Elegant Red Velvet Cheesecake Trifle Recipe

Dazzling Red Velvet Cheesecake Trifle Recipe: Sweet Luxury Layers

Dessert lovers swoon over this decadent red velvet cheesecake trifle that combines rich, velvety layers of pure indulgence.

Creamy cheesecake mousse nestles between soft, vibrant red cake crumbles in a mesmerizing display of color and texture.

Each spoonful promises a symphony of flavors that dance across your palate with luxurious smoothness.

The classic red velvet creates a stunning visual backdrop for the silky cheesecake filling.

Elegant yet approachable, this dessert transforms an ordinary gathering into a memorable celebration.

Chocolate shavings and fresh berries add the perfect finishing touch to this show-stopping treat.

Prepare to dazzle everyone at your next dinner party with this irresistible dessert.

Quick Recipe Overview

Prep Time: 30 minutes

Cook Time: 30 minutes

Total Time: 1 hour

Calories: 520 kcal

Servings: 8

Ingredients Behind Red Velvet Cheesecake Trifle

For Cake Base:
  • Red Velvet Cake Mix: Brings classic crimson color and rich chocolate undertones, choose high-quality mix for best flavor depth.
  • All-Purpose Flour: Provides structure and soft texture when making cake from scratch.
For Creamy Layers:
  • Cream Cheese: Creates luxurious, tangy base for filling, select full-fat version for maximum smoothness.
  • Powdered Sugar: Sweetens and stabilizes cream cheese mixture, ensures silky consistent texture.
  • Vanilla Extract: Adds warm aromatic essence, opt for pure extract over imitation for genuine flavor.
  • Heavy Cream: Delivers light, airy texture to filling, ensure extremely cold before whipping.
  • Granulated Sugar: Sweetens whipped cream, helps create stable peak structure.
For Decorative Finish:
  • White Chocolate Shavings: Offers elegant visual contrast and delicate sweet crunch.
  • Fresh Berries: Provides bright color burst and refreshing taste complement.
  • Red Velvet Cake Crumbs: Enhances presentation with textural interest and extra cake flavor accent.

Tools for a Picture-Perfect Cheesecake Trifle

  • Large mixing bowl: Perfect for whipping cream cheese and combining ingredients.
  • Electric mixer or whisk: Essential for creating smooth cream cheese mixture and whipping cream.
  • Trifle dish or individual serving glasses: Needed to create beautiful layered dessert presentation.
  • 9×13-inch baking pan: Used for baking the red velvet cake.
  • Sharp knife: Required for cutting cake into precise 1-inch cubes.
  • Spatula: Helps gently fold whipped cream into cream cheese mixture and create smooth layers.
  • Grater or vegetable peeler: Optional for creating white chocolate shavings for garnish.

How to Assemble a Red Velvet Dessert Like a Pro

Craft Divine Red Velvet Cheesecake Trifle

  • Bake Cake Magic

Transform your red velvet cake mix into a gorgeous cake by following package directions. Choose a rectangular pan and ensure even baking. Cool the cake completely before moving forward.

  • Create Cake Cubes

Slice the cooled cake into bite-sized, uniform cubes that will look stunning in your trifle layers.

  • Whip Dreamy Cream Cheese Mixture

Beat cream cheese until silky smooth, blending in sweet powdered sugar and vanilla. Whip heavy cream separately until it forms luxurious peaks. Gently fold both mixtures together creating a cloud-like filling.

  • Build Gorgeous Layers

Select a beautiful glass dish or individual serving glasses. Start building your trifle by alternating cake cubes, cream cheese mixture, and billowy whipped topping. Make each layer intentional and visually appealing.

  • Final Flourish

Sprinkle white chocolate shavings or crumbled red velvet crumbs across the top. Chill the entire creation for one hour to let flavors marry and texture set perfectly.

Fun Twists for Cheesecake Trifle Layers

  • Cut cake when completely cool to prevent crumbling and ensure clean, precise 1-inch cubes for elegant layering.
  • Layer ingredients just before serving to maintain cake's texture and prevent excess moisture from making layers mushy.
  • Prepare individual components up to 2 days in advance and assemble shortly before serving to preserve freshness and visual appeal.
  • Swap regular ingredients with gluten-free cake mix, low-fat cream cheese, and sugar-free whipped topping for a lighter version that accommodates dietary restrictions.
  • Experiment with different cake flavors like chocolate or vanilla, or add unexpected elements like crushed cookies, toasted nuts, or fruit compote between layers for unique taste combinations.

Serving Trifle That Looks and Tastes Great

  • Festive Celebration Centerpiece: Wow guests at holiday parties or birthdays by showcasing this stunning red velvet cheesecake trifle as the star dessert attraction.
  • Romantic Date Night Delight: Create an intimate dessert experience by preparing individual trifle glasses for a cozy, elegant treat perfect for sharing with your special someone.
  • Potluck Party Crowd-Pleaser: Bring this eye-catching dessert to gatherings where you want to impress friends and family with a show-stopping sweet that everyone will love and remember.
  • Make-Ahead Magic: Prep the trifle a day in advance, allowing flavors to meld and saving you time during busy entertaining moments while ensuring maximum deliciousness.

Keep Trifle Fresh and Gorgeous After Serving

  • Store the red velvet cheesecake trifle in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3-4 days. Cover the top with plastic wrap to prevent moisture loss and maintain the dessert's delicious texture.
  • For longer storage, freeze individual portions in sealed containers for 2-3 weeks. Thaw overnight in the refrigerator before serving to preserve the creamy consistency and cake's soft texture.
  • Prepare cake cubes and cheesecake filling separately up to 2 days ahead. Keep components refrigerated in separate containers, assembling the trifle just before serving to maintain maximum freshness and prevent soggy layers.
  • Always serve chilled directly from the refrigerator. Remove from cold storage just 10-15 minutes before enjoying to ensure perfect texture and optimal flavor experience. Use clean, chilled utensils when serving to maintain the dessert's elegant presentation.
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Elegant Red Velvet Cheesecake Trifle Recipe

Elegant Red Velvet Cheesecake Trifle Recipe


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4.7 from 10 reviews

  • Total Time: 1 hour
  • Yield: 9 1x

Description

Indulgent red velvet cheesecake trifle layers rich cocoa-infused cake with creamy cheesecake for an elegant dessert experience. Sweet chocolate notes and velvety textures create a delightful southern-style treat you’ll savor with pure culinary pleasure.


Ingredients

Scale
  • 1 box (15.25 oz / 432 g) red velvet cake mix
  • 8 oz (225 g) cream cheese, softened
  • 1 ½ cups (360 ml) heavy whipping cream
  • 1 cup (240 ml) heavy whipping cream
  • 1 cup (120 g) powdered sugar
  • 2 tbsps powdered sugar
  • 1 tsp vanilla extract
  • 1 tsp vanilla extract
  • Ingredients as per cake mix instructions (typically eggs, oil, and water)
  • Red velvet cake crumbs
  • White chocolate shavings
  • Fresh berries

Instructions

  1. Cake Preparation: Craft the red velvet cake according to preferred method, utilizing a 9×13-inch pan. Allow the cake to cool completely before transforming into precise one-inch cubes.
  2. Cheesecake Mixture: Whip cream cheese with powdered sugar and vanilla extract until silky smooth. In a separate vessel, create a voluminous whipped cream by blending heavy cream and granulated sugar until stiff peaks emerge. Delicately fold whipped cream into cream cheese mixture, creating a luxurious, airy filling.
  3. Trifle Construction: In a transparent trifle dish or elegant individual serving glasses, construct alternating layers. Begin with red velvet cake cubes as the foundation, generously cover with cheesecake filling, and crown with a cloud-like whipped topping. Repeat layering technique until all components are utilized, ensuring the final summit is a pristine whipped topping layer.
  4. Finishing Touch: Embellish the trifle’s surface with an elegant sprinkle of white chocolate shavings, crumbled red velvet cake fragments, or vibrant fresh berries. Refrigerate for a minimum of one hour, allowing layers to harmonize and set before presenting this decadent dessert.

Notes

  • Allow red velvet cake to cool completely to prevent filling from melting and maintain distinct layer textures.
  • Ensure cream cheese is perfectly softened at room temperature for smooth, lump-free filling.
  • Whip cream to stiff peaks without overbeating to maintain stable, airy texture in the cheesecake layer.
  • Build layers gently and evenly, pressing softly to create clean, defined visual presentation without compressing ingredients.
  • Prep Time: 30 minutes
  • Cook Time: 30 minutes
  • Category: Desserts, Snacks
  • Method: Baking
  • Cuisine: American

Nutrition

  • Serving Size: 9
  • Calories: 300
  • Sugar: 25 g
  • Sodium: 250 mg
  • Fat: 15 g
  • Saturated Fat: 7 g
  • Unsaturated Fat: 6 g
  • Trans Fat: 0 g
  • Carbohydrates: 36 g
  • Fiber: 1 g
  • Protein: 4 g
  • Cholesterol: 60 mg
William Hawkins

William Hawkins

Founder & Culinary Director

Expertise

  • Modern American and Southern Cuisine
  • Farm-to-Table Practices
  • Restaurant Concept Development
  • Culinary Education and Mentorship​

Education

Sullivan University, Louisville, KY

  • Degree: Associate of Science in Culinary Arts
  • Focus: Focused on mastering culinary methods and food science, immersive externships, hands‑on training in industry‑standard kitchen labs, and equipping graduates for roles in restaurant operations.

William Hawkins isn’t just a chef, he’s a storyteller through food. From his hometown of Louisville, KY, he’s spent years refining his craft, turning local ingredients into something extraordinary. 

With classical training from Sullivan University and a career marked by innovation, mentorship, and Southern soul, William approaches every recipe with purpose. His kitchen is where old techniques meet fresh ideas, and where comfort food gets a thoughtful, modern twist. 

When he’s not building dishes from the ground up, he’s out gathering inspiration from nature, markets, and the stories people share around the table.

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