If you’re on the lookout for a delightful, fresh, and fun dessert that brings smiles to every face, the Little Bunny Strawberry Shortcake Trifle Recipe is exactly what you need. This charming no-bake dessert layers juicy, macerated strawberries with fluffy angel food cake and a dreamy vanilla mousse topped with light whipped cream. It offers a perfect balance of textures and flavors—sweet, creamy, and just the right bit of tang from the berries—making it an irresistible treat for gatherings, especially with its adorable bunny-themed garnishes that add a whimsical touch. Easy to assemble and guaranteed to impress, this recipe turns simple ingredients into a gorgeous centerpiece dessert worthy of any celebration.
Ingredients You’ll Need
Gathering the right ingredients for the Little Bunny Strawberry Shortcake Trifle Recipe is a joy in itself because each component plays a vital role in crafting the overall experience of the dessert. From the fresh sweetness of the strawberries to the airy bounce of the angel food cake, every element contributes to an irresistible flavor and texture harmony.
- Fresh strawberries: Use ripe, juicy strawberries for maximum sweetness and vibrant color that brighten the trifle.
- Granulated sugar: Helps macerate the strawberries, creating a luscious, syrupy layer that infuses flavor throughout.
- Angel food or pound cake: Choose a light angel food cake for airy softness or pound cake for denser richness; both soak up the mousse beautifully.
- Heavy whipping cream: Whipped to soft peaks to add lightness and creamy texture that balances the berries and cake.
- Powdered sugar: Sweetens the whipped cream gently without graininess, ensuring a silky finish.
- Vanilla extract: Adds depth and warmth to the whipped cream, enhancing every bite.
- Instant vanilla pudding mix: Creates a quick and easy mousse base, adding creamy sweetness and structure.
- Cold milk: Needed to whisk with pudding mix to achieve that luscious mousse texture.
- Pink food coloring (optional): Perfect for a festive glow that matches the adorable bunny theme.
- Mini marshmallows or bunny-shaped candies: Adds playful charm and fun textures when used as a garnish.
How to Make Little Bunny Strawberry Shortcake Trifle Recipe
Step 1: Macerate the Strawberries
Begin by tossing the sliced fresh strawberries with granulated sugar in a large bowl. Allow them to rest for 10 to 15 minutes to release their natural juices. This not only sweetens them but creates a delicious syrup that will soak into the cake layers, ensuring every bite bursts with berry flavor.
Step 2: Prepare the Vanilla Pudding Mousse
In a separate bowl, whisk the instant vanilla pudding mix with cold milk for about 2 minutes until it thickens into a creamy consistency. This step forms the rich yet light mousse that adds such delightful structure to the trifle layers.
Step 3: Whip the Cream
Using a clean mixing bowl, whip the heavy cream with powdered sugar and vanilla extract until soft peaks form. The whipped cream should be airy and smooth, lending a fluffy, cloud-like texture that makes this dessert feel extra special.
Step 4: Fold Mousse and Whipped Cream
Carefully fold half of the whipped cream into the vanilla pudding mixture to lighten it, transforming the pudding into a silky mousse. If you want to elevate the fun factor, add a drop or two of pink food coloring here for a subtle blush hue perfect for the Little Bunny Strawberry Shortcake Trifle Recipe.
Step 5: Assemble the Trifle
In a clear trifle bowl or individual serving cups, start with a layer of cubed angel food or pound cake. Add a spoonful of the creamy pudding mousse followed by a generous layer of macerated strawberries. Top with a dollop of whipped cream. Repeat these layers until you fill the dish, finishing off with a final swirl of whipped cream.
Step 6: Garnish and Chill
Sprinkle mini marshmallows or bunny-shaped candies on top to bring the adorable little bunny theme to life. Chill the assembled trifle for at least one hour to let the flavors meld wonderfully before serving.
How to Serve Little Bunny Strawberry Shortcake Trifle Recipe
Garnishes
For the perfect finishing touch, garnish your Little Bunny Strawberry Shortcake Trifle Recipe with little edible bunnies or mini marshmallows that bring an extra dose of cuteness. Fresh mint leaves also add a burst of green freshness and a pop of color that complements the pink tones beautifully.
Side Dishes
This trifle is a luscious enough dessert to shine solo, but if you want to enhance your dessert table, serve it alongside a crisp green salad or a light citrus sorbet. The fresh acidity of these sides balances the creaminess perfectly without overpowering your palate.
Creative Ways to Present
For parties, present the trifle in individual clear jars or pretty glasses so guests can admire the beautiful layers. You can also use themed dessert cups decorated with bunny ears or pastel colors to tie in the festive spirit of the Little Bunny Strawberry Shortcake Trifle Recipe.
Make Ahead and Storage
Storing Leftovers
The Little Bunny Strawberry Shortcake Trifle Recipe keeps beautifully in the refrigerator for up to 2 days. Make sure to cover the trifle dish tightly with plastic wrap to keep it fresh and prevent the cake from drying out. The flavors actually deepen and meld overnight, making leftovers just as delightful.
Freezing
This dessert is best enjoyed fresh or chilled rather than frozen, as freezing can alter the texture of the whipped cream and pudding mousse. While the cake and strawberries may freeze well separately, the assembled trifle will lose its creamy, fluffy consistency once thawed.
Reheating
Because this is a no-bake, chilled dessert, reheating is not recommended. It’s designed to be enjoyed cold and fresh out of the fridge, so plan serving accordingly to preserve its lovely texture and freshness.
FAQs
Can I make the Little Bunny Strawberry Shortcake Trifle Recipe dairy-free?
Absolutely! Substitute heavy cream with coconut whipped cream and use a dairy-free milk like almond milk for the pudding mix. This way, you can still enjoy all the layers with a dairy-free twist.
What type of cake works best for this trifle?
Angel food cake offers a light and airy texture that soaks up the mousse nicely, while pound cake provides a richer, denser bite. Both are delicious choices depending on your texture preference.
How far in advance can I prepare this dessert?
You can assemble the trifle the day before your event. It tastes even better after the layers have had time to meld! Just be sure to cover it tightly and keep it refrigerated.
Can I substitute fresh strawberries with frozen ones?
Fresh strawberries are best for texture and flavor, but if frozen are your only option, thaw them completely and drain any excess liquid before macerating to avoid a watery trifle.
What if I don’t have instant vanilla pudding mix?
You can use homemade vanilla pudding made with cornstarch and vanilla extract, but the instant mix is a convenient and reliable way to get that perfect mousse texture quickly for the Little Bunny Strawberry Shortcake Trifle Recipe.
Final Thoughts
I can’t recommend the Little Bunny Strawberry Shortcake Trifle Recipe enough for anyone looking to wow their friends, family, or even just treat themselves to a delicious, festive dessert. It’s simple enough to whip up on a busy day but impressive enough to steal the spotlight at any gathering. Give it a try, and you might just find this to be your new favorite way to celebrate spring and sweetness!
Print
Little Bunny Strawberry Shortcake Trifle Recipe
- Prep Time: 20 minutes
- Cook Time: 0 minutes
- Total Time: 20 minutes
- Yield: 8 servings
- Category: Dessert
- Method: No-Cook
- Cuisine: American
- Diet: Vegetarian
Description
This Little Bunny Strawberry Shortcake Trifle is a delightful, no-bake layered dessert perfect for festive occasions like Easter. Featuring fresh macerated strawberries, light vanilla pudding mousse, and whipped cream layered over cubes of angel food or pound cake, it’s both visually charming and delicious. Topped with bunny-shaped candies or mini marshmallows, it’s a fun, creamy, and fruity treat that’s easy to prepare and sure to please kids and adults alike.
Ingredients
Strawberries
- 1 pound fresh strawberries, hulled and sliced
- 2 tablespoons granulated sugar
Cake
- 1 pound angel food cake or pound cake, cut into 1-inch cubes
Pudding Mousse
- 1 (3.4-ounce) package instant vanilla pudding mix
- 2 cups cold milk
- 1/4 cup powdered sugar
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 2 cups heavy whipping cream
- Pink food coloring (optional)
Garnish
- Mini marshmallows or bunny-shaped candies
Instructions
- Macerate the Strawberries: In a large bowl, toss the sliced strawberries with granulated sugar and let them sit for 10–15 minutes. This will draw out the juices and soften the strawberries, creating a delicious syrup.
- Prepare the Pudding: In another bowl, whisk together the instant vanilla pudding mix and cold milk for 2 minutes until it thickens to a creamy consistency.
- Whip the Cream: In a separate mixing bowl, whip the heavy cream with powdered sugar and vanilla extract until soft peaks form. This creates a light and fluffy whipped cream for layering.
- Make the Pudding Mousse: Fold half of the whipped cream gently into the pudding mixture to lighten it into a mousse-like texture. Optionally, add a drop or two of pink food coloring for a festive touch.
- Assemble the Trifle: In a trifle dish or clear serving cups, layer cubed cake, a spoonful of pudding mousse, a portion of the macerated strawberries, and a dollop of whipped cream. Repeat these layers until the dish or cups are filled, finishing with a layer of whipped cream on top.
- Garnish and Chill: Decorate the top with mini marshmallows or bunny-shaped candies for a charming ‘little bunny’ theme. Refrigerate the trifle for at least 1 hour before serving to allow the flavors to meld and the dessert to chill thoroughly.
Notes
- Use store-bought pound cake or angel food cake to save time and effort without compromising flavor.
- For a dairy-free version, substitute coconut whipped cream and almond milk-based instant pudding.
- Make the trifle ahead and refrigerate overnight to enhance the flavor and texture.
- If desired, adjust sweetness by modifying the amount of granulated or powdered sugar.
