Strawberry Pudding Trifle is exactly like a banana pudding, but with fresh strawberries! My friends and family just go nuts when I make it. It looks pretty and serves as an excellent centerpiece before we dig in, but after that first spoon hits, it is gone in minutes!
Wait? Strawberry Pudding?
Strawberry Pudding Trifle dessert is just like banana pudding cups, but with strawberries. Layers of wafer, pudding, strawberry and cream cheese whipped cream, and of course larger than a cup, make this easy dessert recipe a winner!
Trifle desserts are an excellent choice for any large party, gathering or potluck. They are assembled with just a handful of ingredients and relatively short amount time, with no baking.
Even if you choose to make a homemade custard, the time commitment is still low by dessert standards.
And trifles are so gosh darn pretty! They are a fabulously colorful centerpiece and serve many people on a low budget. They do require a special trifle dish, but then you can make trifle desserts or wafer pudding, as some call them, your “thing”.
People will ask for your signature trifle creations and call you to get the recipe for a trifle. You will have a new nickname: Trifle Jessica or Jessica the Trifle Lady.
Am I taking this too far? Sorry, I’ll pull it back a few notches.
Clearly when you make a banana pudding, the bananas have a different texture than strawberries, which are firmer and don’t mush as well, but I like the textural difference and slight tartness they have to offer.
Adding cream cheese to the whipped cream layer makes for a welcomed zestiness that other pudding desserts lack. It isn’t overly sweet, but still fulfills the sweet tooth.
Easily swap out vanilla custard with chocolate pudding for a different trifle treat!
More easy dessert ideas!
- Peach and Cherry Cobbler
- Blackberry Buckle
- No Bake Strawberry Cream Cheese Pie
- Chocolate Cake with Raspberry Buttercream
- Berry Cheesecake
- English Trifle
- Strawberry Cheesecake Trifle
Chocolate Chip Cheese Ball
Peanut Butter Blossoms
Strawberry Pudding Trifle Recipe
Equipment
Ingredients
- 2 pounds strawberries cleaned and hulled
- 4 cups homemade custard *see note for using instant pudding mix
- 8 ounces cream cheese softened
- 8 ounces whipped cream topping
- 11 ounces Nilla wafer cookies
- Mint for garnish, optional
Instructions
- Set aside 12-15 whole hulled strawberries for garnishing. Thinly slice the remaining strawberries and set aside.
- Whether using instant boxed pudding or homemade vanilla custard, make sure it is prepared and slightly chilled.
- In the bowl of a stand mixer fitted with a paddle attachment or a large mixing bowl, whip cream cheese well so it is fluffy and smooth. Slowly, fold in whipped cream topping, mixing well so there are little to no little cream cheese flecks.
- Start your first layer with Nilla Wafers. Top with a thin layer of vanilla custard/pudding, then whipped cream cream cheese. They key to a good trifle is to make sure there is a creamy layer touching each crunchy layer. The moisture from the creamy layer will turn the crunchy layer into a cake-like consistency. Top with strawberry slices. Repeat all layers until you reach the top, ending with a vanilla custard layer.
- Refrigerate for a minimum of 4 hours before serving. Optimal time is 6 hours, but can be as long as overnight. Do not make more than 24 hours before serving. The Nilla Wafers just turn mushy after much longer.
- Garnish with whole strawberries, fresh mint leaves and additional Nilla Wafers.
- To serve, just spoon into a serving dish. Enjoy your Strawberry Pudding Trifle!
- If you’ve tried this recipe, come back and let us know how it was!
So good- we will make it again. And pretty too!