Strawberry Trifle

By: Jodi / Published on March 29, 2018 Updated on June 7, 2024 / 36 Comments

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Our Strawberry Trifle is a perfect dessert for any occasion. With layers of fresh strawberries, fluffy whipped cream, and gluten-free vanilla wafers, this trifle is sure to be a crowd-pleaser. It’s a beautiful and delicious dessert that will impress your guests without compromising on flavor or dietary restrictions!

A traditional trifle is made with sponge cake that has been soaked with sherry. Of course, this classic dessert is also made with pound cake or angel food cake.

Trifle recipes are known for their layered appearance inside of a trifle bowl. The defined layers of cake, cream and fruit is what makes the dessert present well. Plus, the creamy, rich and refreshing flavors make it irresistible!

We put a unique twist on our recipe by featuring vanilla wafers and swapping the cream cheese layer with a protein-packed Greek yogurt. You will be pleasantly surprised that these easy ingredient swaps can create a gluten-free trifle dessert that everyone loves.

Can a Trifle be Made in Advance?

You can definitely create this dessert the day before, making it an excellent dessert for parties and gatherings.

After the dessert has been assembled, store in the fridge covered with plastic wrap until ready to serve. Chilling allows the flavors to meld together and the dessert to set.

Add any last-minute garnishes right before service then enjoy!

Greek yogurt, lemon curd, vanilla wafers, strawberries and cool whip displayed on a counter

We are excited to partner with Pick ‘N Save/Metro Market, a store we’ve proudly supported for years. Their Kroger and Simple Truth brands ensure quality and savings, adding an extra layer of assurance for families. Create Kids Club values wholesome choices and delicious meals, and our collaboration creates an ideal platform for affordable, quality living.

Ingredients

This is an easy summer dessert with few ingredients. This healthy dessert idea requires just 5 ingredients and comes together quickly.

Plain Greek yogurt & lemon curd – using Greek yogurt flavored with store-bought lemon curd, this recipe cuts fat and calories from more traditional recipes that use cream cheese or custard. The flavor is light, lemony, and bright.
Gluten-free vanilla Wafers – crush by pouring into a Ziploc bag then using a kitchen mallet. You can also crush right in the packaged bag.
Fresh strawberries – wash then remove the tops before slicing lengthwise. This will help for presentation and make it easier to layer.
Cool Whip – set in the fridge overnight if stored in the freezer to make it easier to layer.

lemon curd, Greek yogurt and cool whip in mixing bowl

cool whip mixture in mixing bowl with spoon

How To Make

In a mixing bowl, whisk together the yogurt and lemon curd. Set aside.

Layer 1/2 of the vanilla wafers on the bottom of the trifle dish. Arrange strawberries around the bottom of the dish. Drizzle with 1/2 of the yogurt mix. Top with 1/2 of the Cool Whip. Repeat layers.

Garnish with strawberries and crushed wafers.

crushed vanilla wafers on the bottom of a trifle bowl

trifle bowl with crushed vanilla wafers on bottom then sliced strawberries and cool whip on top

How To Serve

Serving a trifle dessert is a delightful way to showcase the layers of wafers, fruit and whipped cream.

When you’re ready to serve, simply spoon individual portions into dessert bowls or glasses. Small mason jars are also a cute way to feature this strawberry dessert.

Garnishes

For a special touch, garnish the trifle with additional berries, crushed wafers, chocolate shavings, chopped nuts or shredded coconut. This step is optional but does add decoration and flavor to the dessert.

trifle bowl with layered with crushed vanilla wafers, sliced strawberries and cool whip

close up view of trifle layered with gluten free vanilla wafers, cool whip and berries

Recipe Notes & Variations

Make mini trifle desserts by layering the ingredients in small bowls, glasses or mason jars. This is a perfect solution if looking for individually portioned desserts.
Elevate the sweetness of the dessert by sprinkling the strawberries with sugar before layering.
Swap the wafers for cubes of gluten-free white cake, pound cake or angel food cake.
Substitute blueberries, raspberries or blackberries in place of the strawberries. A mixed berry trifle is also a variation to consider.

Frequently Asked Questions

How far in advance can you make a trifle?

This recipe for trifle dessert can be made up to a day in advance.

Can you use frozen strawberries?

Fresh berries are going to be best to achieve the desired taste and texture of this classic dessert. If frozen berries are the only option available, let the berries thaw completely then press out any excess water before layering.

What if I don’t have a trifle bowl?

Do not worry! A trifle bowl is great because of the clear glass that allows you to see each layer. However, you can also assemble this dessert in tall glasses or mason jars.

hand sprinkling topping on berry trifle dessert

Kids In The Kitchen

Cooking tips and suggestions for kids making this recipe.

Crush the wafers right in the package or pour into a large Ziploc bag. A kitchen mallet or rolling pin can be used to crush.
If this is your first time layering a trifle dessert, get ready. You are going to have a blast! Ultimately, it is your decision how many layers you want to add. Anywhere from 3-5 layers makes the dessert present well. Get creative and make the recipe just how you want.
Store leftover dessert in the fridge in a covered bowl or container. This is a dessert that you don’t want to freeze. The wafers get a bit soggy as they defrost. For a delicious dessert you can freeze, check out this Frozen Lemonade.

Storage Instructions

It is possible to store trifle leftovers when following these simple steps.

First, decide if you are storing in the trifle bowl or transferring to another container. The trifle dish will need to be wrapped with plastic wrap while the container will need a resealable lid. Second, store in the fridge to keep the ingredients fresh.

Trifles are best when served fresh since the ingredients do soften with each day. To prevent soggy wafers, consume the dessert within 2 days of assembling it.

Remember to always check the quality of the trifle is storing longer than 2 days and discard if any signs of spoilage appear.

More Desserts with Strawberries

CKC Features both Gluten-Free Guidance and Kids Cooking Instructions: If you’re new to eating gluten-free we understand it’s overwhelming trying to figure out which foods may contain gluten and which ones don’t. All of our gluten-free recipes marked with this symbol ✅ represent foods that need to be checked for gluten or cross-contamination.

The ⭐️ symbol in the recipe below denotes the steps in which kid cooks may need a helper (depending on age). If there is no ⭐️ symbol, that step (or recipe) doesn’t require a helper.

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