This springtime carrot cake trifle features layers of moist carrot cake and no-bake cheesecake filling. Jazz it up with your favorite carrot cake additions such as walnuts or raisins if you like. Topped with adorable decorations like chocolate covered strawberry “carrots,” this dessert is sure to be an Easter showstopper!
Carrot Cake Trifle
For dessert, serve this impressive carrot cake trifle in a pretty trifle dish. Trifles are so easy to make and turn out gorgeous, especially when you serve it in a fancy glass bowl.
ANOTHER RECIPE YOU MIGHT LIKE: Carrot Cake Sandwich Cookies
For this carrot cake trifle, I layered chunks of carrot cake with fluffy cream cheese frosting and added a layer of cheesecake flavored pudding! For decoration, I added some strawberries dipped in orange-colored chocolate. They look like cute little carrots and they highlight the flavor of the cake.
Ingredients you will need
- 1 box carrot cake cake mix, baked, cooled, cut into 1” cubes
- 2 boxes cheesecake flavored instant pudding mix, prepared
- 12 oz cream cheese, well softened 1/4 cup powdered sugar
- 1/2 teaspoon vanilla
- 12 oz Cool Whip, divided
- 1 cup orange candy melts
- 8 medium strawberries, stems kept on
Helpful kitchen tools
- Trifle bowl
- Electric mixer
- Spatula
- Orange candy melts for dipping strawberries
Kitchen Tips
- The filling layers can be made with either whipped topping or heavy cream. Heavy cream will give it a looser texture which is ideal for trifles. Cool whip will give it a stiffer consistency more like a no-bake cheesecake.
- Optional garnishes or “toss-ins” for the layers include walnuts, pineapple, raisins, shredded coconut (white or “grass green”), and even various Easter candies!
- If desired, you can create a trifle layer with about 1-2 cups per layer. For example; cake cubes, frosting, walnuts, cake, frosting, raisins, etc. You could even top it with whipped cream!
- If using pineapple, drain well or the trifle will become watery.
- Be sure to check out my tips for making chocolate covered strawberries.
How to Make Carrot Cake Trifle
- Prepare the pudding mix according to the box directions. Chill in refrigerator until needed.
- Beat the cream cheese, powdered sugar, and vanilla together until smooth and creamy.
- Fold in 8 oz of the Cool Whip until fluffy. Reserve remaining Cool Whip for garnish.
- Layer half the cake in a glass trifle bowl. Top with half the chilled pudding, then half the cream cheese mixture.
- Top with remaining cake, pudding, and cream cheese mixture.
- Add remaining Cool Whip on the top of the trifle.
- Melt the orange candy melts.
- Holding strawberries by the stem, dip into orange melts and place on waxed paper to dry.
- Garnish top of trifle with chocolate covered strawberry carrots.
More Easter Dessert Ideas
Easter desserts are always so much fun! Dancing with pretty pastel colors, they’re not only delicious desserts but a treat to our eyes! Make sure to check out some of our favorite Easter desserts below.
- Checkerboard Cake for Easter– this checkerboard cake is full of pretty colors and will WOW your guests!
- Frosted Sugar Cookie Bars– another colorful dessert are these sugar cookie bars, perfect for spring and Easter!
- Easter Chick Cupcakes– these adorable cupcakes are so easy, you don’t need to be a skilled baker to make them!
- Funfetti Marshmallow Cereal Bars– an easy recipe filled with sprinkles to add some fun color!
- Easter Bunny Cupcakes– bunny cupcakes! Need I explain more?
- French Silk Pie– this recipe is one that my family makes every year for Easter, Christmas, and Thanksgiving. We love it that much!
- Rice Krispie Nests– amongst the most popular Easter dessert, these krispie nests are SO cute and make the perfect Easter dessert!
- Jello Trifle – has layers of fresh fruit, vanilla pudding, wafers, jello, and cake all topped with a creamy homemade whipped topping.
- Hot Cross Buns – These hot cross buns are dotted with raisins and candied orange peels then topped with a perfectly sweet icing cross.
- Easter Dirt Cake – This adorably festive dirt cake is perfect for your Easter holiday dessert spread!
- Bunny Butt Pancakes – Soft and fluffy bunny butt pancakes adorned with fruit and whipped cream to complete the Easter bunny look!
- Lemon Lush Trifle – is fluffy, light, and airy – perfect for summer potlucks and parties!
For Easter, baked ham is our protein of choice and a fresh side vegetable such as roasted carrots with feta. We always have plenty of leftover ham at Easter. This cheesy ham dinner is one of our favorite ways to use it up.
Carrot Cake Trifle
IMPORTANT – There are often Frequently Asked Questions within the blog post that you may find helpful. Simply scroll back up to read them!
Print It Rate ItIngredients
- 1 box carrot cake cake mix prepared, cooled, cut into 1” cubes
- 6.8 ounces cheesecake flavored instant pudding mix prepared (2 3.4-oz boxes)
- 12 oz cream cheese well softened
- ¼ cup powdered sugar
- ½ teaspoon vanilla
- 12 oz whipped topping OR 12 oz heavy cream, whipped
- 1 cup orange candy melts
- 6 large strawberries stems kept on
Things You’ll Need
- Mixing
Before You Begin
- The filling layers can be made with either whipped topping or heavy cream. Heavy cream will give it a looser texture which is ideal for trifles. Cool whip will give it a stiffer consistency more like a no-bake cheesecake.
- Optional garnishes or “toss-ins” for the layers include walnuts, pineapple, raisins, shredded coconut (white or “grass green”), and even various Easter candies!
- If desired, you can create a trifle layer with about 1-2 cups per layer. For example; cake cubes, frosting, walnuts, cake, frosting, raisins, etc. You could even top it with whipped cream!
- If using pineapple, drain well or the trifle will become watery.
Instructions
- Prepare the pudding mix according to the box directions. Chill in refrigerator until needed.
- Beat the cream cheese, powdered sugar and vanilla together until smooth and creamy. Fold in 8 oz of the Cool Whip until fluffy. Reserve remaining Cool Whip for garnish.
- Layer half the cake in a glass trifle bowl. Top with half the chilled pudding, then half the cream cheese mixture.
- Top with remaining cake, pudding, and cream cheese mixture.
- Add remaining Cool Whip on the top of the trifle.
- Melt the orange candy melts.
- Holding strawberries by the stem, dip into orange melts and place on waxed paper to dry.
- Garnish top of trifle with chocolate covered strawberry carrots.
Nutrition
This post was originally published on this blog on Mar 3, 2018.
Amanda Davis
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Natalie says
I love the idea of making carrot cake trifle – it looks and sounds delicious ♥