It's a gorgeous layered dessert that's surprisingly easy to make. Learn what is a trifle and everything else you need to know!
Here’s Everything You Need to Know About Trifles
Updated on Jan. 28, 2021
This elegant dessert has been around for ages and anyone who has ever had a cake disaster, like when it stuck to the pan or broke in half, should be familiar. In every trifle, layers of something cakey, something creamy and something fruity come together to make a delicious treat. Here’s everything you need to know about trifles.
By the way, these are some of our best trifle recipes.
What Is a Trifle?
The traditional version of trifle that originated in England in the 18th century (with less similar dishes being made even earlier) consisted of three or four layers, including some sort of fruit, alcohol-soaked sponge cake and custard. The fruit and cake were often layered with homemade jelly. This classic interpretation was always served in a round bowl.
American trifles are similar but fortunately, a bit less complicated. They consist of multiple layers of crumbled or cubed cake, pudding and fruit. The flavors can vary widely, from raspberries, peach yogurt and angel food cake to brownies, white chocolate pudding and candy bar bits. They’re topped with whipped cream and some sort of crumbs or nuts to add texture. Trifle should be served in a deep, round dish—ideally one that’s clear so diners can see all of the layers.
Peach & Blueberry TrifleThis crowd-pleasing summer trifle recipe can be made the night before. I love that you can be flexible with the ingredients. Add any in-season fruit you like! —Raymonde Bourgeois, Swastika, Ontario
Brownie Mocha TrifleBy using instant pudding and a convenient box of brownie mix, there's nothing to the preparation. The result is moist and chewy. And the layers look so pretty spooned into a glass trifle bowl. —Louise Fauth, Foremost, Alberta
Red, White and Blue DessertI changed a recipe I found and ended up with this rich, fresh-tasting dessert. Decorated to resemble a flag, it's perfect for the Fourth of July or any other patriotic occasion. —Sue Gronholz, Beaver Dam, Wisconsin
Strawberry Chocolate TrifleSimple and satisfying, this strawberry chocolate trifle is the perfect combination of flavors artfully layered into an easy dessert.
Key Lime TrifleWhen I saw a recipe for banana cream pie trifle I was inspired to invent a version than spun off my favorite pie, Key lime. My family loved it! Some friends got to try it, too, and they enjoyed immensely as well. —Rebecah Lytle, Ocala, Florida
Berry, Lemon and Doughnut Hole TrifleAfter my son called and said he was bringing home his college roommates, I was able to whip up this quick yet impressive dessert in only a few minutes. It's been a family favorite ever since. —Ellen Riley, Murfreesboro, Tennessee
Peach Melba TrifleThis dream of a dessert tastes extra good on a busy day, because you can make it ahead of time! If you don't have fresh peaches handy, subbing three cups of the canned ones works, too. —Christina Moore, Casar, North Carolina
Toffee Brownie TrifleThis decadent combination of pantry items is a terrific way to dress up a brownie mix. Try this trifle with other flavors of pudding or substitute your favorite candy bar. It tastes great with low-fat and sugar-free products, too. —Wendy Bennett, Sioux Falls, South Dakota
English TrifleIf you want a special dessert recipe to wow your guests, this is it. When you serve it, the only sound after that will be the scraping of spoons against bowls—and the occasional sigh of extreme satisfaction.
Strawberry TrifleI won first prize in a dairy recipe contest with this tasty strawberry trifle. You can double the recipe and make two for large groups. —Norma Steiner, Monroe, Wisconsin
Blueberry Lemon TrifleA refreshing lemon filling and fresh blueberries give this sunny dessert sensation plenty of color. Don't worry about heating up the oven—this trifle doesn't require baking. —Ellen Peden, Houston, Texas
Chocolate Swirl DelightI made a few updates to a great recipe and ended up with an impressive dessert. Everyone loves its light texture and chocolaty flavor. —Lynne Bargar, Saegertown, Pennyslvania
Strawberry Cheesecake TrifleFor a dessert that looks as great as it tastes, this one can't be beat! Layers of rich pound cake, luscious cream and sweet strawberries make this treat very inviting. —Marnie Stoughton, Glenburnie, Ontario
Brownie TriflePeanut butter brownie trifle is a tower of bite-sized, peanut butter chip-studded brownies and creamy peanut butter mousse, crowned with whipped topping and an exuberant garnish of chopped peanut butter cups for a showstopping dessert.
Blueberry Graham DessertWhen you're short on time but long for cheesecake, try this fruity dessert. Ricotta and cream cheeses give every bit as much flavor as cheesecake without the effort. Instead of making individual servings, you could layer the ingredients in a glass serving bowl. —Taste Recipes Test Kitchen
Red, White & Blue Berry TrifleThis luscious trifle tastes best if made the day before serving. Keep additional berries on hand for decoration. —Kaia McShane, Munster, Indiana
Caramel Chocolate TrifleA highlight of our annual family reunion is the dessert competition. The judges take their jobs very seriously! Last year's first-place winner was this tempting trifle.—Barb Hausey, Independence, Missouri
Berries & Cream TriflesLayers of cubed cake, berries and creamy ricotta mixture make pretty trifles that taste as rich as cheesecake. —Joan Duckworth, Lee's Summit, Missouri
Why Is It Called a Trifle?
According to FoodTimeline, the name trifle comes from “the Old French trufe (or truffle), meaning something of little importance.” For us, this means that dessert trifles should be easy to assemble, serve and eat. Take a look at these other easy dessert recipes that also come together in a snap.
Making a Trifle
Since trifles are relatively quick and easy to make, there aren’t a ton of steps or specific measurements required. That said, we put together a how-to make a trifle guide that will take you through the ingredients, tools and method you’ll need to make a delectable trifle.
What Is the Best Way To Layer a Trifle?
Your trifle layers will depend a bit on which recipe you’re following or what ingredients you’re using. But, in general, the best way to layer a trifle is, from bottom to top: cake, custard then fruit, repeating these layers until you reach the top of your dish. Typically, these layers will then be topped with whipped cream and a crunch topping, like nuts or crushed cookies. Additionally, your trifle recipe might call for a liquid layer of simple syrup, liquor or fruit juice, which would go between the cake and custard layers.
Can I Make a Trifle the Day Before?
Absolutely! In fact, letting your trifle rest overnight allows the flavors to meld, making it taste even better. If you have a top layer of fresh whipped cream, though, wait to add it until just before serving. Here are some more overnight dessert recipes that get better with time.
How To Store Trifles
To properly store a trifle overnight, or store a leftover trifle, cover the trifle dish tightly with plastic or beeswax wrap. Then, place the dish in your refrigerator where it can be kept for up to four days.
Will a Trifle Get Soggy Overnight?
Overnight, the liquids in the trifle will start to soften the cake layers, but they shouldn’t get soggy. It won’t be until about three days after being assembled that the cake layers will disintegrate and be soggy. That said, the level of sogginess will depend on what sort of cake and custard you’re using.
Can You Freeze Trifles?
We wouldn’t recommend freezing a trifle. This is because custard, which is dairy-based, does not freeze well and will likely separate. If you do freeze a trifle, expect that the texture to be drastically affected.
How Long Does a Trifle Last?
When stored properly, a trifle will last you three to four days in the refrigerator. After that, your trifle will start to get a bit gloopy, but will still be safe to eat.
Whether you happen to have a busted cake or not, a trifle is a great option for a crowd-pleasing dessert. Keep it in mind the next time you need a showstopper to take to dinner!
More Crazy-Good Trifle Recipes
Peach & Blueberry TrifleThis crowd-pleasing summer trifle recipe can be made the night before. I love that you can be flexible with the ingredients. Add any in-season fruit you like! —Raymonde Bourgeois, Swastika, Ontario
Brownie Mocha TrifleBy using instant pudding and a convenient box of brownie mix, there's nothing to the preparation. The result is moist and chewy. And the layers look so pretty spooned into a glass trifle bowl. —Louise Fauth, Foremost, Alberta
Red, White and Blue DessertI changed a recipe I found and ended up with this rich, fresh-tasting dessert. Decorated to resemble a flag, it's perfect for the Fourth of July or any other patriotic occasion. —Sue Gronholz, Beaver Dam, Wisconsin
Strawberry Chocolate TrifleSimple and satisfying, this strawberry chocolate trifle is the perfect combination of flavors artfully layered into an easy dessert.
Key Lime TrifleWhen I saw a recipe for banana cream pie trifle I was inspired to invent a version than spun off my favorite pie, Key lime. My family loved it! Some friends got to try it, too, and they enjoyed immensely as well. —Rebecah Lytle, Ocala, Florida
Berry, Lemon and Doughnut Hole TrifleAfter my son called and said he was bringing home his college roommates, I was able to whip up this quick yet impressive dessert in only a few minutes. It's been a family favorite ever since. —Ellen Riley, Murfreesboro, Tennessee
Peach Melba TrifleThis dream of a dessert tastes extra good on a busy day, because you can make it ahead of time! If you don't have fresh peaches handy, subbing three cups of the canned ones works, too. —Christina Moore, Casar, North Carolina
Toffee Brownie TrifleThis decadent combination of pantry items is a terrific way to dress up a brownie mix. Try this trifle with other flavors of pudding or substitute your favorite candy bar. It tastes great with low-fat and sugar-free products, too. —Wendy Bennett, Sioux Falls, South Dakota
English TrifleIf you want a special dessert recipe to wow your guests, this is it. When you serve it, the only sound after that will be the scraping of spoons against bowls—and the occasional sigh of extreme satisfaction.
Strawberry TrifleI won first prize in a dairy recipe contest with this tasty strawberry trifle. You can double the recipe and make two for large groups. —Norma Steiner, Monroe, Wisconsin
Blueberry Lemon TrifleA refreshing lemon filling and fresh blueberries give this sunny dessert sensation plenty of color. Don't worry about heating up the oven—this trifle doesn't require baking. —Ellen Peden, Houston, Texas
Chocolate Swirl DelightI made a few updates to a great recipe and ended up with an impressive dessert. Everyone loves its light texture and chocolaty flavor. —Lynne Bargar, Saegertown, Pennyslvania
Strawberry Cheesecake TrifleFor a dessert that looks as great as it tastes, this one can't be beat! Layers of rich pound cake, luscious cream and sweet strawberries make this treat very inviting. —Marnie Stoughton, Glenburnie, Ontario
Brownie TriflePeanut butter brownie trifle is a tower of bite-sized, peanut butter chip-studded brownies and creamy peanut butter mousse, crowned with whipped topping and an exuberant garnish of chopped peanut butter cups for a showstopping dessert.
Blueberry Graham DessertWhen you're short on time but long for cheesecake, try this fruity dessert. Ricotta and cream cheeses give every bit as much flavor as cheesecake without the effort. Instead of making individual servings, you could layer the ingredients in a glass serving bowl. —Taste Recipes Test Kitchen
Red, White & Blue Berry TrifleThis luscious trifle tastes best if made the day before serving. Keep additional berries on hand for decoration. —Kaia McShane, Munster, Indiana
Caramel Chocolate TrifleA highlight of our annual family reunion is the dessert competition. The judges take their jobs very seriously! Last year's first-place winner was this tempting trifle.—Barb Hausey, Independence, Missouri
Berries & Cream TriflesLayers of cubed cake, berries and creamy ricotta mixture make pretty trifles that taste as rich as cheesecake. —Joan Duckworth, Lee's Summit, Missouri
