Patriotic Berry Trifle
Whether you’re hosting a barbecue, a family picnic, or just looking for a festive dessert to brighten up your table, this Patriotic Berry Trifle will quickly become a go-to recipe.
Equipment
- Large Glass Trifle Bowl or Clear Glass Dish
- Mixing Bowls
- Electric mixer or stand mixer
- Measuring cups and spoons
- Spatula or spoon
- Knife and Cutting Board
- Serving Spoons
Ingredients
For the Cake Layer
- 6 cups of pound cake cubed (store-bought or homemade)
- Optional: 2 tablespoons of berry or vanilla syrup to drizzle over the cake for extra moisture
For the Berry Layers
- 2 cups fresh strawberries hulled and sliced
- 1 ½ cups fresh blueberries
- 1 cup fresh raspberries optional, for extra color and flavor
For the Cream Layer
- 2 cups heavy whipping cream
- ¼ cup powdered sugar
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 8 oz cream cheese softened (optional, for a richer cream layer)
Instructions
Step 1: Prepare the Cake
- Cut the pound cake into 1-inch cubes. Try to keep the pieces roughly the same size for even layering.
- If you want extra moisture and flavor, drizzle the cubes lightly with berry or vanilla syrup. Set aside.
- Pro Tip: Use slightly stale or day-old pound cake if you have it — it soaks up the cream and berry juices better without turning mushy.
Step 2: Prep the Berries
- Rinse the strawberries, blueberries, and raspberries gently under cold water.
- Hull and slice the strawberries into thin pieces. Keep the blueberries and raspberries whole.
- Pat the berries dry with a paper towel to avoid adding extra water to the trifle layers.
- Pro Tip: For sweeter berries, toss them with a teaspoon of sugar and let them sit for 10 minutes to macerate. This draws out their juices and adds natural syrupy sweetness.
Step 3: Make the Cream Layer
- In a large mixing bowl, pour in the heavy whipping cream, powdered sugar, and vanilla extract.
- If using, add the softened cream cheese now.
- Using an electric mixer, beat the mixture on medium-high speed until soft peaks form. Stop before it gets too stiff to keep the cream light and fluffy.
- Pro Tip: Chill your mixing bowl and beaters in the fridge for 10-15 minutes beforehand — cold equipment helps the cream whip faster and hold better.
Step 4: Assemble the Trifle
- Start by placing a layer of cake cubes evenly at the bottom of your trifle bowl.
- Spoon a layer of mixed berries over the cake cubes, spreading them evenly.
- Add a generous layer of the whipped cream mixture on top of the berries, smoothing it gently with a spatula.
- Repeat the layers (cake, berries, cream) until you reach the top of the bowl, finishing with a cream layer.
Step 5: Garnish and Chill
- Decorate the top with a mix of whole berries for a beautiful, colorful finish.
- Cover the trifle with plastic wrap and refrigerate for at least 3 hours, or overnight for the best flavor. This allows the cake to absorb the cream and berry juices perfectly.
- Pro Tip: Avoid assembling the trifle too far in advance if your cake is very soft, or it might become soggy. A few hours ahead is ideal for freshness and flavor melding.
Step 6: Serve and Enjoy
- Use a large spoon to scoop out portions, making sure each serving has layers of cake, berries, and cream.
- Serve chilled, straight from the fridge, and enjoy the refreshing burst of flavors and textures!
Notes
Estimated Nutritional Value (Per Serving)
- Calories: ~320–350 kcal
- Fat: 20g
- Saturated Fat: 12g
- Carbohydrates: 30–35g
- Sugar: 20–25g
- Protein: 3–5g
- Fiber: 2g
- Sodium: 100–150mg