Luscious light. Not too fancy.

Hey there 👋

This Cherry Almond Amaretto Trifle is going to be your new favorite dessert if you want something sweet, creamy, and a little bit of a treat.

It appears like it took all day to make, but it’s actually much easier than you think.

There are layers of fluffy cake, sweet-tart cherries, creamy whipped cream, and a hint of almond-amaretto flavor. People will say, “Wait… you made this?” when they see this dessert.

I’ve cooked this for dinner parties, holidays, and even just random Tuesdays when I wanted something attractive and tasty.

It’s quite easy to make ahead of time, and the flavors and textures all work well together. Let’s do it!

🍴 Number of servings and cooking time

Serves: 8
Time: 25 minutes (plus time to chill if you like)

🍒 What You Need

• 1 pound cake, either store-bought or homemade, cut into 1-inch cubes
• 2 cups of cherry pie filling
• 1 cup of heavy cream
• 1/4 cup of sugar in powder form
• 1/2 teaspoon of almond extract
• 2 tablespoons of amaretto liqueur (optional, but tasty)
• 1/2 cup of sliced almonds that have been roasted
• Optional garnish: cherries and mint leaves

Tools You Will Need

• A manual whisk or an electric mixer
• Bowls for mixing
• A big clear glass bowl or a glass trifle bowl
• Spatula made of silicone
• Spoons and cups for measuring
• Small skillet (for toasting nuts)

🧁 Instructions in Steps

1. Toast the almonds
   Put a dry skillet on medium heat and toast the sliced almonds for 3 to 4 minutes, or until they are golden and smell good. Stir a lot!
2. Beat the cream
   
   In a cold basin, beat heavy cream, powdered sugar, and almond essence together until soft peaks form.
3. Put layers on the pound cake
   Put a layer of cubed pound cake at the bottom of the trifle bowl. If you want to, drizzle with amaretto.
4. Put in the cherry filling
   Spread the cherry pie filling evenly over the cake layer with a spoon.
5. Put on some whipped cream
   Put a layer of whipped cream on top of the cherry filling with a spoon or a piping.
6. Do the layers again
   Keep adding layers of cake, cherries, and whipped cream until the bowl is filled. Finish with whipped cream.
7. Add a garnish
   For a fresh touch, top with whole cherries, toasted almonds, and a few mint leaves.

🥶 Leftovers and how to store them

Put in the fridge and cover tightly with plastic wrap or a lid.
The flavors just keep mingling, so it’s good for up to three days!
Don’t freeze it; the texture of whipped cream and cake won’t hold up.

⏱ Tips for Preparing Ahead

• You can cut the cake into cubes and toast the almonds the day before.
• Whip the cream a few hours ahead of time and keep it cold.
• Put the whole trifle together up to six hours ahead of time.

Ideas for meal plans

• The day before: Cut the cake into cubes, roast the almonds, and create whipped cream.
• Morning of: Put together the trifle and chill it.
• Dinner: Serve after a light dinner or when guests are over.

🔄 Changes and Substitutions

• No amaretto? Instead of almond syrup or almond milk, use almond milk.
• No pound cake? Use sponge cake or angel food cake.
• Do you want it lighter? Instead of making your own whipped cream, use whipped topping.
• Add alcohol? Put more amaretto between the layers of cake.
• Different kinds of fruit? Instead of cherries, try raspberries or mixed berries.

💡 Helpful Tips

• Toasting your almonds brings out their flavor and adds a wonderful crunch to the trifle.
• Put the bowl and beaters in the fridge. This will help the whipped cream come together faster and make it fluffier.
• Don’t be ashamed to use store-bought pound cake. It works well and saves time.
• Let it sit. Putting it in the fridge for an hour before serving enables all the flavors seep in.
• A clear bowl shows off all those gorgeous layers, which is what makes it wow.

⚠️ Mistakes That Happen Often

• Too much whipping of the whipped cream will make it gritty or turn it into butter. Stop at soft peaks!
• Using warm cake: Let it cool before stacking it, or the cream will melt.
• Don’t skip the almond extract; just a small bit changes the flavor a lot.
• Too much liquid—don’t drench the cake in amaretto; just a little will do.

❓ Common Questions

Is it possible to create this without alcohol?

Of course. You can skip the amaretto or use almond extract and water instead.

What sort of cake is best?

Pound or sponge cakes are preferable since they don’t come apart in the layers.

Can I use cherries that are still fresh?

Yes! Cut them in half and pit them, then boil them with some sugar to make them softer.

Do I need a dish for trifle?

Nope. Any big, clear dish will do. Even tiny versions in mason jars!

Why This Recipe Works (Quick Science)

• Layering adds texture and taste to each bite.
• Whipped cream makes cake and fruit less heavy.
• When you toast almonds, their natural oils come out, which adds flavor.
• Amaretto provides richness to the dessert without making it too strong.

What to Serve With It

• Espresso or coffee
• Prosecco or light sparkling wine
• A warm meal like spaghetti or roasted chicken
• Also great for the end of a brunch!

❤️ Why I Love This Recipe

This trifle is a treat that has all the proper flavors: sweet, creamy, fruity, and a little nutty. I cooked this for a holiday dinner once, and people kept asking me for the recipe. It’s now one of my favorite things to make for a lot of people.

• It looks great without a lot of work.
• You can make it ahead of time, which is great for the host.
• That mix of cherry, almond, and cream? Dreamy
• It seems elegant, but you can easily make it with store-bought shortcuts.

👋 Are you ready to make it?

I hope you love my Cherry Almond Amaretto Trifle as much as I do. It’s easy, classy, and always a hit. If you try it, please leave a comment and let me know how it went, or ask me any questions you have!

Happy stacking! 🍒💛