What Are Some Quick, Easy & Cheap Trifle Recipes?

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Discussion Overview

The thread centers around participants sharing quick, easy, and inexpensive trifle recipes, with many contributors providing their personal experiences and favorite combinations. There is a focus on using readily available ingredients and simple preparation methods.

Discussion Character

  • Anecdotal
  • Opinion-based

Main Points Raised

  • One participant, identifying as a consultant, mentioned using a box mix for poundcake to keep costs down, combining it with fruit and cool whip for a simple trifle.
  • Another participant shared a favorite recipe featuring devil's food cake, instant chocolate pudding, whipped cream, and grated skor bars, noting it costs under $10 and is quick to prepare if the cake and pudding are made in advance.
  • Several users expressed enthusiasm for a Ho Ho trifle, with one participant reminiscing about seeing a Little Debbie version and wishing they had purchased it.
  • One participant provided a detailed recipe for a chocolate trifle, including cake mix, pudding, whipped topping, and crushed toffee bars, emphasizing its affordability and ease of preparation.
  • Another participant described a raspberry trifle made with angel food cake, sugar-free raspberry jello, raspberries, and yogurt, highlighting its light and refreshing nature.
  • One contributor shared a chocolate chip cookie trifle recipe that requires minimal ingredients and is easy to assemble, appealing to families with children.
  • Another participant noted making a chocolate cake in a fluted pan with chocolate pudding and cool whip, reiterating the simplicity of the process.
  • One participant mentioned a recipe for a Ho Ho cake, detailing the ingredients and preparation steps, indicating interest in recreating the dessert.

Areas of Agreement / Disagreement

Views differ regarding specific trifle recipes and preferences, with no clear consensus on a single favorite recipe or method. Participants share a variety of personal experiences and suggestions.

Contextual Notes

Participants appear to be looking for budget-friendly dessert options for shows, sharing recipes that are easy to prepare and appealing to a wide audience.

Who May Find This Useful

Consultants seeking quick and affordable dessert ideas for events or shows may find the shared recipes and experiences beneficial.

hoosierchef
Messages
926
I know we all have been trifled to death since they brought it out, but I need to do a Trifle for my next two shows and would like to offer 3 for my host to choose from. They need to be quick, easy and cheap. (Not a person KG! :p The trifle Recipes.)

Any suggestions? I've looked at Harriet's file, but I'm so confused. They all look so good....... I can't just choose by myself! :p
 
I made poundcake from a box mix to keep costs down, and baked it before the show. I cut it at the show and mix with fruit and cool whip. I was pretty cheap depending on the fruit.

Another I made was a chocolate cake in the fluted pan with chocolate pudding and cool whip. YUM!

(Still drooling about a HO HO trifle!!)
 
My favorite is devil's food cake, 2 boxes of instant chocolate pudding, whipped cream and grated skor bars between the layers. It's under $10, probably about $6-$7 and really fast if you make the cake ahead of time and pudding ahead of time. and so yummy! The whole trifle was devoured by about 8 people!!!
 
gilliandanielle said:
(Still drooling about a HO HO trifle!!)

Gillian why oh why did you have to remind me of that?!? I was at the dollar store and saw the little debbie version and debated getting them and passed (patting myself on the back for having the willpower to say no) them up, and now I wish I got them so I could make my own Ho Ho trifle... I think I am now drooling and kicking myself in the behind! :p
 
Here are some suggestionsI love these trifles and they are cheap and easy:

Easy Chocolate trifle recipe:

1 (18.25 ounce) package chocolate cake mix
1 quart cold milk
2 (3.9 ounce) packages JELL-O Chocolate Flavor Instant Pudding & Pie Filling
1 (8 ounce) tub COOL WHIP Whipped Topping, thawed
4 (1.4 ounce) bars chocolate-covered English toffee bars, crushed

Prepare cake batter and bake in 13x9-inch baking pan as directed on package. Cool completely on wire rack. Cut into 1/2-inch cubes.
Add milk to dry pudding mix in medium bowl. Beat with wire whisk 2 minutes or until well blended.
Layer half each of the cake cubes, pudding, whipped topping and crushed chocolate bars in large glass trifle bowl. Repeat all layers. Serve immediately or cover and refrigerate until ready to serve.
Yield: 18 servings

You can substitute cake for brownies or oreos and use the pudding and whipped cream to layer the trifle and top with chocolate curls or shavings.


Easy Strawberry Shortcake Trifle

1 pint fresh strawberries
2 tablespoons granulated sugar
2 cups vanilla pudding
3 ounces cream cheese, softened
2 cups pound cake cubes (1/2-inch)

Reserve 3 or 4 berries for garnish. Slice 1 cup berries; arrange along sides of clear straight-sided 1 1/2-quart bowl.

Blend remaining berries in blender or food processor; add sugar.

In a mixer bowl, beat pudding and cream cheese with electric mixer on medium speed until combined. Place 1/2 cake in bottom of dish. Pour 1/2 the pureed berries over cake. Top with 1/2 the pudding mixture. Repeat. Cover and chill 24 hours

Frozen strawberries are pretty cheap if you can't get them fresh and cheap.


Peanut Butter Trifle recipe:

21 ounce package brownie mix
10 ounce bag of peanut butter chips
5 ounce package vanilla instant pudding mix
3 cups milk
1/2 cup peanut butter, creamy
2 teaspoons vanilla extract
1 cup whipping cream, whipped and divided
24 regular sized (about 2 inches in diameter) peanut butter cups, divided

Line a 13 by 9 inch pan with aluminum foil, extend foil by 2 inches over side. Prepare brownie mix according to package directions. Add peanut butter chips. Bake in foil lined pan for length of time required by package.
Cool completely.
Lift foil out of pan. Invert on cutting board. Remove foil. Cut into 3/4 inch pieces, using sharp knife.

Coarsely chop 20 peanut butter cups; saving 4 for garnish.

Combine pudding mix and milk in large bowl. Beat at low speed for 2 minutes or until thickened. Add peanut butter and vanilla; beat until smooth. Gently fold in half of whipped cream.

Place half of brownies in bottom of trifle bowl; top with 1/2 of chopped candy and half of pudding. Repeat layers. Top with remaining whipped cream, spooned or piped on. Slice leftover candy in four long pieces. Arrange them vertically on top of cream.


English Trifle

1 angel food cake
2- 5.9 ounce boxes instant vanilla pudding mix, prepared
1 package frozen crushed strawberries
2 small packages strawberry flavored gelatin, prepared
1/2 pint vanilla ice cream, softened
16 ounce container whipped topping
4 bananas

Break cake in bite size pieces in bottom of large trifle bowl. Fold ice cream into prepared pudding. Pour half of mixture over cake. Fold strawberries into prepared gelatin. Pour half over pudding mix. Slice 2 bananas over this.
Repeat layering process with pudding, gelatin and bananas. Spread whipped topping on top. Garnish with whole strawberries.


Ok that's enough suggestions, I am hungry!! LOL
Debbie :D
 
GourmetGirl said:
My favorite is devil's food cake, 2 boxes of instant chocolate pudding, whipped cream and grated skor bars between the layers. It's under $10, probably about $6-$7 and really fast if you make the cake ahead of time and pudding ahead of time. and so yummy! The whole trifle was devoured by about 8 people!!!

My favorite is the same above....except I made 2 boxes of cake-like brownies for it! (I used about 3/4 of the large bar pan/2 boxes)
 
The one that I've made is the Raspberry Trifle

It consists of angel food cake, sugar free raspberry jello, 2 thawed packages of raspberries and 3 containers of Yoplait Raspberry yogert. Light, refreshing and almost fat free.

It's in the trifle booklet.
 
Chocolate chip cookie trifle
2 containers of whipped topping...2 packages of chocolate chip cookies and a small cup of milk is ALL you need..oh and the TRIFLE BOWL:)....Start by putting some whipped topping in the bottom of the TRIFLE BOWL..then take a cookie and dip it in the glass of milk...make a single layer doing this..then pile on more whipped topping..another layer of cookies dipped in milk...more whipped topping and so on til it is almost full...save about 4 cookies to crumble on top ....refrigerate over night...garnish with chocolate pudding with EASY ACCENT DECORATOR and crumbled up cookies...soooooooooo good...easy and cheap to make....the kids will LOVE IT!!!
 
gilliandanielle said:
I made poundcake from a box mix to keep costs down, and baked it before the show. I cut it at the show and mix with fruit and cool whip. I was pretty cheap depending on the fruit.

Another I made was a chocolate cake in the fluted pan with chocolate pudding and cool whip. YUM!

(Still drooling about a HO HO trifle!!)

Did someone share a recipe for a Ho Ho trifle? I don't see it - couldn't find it with a search either. But I"m droolling already! please share, or point me in the right directions, TIA!!!
 
There was never a recipe, just a mention of how good ho-hos in a trifle would be. I was trying to think of what would go in there, and if the cream of the ho-ho would be weird with cool whip...
 
I just found this recipe!! Someone needs to try it and let us know how accurate it is to Hostess!;)
Ho Ho Cake
Ingredients:
1 (18 1/4 ounce) box chocolate cake mix
1 (16 ounce) can dark chocolate icing
1/2 cup sugar
2/3 cup shortening
1 teaspoon vanilla
1/3 cup milk
1/4 teaspoon salt
1 teaspoon water
1 cup powdered sugarDirections:
1. Prepare cake as directed on package for two round pans.
2. When cool, "slice" through cakes to make 4 "thin" cakes.
3. Beat sugar, shortening, vanilla, milk, salt and water for 7 minutes.
4. Add powdered sugar and beat for 5 minutes longer.
5. Lay one layer of cake on plate.
6. Spread Cream filling on top only, do not go all the way to the edge.
7. Lay another layer of cake on this.
8. Spread cream filling on this too.
9. Again layer and filling until you have all four layers on here.
10. Ice the whole cake with the chocolate icing.
 
ME! ME! I will take one for the team and suffer through this recipe...!!!
 
Well, before you sign up, you better have all of the ingredients!! Someone else might make it RIGHT now!:p
 
  • Thread starter
  • #14
DebbieSAChef said:
I love these trifles and they are cheap and easy:

Easy Chocolate trifle recipe:


Ok that's enough suggestions, I am hungry!! LOL
Debbie :D


Hey Debbie. Thanks! Is the Strawberry Triffle the only one that has to be chilled?? I'm hoping to "Assemble" the Triffle at the show and want it to be immediately available when I'm done. :D
 
  • Thread starter
  • #15
I still can't believe KG hasn't jumped on the Quick, Cheap and Easy thing yet! ;) :p
 
I offered because I am leaving right now to fax my director agreement and can swing by the store!
 
Wahooo!!! and then can you send me some here at work? :) ....can't wait to hear; maybe I will make it this weekend if it's a go!
 
That ho ho recipe looks GOOD! I was just at the store, too - UGH! I have everything except the powdered sugar. I used the last of mine on the Tuxedo brownies. I love those! :) thx for finding that recipe. YUMMY!
 
Tammi, most trifles are best after they sit for 30 minutes or so. It allows the flavors to blend, the cake to absorb any liquids, etc.

If you're planning to assemble it as soon as you arrive, you'll probably be fine. If you're planning it as part of your demo, you'll want to vamp a bit to give it a little time.
 
I did the Easy Chocolate Trife - choc cake, chocolate pudding, toffee bars, and cool whip for a show last Friday night. It was a "no-demo" show (fundraiser) I made it the night before - 6 ladies devoured it in no time. Great night - great show.
 
OK- I have got the stuff, but now I have to wait until my kids go to sleep so I can make it without helpers!
 
My DH is surprised and disappointed at how much of the Black Forest Trifle a few women will eat. My Saturday host had 6 guests. Every one of them had at least seconds. One had a fourth helping. My husband asked me how many were there. When I told him, he was shocked that there was so little left.
 
I love the cappaccino mousse triffle!!!
 
gilliandanielle said:
OK- I have got the stuff, but now I have to wait until my kids go to sleep so I can make it without helpers!

Can't wait to hear!!:)
 
hoosierchef said:
I still can't believe KG hasn't jumped on the Quick, Cheap and Easy thing yet! ;) :p
Actually, I saw the name of the thread and wondered, "Now who's posting stories about me?!?"
:D
 
Congratulations Gillian on sending/faxing in your Director Agreement! I meant to write that last night but I was so tired that I missed that!
 
Thanks Harriet- I hope they got it!
 
Oh yes, congrats Gillian.....sorry, my mind was on ho ho's! By the way.....did you get to try the recipe yet???
 
I didn't make it yet but I will today as my celebration trifle!
 
haha, okay! I am waiting to hear whether I will have company tomorrow or not....and if so, I am going to try an angel food cake one, with the jello/coolwhip combo & fresh berries!! I think it will be great! But, I don't want to make it then have it here all to myself if my company doens't come!
 

Frequently Asked Questions

What is a trifle?

A trifle is a layered dessert typically made with sponge cake, custard, fruit, and whipped cream. It is often served in a clear glass dish to showcase the beautiful layers, making it a visually appealing dessert for any occasion.

What are some quick trifle recipes I can make?

Some quick trifle recipes include a berry trifle with store-bought pound cake, vanilla pudding, and mixed berries; a chocolate trifle using chocolate cake, chocolate pudding, and whipped cream; or a banana pudding trifle with vanilla wafers, banana slices, and vanilla pudding. These recipes can be assembled in under 30 minutes!

How can I make a cheap trifle?

To make a cheap trifle, use budget-friendly ingredients like store-brand cake mixes, instant pudding, and seasonal fruits. You can also repurpose leftover cake or cookies, and use whipped topping instead of homemade whipped cream to save time and money.

Can I make trifle ahead of time?

Yes, trifles can be made ahead of time! In fact, they often taste better after sitting for a few hours or overnight, as the flavors meld together. Just be sure to cover the trifle with plastic wrap and store it in the refrigerator until you're ready to serve.

What are some variations of trifle I can try?

There are endless variations of trifle you can try! Some popular options include a tropical trifle with coconut cake, pineapple, and mango; a pumpkin spice trifle for fall with pumpkin puree, gingerbread, and cream cheese frosting; or a red velvet trifle with red velvet cake, cream cheese frosting, and chocolate shavings. Feel free to get creative with flavors and textures!

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