Patriotic Berry Trifle
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Dessert will never be the same when you serve this stunning Patriotic Berry Trifle. It's perfect for holidays like July 4th, or any day in between. Fresh strawberries and blueberries are layered together with pudding and cake for a dessert like no other!
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Why You'll Love This Recipe
Patriotic Berry Trifle is perhaps the easiest dessert you'll ever make. There are only a few ingredients included in this no-bake trifle, but it creates an incredible presentation.
If you're looking for a dessert that just screams summer, this is it! Strawberries and blueberries mingle with a velvety smooth pudding that's as easy as pie to put together. It can even be made up to a day in advance. Plus, if you use a store-bought pound cake, this patriotic trifle will be ready in less than 30 minutes!
This red, white and blue dessert is perfect for summer cookouts and patriotic holidays such as the 4th of July, Veteran's Day, Memorial Day and even Labor Day! It's also a lovely centerpiece at wedding and baby showers.
Ingredients
The ingredients for Summer Berry Trifle are easy to find in your local grocery store. Most delis carry pre-made pound cakes which cuts prep time tremendously!
- vanilla pudding mix - be sure to use the instant type
- whole milk - using whole milk adds better flavor
- sour cream - adds extra creaminess to the pudding
- whipped cream - make your own or use whipped topping to save time
- pound cake - makes prep time much quicker
- fresh strawberries - slice for the best presentation
- fresh blueberries - use whole and rinse beforehand
Instructions
Use a large trifle or punch bowl (at least 10 quarts) for this recipe. It will serve a huge crowd which makes it perfect for summer parties. For a smaller group, half the recipe.
Mix the pudding with milk, sour cream and whipped topping. Slice the strawberries and cut the cake into cubes.
Layer the following ingredients in a clear glass bowl until you reach the top, making a rim of strawberries and blueberries around the inside of the glass as you go:
- pudding mixture
- cubed cake
- blueberries
- sliced strawberries
At the top of the bowl, create a star pattern in the middle of the trifle with sliced strawberries, then fill in the edges with blueberries. Or mix the berries on top and decorate as desired.
Recipe FAQS
Only fresh berries are recommended in this recipe. Frozen berries would be too mushy and wouldn't create the same presentation.
Yes, if you use a large trifle or punch bowl as shown in the photos, this recipe will serve at least 30 people which makes it great for summer parties.
I used two vanilla pound cakes that I bought from the grocery store and cubed them into bite size pieces. Angel food cake can also be used, but vanilla flavored cake tastes better in this recipe.
Expert Tips
- Always start with pudding mixture first, then add cake followed by berries. For a large trifle bowl, you should have enough for 4 layers.
- When you get to the berry layer, press sliced strawberries against the glass to make the design as shown in the photos. Fill in gaps with blueberries.
- Be sure to cube the cake so it is in bite size pieces to make it easier to serve.
- Refrigerate trifle until ready to serve. It can be made a day in advance if desired.
Related Recipes
If you love Patriotic Berry Trifle, try these other recipes that are sure to please!
- Vintage Strawberry Cake
- Chocolate Covered Strawberries
- Strawberry Pecan Salad
- Red, White and Blue Pie
- July 4th Recipes
Recipe Card
Patriotic Berry Trifle
*See notes in blog post for detailed tips, photos and instructions.
Equipment
- trifle bowl
- mixing bowls and whisk
Ingredients
- 4 boxes (3.4 oz instant vanilla pudding mix)
- 8 cups whole milk
- 32 oz. sour cream
- 2 containers whipped topping (8 ounces)
- 2 vanilla pound cakes (cubed)
- 4 pints fresh strawberries
- 4 pints fresh blueberries
Instructions
- In a large bowl, mix the vanilla pudding with milk by using a large whisk.
- Fold in sour cream and whipped topping. Whisk until smooth and set aside.
- Cube the pound cakes into bite size pieces.
- Slice strawberries lengthwise.
- Begin adding layers to the trifle bowl starting with pudding first, then cake, followed by blueberries and strawberries.
- Repeat layers 4 times.
- At the berry layer, press sliced strawberries against the glass to make the design as shown in the photos.
- Once at the top, arrange strawberries in the shape of a star and fill in gaps with blueberries.
- Refrigerate before and after serving.
Notes
- Always start with pudding mixture first, then add cake followed by berries. For a large trifle bowl, you should have enough for 4 layers.
- Refrigerate trifle until ready to serve. It's best if refrigerated at least 2 hours before serving.
- Trifle can be made a day in advance if desired and stored in the refrigerator. Leftovers should be stored in the refrigerator as well.
- View the Google Web Story for this recipe!
Nutrition
Nutrition info is an auto generated estimate.
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Beautiful trifle!! However I just couldn’t get the strawberry and blueberry pattern to come out like yours. 😩 I tried wiping the glass and pushing the strawberries against it but it just kept getting messier and messier. Tasted delicious though 😊 Thank you for the recipe. Any tips on how to accomplish a neater and more appealing trifle? Most recipes say to start with the pound cake then the whipped cream or pudding (whichever you’re using). Yours says to start with the pudding, then add the pound cake, then the fruit. I did it in these steps for the first layer but it was difficult to place the strawberries against the glass with the pieces of pound cake already in there. For the next layers I did pudding, then added the strawberries and some blueberries in between the strawberries and finally added the pound cake. It turned out a bit better, but the blueberries kinda disappeared into the pudding so you couldn’t appreciate the blue against the red of the strawberries and the white pudding.
Hey Ruthie! I'm so sorry the layers were difficult for you. I didn't have any issues with the strawberries staying against the glass. The reason I started with pudding first is so there would be a base to push the cake and blueberries into. As you can see by the photos, the cake and blueberries hold up the strawberries as you work your way around the glass. Without the cake in there, the strawberries would slip and fall and the blueberries would sink into the pudding...which is what you experienced. I wonder if the shape of your bowl was different and perhaps the angle was causing the strawberries to slip?
What size containers of cool whip?
You'll need the 8 ounce containers.
Good Morning...
Looking for a trifle recipe this am for a reunion...and your site popped up. Don't ever change the name of Quiche my Grits! The best name I've ever seen! Haven't tried the recipe yet...but with a name like you have...I am going to!
Have a great day...and star creative!
Thank you Mary! You made my day! 🙂
This was a huge hit at our 4th of July barbecue. My girls really enjoyed helping make it
That's awesome, Nichole! So glad to know my trifle was part of your July 4th celebration!
Just finished making it for tomorrow. Perfect for our get together on the 4th! Thank you! Liz
Oh wow, Liz! That's awesome! 🙂
Delicious, beautiful and easy! Who could ask for more!! Except for seconds!
Thanks, Lorna! It looks harder than it is..which makes it perfect! 🙂
We just had this Trifle at our get together. It was perfect for a crowd and the presentation was gorgeous. Not to mention that it tasted awesome!
Thanks Debi
Thank you Melanie! You're so sweet! I'm happy everyone liked it so much! 🙂