Easy Raspberry Red Velvet Trifle

This Red Velvet Trifle made with fluffy chocolatey red velvet cake, fresh juicy raspberries, and a creamy cream cheese yogurt filling with a hint of lemon is going to be your new favorite dessert. Make one trifle or individual parfaits for a dessert that's perfect for kids, adults, parties, holidays, BBQs, and so much more!

Jump to:

• What is a Trifle Dessert?
• Why You Will Love This Red Velvet Trifle Cups Recipe
• Ingredients For Red Velvet Cake With Cream Cheese
• Trifle Recipe Variations
• How to Make a Red Velvet Trifle
• Tips to Layer Your Trifle
• How to Store Raspberry Trifle
• Expert Tips
• Recipe FAQs
• More Dessert Recipes
• Don't Be Shy!
• The Best Red Velvet Trifle

What is a Trifle Dessert?

A trifle is a layered dessert that originated in Britain. It's made with layers of sponge cake or lady fingers, fruit or jam, and a creamy filling such as custard or whipped cream. It's often served in a large glass bowl for a striking dessert that truly dresses up any table.

You can easily make raspberry trifle individual or parfaits which is the same thing but in smaller individual-sized glasses. This way each person gets their own to enjoy! Really a trifle and parfait are the same thing with the only difference being that parfaits are served in individual containers while a trifle is served in a large bowl.

Why You Will Love This Red Velvet Trifle Cups Recipe

• An Easy Dessert. This dessert is so easy to throw together and also works well for serving a crowd.
• Looks as Pretty as It Tastes! The colorful layers of raspberries and red velvet cake with the creamy white filling really is a show-stopper that tastes great too!
• A Lighter Dessert. The combination of the creamy layers and cake creates a dessert that's less heavy than homemade red velvet cake with its super sweet icing.

If you love red velvet, you've got to try our Starbucks Copycat Red Velvet Loaf Cake,

Ingredients For Red Velvet Cake With Cream Cheese

Here's a look at the simple ingredients you need to make these red velvet dessert cups.

• Red Velvet Cake Mix: You can make a homemade red velvet cake or use a store-bought cake mix. Bake your cake and cut it into 1-inch by 1-inch squares.
• Fresh Raspberries: I love the tart, sweetness of raspberries, and their color works so well with red velvet cake. You can also use strawberries, blueberries, or mixed berries instead. This recipe works best with fresh rather than frozen berries.
• Powdered Sugar: Adds sweetness and easily dissolves into the yogurt for an ultra creamy texture.
• Vanilla Greek Yogurt: A lighter option for making the creamy filling for the layers in this red velvet cake trifle.
• Lemon Zest: For a burst of lemon flavor without adding too much acidity.
• Cream Cheese: Thickens up the creamy filling slightly and gives it a bit of tang and a cheesecake flavor.

Trifle Recipe Variations

• Different Types of Cake: You can make a trifle with any flavor of cake! White cake, lemon cake, and chocolate cake are some other favorite flavors that work with this recipe. You can even use a red velvet marble cake for an interesting look.
• Change Up the Fruit: Berries work great for trifles because they hold up so well. You can swap the raspberries for blueberries, strawberries, or any other favorite berry. You can also change it up completely and use some sliced peaches or bananas. However, I highly recommend serving those right away as they tend to brown very easily.
• Individual VS One Trifle: You can easily use this recipe to make one large trifle or several smaller ones.
• Experiment with Other Citrus: Replace the lemon juice with lime or orange juice.

How to Make a Red Velvet Trifle

Once you bake the cake, your red velvet dessert cups go together quickly! Here's a look at the main steps.

Step 1: Making the Cake

Make the Cake according to the directions on the package. When it's cooled completely cut into 1-inch squares.

Step 2: Make the Filling and Layer Your Trifle

1. Beat the cream cheese until creamy.
2. Add the lemon zest, yogurt, and powdered sugar to the bowl. Beat until smooth.
3. To layer add the cake to the bottom of your trifle bowl or individual glasses.
4. Top with cream cheese filling. Add some fresh raspberries. Then start over again with more cake, cream cheese, and berries. Continue until you fill the glasses.

Tips to Layer Your Trifle

PRO TIP: Decide how many layers of each component you will want to have in your trifle. Divide the cake and the cream cheese filling into the number of sections. This will help ensure you have even layers and enough. I prefer about three layers but sometimes four is nice!

Place the red velvet cake with cream cheese in the fridge for about 30 minutes before serving to help the creamy filling to soak into the cake. 

PRO TIP: Make sure to end the trifle with the cream cheese filling with fresh berries on top. You can even sprinkle some lemon zest or add lemon wedges for garnish.

How to Store Raspberry Trifle

• Storing: Cover with a lid or plastic wrap. Just make sure to cover it so the cake doesn't dry out. Store it in the fridge and try to enjoy it within three days though it will last in an airtight container for up to a week.
• Make Ahead: You can make your trifle or individual parfaits up to 24 hours ahead of time! I find they taste even better sitting overnight.
• Freezing: Due to the dairy in the trifles, freezing is not recommended.

Expert Tips

• Allow the cake to cool completely. You can even bake the cake the day before so you don't have to wait around for it to cool.
• Let it sit. Your red velvet cake trifle will taste so much better if you let it sit for a bit before serving. The cake soaks up the flavors of the creamy filling and the berries making the flavors come together.
• Enjoy this red velvet trifle recipe cold. A trifle is meant to be eaten cold so make sure you keep it refrigerated before serving.

Recipe FAQs

More Dessert Recipes

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