Carrot cake is hands-down my favorite “non-chocolate” dessert. It’s one of those desserts that I can’t pass up if I see it on a restaurant menu. Making trifles is my favorite because they’re easy, delicious, beautiful desserts that feed a crowd. I make a chocolate/cherry one every year at Christmas and we love it! An Easter dessert is what I wanted to make for my April cooking segment on ABC4’s Good Things Utah and the idea for my Carrot Cake Trifle came to me.
I wanted to take something familiar and put my own spin on it. Adding real carrots, an extra egg, and replacing the oil with applesauce totally transforms the box cake mix.
The pineapple layer is divine (hello yummy ice cream topping) and the whipped cream cheese is just dreamy. The Biscoff cookies add a flavorful crunch! This is the perfect Easter dessert!
Carrot Cake Trifle TV Segment
Making my Carrot Cake Trifle at Good Things Utah was one of my favorite segments to date. It was probably because I was cooking with my fellow Texas friend, Reagan. We always have fun! Watch me make it here!
More Trifle Recipes
Blueberry Banana Coconut Trifle
Caramel Apple Cheesecake Trifle
Carrot Cake Trifle
Ingredients
For the cake
- 1 box Betty Crocker Super Moist Carrot Cake Mix
- 1 cup water
- 2/3 cup applesauce
- 4 eggs
- 1 cup carrots, finely shredded
For the pineapple layer
- 1 (20 oz) can pineapple tidbits, undrained
- 2 tablespoons cornstarch
- 1/4 cup brown sugar
For the cream layer
- 1 (8 oz) package cream cheese, softened
- 1 cup granulated sugar
- 1/8 teaspoon salt
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 1 1/2 cups heavy whipping cream
Topping
- 6 Biscoff cookies, crushed
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 350. Prepare 9×13 baking dish by spraying with non-stick baking spray.
- Add dry cake mix to medium-sized mixing bowl. Add water, applesauce, and eggs. Beat for 2 minutes then fold in carrots. Add batter to prepared pan and bake for 30-35 minutes or until toothpick inserted comes out clean.
- Cool completely. Once cool, cut cake (while in the pan) into small squares.
- While cake is baking, add pineapple to a saucepan over medium-high heat. Add cornstarch and brown sugar then mix well. Bring to a boil, stirring often. Once thickened (about 1-2 minutes), remove from heat and cool completely.
- In a small bowl, beat heavy whipping cream until stiff peaks form. Set aside.
- In a larger bowl, beat cream cheese, sugar, salt, and vanilla until smooth. Fold whipped cream into the cream cheese mixture. Set in fridge until ready to use.
- In a trifle bowl (or large glass bowl), layer 1/3 of the cake cubes, 1/3 of the pineapple filling, then 1/3 of the cream. Repeat two more times ending in cream. Top with crushed cookies.
- Refrigerate at least 3 hours before serving.
This looks delicious! A must for this year! Thank you sharing!
Thank you! Let me know how it goes and what you think!
This was a great dessert! An excellent new twist on an old favorite. I made it for my husband’s birthday, and he ate about a third of it! Thank you!
Thank you so much!
This is to die for! Everything I have made of yours has been a huge hit. Thank you so much for sharing your amazing recipes with us!
Thank you!