This easy to make, 4 ingredient, Patriotic Trifle Dessert is made of strawberries & blueberries with vanilla pound cake and whipped cream. This recipe comes from my lovely friend Lori, who made it for the Memorial Day pool party and was kind enough to let me take pictures of it.
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Strawberry and blueberry desserts are often favorites at any party or gathering, especially in the summer when the fruits are at the freshest and sweetest. With its red white and blue colors and delicious flavors, it’ll definitely be a hit at your next summer gathering.
It’s perfect for parties because it can serve lots of people
If you’re going to make a dessert for the 4th of July, Labor Day, or Memorial Day party, make this Patriotic Trifle Dessert. It’s a heavenly mixed berry trifle made with summer fresh blueberries, strawberries vanilla pound cake, and whipped cream. And, so easy to put together. You can even put it together at the party; it only takes a few minutes.
What is a trifle?
A trifle is a dessert that’s originally from England. Traditionally, it’s made with sponge cake or ladyfingers, doused with spirits, covered with fruit jam and egg custard, and topped with whipped cream.
The word “trifle” is said to come from an old French term “trufle,” meaning something whimsical or of little consequence. And I think that fits these layered desserts because they are so easy to make.
The trifle is similar to a fruit fool, which is a dessert made of cooked, pureed fruit that is strained, chilled, and folded into whipped cream. Trifle is often also called Tipsy Cake or Pudding.
This Patriotic Trifle recipe is a bit less traditional, and a bit more Americanized. I’ve used pound cake in this trifle. Did you know that pound cake was once made with one pound each of flour, butter, sugar, and eggs. Now it makes sense where the name “pound” cake comes from.
One of the things I love about trifles, is that you can use leftover or stale cake. What a fabulous way to freshen up something that might otherwise go to waste. Also, this Patriotic Trifle lets you use the little scraps or edges of cake from cutting out the stars. So nothing goes to waste.
Can I make this the day before?
This can be made ahead of time, up to 1 day before. It may become too soggy if made too far in advance. Also, the whipped cream will tend to lose its shape if made in advance. Keep the trifle in the fridge, whether making in it advance or any leftovers, and cover it tightly with plastic wrap.
Variations on this simple recipe:
- Use angel food cake
- Use homemade pound cake (I have some great recipes for homemade a little lower)
- Use leftover birthday cake from your kid’s birthday party
- Throw in some squares of cheesecake
- Make one of the layers pudding
- Use a flavored cake like lemon
- Spoon in some jam along with the fruit
- Try using a flavored whipped cream like chocolate or vanilla bean
Can I use homemade ingredients?
Yes! And here are some great recipes that you should try that will be fabulous in this trifle!
Almond Cake from Life Currents
Moist Vanilla Pound Cake from Lovefoodies
Lemon Yogurt Pound Cake from Savory Experiments
Limoncello Pound Cake from Culinary Ginger
Lemon Lime Pound Cake from Serena Bakes Simply From Scratch
Homemade Angel Food Cake from Life Currents
Classic Pound Cake from The Kitchen is my Playground
Easy Whipped Cream from Savory Experiments
Lemon Whipped Cream from Num’s the Word
Kahlua Whipped Cream from The Kitchen is my Playground
Special equipment
Star cookie cutters to cut those cut little pound cake stars out.
If you want to make your own whipped cream, try one of these whipped cream dispensers.
If you want to bake your own pound cake, you’ll want a nice baking pan like this one.
You’ll want a clear glass serving dish, like this trifle dish.
Recipe Notes
I don’t give exact amounts on this recipe because it’s so easy to customize. Fill the trifle dish, some will be bigger, some will be smaller. Really love strawberries, use lots of them! Have extra whipped cream, sure, go for it. Just make sure the layers look good to you, and I promise the trifle will be yummy.
Also, cut the strawberries into whatever size you like. Want big strawberries halves in yours = yum! Do you want little pieces of strawberry in every bite, chop them really small.
A picture is worth a thousand words
Here are the pictures of the Patriotic Trifle Dessert being made. It’s so easy, I wanted you to be able to see all the steps.
cut stars out of the pound cake
lay the stars in the dish
add in the berries and cake pieces
top with whipped cream
more berries and cake, then more whipped cream
Patriotic Trifle Dessert
Patriotic Trifle
Ingredients
- Pound cake
- Strawberries cut into pieces
- Blueberries
- Whipped Cream
Instructions
- Slice the pound cake into slices that are about ½ inch to 1 inch thick. Using a star shaped cookie cutter, cut out the star shapes. Be sure to save the scraps, we will use those too.
- Lay a few star shapes along the bottom of the trifle dish, and line the edges of the dish with more stars.
- Sprinkle with blueberries and strawberries pieces. Place some pound cake scraps on top of the berries. Top with whipped cream. Add some more blueberries and strawberries. Top with another layer of pound cake pieces. Add a layer of whipped cream and garnish with a big fresh strawberry!
- Stand back as the crowds come to eat this delicious dessert.
This is so fun and yet so simple. The best!
Perfect for the 4th of July! Love this idea!