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strawberry shortcake
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5 from 6 votes

Strawberry Shortcake Trifle

Strawberry shortcake trilfe is summer in a cup! It's layers of whipped cream, fresh strawberries, strawberry sauce, and a homemade strawberry cake. So delish!
Prep Time10 minutes
Cook Time25 minutes
Total Time35 minutes
Course: Dessert
Cuisine: American
Servings: 8 servings
Calories: 865kcal

Equipment

Ingredients

Ingredients for the cake

  • 2 sticks unsalted butter at room temperature
  • ¼ cup canola or vegetable oil
  • 1 ¾ cups granulated sugar
  • 3 large eggs
  • 2 cups fresh strawberries pureed, I used my food processor to perfectly grind them
  • 2 tablespoons strawberry gelatin powder
  • 3 cups all-purpose flour
  • 1 teaspoon baking powder
  • ¼ teaspoon salt
  • 1 teaspoon baking soda
  • ¾ cup sour cream
  • 1 tablespoon pure vanilla extract

For the Strawberry Sauce/Glaze

  • 1 cups granulated sugar
  • 3 tablespoons cornstarch
  • teaspoon kosher salt
  • 2 cups finely diced strawberries
  • ½ cup water

Toppings

  • 1 container whipped cream topping
  • 2 cups fresh strawberries sliced

Instructions

For the Cake:

  • Preheat oven to 350 degrees.
  • In a mixing bowl, combine butter, oil, and sugar and beat on medium high speed until nice and fluffy, about 5 minutes.
  • Add eggs, one at a time, and beat until incorporated.
  • Next, add strawberry puree and gelatin powder and slowly mix into batter.
  • In a separate medium-sized bowl, sift together all-purpose flour, baking powder, salt, and baking soda.
  • Slowly add half of the flour mixture to the mixing bowl and mix on low until combined.
  • Then add sour cream and combine on low.
  • Pour in the remaining flour mixture and mix on low until well incorporated.
  • Lastly, add vanilla extract and mix until the entire batter is smooth (just be careful not to overmix the batter).
  • Evenly pour the strawberry cake batter into a 9x13 pan sprayed with nonstick baking spray. Bake in the oven for 25-35 minutes or until a toothpick inserted in the center comes out clean.
  • Remove from oven and cool in pan for 10 minutes, then transfer to cooling racks.

For the Strawberry Sauce

  • In a small saucepan, whisk together sugar, cornstarch, and salt.
  • Add in strawberries and water. Whisk until combined and all sugar is hydrated.
  • Heat on medium-high heat until the mixture begins to boil, using a whisk to gently crush strawberries, releasing their juices.
  • Reduce to medium and let simmer for about 3 minutes, until mixture thickens.
  • Remove from heat and cool to room temperature before using.

Assemble the trifle

  • Once the cake is cool, cut the cake into small squares.
  • To assemble the trifle, place small squares of cake into the bottom of a trifle dish, then layer with whipped cream topping.
  • Next, add a tablespoon of strawberry glaze and follow up with fresh strawberry slices.
  • Repeat steps until glass is full.
  • Add whipped cream to the top of glasses and garnish with fresh strawberries.

Notes

  • Choose Fresh, Ripe Strawberries: The quality of your strawberries can make or break this dessert. Opt for ripe, juicy berries for the best natural sweetness and flavor.
  • Don't Over-Mix the Cake Batter: Over-mixing can make the cake dense rather than light and fluffy. Mix just until the dry ingredients are incorporated into the wet ones.
  • Layer with Care: The art of layering is key in a trifle. Make sure each layer is evenly distributed for a beautiful presentation and a well-balanced bite.
  • Chill Before Serving: Letting the trifle sit for a bit allows the flavors to meld together, giving you a dessert that's greater than the sum of its parts.
  • Use Real Whipped Cream: Opt for real whipped cream over the synthetic varieties for a richer taste and texture.

Nutrition

Calories: 865kcal | Carbohydrates: 120g | Protein: 9g | Fat: 40g | Saturated Fat: 20g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 4g | Monounsaturated Fat: 13g | Trans Fat: 1g | Cholesterol: 155mg | Sodium: 348mg | Potassium: 301mg | Fiber: 3g | Sugar: 78g | Vitamin A: 1057IU | Vitamin C: 64mg | Calcium: 109mg | Iron: 3mg