The Cake Crate Company Red Velvet Mini Pound Cake Giveaway...Featuring Be My Valentine Red Velvet-Strawberry Cheesecake Trifles

I live in the South…where pound cake is a traditional dessert, and a really good pound cake is simply sublime! I recently had the opportunity to try a mini gourmet pound cake from Georgia-based bakery The Cake Crate Company. Owners Mario and Amelia started The Cake Crate Company in 2009 and specialize in gourmet pound cakes – that come in 20 delicious flavors! Their pound cakes come in both large and adorable mini sizes that are perfectly portioned for two. With Valentines coming up next week, the mini pound cakes are ideal for you and your sweetie to share…especially when it’s their Valentines Limited Edition Red Velvet Mini. I adore red velvet cake, and this pound cake is amazing! The package arrived, and I was so impressed with the cute, rustic packaging.

As creative as the packaging was…I tore into that box ASAP to have a taste of the pound cake! Before heading into my kitchen to whip up a Valentines-inspired dessert featuring this red velvet lovely, I sampled a small slice. It was buttery and delicious, just like a good pound cake should be. I knew this pound cake would be perfect to make a duo of individual trifles. But…what flavors would best complement the red velvet flavor of the pound cake? I decided to layer cubes of the moist pound cake with a fluffy cheesecake mousse and chopped strawberries. The end result was gorgeous and delicious: Be My Valentine Red Velvet-Strawberry Cheesecake Trifles. Yeah…it’s pretty much Heaven In a Glass!

Be My Valentine Red Velvet-Strawberry 
Cheesecake Trifles

Inspired by Southern Living

Step 1: Cut one Cake Crate Company mini red velvet pound cake into bite-sized cubes and set aside. Then, chop strawberries into bite-sized pieces -- you want about 1.5 cups total. Sprinkle with 1 tbs. sugar and a dash of vanilla extract. Stir to combine and set aside while you make the cheesecake mousse.

Step 2: To make the cheesecake mousse, add the following ingredients to a mixing bowl: 8 ounces cream cheese and an 8-ounce container of vanilla Greek yogurt. I used Fage vanilla, which was full of tasty vanilla beans! Beat on low speed until combined, then turn speed to med-high. Whip for 1-2 minutes, until the mixture is fluffy. Scrape down the sides of the mixing bowl and add 1 cup powdered sugar. Beat the sugar into the mixture on low speed until completely incorporated. Then, whip on high speed until the mixture is whipped and all of the sugar has been dissolved into the mousse.

Step 3: Assemble the parfaits in two clear glasses. You can use rocks glasses, but I opted use wine glasses. Layer as follows: a dollop of mousse, pound cake cubes, strawberries, and more cheesecake mousse. Repeat layers, ending with a layer of mousse. Top each trifle with more of the strawberries and shave some white chocolate on top for décor just before serving. You can eat the trifles immediately, or you can refrigerate them until you’re ready for dessert. I found they were perfect after a couple of hours in the fridge.

These little trifles are completely amazing! Moist cubes of red velvet pound cake, decadent and creamy cheesecake mousse, and a tart burst of strawberries combine for one amazing little dessert. I especially liked that this makes two reasonably portioned desserts that are perfect for sharing with the one you love! You have to make these trifles…and my friends at The Cake Crate Company are going to make that very easy for one of my lucky readers. They’re going to give one of you a Red Velvet Mini Pound Cake to celebrate Valentine’s!

You can have up to three giveaway entries: (1) visit The Cake Crate Company’s website, then come back and leave a comment telling me which of their 20 flavors is your favorite, (2) Like The Cake Crate Company on Facebook and tell them sent you…then come back here and leave a second comment telling me you did so, and (3) Follow The Cake Crate Company on Twitter and come back here to leave a comment telling me you did so. Please make sure to leave your e-mail on one entry…if your name is drawn but I can’t contact you, I’ll have to pick another winner. Entries will be accepted until 1159 this Saturday evening, and I’ll contact the winner this Sunday (2/10). Good luck!!