16 Trifles and Layered Desserts That Look Fancy but Are Secretly So Easy

Nothing makes guests gasp like a dessert you can see through the glass, with neat stripes of cake, cream and fruit. The secret? Most layered desserts are just a few simple parts stacked together, and many need no oven at all. Here are trifles, parfaits, puddings and pretty cakes, each with an easy recipe. For lighter options, check out these low sugar desserts that still feel like a real treat..

Why Layered Desserts Always Steal the Show

A trifle is the queen of layered desserts. Cubes of sponge cake soak up berry juice, then get covered in silky custard and clouds of whipped cream. It feeds a crowd, it can be made the day before, and it looks stunning in a glass bowl. Quick question: would you rather make one big trifle or lots of little cups?

You will need: 1 pound cake cubed, 3 cups mixed berries, 2 tablespoons sugar, 3 cups vanilla custard or pudding, 2 cups whipped cream, mint to garnish.

How to make it: 1. Toss the berries with sugar and let them sit 15 minutes. 2. Layer cake cubes in a glass bowl. 3. Add berries and their juice. 4. Spread custard, then whipped cream. 5. Repeat the layers, top with berries and chill at least 4 hours.

Berry Trifle Cups

Mini trifles in clear cups are perfect for parties, because nobody has to scoop from a big bowl. Crumble in some cake, add a spoon of berries and a swirl of sweetened cream. Kids love building their own. Would you use strawberries, raspberries or a mix of everything?

You will need: 2 cups crumbled sponge or angel food cake, 2 cups mixed berries, 1 cup cream cheese, 1/2 cup sugar, 1 cup whipped cream.

How to make it: 1. Beat cream cheese and sugar, then fold in the whipped cream. 2. Add cake crumbs to the bottom of each cup. 3. Spoon in berries. 4. Pipe the cream on top. 5. Repeat once more and chill 1 hour.

Tiramisu, the King of Layered Desserts

Tiramisu means pick me up in Italian, and one bite explains why. Coffee soaked ladyfingers are layered with a fluffy mascarpone cream and dusted with cocoa. It is one of those layered desserts that tastes better the next day, so make it ahead. Poll: A: extra coffee, B: extra cream, C: extra cocoa on top?

You will need: 1 cup strong coffee cooled, 24 ladyfingers, 8 oz mascarpone, 1 cup heavy cream, 1/2 cup sugar, 1 teaspoon vanilla, cocoa for dusting.

How to make it: 1. Whip cream, sugar and vanilla to soft peaks. 2. Beat in the mascarpone until smooth. 3. Dip ladyfingers in coffee for one second each and line a dish. 4. Spread half the cream, then repeat. 5. Chill overnight and dust with cocoa.

Old Fashioned Banana Pudding

This Southern classic shows up at every church supper for a reason. Vanilla wafers soften into the creamy pudding until they taste like cake, and sliced bananas add natural sweetness. Serve it in small cups for a pretty party look. Did your family make it with meringue on top or whipped cream?

You will need: 1 box vanilla instant pudding, 2 cups cold milk, 1 can sweetened condensed milk, 2 cups whipped cream, 4 bananas sliced, 1 box vanilla wafers.

How to make it: 1. Whisk pudding mix and milk for 2 minutes. 2. Stir in condensed milk. 3. Fold in the whipped cream. 4. Layer wafers, bananas and pudding in cups or a dish. 5. Repeat and chill 4 hours before serving.

Strawberry Shortcake Stacks

Split a warm, buttery biscuit, pile on juicy strawberries and a big spoon of whipped cream, then add the top. It is summer on a plate. These stacks are so simple, but they always feel special. Do you prefer biscuit style shortcake or soft sponge cake?

You will need: 2 cups flour, 1/4 cup sugar, 1 tablespoon baking powder, 1/2 teaspoon salt, 1/2 cup cold butter, 2/3 cup milk, 1 pound strawberries sliced, 2 tablespoons sugar, whipped cream.

How to make it: 1. Toss strawberries with sugar and set aside. 2. Rub butter into the dry ingredients and stir in milk. 3. Pat out and cut rounds. 4. Bake at 425F for 12 to 14 minutes. 5. Split and fill with berries and cream.

Chocolate Lovers Trifle

Brownie chunks, chocolate pudding, whipped cream and a shower of chocolate chips make this a dream for chocolate fans. It is a great way to use up brownies that came out a little dry. It feeds twelve easily. Who in your family would eat the most?

You will need: 1 pan baked brownies cubed, 2 boxes chocolate instant pudding made with 4 cups milk, 3 cups whipped cream, 1 cup chocolate chips, toffee bits optional.

How to make it: 1. Make the pudding and let it set 5 minutes. 2. Layer a third of the brownies in a bowl. 3. Add a third of the pudding and whipped cream. 4. Repeat twice. 5. Top with chocolate chips and chill 2 hours.

Mille Feuille, Layered Desserts From Paris

Mille feuille means a thousand leaves, thanks to its crisp, flaky pastry. Here it is layered with vanilla cream and fresh strawberries. Store bought puff pastry makes it easy, and it looks like it came from a French bakery. Of all the layered desserts on this list, which looks the fanciest to you?

You will need: 1 sheet puff pastry, 2 cups vanilla pastry cream or thick pudding, 1 cup whipped cream, 1 pound strawberries sliced, powdered sugar.

How to make it: 1. Cut the pastry into 3 strips and bake at 400F between two pans for 15 minutes so it stays flat. 2. Fold whipped cream into the pastry cream. 3. Spread cream on a strip and add berries. 4. Repeat the layers. 5. Dust with powdered sugar.

Black Forest Cake

Chocolate sponge, whipped cream and dark cherries are stacked high and topped with chocolate shavings. This German classic is perfect for birthdays and holidays. A splash of cherry juice on each cake layer keeps it moist. Would you add a splash of cherry liqueur or keep it kid friendly?

You will need: 2 round chocolate cake layers, 1 jar dark cherries drained with juice saved, 3 cups whipped cream, 1/4 cup sugar, chocolate shavings, fresh cherries for the top.

How to make it: 1. Brush each cake layer with cherry juice. 2. Spread whipped cream on the first layer. 3. Scatter cherries over it. 4. Add the second layer and cover with cream. 5. Press on chocolate shavings and top with cherries.

Chocolate Mousse Cups

Light, airy and deeply chocolatey, mousse feels fancy but takes just three main ingredients. Pour it into little cups and layer it with crushed cookies for extra crunch. Shave some chocolate on top for a cafe finish. Are you a dark chocolate person or a milk chocolate person?

You will need: 6 oz dark chocolate, 1 1/2 cups heavy cream, 2 tablespoons sugar, 1 teaspoon vanilla, 1/2 cup crushed cookies, chocolate shavings.

How to make it: 1. Melt the chocolate and let it cool slightly. 2. Whip cream, sugar and vanilla to soft peaks. 3. Fold a third of the cream into the chocolate, then the rest. 4. Layer cookie crumbs and mousse in cups. 5. Chill 2 hours and top with shavings.

Ice Cream Parfaits, Layered Desserts in Minutes

When you need something sweet right now, grab tall glasses and start stacking. Ice cream, sauce, crushed cookies and whipped cream. Done. These are layered desserts anyone can make, even kids. Poll time: A: chocolate sauce, B: caramel sauce, C: strawberry sauce, D: all three, no shame.

You will need: Vanilla and chocolate ice cream, 1/2 cup fudge or caramel sauce, 1 cup crushed cookies or granola, whipped cream, cherries.

How to make it: 1. Chill your glasses for 10 minutes. 2. Add a scoop of ice cream. 3. Drizzle with sauce and add crushed cookies. 4. Repeat the layers to the top. 5. Finish with whipped cream and a cherry and serve right away.

Lemon Mousse Glasses

Tangy, creamy and sunny yellow, lemon mousse is a refreshing finish after a big meal. Lemon curd folded into whipped cream gives it a silky texture without any gelatin. Layer it with crumbled shortbread for a pretty contrast. Would you serve it at a spring brunch or a holiday dinner?

You will need: 1 cup lemon curd, 1 1/2 cups heavy cream, 2 tablespoons powdered sugar, zest of 1 lemon, 1/2 cup crushed shortbread.

How to make it: 1. Whip cream and powdered sugar to soft peaks. 2. Fold in the lemon curd and zest. 3. Spoon shortbread crumbs into glasses. 4. Add the lemon mousse. 5. Chill 1 hour and top with more zest.

Panna Cotta With Berry Sauce

Panna cotta is a silky Italian cream set with just a little gelatin. A layer of bright berry sauce on top makes it look like a jewel. It is naturally gluten free and can be made two days ahead. Have you ever tried panna cotta, or is this your first time?

You will need: 2 cups heavy cream, 1/2 cup milk, 1/3 cup sugar, 1 teaspoon vanilla, 2 1/4 teaspoons gelatin, 3 tablespoons cold water. Sauce: 2 cups berries, 3 tablespoons sugar.

How to make it: 1. Bloom gelatin in cold water. 2. Warm cream, milk and sugar, then stir in the gelatin and vanilla. 3. Pour into glasses and chill 4 hours. 4. Simmer berries and sugar 8 minutes and cool. 5. Spoon the sauce over the set cream.

Strawberry Eton Mess

Eton mess is the happiest kind of mess: crunchy meringue, juicy strawberries and whipped cream all folded together. It is the easiest dessert on this list and looks beautiful piled on a platter. Store bought meringues work perfectly. Would you add a little passion fruit or keep it classic?

You will need: 2 cups strawberries chopped, 2 tablespoons sugar, 2 cups heavy cream, 1 teaspoon vanilla, 8 meringue cookies broken into pieces.

How to make it: 1. Toss strawberries with sugar and let sit 10 minutes. 2. Whip cream and vanilla to soft peaks. 3. Gently fold in most of the meringue and berries. 4. Pile onto a platter or into glasses. 5. Top with the rest of the berries and meringue.

No Bake Layered Desserts Like Strawberry Icebox Cake

Icebox cakes are the ultimate no bake layered desserts. Ladyfingers or graham crackers soften overnight in whipped cream until they slice like cake. This strawberry version looks like a fancy bakery cake but takes twenty minutes of work. Would you make it for a birthday or a summer barbecue?

You will need: 2 packs ladyfingers, 3 cups heavy cream, 1/2 cup powdered sugar, 8 oz cream cheese, 1 teaspoon vanilla, 1 1/2 pounds strawberries sliced.

How to make it: 1. Beat cream cheese, sugar and vanilla, then whip in the cream. 2. Line a pan with ladyfingers. 3. Spread a layer of cream and strawberries. 4. Repeat three times. 5. Chill overnight and decorate with berries.

Chocolate Layer Cake

Tall chocolate cake layers with rich fudge frosting in between make a slice that looks like a work of art. The trick is chilling the cake before frosting so the layers stay neat. It is the birthday cake everyone remembers. How many layers would you dare to stack?

You will need: 2 cups flour, 2 cups sugar, 3/4 cup cocoa, 2 teaspoons baking soda, 1 teaspoon salt, 2 eggs, 1 cup buttermilk, 1/2 cup oil, 1 cup hot coffee. Frosting: 1 cup butter, 3 cups powdered sugar, 2/3 cup cocoa, 1/3 cup milk.

How to make it: 1. Mix and bake in two 8 inch pans at 350F for 30 minutes. 2. Cool, then split each cake in half. 3. Beat the frosting ingredients. 4. Stack with frosting between each layer. 5. Chill 30 minutes and slice.

Cherry Cheesecake Jars, Layered Desserts to Go

Cheesecake in a jar is cute, portable and needs no baking. A graham crust, a creamy no bake filling and a bright cherry topping are layered right in the jar. Put the lids on and take them to picnics or potlucks. Which of these layered desserts are you making first? Tell us below.

You will need: 1 1/2 cups graham cracker crumbs, 4 tablespoons melted butter, 8 oz cream cheese, 1/2 cup sugar, 1 cup whipped cream, 1 teaspoon vanilla, 1 can cherry pie filling.

How to make it: 1. Mix crumbs and butter and press into small jars. 2. Beat cream cheese, sugar and vanilla. 3. Fold in the whipped cream. 4. Spoon the filling over the crust. 5. Top with cherry filling and chill 2 hours.