This Strawberry Tiramisu Trifle is a classic dessert that gets a berry twist thanks to lots of strawberries, chocolate and a fabulous mascarpone and pudding cream. It’s still packed with lots of coffee flavor!
Strawberry Tiramisu Trifle
This strawberry tiramisu trifle is not only completely delicious, it’s totally gorgeous. I have made this a few times now and every time I make it, it’s a huge success. As a matter of fact, it’s a recipe I shared with you almost 5 years ago and I love it so much, I make it over and over again.
The thing with trifles is that they taste way better the next day. The longer time you give it for those lady fingers to soak up that coffee and have all those other ingredients marry together, the better your trifle will taste. This trifle is packed full of rich mascarpone and pudding cream, juicy berries, and melt in your mouth chocolate flakes.
What Is Tiramisu?
Tiramisu is an Italian dessert that involves soaking lady finger biscuits in espresso, layered with mascarpone custard. Its a totally classic dessert and is the perfect way to elevate a pretty standard dessert like a berry trifle. This dish is also perfect to share with a crowd, so bring this out the next time you’re looking to impress a crowd!
Ingredients In Strawberry Tiramisu Trifle
Detailed measurements and instructions can be found on the printable recipe card at the bottom of the page.
- Strawberries – I definitely recommend using fresh berries, we want berries that are juicy and plump and bright!
- Milk – Any kind you like as long as it’s cold.
- Vanilla pudding – I used an entire package of the store bought stuff, it tastes just as good and speeds up our prep time!
- Cheese – Cheese? Really? Yes really, mascarpone is an essential creamy addition to tiramisu and will provide some rich tang to our dessert.
- Coffee – I used instant coffee today, 2 cups worth to soak our ladyfingers in.
- Whipped cream – I used cool whip today for speed and ease but feel free to make your own from scratch if you’d like!
- Ladyfingers – This is a crisp dry sweet biscuit, it is best soaked in delicious coffee and infused into desserts.
- Chocolate – Bittersweet chocolate shaved or grated to be sprinkled liberally on top.
How To Make Strawberry Tiramisu Trifle
Detailed measurements and instructions can be found on the printable recipe card at the bottom of the page.
- Prep the strawberries: Set aside one strawberry for garnish; slice the remaining strawberries, stems removed.
- Create the creamy filling: In a large bowl, whisk milk and pudding mix for 2 minutes then refrigerate for 2 minutes. In a mixing bowl, beat mascarpone cheese until smooth; gradually beat in 2 tablespoons coffee. Beat in pudding. Fold in cool whip.
- Soak the ladyfingers: Dip lady fingers in coffee on both sides, as you’re layering, don’t dip ahead of time. Line the bottom of a 3-qt. trifle or glass serving bowl with a third of the ladyfingers.
- Assemble the trifle: Top with a third of the sliced strawberries, grated chocolate and mascarpone mixture. Repeat, creating 3 layers of each, finishing off with the mascarpone cream and shaved chocolate.
- Finish the trifle: Garnish with a strawberry on top. Refrigerate for at least 4 hours or overnight.
Will My Strawberries Get Soggy?
If you’re planning on making this trifle a few days ahead, you’re perfectly fine to leave the strawberries in the filling. They wont get soggy in the trifle itself and if anything they will help further soften our lady fingers. The strawberry on top as garish may start to look a little sad so feel free to add that last when you’re planning to serve.
Want To Make A Grown Up Tiramisu Trifle?
Looking make an adult version of this cake? Try dipping the lady fingers in a coffee liquor, dark rum, or sweet wine like Moscato. This is also a great option if you’re not a fan of coffee.
Don’t Like Vanilla Pudding?
You can use any flavor of pudding you’d like, they will all work! Just keep in mind that it will completely change the flavor profile of the dish, but you never know what your new favorite combo will be until you test it out!
Storing Leftover Strawberry Tiramisu Trifle
You can store this recipe covered in the fridge for up to 3 days. I don’t recommend freezing this dish as once it thaws the lady fingers tend to get a little too mushy. Enjoy this trifle within the first few days of whipping it up and you’ll thank me later!
Love Classic Cakes? Try These Delicious Recipes:
- Tres Leches Cake
- Tiramisu
- Sex in a Pan
- Magic Cake
- Apple Pie Cake
- Pound Cake Recipe
- Carrot Cake
- Red Velvet Cake
- German Chocolate Cake
- Chocolate Swiss Roll Cake
Strawberry Tiramisu Trifle
Ingredients
- 1 quart fresh strawberries (4 cups)
- 1 1/2 cups milk cold
- 3.4 oz instant vanilla pudding mix (1 package)
- 8 oz mascarpone cheese
- 2 cups instant coffee or brewed coffee, room temperature
- 2 cups cool whip or whipped cream
- 3 oz ladyfingers
- 6 oz bittersweet chocolate grated or shaved
Instructions
- Set aside one strawberry for garnish; slice the remaining strawberries, stems removed.
- In a large bowl, whisk milk and pudding mix for 2 minutes. Refrigerate for 2 minutes.
- In a mixing bowl, beat mascarpone cheese until smooth; gradually beat in 2 tablespoons coffee. Beat in pudding. Fold in cool whip.
- Dip lady fingers in coffee on both sides, as you're layering, don't dip ahead of time. Line the bottom of a 3-qt. trifle or glass serving bowl with a third of the ladyfingers. Top with a third of the sliced strawberries, grated chocolate and mascarpone mixture.
- Repeat, creating 3 layers of each, finishing off with the mascarpone cream and shaved chocolate.
- Garnish with a strawberry on top.
- Refrigerate for at least 4 hours or overnight.
Anna says
June 5, 2017 at 8:28 amCan this be made 2 days ahead? Or do you think the strawberry will leave water?
Joanna Cismaru says
June 5, 2017 at 8:34 amYou know what, this lasts for a few days and it’s always better the next day. I haven’t found that the strawberries got soggy, if you decorate on top with some strawberries, those will start to look pathetic, but the ones in the trifle will be good.
Michelle @Leo Sigh says
April 28, 2017 at 9:59 amWow, strawberries and tiramisu. Must try this 🙂 And gorgeous photos. Makes me want to make it even more.
The Angel Berry Trifle is getting bookmarked as well. As you can probably tell, I’m British, and trifle is my thing 🙂
Joanna Cismaru says
April 28, 2017 at 11:36 amThank you!
Cheryl says
April 27, 2017 at 8:49 pmI’m not a fan of vanilla pudding. Could you use chocolate pudding instead?
Joanna Cismaru says
April 27, 2017 at 9:03 pmI mean sure, it’ll change the flavor to more chocolatey but sure, any pudding would work.
Karly says
April 27, 2017 at 7:43 amYou leave me drooling (and with presentation envy) every single time I stop by. Cannot get over this gorgeous creation!
Sara @ Last Night's Feast says
April 25, 2017 at 5:08 pmThis is a stunner! I bet it’s delicious
Marcia Wallace says
December 18, 2015 at 3:24 pmDo not, I say I do not like coffee in any way shape or form. I want to make a tarrimisu.
In fact I’ve already bought the ingredients. Would it make any sense to dip the lady fingers in maybe chocolate milk?
jo says
December 18, 2015 at 4:09 pmHmm, I don’t know if chocolate milk would be a good idea, how about coffee liqueur or some sparkling wine?
Toni says
June 26, 2012 at 4:27 pmThis looks sooo good ! I really love that bowl, have to buy one soon. I also like the Corina’s idea for sweet wine..Gonna try that too 🙂
Corina says
May 28, 2012 at 12:50 pmHello Jo
IM from Argentina and my mom used to dip the lady finger in sweet wine. Like moscato wine. It was delicioso…… Now when i make this i dip the lady finger in rum. You have to try this with rum or wine. Its not goog if you have kids, but make one for kids with no alcohol n one for the adults….. 🙂
jo says
May 28, 2012 at 1:08 pmWow, sounds interesting, will definitely have to give this a try. 🙂 Thanks for the tip.