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If you’re craving a dessert that feels like a tropical vacation in every spoonful, this Pineapple Trifle Recipe is about to become your new best friend. Layers of fluffy angel food cake, luscious cream cheese-pudding mixture, and a sweet, buttery pineapple sauce combine with toasted coconut flakes and maraschino cherries for a show-stopping treat. It’s light, refreshing, and irresistibly delicious—perfect for family gatherings, potlucks, or whenever you want to brighten your day with a burst of sunshine in dessert form.
Ingredients You’ll Need
Each ingredient in this Pineapple Trifle Recipe plays a key role in building the perfect harmony of flavors and textures—from the creamy base to the tropical, tangy pineapple topping. Ready to gather the essentials? Let’s dive in.
- Cream cheese (8 oz, softened): Provides a rich and smooth creaminess that balances sweetness perfectly.
- Powdered sugar (½ cup): Adds just the right amount of sweetness without any graininess.
- Vanilla extract (1 tsp): Brings warmth and depth to the creamy layer.
- White chocolate instant pudding (3.3 oz): Gives a velvety texture and subtle sweetness while helping the cream set.
- Milk (1 cup): Needed to dissolve the pudding and create the creamy base.
- Cool whip (8 oz tub): Lightens the cream cheese-pudding mix for a fluffy, airy finish.
- Toasted coconut flakes (1 cup, sweetened, divided): Adds crunch and a nutty, tropical flavor that complements the pineapple beautifully.
- Pineapple tidbits (2 cans of 20 oz each, drained): Juicy and sweet, the star fruit of this recipe.
- Pineapple juice (3 Tbsp, reserved): Used to thicken the pineapple sauce and intensify pineapple flavor.
- Brown sugar (1 cup, packed): Adds caramel notes for depth in the pineapple sauce.
- Butter (6 Tbsp): Creates a luscious, rich caramel base for the pineapple topping.
- Cornstarch (2 Tbsp): Thickens the pineapple sauce into a glossy, irresistible glaze.
- Angel food cake (cut into ¼” cubes): Light and airy, the ideal cake for soaking up all those juicy layers.
- Maraschino cherries (for garnish): Classic, colorful finishing touch that makes every serving feel festive.
- Pineapple rings or fresh sliced pineapple (for garnish): Adds visual appeal and extra freshness on top.
How to Make Pineapple Trifle Recipe
Step 1: Prepare the Pudding Base
Start by whisking the white chocolate instant pudding mix with 1 cup of milk for about two minutes until smooth and thickening. Let this chill in the fridge for 5 minutes to set perfectly. This step sets the foundation for the luscious cream layer that’s going to envelop your trifle in sweet, creamy goodness.
Step 2: Whip the Cream Cheese Mixture
In a larger bowl, beat softened cream cheese with powdered sugar and vanilla extract until you achieve a silky smooth consistency—this usually takes about 1 to 2 minutes. Then, gently fold in the chilled pudding from Step 1 along with the cool whip and most of the toasted coconut flakes. Folding carefully here keeps the mixture light and airy, ensuring your trifle has that dreamy, fluffy texture!
Step 3: Make the Pineapple Sauce
In a saucepan over medium heat, melt butter and stir in brown sugar until it bubbles gently. Add the drained pineapple tidbits and stir carefully. Mix the cornstarch with the reserved pineapple juice and pour it into the simmering mixture, bringing it back to a boil until thickened like a glossy, luscious glaze. Remove from heat and cool completely before layering.
Step 4: Assemble Your Pineapple Trifle
Grab a clear, deep-sided dish to showcase your work. Begin layering with angel food cake cubes, followed by a hefty spoonful of the pineapple sauce, then a generous layer of your cream cheese mixture. Repeat these layers until the dish is filled to the top. Finish by garnishing with extra toasted coconut, pineapple rings, and maraschino cherries. Though this dessert tastes wonderful immediately, letting it chill for at least an hour helps all the flavors meld and the textures become even more harmonious.
How to Serve Pineapple Trifle Recipe
Garnishes
For that picture-perfect presentation and added flavor, top your trifle with a sprinkle of toasted coconut, bright maraschino cherries, and fresh or canned pineapple rings. These garnishes not only elevate the look but also bring an extra layer of texture and sweetness that will delight every guest.
Side Dishes
While the Pineapple Trifle Recipe shines as a standalone dessert, it pairs beautifully with light sides like fresh fruit salads or crisp garden greens with a citrus vinaigrette. Such companions help balance the richness of the trifle and keep your meal feeling fresh and festive.
Creative Ways to Present
Try serving individual portions in clear glass cups or mason jars for a charming, personal touch. You can also get creative by swirling in some toasted nuts between layers or even drizzling a bit of coconut rum over the cake cubes before assembling for an adult twist. These little personalized changes keep the classic Pineapple Trifle Recipe exciting and unique every time.
Make Ahead and Storage
Storing Leftovers
Leftover trifle can be stored comfortably in the refrigerator, covered tightly with plastic wrap or a lid, for up to three days. This keeps the layers fresh while maintaining their beautiful texture—just give it a gentle stir before serving to refresh the layers.
Freezing
Freezing is not recommended for this Pineapple Trifle Recipe because the delicate textures of the cream and cake will suffer once thawed. You want every bite to be as light and refreshing as the first.
Reheating
This dessert is best enjoyed chilled, so reheating is unnecessary and could compromise its delightful texture. Simply take it out of the fridge a few minutes before serving for the perfect, cool indulgence.
FAQs
Can I use a different type of cake instead of angel food cake?
Absolutely! While angel food cake is the traditional choice for its lightness and ability to soak up flavors, sponge cake or pound cake can work as well. Just remember that denser cakes may alter the overall texture of the trifle.
Is it okay to use canned pineapple tidbits instead of fresh pineapple?
Yes, canned pineapple tidbits are perfect for this recipe since they’re sweet and tender, plus the juice is integral for making the sauce. Just be sure to drain them well and reserve some juice for thickening the sauce.
Can I make this Pineapple Trifle Recipe vegan or dairy-free?
With some ingredient swaps like vegan cream cheese, coconut whipped topping, nondairy milk, and gluten-free cake, you can certainly adapt this recipe to suit vegan or dairy-free diets. The pineapple sauce is naturally vegan-friendly!
How long should the trifle chill before serving?
Although you can serve the trifle right after assembling, chilling it for at least one hour helps the flavors meld and the layers firm up nicely, giving you a more cohesive and delicious dessert experience.
Can I prepare this Pineapple Trifle Recipe a day ahead?
Yes! In fact, making it a day in advance allows all those tropical flavors to marry beautifully, and it’s a real time-saver when entertaining. Just keep it covered in the fridge until ready to serve.
Final Thoughts
There’s something truly special about a well-made Pineapple Trifle Recipe—it’s like a sunny celebration that brightens any table and lifts the spirit. I hope you’ll give this recipe a try and discover how easy it is to create a dessert that feels both indulgent and refreshingly light. Trust me, your friends and family will be asking for seconds in no time!
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Print
Pineapple Trifle Recipe
- Prep Time: 30 minutes
- Cook Time: 15 minutes
- Total Time: 45 minutes
- Yield: 10 servings
- Category: Dessert
- Method: Stovetop
- Cuisine: American
Description
A delightful Pineapple Trifle layering angel food cake cubes, creamy white chocolate pudding mixture, caramelized pineapple, and toasted coconut, topped with maraschino cherries and fresh pineapple slices. Perfect for a refreshing, light dessert to serve 10 people.
Ingredients
Cream Cheese Mixture
- 8 oz cream cheese (1 block, softened)
- ½ cup powdered sugar
- 1 tsp vanilla extract
- 3.3 oz white chocolate instant pudding mix
- 1 cup milk
- 8 oz Cool Whip (1 tub)
- ¾ cup toasted sweetened coconut flakes (divided)
Pineapple Mixture
- 2 – 20 oz cans pineapple tidbits in juice (drained)
- 3 Tbsp pineapple juice (reserved)
- 1 cup packed brown sugar
- 6 Tbsp butter
- 2 Tbsp cornstarch
Other
- 1 angel food cake, cut into ¼ inch cubes
- ¼ cup toasted sweetened coconut flakes (for garnish)
- Maraschino cherries (for garnish)
- Pineapple rings or fresh sliced pineapple (for garnish)
Instructions
- Prepare pudding: In a medium mixing bowl, whisk the white chocolate instant pudding mix with 1 cup of milk for about 2 minutes until combined. Chill the pudding mixture for 5 minutes to set.
- Make cream cheese mixture: In a large bowl, beat softened cream cheese with powdered sugar and vanilla extract until smooth, about 1 to 2 minutes. Add the chilled pudding mixture to the cream cheese and beat until well combined. Using a silicone spatula, gently fold in the tub of Cool Whip and ¾ cup of toasted coconut flakes, being careful to keep the mixture light and airy. Cover and refrigerate.
- Cook pineapple topping: In a medium saucepan, melt the butter over medium heat. Stir in the packed brown sugar and bring the mixture to a boil. Add the drained pineapple tidbits and stir gently to combine. Mix the reserved 3 tablespoons pineapple juice with cornstarch to create a slurry, then add this to the simmering pineapple mixture. Return to a boil and cook until thickened. Remove from heat and transfer to a bowl to cool for at least 10 minutes. Place in fridge or freezer to speed cooling if necessary.
- Assemble the trifle: In a large clear deep-sided dish, layer the angel food cake cubes, pineapple mixture, and cream cheese mixture evenly, repeating until the dish is filled to the top. Ensure the layers are distinct and attractive.
- Garnish and chill: Decorate the top layer with reserved pineapple rings or fresh pineapple slices, the remaining toasted coconut flakes, and maraschino cherries. The trifle can be served immediately but chilling for at least one hour enhances the flavors and texture.
Notes
- For best results, keep the pudding and cream cheese mixture well chilled before assembling.
- Use angel food cake to keep the trifle light and airy; other light sponge cakes can be substituted.
- Toasting coconut flakes brings out a nutty sweetness that complements the pineapple perfectly.
- Chilling the assembled trifle for a few hours will allow flavors to meld beautifully.
- If time is short, this dessert can be enjoyed right after assembly but benefits greatly from resting.
