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Easy Lemon Trifle Recipe

Lemon cake layered with homemade lemon cream makes up this easy lemon trifle. Bring on the spring with this bright and sunny dessert in a bowl.

Prep Time
25 mins
Cook Time
25 mins
Total Time
55 mins
Servings: 20 servings
Calories: 240 kcal
Course: Dessert
Cuisine: American

Ingredients

  • 1 box lemon cake mix plus additional ingredients on the box
  • 2 tablespoons lemon zest divided
  • 1 package lemon jello 3 ounces
  • 2 cups boiling water
  • 1 cup powdered sugar
  • 2 cups heavy whipping cream
  • 12 ounces Cool Whip thawed
  • Optional lemon peel for garnish

Instructions

    Cup of Yum
  1. Prepare lemon cake according to box directions adding in 1 tablespoon lemon zest to cake batter. Bake and cool completely. Cut the cake in small cubes before assembling the trifle. 1 box lemon cake mix, 2 tablespoons lemon zest
  2. In a mixing bowl, whisk Jello, boiling water and powdered sugar. Stir until completely dissolved. Refrigerate the mixture for 1 hour or until syrupy. 1 package lemon Jello, 2 cups boiling water, 1 cup powdered sugar
  3. Once the Jello mixture has thickened slightly, mix in cream. Beat with a hand mixer until cream slightly mounds. 2 cups heavy whipping cream
  4. Fold in 8 ounces of Cool Whip the remaining 1 tablespoon of lemon zest.12 ounces Cool Whip
  5. Start with adding a layer of cake cubes at the bottom of serving glasses, a large glass bowl or trifle dish. Next add a layer of lemon cream. Continue layering cake and cream then top with with remaining Cool Whip.
  6. Top the lemon trifle with a twist of lemon peel. Store in the refrigerator until ready to serve. Optional lemon peel for garnish

Notes

  • The calories shown are based on the recipe being divided 20 ways, with 1 serving being 1/15 of the recipe. Since different brands of ingredients have different nutritional information, the calories shown are just an estimate. **We are not dietitians and recommend you seek a nutritionist for exact nutritional information.**
  • A trifle is meant to be very soft and have flavors mingled, so making it in advance is a great idea. Trifles should not get too soggy if made a day in advance.
  • Want even more lemon flavor? Add dollops of lemon curd on top of the cake layers. 
  • Add fresh berries such as fresh blueberries, blackberries, raspberries or strawberries. Or drizzle the top with a strawberry ice cream topping.
  • Lighten it up with sugar free Jello and fat free Cool Whip.

Nutrition Information

Calories 240kcal (12%) Carbohydrates 31g (10%) Protein 3g (6%) Fat 13g (20%) Saturated Fat 7g (35%) Cholesterol 35mg (12%) Sodium 219mg (9%) Potassium 109mg (3%) Fiber 1g (4%) Sugar 21g (42%) Vitamin A 381IU (8%) Vitamin C 1mg (1%) Calcium 67mg (7%) Iron 1mg (6%)

Nutrition Facts

Serving: 20servings

Amount Per Serving

Calories 240

% Daily Value*

Calories 240kcal 12%
Carbohydrates 31g 10%
Protein 3g 6%
Fat 13g 20%
Saturated Fat 7g 35%
Cholesterol 35mg 12%
Sodium 219mg 9%
Potassium 109mg 2%
Fiber 1g 4%
Sugar 21g 42%
Vitamin A 381IU 8%
Vitamin C 1mg 1%
Calcium 67mg 7%
Iron 1mg 6%

* Percent Daily Values are based on a 2,000 calorie diet.