Berry Trifle
Berry Trifle is a luscious, layered dessert that’s bursting with berries, cream, and cake for summer gatherings, potlucks, or any sweet moment! It calls for something beautiful and delicious!
Nothing reminds me more of summer than this vibrant berry trifle.
I first made it on a hot July afternoon for a backyard BBQ at my cousin’s house.
It was a spur-of-the-moment creation when I realized I had leftover pound cake and fresh berries sitting in the fridge.
I whipped up some vanilla pudding, folded in whipped cream, and layered it all together in a big glass bowl.
When I brought it to the table, everyone gasped at how stunning it looked and it disappeared in minutes.
Since then, it’s been my go to dessert for everything from Fourth of July parties to cozy brunches.
Why You’ll Love This
- No-Bake Perfection – No need to turn on the oven, making it perfect for warm-weather days.
- Easy but Impressive – It looks elegant and fancy but comes together with simple ingredients.
- Make-Ahead Friendly – Great for prepping the night before and letting flavors meld beautifully.
- Crowd-Pleaser – Sweet, creamy, and fruity—there’s something for everyone in this layered treat.
Prep Time: 20 minutes
Cook Time: 0 minutes
Total Time: 20 minutes
Cuisines: American, British
Servings: 8–10
Estimated Cost: $10–$12
Equipment:
- Large trifle bowl or glass bowl
- Mixing bowls
- Hand mixer or whisk
- Rubber spatula
- Measuring cups and spoons
Ingredients
- 1 (16 oz) store-bought pound cake or angel food cake, cubed
- 2 cups strawberries, sliced
- 1 cup blueberries
- 1 cup raspberries
- 1 cup blackberries (optional)
- 2 cups cold heavy whipping cream
- 1/2 cup powdered sugar
- 1 tsp vanilla extract
- 1 (3.4 oz) package instant vanilla pudding mix
- 2 cups cold milk
- Fresh mint leaves, for garnish (optional)
Step-by-Step Instructions
- Prepare the pudding: In a mixing bowl, whisk together the pudding mix and cold milk for 2 minutes until thickened. Set aside.
- Make the whipped cream: In a chilled bowl, beat the heavy whipping cream, powdered sugar, and vanilla extract with a hand mixer until soft peaks form.
- Combine pudding and whipped cream: Gently fold half of the whipped cream into the pudding mixture to create a light, mousse-like filling. Set the rest of the whipped cream aside for topping.
- Layer the trifle: In your trifle bowl, start with a layer of cubed cake. Then add a layer of the pudding-cream mixture, followed by a mix of berries.
- Repeat the layers: Continue layering – cake, pudding, berries – until you reach the top of the bowl.
- Top it off: Finish with the remaining whipped cream and a handful of fresh berries.
- Chill before serving: Refrigerate for at least 2 hours or overnight to allow flavors to blend and layers to set.
- Garnish: Add fresh mint leaves just before serving, if desired.
Nutrition Facts (Per Serving – Approximate)
- Calories: 310
- Protein: 4g
- Carbohydrates: 34g
- Sugar: 22g
- Fat: 18g
- Saturated Fat: 11g
- Fiber: 2g
- Sodium: 190mg
Tips for Success
- Use cold ingredients: Cold milk and whipping cream help the layers set better and faster.
- Slice berries evenly: This helps with layering and presentation.
- Layer strategically: Start and end with cake for the best structure and appearance.
- Chill overnight for best flavor: Trifle tastes even better after resting in the fridge – flavors meld and cake soaks up the cream.
Common Questions
Can I use frozen berries instead of fresh?
Yes, but thaw and drain them well to avoid excess moisture that can make the layers soggy.
Can I make this trifle a day in advance?
Absolutely! It’s even better the next day after the flavors have melded and the layers set.
Can I use whipped topping instead of homemade whipped cream?
Yes, you can substitute whipped topping like Cool Whip if you need a shortcut.
What can I use instead of pound cake?
Angel food cake, sponge cake, or even ladyfingers work well for layering.
Berry Trifle
Ingredients
- 1 (16 oz) store-bought pound cake or angel food cake, cubed
- 2 cups strawberries sliced
- 1 cup blueberries
- 1 cup raspberries
- 1 cup blackberries optional
- 2 cups cold heavy whipping cream
- ½ cup powdered sugar
- 1 tsp vanilla extract
- 1 (3.4 oz) package instant vanilla pudding mix
- 2 cups cold milk
- Fresh mint leaves for garnish (optional)
Instructions
- Prepare the pudding: In a mixing bowl, whisk together the pudding mix and cold milk for 2 minutes until thickened. Set aside.
- Make the whipped cream: In a chilled bowl, beat the heavy whipping cream, powdered sugar, and vanilla extract with a hand mixer until soft peaks form.
- Combine pudding and whipped cream: Gently fold half of the whipped cream into the pudding mixture to create a light, mousse-like filling. Set the rest of the whipped cream aside for topping.
- Layer the trifle: In your trifle bowl, start with a layer of cubed cake. Then add a layer of the pudding-cream mixture, followed by a mix of berries.
- Repeat the layers: Continue layering – cake, pudding, berries – until you reach the top of the bowl.
- Top it off: Finish with the remaining whipped cream and a handful of fresh berries.
- Chill before serving: Refrigerate for at least 2 hours or overnight to allow flavors to blend and layers to set.
- Garnish: Add fresh mint leaves just before serving, if desired.
Notes
- Use cold ingredients: Cold milk and whipping cream help the layers set better and faster.
- Slice berries evenly: This helps with layering and presentation.
- Layer strategically: Start and end with cake for the best structure and appearance.
- Chill overnight for best flavor: Trifle tastes even better after resting in the fridge – flavors meld and cake soaks up the cream.
This Berry Trifle is a beautiful, no-fuss dessert that adds a touch of elegance and fun to any table.
Whether you’re serving it at a holiday, picnic, or dinner party, it’s sure to earn you compliments.
Wishing you sweet moments and joyful bites!
Happy layering!
