>>
A retro, crowd-pleasing layered dessert that combines cherry gelatin, crushed pineapple, Coca Cola, crunchy walnuts and a creamy whipped topping — perfect for holidays and potlucks.
This Coca Cola Trifle is the dessert that immediately transports me back to family potlucks and holiday buffets. I first tasted a variation of this layered, jiggly dessert at a Fourth of July picnic when a neighbor brought a vintage glass trifle bowl filled with ruby-red gelatin, bright pineapple, and a sweet, slightly fizzy surprise tucked into the filling. I recreated it at home using canned dark sweet cherries, crushed pineapple and the unmistakable caramel notes of Coca Cola. The result is nostalgic, slightly fizzy, and pleasantly textured: the gelatin gives a buoyant wobble, the fruit keeps each bite vibrant, the walnuts add crunch, and the cream-cheese whipped topping ties it all together.
This dish is one of those recipes that always elicits comments and questions. People ask what gives the flavor that little extra lift, and when I reveal that a full cup of Coca Cola is folded into the gelatin base, they smile and want the recipe. It sets firm enough to slice into portions yet remains light in mouthfeel. I love serving it chilled straight from a three-quart footed bowl for celebrations, but it also shines as a make-ahead dessert because the flavors have time to meld when refrigerated overnight.
In my own kitchen I discovered that letting the gelatin cool to a syrup-like state before folding in the fruit keeps the chunks suspended evenly throughout the trifle instead of sinking to the bottom. My family tends to prefer it after an overnight chill because the flavors knit together and the texture becomes pleasantly firm yet tender. At our last reunion, guests kept asking for the small details like whether the Coca Cola had to be glass-bottled. I told them it adds a subtle nostalgia; a standard can works too, but the glass bottle does seem to give a slightly brighter fizz during that initial blend.
What I love most about this version is how the cola quietly amplifies the cherry and caramel notes without tasting like soda. When guests slice into the trifle, the layers hold their shape and the walnuts give an enjoyable contrast that always gets compliments. At potlucks people tend to come back for seconds, and I often hear a surprised, pleased murmur when they taste the slight cola undertone.
Store the assembled trifle covered in the refrigerator for up to three days. Use an airtight lid or press plastic wrap directly over the surface of the topping to avoid condensation and fridge odors. Do not freeze the set trifle; freezing and thawing will change the texture and can cause the gelatin to weep. If you need to prepare components ahead, you can make the gelatin-fruit layer a day ahead and keep the cream-cheese topping chilled separately; assemble the topping and spread it on the day of serving for the freshest appearance and texture.
If you want to adapt the recipe, consider these swaps: replace walnuts with pecans for a sweeter, butterier crunch or with roasted sunflower seeds to make it nut-free. For a lighter topping, fold in freshly whipped heavy cream instead of frozen whipped topping, but add a stabilizer like a teaspoon of instant pudding mix if you need longer hold. If avoiding gelatin, use a plant-based agar-agar following package conversion ratios — keep in mind agar sets firmer and at a different temperature, so timing and mouthfeel will change.
Serve the trifle chilled straight from a clear bowl so the layers show. Complement it with simple sides: shortbread cookies or buttery biscuits echo the dessert’s retro vibe. For a holiday table, place the trifle on a small cake stand and surround it with fresh mint sprigs and extra maraschino cherries. This dessert pairs well with coffee or a lightly brewed black tea, which helps cut through the sweetness. Individual portions can be spooned into small dessert bowls for buffet service.
Layered gelatin desserts surfaced in mid-century American cookbooks and became emblematic of potlucks and holiday tables due to their dramatic presentation and ease of transport. This particular variation with cola is a playful evolution that takes advantage of the soda’s complex sweetness. Commercial gelatin desserts and canned fruit were popular in post-war America because they were convenient, affordable, and visually striking when molded or layered in glassware. The combination of canned cherries and pineapple evokes that same vintage comfort.
For summer, use fresh pitted cherries lightly macerated in a touch of sugar instead of canned cherries for an elevated fruit-forward version. In winter, swap the pineapple for mandarin orange segments in light syrup and use a spiced cola or cola with a cinnamon stick infusion to echo seasonal flavors. For a festive red-and-white theme, add a layer of sweetened vanilla pudding between the gelatin and topping for contrast and a more decadent mouthfeel.
Make the gelatin base and cool it to syrup-like consistency in the morning, then fold in fruit and nuts and chill; finish the cream-cheese topping and spread it on the day of serving. Keep the topping chilled in a sealed container and use a wide spatula to spread over the gelatin gently to avoid breaking the set surface. If transporting to a gathering, stabilize the bowl in a shallow tray with ice packs underneath a towel to maintain chill during transit.
There is a special pleasure in offering a dessert that brings back memories while still tasting fresh and deliberate. This Coca Cola Trifle is simple to execute, impressive to present, and reliably satisfying. Make it your own with the nut or fruit swaps suggested above, and enjoy the smiles it brings to your table.
Allow the gelatin mixture to cool to a syrup-like consistency before adding fruit to prevent sinking.
Pat maraschino cherries dry before garnishing to avoid watering down the topping.
Toast walnuts briefly to deepen the flavor and reduce bitterness.
Cover the top of the topping directly with plastic wrap to prevent condensation and fridge odors.
This nourishing coca cola trifle recipe is sure to be a staple in your kitchen. Enjoy every moist, high protein slice — it is perfect for breakfast or as a wholesome snack any time.
This Coca Cola Trifle recipe makes perfectly juicy, tender, and flavorful steak every time! Serve with potatoes and a side salad for an unforgettable dinner in under 30 minutes.
Measure 1 cup each of reserved pineapple juice and cherry syrup. If necessary add cold water to reach 2 cups total. Use a heatproof measuring cup so you can transfer liquid to the saucepan directly.
Bring the combined 2 cups of juice to a low boil in a small saucepan over medium-high heat. Remove from heat and pour into a heatproof bowl. Stir in both packages of cherry gelatin until completely dissolved and smooth to avoid grainy bits.
Slowly stir in 8 ounces (1 cup) of Coca Cola to the hot gelatin liquid to minimize foaming. Let cool a few minutes, cover with plastic wrap and refrigerate for 30 minutes until the mixture thickens to a syrup-like consistency.
Remove plastic wrap and gently fold in the drained crushed pineapple, drained cherries and 1 cup chopped walnuts. Stir until fruit is evenly suspended in the thickened gelatin mixture.
Spoon the fruit and gelatin mixture into a 3-quart footed trifle bowl or serving bowl. Cover tightly and refrigerate for at least 4 hours or overnight until firmly set.
Beat 4 ounces softened cream cheese until smooth, then fold in 8 ounces thawed whipped topping with a hand mixer until combined. Spread over the set gelatin layer and garnish with maraschino cherries. Keep chilled until serving.
Last Step: Please leave a rating and comment letting us know how you liked this recipe! This helps our business to thrive and continue providing free, high-quality recipes for you.
Leave a comment & rating below or tag
@culinya on social media!
A creamy, nostalgic five-ingredient mac and cheese made with pantry staples—ready in under 30 minutes and perfect for weeknights or a simple family gathering.
Tiny, festive donut holes cooked in the air fryer and coated in cinnamon sugar, finished with melted butter and holiday sprinkles for a quick seasonal treat.
Golden, crunchy wings coated in a savory parmesan crust — all made quickly in the air fryer for a fuss-free, crowd-pleasing snack or main.
Leave a comment & rating below or tag @culinya on social media!
Enjoyed this recipe? Share it with friends and family, and don't forget to leave a review!
This recipe looks amazing! Can't wait to try it.
Comments are stored locally in your browser. Server comments are displayed alongside your local comments.
Join to receive our email series which contains a round-up of some of our quick and easy family favorite recipes.
