Thrift finds, mini, and cheesecake are a few of my favorite things. Put them together…and you have yourself a very satisfying dessert! I picked these cute (everything’s cuter on a smaller scale, am I right?) little trifle dishes up at the thrift store for just fifty cents a piece a few months ago and they have now made their debut – filled with layers of raspberry cheesecake!
Hey there, friend! Cindy here, and oh my goodness, do I have a treat for you today! You know those moments when you need a dessert that looks totally fancy but doesn’t require you to spend hours in the kitchen? This Berry Cheesecake Trifle is exactly that – it’s my go-to recipe when I want to wow guests but still have time to, you know, actually enjoy the party!
Why You’ll Love This Recipe
Let me tell you something funny – the first time I made this trifle, my kids thought I’d ordered it from a fancy bakery! Little did they know, I threw it together during their afternoon nap. That’s right, this recipe is so simple, you can make it while multitasking (hello, fellow parents!).
The best part? It’s basically impossible to mess up. Trust me, if I can make this while keeping my toddler from redecorating the walls with markers, you’ve got this in the bag!
What You’ll Need
Before we jump in, grab your trifle bowl from the back of the cabinet (or any clear glass bowl – no judgment here!). The magic of this dessert is in those beautiful layers, so we want them to show off!
Common Questions (Because I Know You’ll Ask!)
Can I make this ahead of time? You bet! I actually prefer making it the night before – it gives all those yummy flavors time to get cozy with each other.
What if I can’t find fresh berries? Been there! While fresh berries are amazing, you can totally use frozen ones in a pinch. Just thaw and drain them well (nobody wants a soggy trifle!).
No trifle dish? No problem! Any clear glass bowl works! I’ve even made individual servings in wine glasses for fancy dinner parties. Talk about impressive!
The Secret to Perfect Layers
Here’s a tip that took me way too many tries to figure out: when you’re layering your cake cubes, don’t pack them too tightly. You want that creamy cheesecake filling to find its way into all the nooks and crannies. Think of it like playing Tetris, but way more delicious!
Make It Your Own
You know me – I love when you guys get creative in the kitchen! Here are some fun twists:
- Swap the pound cake for brownie pieces (hello, chocolate lovers!)
- Try different berry combinations
- Add a splash of lemon juice to brighten it up
Why This Recipe Works
The cream cheese mixture is the real star here. When you combine it with fresh berries and soft cake cubes, something magical happens. It’s like all the best parts of cheesecake and berry shortcake had a baby!
Storing Your Masterpiece
Keep this beauty covered in the fridge for up to 3 days – if it lasts that long! In my house, leftovers are gone by breakfast (don’t judge – it’s basically like having yogurt and fruit… right?).
While these trifles may take a little finesse and time, they are so well worth it! Give ‘em a try!
- 1 package graham crackers, crushed
- 4 tablespoons butter, melted
- ¼ cup sugar
- 4 oz cream cheese, softened
- ¾ cup powdered sugar
- ½ teaspoon vanilla
- 1 c whipping cream, whipped
- 1 can of your favorite berry pie filling
- Place graham crackers in a Ziplock bag and seal. Use a rolling pin to crush until fine. Pour into a small bowl.
- Add melted butter and sugar. Stir until combined.
- In a separate bowl, beat together cream cheese, sugar, and vanilla until smooth. Fold in whipped cream.
- Layer the graham cracker crumbs, cream cheese mixture and berry topping in 4 miniature trifle dishes. Repeat.
- Refrigerate for at least 2 hours before serving.