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Home › Recipes
2 Comments

Southern Peaches & Cream Trifle

Stacey Pirtle

by Stacey Published: Jul 14, 2023

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This post may contain affiliate links.

An easy Peaches and Cream Trifle is just what your cookouts, summer parties, showers and family gatherings have been asking for! Layers of fresh, ripe peaches, buttery pound cake and fluffy whipped vanilla cream, this simple peach dessert celebrates the best of summer with your southern favorites!

Macerated fresh peaches layered with pound cake whipped cream and pudding.


What Is a Trifle?

A trifle, as we know it, is an easy-to-make layered dessert, usually consisting of crumbled cake or cookies, fruit and whipped cream or custard, layered in that order and served in a glass dish to really show off it’s striking layers. Most of the trifles we are familiar with at potlucks and church dinners here in the American south, have a cooked fruit filling or macerated fruit and syrup for the fruit layer.

Originally, however, trifles were an English dessert whose fruit layer might consist of fresh fruit or a fruit flavored gelatin (or “jelly“) with suspended fruit, a cake layer of ladyfingers, custard and whipped cream.

Why You’ll Love This Peach Trifle Recipe

  • This Peaches and Cream Trifle makes the most of peach season with southern classics like homemade pound cake.
  • The pound cake is browned, or toasted, in a skillet or on a griddle to create an amazing caramelized flavor.
  • Summer peaches macerated (or softened) in brown sugar and cinnamon give the whole dessert a homey peach cobbler feel.
  • The whipped vanilla pudding combines whipping cream and instant pudding to create an easy rich custardy layer.
  • Serve this recipe in individual jars or dessert glasses for a personalized touch or in a trifle bowl to feed a crowd.
2 individual peaches and cream trifles made with fresh peaches, vanilla pudding and grilled pound cake.

Why Serve Individual or Mini Desserts?

Individual-sized or mini desserts are always fun to serve and eat! They add an intentional touch to any party or gathering, making your guests feel special and extra welcomed. And you’ll find that guests are always more open to eating dessert with a smaller personal portions.

Lastly, I have never served individual desserts when they weren’t met with surprise and delight. The always make for a striking presentation. And who doesn’t like to receive something just for them!

Ingredients

These easy peach trifles are made with fresh peaches, pound cake, brown sugar, cinnamon, heavy whipping cream, instant vanilla pudding and a few pats of butter.

I’ll walk through an overview of ingredients & steps in these next sections along with helpful tips!

Look for specifics at the end of the post in the recipe card.

  • 4-5 fresh peaches
  • pound cake (store bought or make your own)
  • heavy whipping cream
  • instant vanilla pudding mix
  • lemon juice
  • brown sugar
  • ground cinnamon
  • vanilla extract
  • butter
  • fresh mint to garnish

RECIPE VARIATIONS

  • Instead of pound cake, you can use Angel Food cake, yellow cake, even banana bread!
  • Make the most of fresh summer fruit by adding sliced strawberries, fresh blueberries or blackberries.
  • Instead of mint, garnish with a sprig of fresh basil or an edible flower. A sprinkle of chopped pecans adds touch of crunch!

How To Make Easy Peaches & Cream Trifles

First, macerate sliced peaches in brown sugar and ground cinnamon.  Then toast the pound cake in a hot skillet.  Lastly, whip the cream and pudding together.

Prepare the Layers

  • Macerate the peaches. In a medium mixing bowl, toss sliced peaches with brown sugar, lemon juice, vanilla extract and ground cinnamon. Cover & let sit in the fridge for 30 minutes to overnight.
  • Toast the pound cake. In a hot skillet or on a hot griddle, use the pats of butter and brown the front and back sides of the pound cakes slices. Then cut up the toasted slices into 1 inch cubes.
  • Make the Whipped Vanilla Pudding. Using a hand mixer or an electric mixer, whisk the whipping cream on high until soft peaks begin to form. Gradually add in the vanilla instant pudding and whip until the pudding is completely dissolved.

Assemble

  • First layer. Add one layer of toasted pound cake cubes to the bottom of a small trifle bowl or to 6-8 jars or dessert glass. Spoon brown sugar peaches and syrup over the top the cake. Top with a generous dollop of whipped vanilla pudding.
  • Repeat layers. Gently press 2nd layer of pound cake cubes into last layer of pudding, then layer peaches, syrup and pudding again. Repeat once more if adding a 3rd layer. Finish with plenty of whipped pudding as a topping and garnish with extra peach slices and sprigs of mint, if desired.
Serve mini peaches and cream trifles at cookouts, family gatherings, showers and parties all summer long.

How Many Layers Does A Trifle Have?

A trifle’s layers can vary in number these days depending on how big the dish it’s served in. But “tri” means 3, so traditionally a trifle has 3 basic layers- cake, fruit (or jam), cream/custard. Then those layers repeat 2- 3 times.

This Southern Peaches and Cream Trifle is made up of these layers, repeated twice:

  • toasted pound cake
  • brown sugar peaches
  • whipped vanilla cream

Can You Assemble This Peaches & Cream Trifle The Day Before?

All trifles are better when made the day before. This gives the cake time to soak in all the flavors and goodness from the juicy peaches and other layers, making sure each bite is tender, moist and indulgent!

Homemade southern pound cake, fresh Georgia peaches, and a whipped vanilla layered in a dessert glass and pictured with a sunflower.

How Long Will This Dessert Last in The Fridge?

Whether made in a large trifle dish or in small dessert jars or cups, if covered, this Peaches & Cream Trifle will last up to 3 days in the refrigerator.

More Layered Dessert Recipes You’ll Love

  • Red Velvet Trifle
  • Dreamy Coconut Pineapple Trifle
  • Mason Jar Blueberry Lemon Lush
  • No Bake Pumpkin Cheesecake Trifles
  • Layered Strawberry Jello Salad

More Peach Recipes To Make Now

  • Sparkling Peach Lemonade
  • Pecan Stuffed Grilled Peaches
  • Peach Caprese Skewers with Ham
  • BBQ Pulled Pork & Peach Pizza
  • Marinated Peach & Shrimp Salad
  • Peach BBQ Meatballs

If You Make This Recipe, I Can’t Wait To Hear About It!

Leave A Comment & Rating Below Or Snap A Photo To Share.

Tag me on Instagram at #southerndiscourse
2 individual peaches and cream trifles made with fresh peaches, vanilla pudding and grilled pound cake.

Southern Peaches & Cream Trifle

Layers of fresh, ripe peaches, buttery pound cake and fluffy whipped vanilla cream, this simple peach dessert celebrates the best of summer with your southern favorites!
Print Pin Rate
Course: Dessert
Cuisine: American
Keyword: cookout, southern, summer
Prep Time: 30 minutes minutes
Servings: 8 mini trifles
Calories: 403kcal
Author: Stacey | SouthernDiscourse.com

Ingredients

  • 4-5 medium fresh peaches, thinly sliced but not peeled (unless desired)
  • ½ cup packed brown sugar
  • 2 tablespoons lemon juice
  • ½ teaspoon vanilla extract
  • ½ teaspoon ground cinnamon
  • 1 pound cake, sliced into 1 inch slices
  • 4 pats butter, or as needed
  • 2 cups heavy whipping cream
  • 3 ounce instant vanilla pudding
  • fresh mint to garnish
Get Recipe Ingredients

Instructions

  • In a medium bowl, toss sliced peaches with brown sugar, lemon juice, vanilla extract and ground cinnamon. Cover and let sit in the fridge for 30 minutes to overnight.
  • In a hot skillet on the stove top or on a hot griddle, use the pats of butter and brown the front and back sides of the pound cakes slices. Then cut up the toasted slices into 1 inch cubes.
  • Using a hand mixer or an electric mixer, whip the whipping cream on high until soft peaks begin to form. Gradually add in the vanilla instant pudding and whip until the pudding is completely dissolved.

Assemble

  • Add one layer of toasted pound cake cubes to the bottom of a small trifle bowl or to 6-8 jars or dessert glass. Spoon brown sugar peaches and syrup over the top the cake. Top with a generous dollop of whipped vanilla pudding.
  • Repeat layers. Gently press 2nd layer of pound cake cubes into last layer of pudding, then layer peaches, syrup and pudding. Repeat again if adding a 3rd layer. Finish with plenty of whipped pudding as a topping and garnish with extra peach slices and sprigs of mint, if desired.

Notes

  • Frozen peaches can be used for this recipe, but canned peaches cannot.
  • Instead of a homemade pound cake, use a store bought one to save time.
  • You can also use Angel Food cake, yellow cake, even banana bread!
  • Make your trifle a day ahead so the flavors have time to soak together.
  • If covered in the refrigerator, this dessert can last up to 3 days.
  • Instead of mint, garnish with a sprig of fresh basil or an edible flower.
  • Make the most of fresh summer fruit by adding in sliced strawberries, fresh blueberries or blackberries.

Nutrition

Calories: 403kcal | Carbohydrates: 43g | Protein: 4g | Fat: 25g | Sodium: 343mg | Sugar: 30g
2 individual peaches and cream trifles made with fresh peaches, vanilla pudding and grilled pound cake.
Did you make my Southern Peaches & Cream Trifle?Show me how it went! Share on Instagram, tag @southerndiscourse, and use the hashtag #SouthernDiscourse!
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An easy Peaches and Cream Trifle is just what your cookouts, summer parties, showers and family gatherings have been asking for!  Layers of fresh, ripe peaches, buttery pound cake and fluffy whipped vanilla cream, this simple summer dessert celebrates the season with your southern favorites!

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Filed Under: Desserts, Recipes

Meet Stacey

Southern Discourse is a place where you can find southern family dishes, along with special recipes & table settings. Bringing connection & friendship back to the table by wrapping everything in the faith & grace from which true hospitality springs! Read More

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    5 from 1 vote

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    Recipe Rating




  1. Avatar photoCindy Capps

    July 14, 2023 at 5:47 pm

    5 stars
    I had the privilege/pleasure of sampling this Trifle first hand from the chef herself! You won’t want to swallow too quickly- it’s SO good you will want to savor the flavors!

    Reply
    • Stacey PirtleStacey

      July 20, 2023 at 10:23 pm

      Hi, Cindy! You made my day! I am so happy you loved these! XOXO

      Reply

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Meet Stacey

Southern Discourse is a place where you can find southern family dishes, along with special recipes & table settings. Bringing connection & friendship back to the table by wrapping everything in the faith & grace from which true hospitality springs! Read More

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