This jello trifle has layers of fresh fruit, vanilla pudding, wafers, jello, and cake all topped with a creamy homemade whipped topping.
Why this recipe works
What we love most about trifles is the ability to mix and match the flavors to your heart’s desire. Traditionally, an English trifle uses custard, but the states have adapted trifles to suit what’s readily available to them and in this case, it’s pudding. The pudding works beautifully alongside fresh berries, jello, and cake creating a delicious wafer-filled trifle!
Jello trifle is great for large gatherings, whether it be a holiday, cookout, or celebration of any kind. The colors of berries just happen to coincide perfectly with the 4th of July in this recipe making it the perfect dessert to bring to your patriotic potluck.
Related Recipe – Creamy Raspberry Jell-O Parfaits
Ingredients you will need
Get all measurements, ingredients, and instructions in the printable version at the end of this post.
FRUIT – Fresh fruit like strawberries, blueberries, and raspberries work beautifully in this trifle! However, if you prefer, you can switch up the fruits to your liking.
CAKE – You’ll use a box of yellow cake mix, but you also need the ingredients on the back of the box. Feel free to use any flavor of cake mix like white, chocolate, or even lemon. If you don’t like using cake mix, prepare your own homemade yellow cake!
JELLO – You will need two boxes of strawberry Jell-O, but raspberry and cherry and great options as well. Plan ahead to make your jello, allowing it time to set in the refrigerator before making this trifle.
PUDDING – Instead of custard, this trifle recipe uses instant vanilla pudding, prepared according to the directions on the back of the box. You may use a custard in place of the pudding if desired.
TOPPING – Homemade whipped cream is super quick to make, but you can also use Cool Whip for a quicker prep with less clean up!
How to Make Jello Trifle
These step by step photos and instructions are here to help you visualize how to make this recipe. You can Jump to Recipe to get the printable version of this recipe, complete with measurements and instructions at the bottom.
- Bake your yellow cake according to box directions and allow to cool. Prepare the jello and the vanilla pudding so everything is ready to layer into the trifle bowl.
- Chop all the fruit (except a few pieces for garnish). Keep in a bowl to the side.
- First, add a layer of cake to the bottom of the trifle dish.
- Next, add a layer of vanilla wafers on top. Layering some along the side of the dish as well.
- Then add a layer of chopped fruit and top with jello.
- Finally, add a layer of vanilla pudding. Your first layer is complete.
- Repeat the above steps until your trifle dish is completely full. You’ll need room to add your cream for the final layer.
- Add the whipping cream to a bowl and beat using a hand mixer until stiff peaks form. If you prefer a sweeter flavor to your cream add powdered sugar and vanilla.
- Spoon the whipped cream on the top of the trifle and decorate with the remaining berries.
- Serve immediately or refrigerate.
Frequently Asked Questions
Jello trifle is best eaten the day of or the following day, but will last in the refrigerator for up to 5 days.
We don’t recommend freezing this trifle as the layers won’t hold up well after being frozen and thawed, compromising the texture of the dessert.
Yes, this trifle is very flexible! In fact, a traditional trifle from England is made using Custard (instead of the vanilla pudding) and bread and jam instead of the cake. Also, Sherry is often used in an English trifle. The fruits/decorations can be changed up to incorporate a holiday – e.g. these berries are perfect for July 4th. But you could use Christmas sprinkles at Christmas time, etc!
This jello trifle recipe uses simple ingredients to create a flavorful and beautiful trifle dessert!
More Trifle Recipes
- Tiramisu Trifle
- Mixed Berry Trifle
- Carrot Cake Trifle
- Lemon Blueberry Trifle
- Chocolate Lasagna Trifle
- Strawberry Shortcake Trifle
- Pumpkin Trifle
- Strawberry Lasagna Trifle
- Lemon Lush Trifle
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Jello 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 yellow cake mix prepared and cooled, 1 box
- 6.8 oz strawberry jello 2-3.4 oz boxes, prepared and set
- 6.8 oz vanilla pudding 2-3.4 oz boxes, prepared
- 16 oz strawberries chopped/sliced
- 12 oz blueberries
- 12 oz raspberries
- 12 oz vanilla wafers
Homemade Whipped Topping
- 1 cup heavy whipping cream
- ¼ cup powdered sugar optional
- 1 tsp vanilla optional
Things You’ll Need
Before You Begin
- * Total time in the recipe card does NOT include time needed to prepare and chill the jello and cake mix.*
- Easily swap ingredients or add any kind of fruit you’d like! Bananas would make a great addition.
- You may use Cool Whip in place of the homemade whipped cream if you’d prefer.
- Jello trifle is best eaten the day of or the following day, but will last in the refrigerator for up to 5 days.
Instructions
- Bake your yellow cake according to box directions and allow to cool. Prepare the jello and the vanilla pudding so everything is ready to layer into the trifle bowl.
- Chop all the fruit (except a few pieces for garnish). Keep in a bowl to the side.
- First, add a layer of cake to the bottom of the trifle dish.
- Next, add a layer of vanilla wafers on top. Layering some along the side of the dish as well.
- Then add a layer of chopped fruit and top with jello
- Finally, add a layer of vanilla pudding. Your first layer is complete.
- Repeat the above steps until your trifle dish is full, leaving a bit of room to add your cream for the final layer.
- Add the heavy whipping cream to a bowl and mix until stiff peaks form. If you prefer a sweeter flavor to your cream, add powdered sugar and vanilla.
- Spoon the whipped cream on the top of the trifle and decorate with the reamining berries.
- Serve immediately or refrigerate.
Nutrition
Amanda Davis
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