Serves: 8-10
Prep Time: 30 minutes
Chill Time: 2+ hours
Total Time: About 2.5 hours
Hey there!
This Red Velvet Berry Trifle is one of those desserts that looks fancy but is secretly really easy to throw together. It’s creamy, fluffy, full of juicy berries, and has that classic red velvet cake flavor that everyone goes nuts for.
What I love most? It’s perfect for holidays, parties, or anytime you wanna impress without baking all day. I’ve made it for potlucks and family get-togethers, and it always disappears fast!
🧺 What You’ll Need
For the cake:
- 1 box red velvet cake mix (plus eggs, oil, and water as called for on box)
For the filling:
- 1 (5.1 oz) box instant vanilla pudding mix
- 2 cups cold milk
- 8 oz cream cheese, softened
- 1/3 cup powdered sugar
- 1 tsp vanilla extract
- 2 cups heavy whipping cream
- 1/4 cup granulated sugar
For the fruit:
- 1 cup fresh strawberries, sliced
- 1 cup fresh raspberries
- 1 cup fresh blueberries
🌟 Why I Love This Recipe
This recipe takes me back to a summer potluck when someone brought a red velvet trifle—and I had to get the recipe. I’ve tweaked it a little since, and now it’s one of my go-to desserts.
- It looks beautiful and feels special
- Great for making ahead
- Perfect balance of fruity, creamy, and cakey
- You can switch up the berries based on what’s in season
- No frosting required (but still has the flavor!)
🧠 Why This Recipe Works (Quick Science)
- Instant pudding thickens fast when mixed with cold milk, creating that silky, creamy layer.
- Whipping cream holds air, giving that fluffy texture and lightness.
- Cream cheese stabilizes the cream, so the trifle holds its shape instead of collapsing.
- Red velvet cake is dense enough to soak up just a little moisture from the berries and cream without getting mushy.
🥣 Tools You’ll Need
- Mixing bowls
- Electric hand mixer or stand mixer
- Rubber spatula
- Whisk
- Trifle dish (or any large clear bowl)
- Knife and cutting board
🔁 Substitutions & Variations
- Use chocolate cake instead of red velvet
- Swap berries for cherries or peaches
- Sub in Greek yogurt for cream cheese if you want it lighter
- Use Cool Whip instead of whipping cream to save time
- Make mini trifles in jars!
🧊 Make Ahead Tips
- Make the cake a day ahead and store it covered
- Assemble the full trifle and refrigerate 2–24 hours before serving for best flavor
- Whip the cream and keep it chilled, then assemble just before serving if you prefer fresher texture
👨🍳 Step-by-Step Instructions
Step 1: Bake the Red Velvet Cake
Prepare the red velvet cake mix according to the box directions. Bake, then let it cool completely.
Step 2: Make the Pudding Mixture
In a medium bowl, whisk together instant vanilla pudding mix and cold milk for 2 minutes. Let it thicken in the fridge for 5 minutes.
Step 3: Make the Whipped Cream Cheese Layer
Step 4: Slice the Berries
Slice strawberries and set them aside with the raspberries and blueberries.
Step 5: Cut the Cake into Cubes
Once cake is cool, cut it into 1-inch cubes.
Step 6: Layer the Trifle
In a trifle dish, layer cake cubes, pudding, whipped cream cheese mixture, and berries. Repeat layers until full. Finish with whipped cream and berries on top.
Step 7: Chill Before Serving
Cover and chill trifle in the fridge for at least 2 hours to let the flavors blend.
🧊 Leftovers & Storage
- Store in the fridge, covered, for up to 3 days
- After 2 days the cake softens more, but it still tastes amazing
- Don’t freeze—cream and pudding don’t thaw well
🧠 Common Mistakes
- Not cooling the cake fully – warm cake melts the cream
- Overbeating the whipped cream – it can get grainy
- Skipping chill time – layers won’t hold together as well
- Using frozen berries without draining – makes the trifle watery
🍽 What to Serve With
This is a star dessert, so keep the rest light! Try:
- Grilled chicken or BBQ for a summery meal
- A fresh green salad with citrus vinaigrette
- Iced tea or lemonade
❓ FAQ
Can I use store-bought whipped topping instead of making my own?
Yep! Just sub in 4 cups of Cool Whip for the whipped cream + sugar step.
Can I use frozen berries?
You can, but thaw and drain them really well or the trifle might get soggy.
Can I make this in individual cups?
Totally! Use mason jars or clear plastic cups—super cute for parties.
👋 Wrap Up
Hope you give this Red Velvet Berry Trifle a try—it’s easy, it’s gorgeous, and it tastes like summer in a bowl. Let me know how it goes in the comments or if you have any questions. I’d love to hear how it turned out for you! 💬🍓
