Strawberry Cheesecake Trifle

Ingredients

2 pints fresh strawberries, sliced

1 cup sugar, divided

2 packages (8 ounces each) cream cheese, softened

3 tablespoons orange juice

3 cups heavy whipping cream, whipped

1 loaf (10-3/4 ounces) frozen pound cake, thawed and cut into 1/2-inch cubes

3 ounces semisweet chocolate, grated

Optional: Chocolate curls and additional strawberries

How To Make Strawberry Cheesecake Trifle

In a bowl, toss strawberries with 1/2 cup sugar; set aside.

In a bowl, beat cream cheese, orange juice and remaining sugar until smooth. Fold in the whipped cream; set aside.

Drain strawberries, reserving juice; set the berries aside. Gently toss cake cubes with reserved juice. Place half of the cake in a 4-qt. trifle dish or serving bowl.

Top with a third of the cream cheese mixture, half of the strawberries and half of the grated chocolate. Repeat layers. Top with remaining cream cheese mixture.

Garnish with chocolate curls and strawberries if desired. Cover and refrigerate for at least 4 hours.

TIPS

Creating a delicious Strawberry Cheesecake Trifle is a great way to impress guests or treat yourself. Here are some tips to make this recipe even better:

1. Use Fresh Strawberries: For the best flavor and presentation, use the freshest strawberries you can find. If strawberries aren’t in season, high-quality frozen strawberries can be used as a substitute, but make sure to thaw and drain them well.
2. Let the Sugar Work: After tossing the strawberries with sugar, let them sit for a while to macerate. This process draws out the natural juices of the strawberries, enhancing their sweetness and creating a syrup that adds flavor to the trifle.
3. Cream Cheese Consistency: Ensure your cream cheese is at room temperature before beating it with the sugar and orange juice. Room temperature cream cheese blends more smoothly, preventing lumps in your cream cheese mixture.
4. Whip the Cream to Soft Peaks: When whipping the heavy cream, aim for soft peaks. Over-whipped cream can become too stiff and buttery, affecting the light, airy texture of the trifle.
5. Layering Technique: Be gentle when layering the cake, cream cheese mixture, strawberries, and chocolate. This ensures distinct layers that are visually appealing when served.
6. Soak the Cake: Tossing the cake cubes in the reserved strawberry juice adds flavor and keeps the cake moist. However, avoid soaking the cake too much to prevent it from becoming soggy.
7. Use a Clear Dish: A clear trifle dish not only shows off the beautiful layers of the trifle but also makes it easy to ensure even distribution of ingredients.
8. Chill Time: Allow the trifle to chill for at least 4 hours before serving; this helps the layers set and flavors meld. For best results, consider chilling overnight.
9. Garnishing: Chocolate curls and additional strawberries not only make the trifle look more enticing but also add texture and flavor. Use a vegetable peeler to create chocolate curls from a bar of chocolate.
10. Serving Tip: Serve the trifle with a long spoon or trifle scoop to ensure guests get a bit of every layer in their serving.
11. Experiment with Flavors: Feel free to tweak the recipe by adding different fruits, flavored liqueurs, or extracts to the cream cheese mixture or the strawberries for a personalized touch.
12. Storage: If you have leftovers, cover the trifle dish with plastic wrap and store in the refrigerator. Enjoy within 2-3 days for best taste and texture.

By following these tips, you’ll elevate your Strawberry Cheesecake Trifle from great to extraordinary, making it a memorable dessert for any occasion.