Magnolia Bakery Strawberry Shortcake Pudding

This Magnolia Bakery Strawberry Shortcake Pudding is such a quintessential summer dessert. It is made with fresh or roasted strawberries in a creamy vanilla pudding and whipped cream with Nilla wafers. This Strawberry Shortcake Pudding will be your favorite no-bake summer dessert recipe. This strawberry trifle will be a hit!

If you’re a fan of Magnolia Bakery’s iconic banana pudding, you’re going to love this summer twist…Strawberry Shortcake Pudding. This dessert is a luscious combination of creamy pudding, juicy strawberries, and soft Nilla wafers.

I have shared Magnolia Bakery Banana Pudding Recipe and the Magnolia Bakery Peach Crisp Pudding and they always receive rave reviews! They released this new flavor combination this summer and it is absolutely DELICIOUS!

It is so easy to make and can be made ahead of time. It is a perfect dessert for summer nights or the 4th of July.

Strawberry Shortcake Pudding Ingredients:

This is a simple summer dessert using only 7 ingredients. I suggest using JELLO Brand Vanilla Pudding and Nabisco Nilla Wafers. I have tried many generic brands of Nilla Wafers and they just crumble and fall apart. 

• Instant Vanilla Pudding — Use the instant vanilla pudding and NOT the cook-to-serve.
• Sweetened Condensed Milk — This can be found in the baking aisle and is different than evaporated milk.
• Cold Water — This is stirred in with the pudding mix .
• Heavy Cream — I suggest using COLD heavy whipping cream because it whips easier.
• Strawberries — Use fresh strawberries or roast the fresh strawberries in the oven. See below to find out the details and information between the two options.
• Sugar — A touch of sugar sprinkled on the strawberries brings out the sweetness and juices of the strawberries.
• Nilla Wafers — I suggest using Nabisco Nilla Wafers for the best quality.

Fresh Strawberries vs. Roasted Strawberries

Fresh strawberries offer a bright, juicy burst of flavor that is quintessential to a strawberry shortcake. However, roasting strawberries concentrates their sweetness and adds a caramelized depth, enriching the overall flavor profile of the pudding.

I recipe tested it both ways and both methods have its pros and cons. I would say that I most likely prefer the fresh strawberries over the roasted strawberries.

How to make Magnolia Strawberry Shortcake Trifle:

1. If you are roasting the strawberries, see below for instructions.
2. In a mixing bowl, whisk together sweetened condensed milk and water until combined. Then add the Vanilla Instant Pudding and mix until completely smooth, which should take about two minutes. Cover and refrigerate until firm, at least one hour.
3. In a stand mixer, whip the heavy cream until stiff peaks form.
4. Add the chilled pudding mixture, a scoop at a time, until it is combined.
5. If you are using fresh strawberries, cut them into small, bite-size pieces and toss them in a bowl with an optional 2 Tablespoons of sugar.
6. To assemble, use a trifle bowl or wide glass bowl, or individual glass serving bowls or glasses. I will suggest some items down below.
7. Spread the pudding mixture on the bottom of the dish and then follow with a layer of cookies, and a layer of strawberries, and repeat. Garnish with more fresh whipped cream pudding mixture and Nilla Wafer crumble.
8. Cover tightly and refrigerate for 4-6 hours. Cookies should be tender and soft. 

Why Chilling is Important:

One key to Magnolia Bakery’s pudding is the chilling process. Allowing the assembled strawberry shortcake pudding to chill for at least 4-6 hours (or overnight) is crucial.

This time allows the Nilla wafers to soften and meld with the creamy pudding and juicy strawberries, creating a harmonious blend of textures and flavors. Skipping this step would result in a less cohesive dessert with crunchy wafers instead of the desired cake-like consistency.

Substitutions and Variations:

• A delicious substitution for Nilla Wafers is the Pepperidge Farms Chessmen Butter Cookies.
• You can use either fresh strawberries or roasted strawberries. See the ingredient list for most details.
• Use cheesecake instant pudding mix instead of vanilla pudding for a strawberry cheesecake shortcake pudding.

• Glass Trifle Bowl
• Glass Trifle Mini Dishes
• Kitchenaid Mixer

Summer Dessert Recipes:

Summer Berry Trifle

Strawberry Shortcake

Berry Chantilly Cream Cake

Strawberry Crisp