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    Home » Recipes » Dessert

    May 12, 2021

    Berry Trifle

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    If you're looking for a red, white and blue dessert, this no bake Berry Trifle is just what you need!! It's got layers and layers of angel food cake, berries, pudding and whipped topping making it pretty, simple and irresistible!

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    a close up view of the top of the berry trifle.

    Memorial Day, Fourth of July, Labor Day - three American holidays that seem to signal the beginning, middle and end of summer days. Though we celebrate each of the holidays for different reasons, I can almost guarantee that on each holiday there'll be red, white and blue food, décor and clothing about anywhere you look!

    I love where I live, here in a Midwest small town, a place that some would call a "fly over state." Patriotism runs deep and people make a point to stop the hustle and bustle to celebrate our freedom and honor the fallen. You can bet I'll be right there with them - and I'll have a red, white and blue dessert to help celebrate! 😉

    The ingredients for berry trifle in bowls.

    Ingredients for Berry Trifle

    • Angel Food Cake - Homemade, made from a box mix, or purchased
    • Strawberries - You can use fresh strawberries or frozen strawberries (see in recipe)
    • Sugar
    • Blueberries - Fresh or frozen are fine
    • Instant Pudding Mix - Use vanilla, white chocolate, or cheesecake-flavored
    • Milk - I like to use 2% or whole milk
    • Whipped Topping
    Sugar being poured on strawberries.

    Why add sugar to the strawberries?

    Sugar is added to the strawberries (macerated strawberries) to make them juicy and create somewhat of a syrup to soak into the yummy angel food cake cubes. How does adding sugar to the berries do that? Well, let me tell you! (The food sci geek inside of me can't wait to share! haha!!) - and if you don't care, just keep scrolling! 😉

    Remember talking about "osmosis" in science class? Essentially, osmosis the act of water moving from a less concentrated solution to a more concentrated solution in an effort to even out the concentrations. That's exactly what's happening here.

    The sugar lands on the fruit (water-dense) and the water leaches out of the strawberry to the sugar (not water-dense), trying to even out the water concentration on either side of the strawberry's surface. This softens up the berries and creates a syrupy bowl of strawberries perfect for the trifle!

    How to make a Berry Trifle

    I love how easy this no-bake dessert it. The photos below show how the ingredients are layered into the dish! (As always, the printable full recipe is below!)

    Cubes of angle food cake in a glass bowl
    1. Start with angel food cake cubes
    A layer of sliced strawberries o top of cubed angel food cake.
    2. Add sliced strawberries
    A layer of blue berries over the strawberries and angel food cake.
    3. Then the blueberries
    A layer of pudding on top of the berries.
    4. Next up, the pudding
    A layer of whipped cream over the pudding.
    5. Then the whipped topping. Repeat 1-5.
    A finished trifle topped with sliced strawberries and blue berries.
    Top with remaining berries!

    Variations of this trifle...

    • Use different fruits! Fresh raspberries, blackberries, peaches, etc! Think about what's in season and go for it!
    • Try different pudding flavors. French vanilla, vanilla, cheesecake, white chocolate, etc!
    • Change up the dish by using a punch bowl, mixing bowl or individual glasses.
    individual berry trifle with a spoon sticking out of it

    How to make Individual Berry Trifles

    1. First off, decide how many you need. This recipe is super easy to halve, so if you don't need a ton, go ahead and halve it.
    2. Choose the cups you want to use. Little mason jars, glasses, or plastic cups would all work.
    3. Follow the recipe, but using smaller amounts in each layer!
    Berry Trifle in a large glass trifle bowl/
    Isn't she a beaut?!!

    Other delicious red, white and blue desserts

    Watermelon Cake with Coconut Cream Frosting - This is a super light dessert, using watermelon as a base in this cute cake!
    Red, White and Blue Poke Cake - This couldn't' look more festive, especially with the sprinkles on top!
    Two-Tone Fudge - This two-layer fudge is creamy and topped with festive sprinkles!

    Connect with Dance Around the Kitchen!

    Follow along on Pinterest, Instagram and Facebook so you never miss a recipe!! And as always, thank you for following along with my blog, making my recipes, liking and sharing on social media and any other way you support Dance Around the Kitchen!  -Kelsey

    Berry Trifle side view

    Berry Trifle

    kelsey
    Berry Trifle is a red, white and blue, no-bake dessert that's simple, delicious and perfect for Memorial Day, 4th of July & Labor Day!
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    Prevent your screen from going to sleep.
    Prep Time 30 mins
    Course Dessert
    Cuisine American
    Servings 16 people

    Ingredients
      

    • 1 prepared angel food cake (tube shape)
    • 1 lb strawberries hulled and sliced
    • ¼ c sugar
    • 1 pt blueberries
    • 2 3.4 oz pkg instant pudding vanilla, white chocolate or cheesecake-flavored
    • 4 c milk
    • 2 8 oz tubs whipped topping thawed

    Instructions
     

    • Cut the angel food cake into 1" cubes; set aside.
    • In a mixing bowl, combine the strawberries slices and sugar; set aside.
    • In a large mixing bowl, whisk together the pudding mixes and milk; set aside.
    • In a trifle dish*, layer half of the angel food cake pieces, ⅓ of the strawberries, ⅓ of the blueberries, half of the pudding, then half of the whipped topping.
    • Repeat; finish by topping with remaining fruit.
    • Refrigerate until ready to serve.

    Notes

    *Could use a large glass mixing bowl, punch bowl or small glasses (for individual servings) if you don't have a trifle bowl
    **You could easily halve this recipe if you don't plan to feed a crowd!
    Keyword trifle
    Tried this recipe?Follow me at @dancearoundthekitchen.kelsey and let me know how you liked it!

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    about kelsey

    About Kelsey

    Combining my love for food and family is a pretty easy calculation. Almost all family gatherings include food… After all, a party without cake is just a meeting right? Read more...

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    Hi, I'm Kelsey! I am a wife, mother and BFFs with my KitchenAid mixer, happy to bring you easy meals and decadent desserts! Welcome to my blog!

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