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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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; they’re creamy, crunchy, sweet, tangy, and indulgent. If you want to know what’s in them, you’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 trifles’ layers will depend on which recipe you’re following or what ingredients you’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.

How to Build a Red Velvet Trifle

Since trifles are relatively quick and easy to make, there aren’t a ton of steps or specific measurements required. That said, I’d like to give you a little more insight on today’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 you’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. I’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! It’s smooth, creamy, spiced, and super delicious.

CREAM CHEESE WHIPPED CREAM- If you’ve never added cream cheese to your whipped cream, you’re missing out! That extra tang from the spread is just what this recipe called for. I mean, what’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. They’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!

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 you’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, you’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 “red velvet” in it! I mean, it’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:

• Red Velvet Lava Cake
• Red Velvet Marble Cake
• Red Velvet Cake
• Red Velvet Bundt Cake 
• Red Velvet Ice Cream
• Blue Velvet Cake!