If you’ve ever dreamed of a dessert that sings of celebration, charm, and cozy indulgence all at once, then this Red Velvet Trifle with Cream Cheese Mousse Recipe is your new best friend. With layers of tender, vibrant red velvet cake paired exquisitely with a light, fluffy cream cheese mousse, every spoonful offers a delightful dance of flavors and textures. It’s the kind of dessert that turns any gathering into a special occasion, yet simple enough to make at home without stress. Ready to impress everyone at the table with a spectacularly beautiful and scrumptious treat? Let’s dive in!
Ingredients You’ll Need
Each ingredient in this Red Velvet Trifle with Cream Cheese Mousse Recipe plays a starring role in crafting the perfect balance of richness, fluffiness, and that iconic red velvet color. From classic pantry staples to the velvety cream cheese that makes the mousse so dreamy, they’ve all been chosen to create layers that taste as wonderful as they look.
- All-purpose flour: Provides the structure for the red velvet cake, ensuring it’s tender yet sturdy enough for layering.
- Cocoa powder: A hint of cocoa adds depth and that signature mildly chocolatey note to the cake.
- Baking soda: Helps the cake rise beautifully, giving it a soft crumb.
- Salt: Enhances all the other flavors, balancing sweetness perfectly.
- Unsalted butter: Adds richness and a velvety moist texture to the cake.
- Granulated sugar: Sweetens the cake without overwhelming the cocoa and cream cheese flavors.
- Egg: Binds the cake ingredients together and contributes to a tender crumb.
- Buttermilk: Moisturizes the cake while adding a subtle tang that cuts through the sweetness.
- Red food coloring: Gives the cake its stunning, iconic red hue.
- Vanilla extract: Infuses warmth and aroma into both cake and mousse.
- White vinegar: Reacts with baking soda to give the cake extra lift and height.
- Cream cheese: The star of the mousse, bringing that classic tangy creaminess.
- Powdered sugar: Sweetens the mousse smoothly without graininess.
- Heavy whipping cream: Whipped into stiff peaks to create a light, airy mousse texture.
- Whipped cream (optional): For topping, adding an extra touch of lightness and elegance.
- White chocolate shavings or red velvet crumbs (optional): Perfect for garnish, enhancing both look and flavor.
How to Make Red Velvet Trifle with Cream Cheese Mousse Recipe
Step 1: Bake the Red Velvet Cake
Start by preheating your oven to 350°F (175°C) and prepping your pan so the cake won’t stick. Mixing the dry ingredients separately helps to evenly distribute the cocoa and baking soda. Creaming the butter and sugar until light and fluffy is key to achieving that tender crumb. Adding the wet mixture alternately with the dry lets you avoid overmixing, keeping the cake soft. Once baked, make sure your cake cools completely before cubing it—warm cake can make the mousse melt and ruin the layers.
Step 2: Prepare the Cream Cheese Mousse
Whip the cream cheese until it’s silky smooth—no lumps here! Incorporate powdered sugar and vanilla until fluffy, then gently fold in whipped heavy cream. This folding is crucial to keep the mousse light and airy, so take your time. The result is a luscious mousse that melts in your mouth and complements the richness of the cake perfectly.
Step 3: Assemble the Trifle
This is where your dessert really starts to shine visually and flavor-wise. Layer cubes of red velvet cake with generous dollops of cream cheese mousse in a large trifle bowl or individual serving glasses. Alternate these layers, ending with the mousse on top for the prettiest, clean finish. Add an optional topping of whipped cream, white chocolate shavings, or a sprinkle of crumbled cake for that little extra “wow” factor. Chill the assembled trifle for at least an hour so all the flavors meld beautifully.
How to Serve Red Velvet Trifle with Cream Cheese Mousse Recipe
Garnishes
The final touch matters a lot for creating an inviting and elegant dessert plate. Whipped cream adds a soft, billowy finish, while white chocolate shavings lend subtle sweetness and lovely texture contrast. Crumbled red velvet cake on top brings that vibrant color and reinforces the flavors inside. Don’t be shy with toppings—they elevate this dessert from simple to stunning.
Side Dishes
This trifle is rich and indulgent on its own, but if you want to build a full dessert spread, consider serving it alongside fresh berries or a light fruit salad. A crisp, refreshing contrast of citrus or berries cuts through the creamy mousse delightfully and balances the sweetness perfectly. It’s ideal for holiday gatherings or any special occasion where you want your dessert centerpiece to steal the show.
Creative Ways to Present
For a fun twist, assemble your Red Velvet Trifle with Cream Cheese Mousse Recipe in individual mason jars or pretty glass tumblers. This not only looks super charming but also makes serving a breeze. Adding edible flowers or a dusting of cocoa powder on top can transform this classic dessert into a work of art that guests will be excited to dive into.
Make Ahead and Storage
Storing Leftovers
Once assembled, cover your trifle tightly with plastic wrap or a lid and keep it refrigerated. It stays fresh for up to 2 days, allowing the flavors to continue blending deliciously. Just be sure to keep it chilled to maintain that mousse’s perfect texture.
Freezing
Freezing this trifle is not recommended because the texture of the mousse and cake can change upon thawing, often becoming watery or crumbly. For best results, enjoy your Red Velvet Trifle with Cream Cheese Mousse Recipe fresh or within a couple of days.
Reheating
Since this is a cold dessert, reheating is unnecessary. Serve it chilled straight from the fridge for optimal taste and texture. If your trifle has been in the fridge for a while, letting it sit at room temperature for 10–15 minutes before serving can help bring out the flavors even more.
FAQs
Can I use store-bought red velvet cake to make this trifle?
Absolutely! If you’re short on time, store-bought red velvet cake works wonderfully. Just cube it up and layer as directed. It’s an easy shortcut that doesn’t compromise on flavor or presentation.
How long should I chill the trifle before serving?
Chilling for at least one hour is ideal as it allows the mousse to set and the flavors to marry. If you can, overnight chilling is even better for maximum flavor development and a fully set texture.
Can I make the cream cheese mousse in advance?
Yes, you can prepare the mousse a day ahead and keep it refrigerated. Just give it a light whip before layering to refresh its texture if it becomes slightly dense.
Is this dessert suitable for vegetarians?
Yes, this Red Velvet Trifle with Cream Cheese Mousse Recipe is vegetarian-friendly, as it contains no meat or gelatin products, making it a great option for meat-free diets.
Can I substitute the heavy whipping cream in the mousse?
Heavy cream is essential for achieving that light, airy mousse texture, so substitutions may affect the final consistency. However, some do try using coconut cream as a dairy-free alternative, but expect a different flavor and texture.
Final Thoughts
Making this Red Velvet Trifle with Cream Cheese Mousse Recipe is like wrapping up a slice of classic comfort in an elegant, festive package. Whether you’re celebrating a holiday, a special occasion, or simply treating yourself to something fantastic, this dessert promises smiles with every bite. So gather your ingredients, roll up your sleeves, and prepare to wow yourself and everyone lucky enough to share this delicious treasure with you. Happy layering!
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Red Velvet Trifle with Cream Cheese Mousse Recipe
- Prep Time: 30 minutes
- Cook Time: 30 minutes
- Total Time: 1 hour 30 minutes (includes chilling)
- Yield: 8–10 servings
- Category: Dessert
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
- Diet: Vegetarian
Description
This Red Velvet Trifle with Cream Cheese Mousse is a festive, layered dessert combining moist homemade red velvet cake cubes with a rich and airy cream cheese mousse. Perfect for holiday gatherings or special occasions, this indulgent treat is garnished with whipped cream and optional white chocolate shavings or cake crumbs, creating a visually stunning and deliciously satisfying dessert.
Ingredients
For the red velvet cake:
- 1 1/4 cups all-purpose flour
- 1 tablespoon cocoa powder
- 1/2 teaspoon baking soda
- 1/4 teaspoon salt
- 1/2 cup unsalted butter, softened
- 3/4 cup granulated sugar
- 1 large egg
- 1/2 cup buttermilk
- 1 tablespoon red food coloring
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 1/2 teaspoon white vinegar
For the cream cheese mousse:
- 8 ounces cream cheese, softened
- 1/2 cup powdered sugar
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 1 1/2 cups heavy whipping cream
For layering and garnish:
- Whipped cream (optional)
- White chocolate shavings or crushed red velvet crumbs (optional)
Instructions
- Make the cake: Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C) and prepare an 8-inch square or round cake pan by greasing and flouring it. In a medium bowl, whisk together the all-purpose flour, cocoa powder, baking soda, and salt. In a separate large bowl, beat the softened butter and granulated sugar until the mixture is light and fluffy. Beat in the egg until well combined. In another small bowl, combine the buttermilk, red food coloring, vanilla extract, and white vinegar. Add the dry ingredients to the butter mixture alternately with the buttermilk mixture, starting and ending with the dry ingredients, mixing just until combined. Pour the batter into the prepared pan and bake for 25 to 30 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted in the center comes out clean. Allow the cake to cool completely, then cut into cubes.
- Make the cream cheese mousse: In a large mixing bowl, beat the softened cream cheese until smooth and creamy. Add the powdered sugar and vanilla extract and mix until fluffy. In a separate chilled bowl, whip the heavy cream to stiff peaks. Gently fold the whipped cream into the cream cheese mixture with a spatula until the mixture is smooth and airy.
- Assemble the trifle: Using a large trifle dish or individual serving cups, begin layering by adding a layer of the red velvet cake cubes, followed by a generous layer of the cream cheese mousse. Continue layering cake and mousse, finishing with a final layer of mousse on top. Optionally, garnish the trifle with whipped cream, white chocolate shavings, or crushed red velvet crumbs for added texture and visual appeal.
- Chill: Refrigerate the assembled trifle for at least 1 hour before serving to allow flavors to meld and the mousse to set.
Notes
- Make the red velvet cake a day ahead for easier assembly and enhanced flavor.
- You can substitute with store-bought red velvet cake or cupcakes to save time.
- This recipe works well layered in either a large trifle bowl or individual dessert cups for personalized servings.
