Easter Bunny Trifle with Whipped Cream & Pastel Layers!

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Everyday Culinary Delights👩‍🍳

Posted on February 13, 2025

Spring is the perfect time for light, fruity, and refreshing desserts, and Strawberry Shortcake Easter Bunny Parfait is a delightful way to celebrate the season. With layers of fluffy angel food cake, juicy strawberries, sweet strawberry glaze, and a rich cream cheese whipped topping, this dessert is both visually appealing and absolutely delicious.

Whether you’re making it for an Easter gathering, a spring brunch, or simply a sweet treat to brighten your day, this parfait is easy to assemble and requires no baking. In this article, we’ll explore the charm of this festive dessert, tips for making it even better, creative variations, and answers to common questions.

Why You’ll Love This Strawberry Shortcake Parfait

This Easter Bunny Parfait is not just cute—it’s packed with flavor and has the perfect balance of textures. Here’s why you’ll love it:

1. Light and Refreshing

The combination of angel food cake and fresh strawberries makes this dessert light, airy, and refreshing, making it perfect for spring and summer.

2. Easy to Assemble

Unlike traditional strawberry shortcake, which requires baking and assembling individual servings, this parfait version is quick and simple. Just layer the ingredients, chill, and enjoy!

3. A Festive Easter Treat

Adding a marshmallow bunny topper transforms this parfait into a fun and festive dessert for Easter. It’s a great way to get kids involved in the kitchen!

4. No-Bake Convenience

If you want a homemade dessert without turning on the oven, this parfait is a perfect choice. Using store-bought angel food cake cuts down on prep time while still delivering a delicious result.

5. Customizable and Versatile

You can easily swap ingredients or adjust the layers to suit your preferences. Whether you want to make it healthier, richer, or dairy-free, this recipe is easy to adapt.

Strawberry Shortcake Easter Bunny Parfait: A Delightful Springtime Treat

Ingredients:

Angel Food Cake: Light and airy, cut into bite-sized cubes.
Fresh Strawberries: Hulled and sliced, providing natural sweetness and vibrant color.
Strawberry Glaze: A sweet, glossy sauce to enhance the strawberry flavor.
Cream Cheese Whipped Cream: A luscious blend of cream cheese, heavy whipping cream, powdered sugar, and vanilla extract, whipped to perfection.
Marshmallow Bunny Toppers: Optional, for a festive Easter touch.

Directions:

Prepare the Cream Cheese Whipped Cream:
- In a mixing bowl, combine softened cream cheese, heavy whipping cream, powdered sugar, and vanilla extract. Beat until the mixture is smooth, creamy, and holds stiff peaks.
Assemble the Parfaits:
- In serving glasses or jars, layer the ingredients as follows:
  - First Layer: Angel food cake cubes.
  - Second Layer: Sliced fresh strawberries.
  - Third Layer: Drizzle of strawberry glaze.
  - Fourth Layer: Generous spoonful of cream cheese whipped cream.
- Repeat the layers until the glasses are filled, ending with a dollop of the whipped cream on top.
Garnish:
- If desired, top each parfait with a marshmallow bunny for a festive Easter presentation.
Serve:
- Refrigerate the assembled parfaits for about 30 minutes to allow the flavors to meld and to chill the dessert. Serve cold and enjoy this delightful springtime treat.

Nutritional Information:

Per Serving (based on 6 servings):

Calories: Approximately 350
Total Fat: 15g
Saturated Fat: 9g
Cholesterol: 50mg
Sodium: 210mg
Total Carbohydrates: 50g
Dietary Fiber: 2g
Sugars: 35g
Protein: 5g

Please note that these nutritional values are approximate and can vary based on specific ingredients and portion sizes.

Tips for Making the Best Strawberry Shortcake Parfait

A parfait is simple to make, but a few expert tips will ensure it turns out beautifully every time.

1. Use Fresh, Ripe Strawberries

The key to a flavorful parfait is using fresh, sweet strawberries. If strawberries aren’t in season, you can:

Use frozen strawberries (thawed and drained).
Add a bit of honey or sugar to enhance their sweetness.

2. Cut the Cake Into Even Cubes

For the best texture, cut the angel food cake into bite-sized cubes so they soak up just the right amount of strawberry glaze without becoming soggy.

3. Whip the Cream Cheese Mixture Until Smooth

Beating the cream cheese, heavy cream, and sugar until completely smooth ensures a light, fluffy texture that’s easy to layer.

4. Let the Parfaits Chill Before Serving

Chilling the parfaits for at least 30 minutes allows the flavors to meld together and makes the dessert extra refreshing.

5. Assemble Just Before Serving for the Best Texture

If making this for a party, prepare the components ahead of time but assemble right before serving to prevent the cake from becoming too soft.

Creative Variations to Try

While the classic strawberry shortcake parfait is delicious, there are plenty of ways to customize and experiment with different flavors.

1. Chocolate Strawberry Parfait

Swap out angel food cake for chocolate cake or brownies for a rich, indulgent twist.

2. Lemon Berry Parfait

Mix lemon zest into the whipped topping and swap the strawberry glaze for lemon curd for a citrusy variation.

3. Mixed Berry Parfait

Use a combination of strawberries, blueberries, and raspberries for added color and variety.

4. Coconut Cream Parfait

Replace the cream cheese whipped cream with coconut whipped cream for a dairy-free alternative that adds a tropical twist.

5. Cheesecake-Inspired Parfait

Add a layer of graham cracker crumbs between the cake and strawberries to mimic a cheesecake crust.

Best Occasions to Serve This Dessert

Strawberry Shortcake Easter Bunny Parfaits are perfect for any occasion that calls for a light, festive treat. Here are some great times to serve them:

Easter Brunch or Dinner: The marshmallow bunny topper makes this the ultimate Easter dessert.
Spring and Summer Gatherings: A refreshing and easy-to-prepare dessert for warm weather celebrations.
Baby Showers or Bridal Showers: The soft pastel colors and elegant layers make it perfect for a feminine, delicate theme.
Birthday Parties: A great no-bake alternative to traditional cakes.
Afternoon Tea or Garden Parties: Serve in elegant glassware for a fancy yet simple treat.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

1. Can I make this parfait ahead of time?

Yes! You can prepare the components ahead of time and assemble the parfaits right before serving. If you need to make them in advance, store them in the refrigerator for up to 6 hours before serving.

2. What can I use instead of angel food cake?

If you don’t have angel food cake, you can substitute:

Pound cake for a denser texture.
Vanilla sponge cake for a classic shortcake taste.
Store-bought ladyfingers for a tiramisu-style twist.

3. Can I use store-bought whipped topping instead of homemade?

Absolutely! While homemade whipped cream gives a richer flavor, Cool Whip or another whipped topping works well as a time-saving option.

4. Can I use frozen strawberries instead of fresh?

Yes, but thaw them first and drain any excess liquid to prevent the parfait from becoming too watery.

5. How do I store leftover parfaits?

If you have leftovers, cover them tightly and store them in the refrigerator for up to 24 hours. However, they are best enjoyed fresh.

6. Can I make this dairy-free?

Yes! To make a dairy-free version:

Use coconut whipped cream instead of heavy cream.
Replace cream cheese with a dairy-free alternative like coconut cream cheese or cashew-based cream cheese.

7. How do I make this dessert healthier?

To lighten up the parfait:

Use Greek yogurt instead of cream cheese whipped cream.
Reduce the amount of sugar or glaze.
Use a gluten-free cake if needed.

Conclusion: A Perfect No-Bake Dessert for Any Occasion

Strawberry Shortcake Easter Bunny Parfaits are a fun, easy, and visually stunning dessert that combines classic flavors with a festive touch. Whether you’re making them for Easter, a spring gathering, or just a sweet treat, they are guaranteed to impress.

With their light, fluffy layers, fresh strawberries, and creamy whipped topping, these parfaits offer the perfect balance of sweetness and freshness. Plus, they are incredibly versatile and customizable, allowing you to adjust the flavors and presentation to suit your taste.

So, the next time you need a quick and crowd-pleasing dessert, give this strawberry shortcake parfait a try. One spoonful, and you’ll see why it’s an instant favorite!