Layered desserts have a dazzling presentation and layers upon layers of decadent flavors. You can whip them up for parties or turn them into gratifying single-serving desserts. From cakes to trifles, layered desserts come in many shapes and flavors. They can be chocolatey, fruity, rich, or light. No matter the ingredients, when you sink your fork in you’ll get the perfect bite.
1. Atomic Cake
This cake is an explosion of deliciousness! Chocolatey, fruity, and creamy, it runs the spectrum of sweet flavors. This means, there are a lot of ingredients that go into it. You’ll need three flavors of Jell-O pudding, three flavors of cake, fresh strawberries, and bananas. Luckily, boxed cake and instant pudding make it a bit easier to throw together.
2. Triple Berry Trifle
Lavish chocolate desserts are wonderful for winter, but in the summer I’m all about berry desserts. This delightful triple berry trifle has an airy Angel food cake, homemade whipped cream, and a bounty of berries. It’s very light and refreshing, which is exactly what I want on a hot day. Plus, it has my favorite berry trio of strawberries, blueberries, and raspberries.
3. Punch Bowl Cake
Some layered desserts require a professional level of expertise. But this southern dessert is exactly the opposite. Even the most amateur baker can whip up this foolproof recipe, which is great if you’re like me and want something unchallenging. What’s even better is nobody will guess how simple it was to make! With the help of boxed yellow cake mix, you’ll layer chunks of cake, vanilla pudding, pineapple, banana, cherry pie filling, and coconut flakes. Top it with some whipped cream and walnuts.
4. Coconut Cake
Crazy about coconuts? Then you have got to get yourself a slice of this. Between the fluffy coconut cake and coconut cream cheese buttercream frosting, I can’t decide which is better. One thing is for certain, this coconut cake is heavy on the coconut. (And I mean heavy.) It’s not only got shredded coconut and coconut extract, but it has canned coconut, too!
5. Earthquake Cake
If you like your coconut with some chocolate, you need to make this cake. It’s similar to German chocolate cakes except it’s way less structured because you leave it all in the baking pan. That and it comes with cream cheese frosting! Pecans give it a wonderful crunch that pairs nicely with all the other textures. But you can use a different nut variety or even substitute mini-chocolate chips, too.
6. Layered Rainbow Jell-O
The colorful giggly layers of this rainbow cake are sure to put a smile on anyone’s face. I think this will be an excellent birthday treat for a little tyke. It will also be spectacular for a party. While this recipe is far from hard, it will take some time to prepare. You’ll have to let each layer set before you can add the next. For the rainbow effect, you’ll need about eight different fruity Jell-O flavored layers along with condensed milk.
7. Death By Chocolate
This trifle means serious chocolate business. It’s got luscious layers of gooey brownie, chocolate pudding, and chocolate-covered English toffee. It’s so rich in chocolate, you’ll need to sandwich some frozen whipped topping in between. Don’t worry, it won’t distract from the chocolate. Instead, it will make it taste divine! If you want to make it even more deathly rich, you can add in some chocolate shavings, mini-chocolate chips, and a drizzle of chocolate sauce.
8. Neapolitan Cheesecake
Neapolitan is a classic ice cream flavor that makes for a dynamite cupcake. To get the layers just right, you’ll fill the bottom of a muffin pan with chocolate cupcake batter. Then, layer the vanilla cupcake batter on top. Once those are ready, you’ll top it off with a fun and fruity strawberry buttercream frosting.
9. Double Layer Pumpkin Cheesecake
Pumpkin pies have nothing on this cheesecake! As the name suggests, it features two layers. — one pumpkin pie and one cheesecake. Together, the two layers almost taste like a pumpkin spiced latte with whipped cream. Except I think this is even better! Try this once and it will become your new favorite fall dessert.
10. Arkansas Possum Pie
I admit this doesn’t sound like the most spectacular pie. But don’t let that stop you from giving it a try! With whipped cream on the outside and chocolate pudding on the inside, you’re in for a wonderful surprise. Which is how this pie got its name. It’s said to be “playing possum” because it looks like one thing but is another thing inside. Name aside, I know one thing for sure. I love this pie!
11. Banana Pudding
Banana pudding may not sound all that marvelous on its own. But dress it up Trisha Yearwood style and you know you’re in for greatness. For this copycat recipe, you’ll assemble layers of pudding, bananas, vanilla wafers, and top with a meringue custard. You’ll need to keep this cold, otherwise, the layers will start to run and get messy.
12. Strawberry Pavlova
Pavlova is a meringue dessert named after the Russian ballerina Anna Pavlova. Typically featuring fresh fruit, this whimsical delight is all about the strawberries. This light, crisp meringue gets a layer of fresh homemade whipped cream and a mound of balsamic strawberries. Balsamic has a rich sweet and tangy quality that adds a pop to the sugar-coated strawberries.
13. Strawberry Shortcake
I have a reputation for not being able to resist strawberry desserts. This mostly comes from my obsession with strawberry shortcakes. But who can resist this classic when it tastes so good! There are many ways to go about it, but I like to use this recipe. Bisquick makes it quick and always reminds me of home. Meanwhile, it’s ripe with fresh strawberries and whipped cream.
14. Seven-Layer Magic Bars
Seven is the magic number for these incredible bars. Seven layers make this a rich, sweet, crunchy, tropical, nutty, creamy, and chocolatey treat. These bars are fully loaded, so you’ll want to make a crust out of graham cracker crumbs. Then, pile on the fixings and pour on the condensed milk to let it all bind. There’s so much decadence going on in these bars it’s surprising when you realize how simple it is to pull together.
15. Layered Strawberry Tart
Hold the phone because I need to introduce this strawberry tart! As I said, I can’t resist a strawberry dessert. But after this recipe, I think you won’t be able to resist them too. This gorgeous dessert starts with a pistachio almond base. That gets a layer of a heavenly coconut filling, then comes the rosewater-infused strawberry filling. Decorate how you like, but I think some chocolate-dipped strawberries are in order.
16. Trisha Yearwood’s Chocolate Torte
Another winner from the Trisha Yearwood recipe collection is this torte. This copycat recipe is piled to the high heavens with a chocoholic’s fantasy. It’s got 12 layers of a buttery vanilla cake and coffee-infused chocolate glaze. Building layers like this does take some finesse. So you could always stack the layers as high as you feel comfortable and make several smaller versions.
17. Oreo S’mores
You don’t always need a high stack of layers and a baker’s touch to make a tasty dessert. Sometimes, you just need cookies. This three-ingredient recipe is as easy as they come. All you’ll do is sandwich some chocolate and a marshmallow in between Oreos and broil them. This is a fantastic solution when you can’t enjoy a campfire. The kids will gobble up every last crumb while you’re happy making new memories.
18. Tiramisu Crepe Cake
If you feel the inspiration to try your hand at a masterpiece, then by all means knock your socks off with this tiramisu. This 24-layer cake doesn’t skimp on anything. It’s rich in buttery crepes, whipped cream, and a Grand Marnier infused tiramisu filling. Now, this is the definition of decadence.
19. Whoopie Pies
Don’t worry whoopie pie fans, I didn’t forget you! Whoopie pies are a classic layered dessert that doesn’t require a plate. What they do require are a soft chocolate cookie and a creamy vanilla filling. You can make these pies as big or small as you like. However, the one thing you don’t want to do is use real chocolate in the cookie batter. This will make the cookies too dense, so stick with cocoa powder.
20. Caramel Peanut Fantasy
Your dentist might not love this dessert, but your taste buds sure will! This rich pie is oozing with sticky caramel that traps in crunchy salted peanuts. There are even mini Snickers candies melted into the mix. Add a scoop of caramel ice cream for the ultimate indulgent treat.
21. Strawberry Pretzel Salad
This strawberry dessert is truly unique. While you may be thinking leafy greens, I guarantee this is all sweets. It starts with a crushed pretzel crust followed by a fluffy cream cheese mixture. It’s finished off with a Jell-O layer with fresh strawberries. You’ll need to let this “salad” set before slicing in.
22. Fruit Pizza
Fruit pizza is a terrific summer dessert for barbecues, pool parties, picnics, and more. Sugar cookies make up the pizza dough while a cream cheese frosting makes up the sauce. For the toppings, an array of fresh fruits make a wonderful display. For a picture-perfect pie, use kiwis, strawberries, blueberries, grapes, and mandarin oranges.
23. Slutty Brownies
Pardon me for sounding crude, but I like my brownies slutty. These brownies are the ultimate guilty combination of chocolate chip cookie dough, Oreos, and brownie batter. This indulgent combination is sinfully good and tantalizing. It’s also ridiculously easy to make because it only takes three ingredients.
24. Layered Ambrosia Salad
I love whipping up ambrosia salad for gatherings. But never would I have thought to make a fabulous layered dessert! The way to do it is to layer fresh fruit like pineapple, orange, and banana with shredded coconut. Be sure to use clear glasses so all your guests can see all the tropical layers.
25. Buckeye Brownies
Buckeye brownies are the perfect layers of chocolate and peanut butter. A classic combination, creamy peanut butter was made for these chocolate brownies. These brownies get an extra layer of chocolate in the form of a thick, buttery topping. Let them rest before digging it. I know it’s hard to resist, but it’s well worth the wait.
26. Strawberry Banana Granola Parfaits
Of course, I had to end with just one more strawberry recipe. These parfaits are light and crisp, making you feel satisfied without an expanding waistline. They layer scrumptious homemade granola with fresh bananas, strawberries, and Greek yogurt. While you can make this recipe for dessert, these strawberry parfaits are great any time of day. Click on a star to rate it!
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