy topping, like nuts or crushed cookies. A recipe might even call for a liquid layer of simple syrup, liquor or fruit juice, which would go between the cake and custard layers.

Two red velvet trifles with raspberries on top and raspberries in the background

How to Build a Red Velvet Trifle

Since trifles are relatively quick and easy to make, there arenโ€™t a ton of steps or specific measurements required. That said, Iโ€™d like to give you a little more insight on todayโ€™s tasty layers!

RED VELVET CAKE- Dark, decadent, and flavorful, red velvet cake is truly made for royalty. Every moist bite is better than the last! If youโ€™re looking for a foolproof recipe, check out my red velvet cake. Alternatively, you can use any recipe of your choosing, a box cake mix, or a store bought cake.

TALENTI BLACK RASPBERRY GELATO- This is seriously one of my favorite frozen treats! Talenti combines the flavors of black raspberry and rich chocolatey chips to create a deliciously vibrant gelato. Layers of this cool confection are added to the trifle to introduce brightness and texture.

If black raspberry is not your jam (hehe), go ahead and substitute this ingredient with an ice cream or gelato of your liking!

GINGER COOKIES- I love to layer texture into my trifles! Ginger cookies add a bit of extra crunch and some zesty flavor too. Store bought or homemade cookies will work for this recipe. Iโ€™d just stick with something on the crunchier side.

EGGNOG SAUCE- To infuse a little holiday vibe into this recipe, I opted to add in some eggnog sauce! Itโ€™s smooth, creamy, spiced, and super delicious.

CREAM CHEESE WHIPPED CREAM- If youโ€™ve never added cream cheese to your whipped cream, youโ€™re missing out! That extra tang from the spread is just what this recipe called for. I mean, whatโ€™s red velvet without a little zippy cream?

FRESH RASPBERRIES- To add a bright pop to this recipe, I threw in a few fresh raspberries. Theyโ€™re vivid color and crisp flavor cut through the heavy ingredients and uplift the entire trifle!

Can I make Substitutions?

Absolutely! Use this recipe as an outline for your very own creative endeavor. Substitute the red velvet cake for chocolate or vanilla, use cherry gelato instead of black raspberry, or infuse your whipped cream with a fun, unique flavor. Anything goes here.

Have some fun and let me know what you came up with in the comments below!

An overhead of three trifles in small dishes with fresh raspberries stacked on top against white background

Can I prepare in Advance?

Yes! In fact, letting your trifles rest overnight will allow the flavors to commingle and settle together. The end result will taste even better! I would just recommend waiting to add the final layer of whipped cream and raspberries until youโ€™re ready to serve.

To store a trifle, cover the dish tightly with plastic wrap and place it in the refrigerator.

How Long will a trifle last?

When stored properly, a trifle can last for up to 2-3 days in the refrigerator. Past that, youโ€™ll notice things start to get a little gloopy. It will still be safe to eat for a couple more days, but the texture will be different.

Best Red Velvet Recipes

I love just about anything with the words โ€œred velvetโ€ in it! I mean, itโ€™s delicious and often accompanied by some form of cream cheese (another favorite).

If you feel the way I do, check out a few more of my BEST red velvet recipes:

Three raspberry trifles next to one another ready to serve

Red Velvet Trifles

These Red Velvet Trifles layer red velvet cake, raspberry gelato, ginger cookie crumbles, eggnog sauce, tangy whipped cream, and fresh raspberries.
5 from 7 votes
Prep Time 30 minutes
Total Time 30 minutes
Course: Dessert
Servings: 8 mini trifles

Ingredients

  • 2 red velvet cake layers
  • 2 cups black raspberry gelato
  • 1 cup crumbled ginger cookies
  • 1 cup caramel or egg nog sauce
  • 2 1/2 cups whipped cream I love to add cream cheese to mine
  • 1 cup fresh raspberries

Instructions

  • I personally like to make small trifles. Start by breaking apart the cake into smaller pieces.
  • Add cake to bottom of small trifle bowls then add ice cream, ginger cookies, eggnog sauce (or caramel), whipped cream, and fresh whipped cream. If you have more space, you can repeat this action. Super easy!

Notes

Yes! In fact, letting your trifles rest overnight will allow the flavors to commingle and settle together. The end result will taste even better! I would just recommend waiting to add the final layer of whipped cream and raspberries until youโ€™re ready to serve.ย 
To store a trifle, cover the dish tightly with plastic wrap and place it in the refrigerator.

Nutrition

Calories: 668kcal | Carbohydrates: 106g | Protein: 10g | Fat: 27g | Saturated Fat: 9g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 6g | Monounsaturated Fat: 9g | Cholesterol: 43mg | Sodium: 1000mg | Potassium: 570mg | Fiber: 4g | Sugar: 49g | Vitamin A: 308IU | Vitamin C: 7mg | Calcium: 276mg | Iron: 6mg
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Filed Under:  Cake, Christmas, Dessert and Baking, Holidays, Valentine's Day

Comments

  1. I’m excited to make this for Christmas dessert this year. However, I’m worried that the Gelato will melt and make everything mushy if I make it the day before. So, you have recommended to make it ahead, and you’re saying that it will not be melty and mushy? Thank you!

    1. I suggest not making this until you are ready to serve. Don’t add in the ice cream in until ready to serve because it will indeed get mushy.

  2. very excited to try it with ginger cookies, yummm.. feeling the crunch! Thank you Jocelyn for the delicious recipe dear.

  3. fun holiday treat with the egg nog sauce, thank you, love all of the layers in a trifle and each of the choices that you’ve made for each layer, including the red velvet, thank you!

  4. We made these for my niece’s birthday which is so close to Christmas so we try to make it extra special for her so she doesn’t feel left out. These trifles were a HIT. Great for a party. Thanks!

  5. I can’t tell if I want to eat this trifle or just look at it, it’s so beautiful! Very excited to try this recipe for myself!

  6. The red makes this a perfect holiday dessert and honestly, red velvet cake is always a hit. I love how you got some many yummy flavors into such a small cup!

5 from 7 votes

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