Berry Trifle

While the definition of trifle suggests something insignificant or of little value, a berry trifle dessert is pure greatness. The trifle, one of Britain’s best exports, is bound to become one of your favorite berry dessert recipes. Our berry trifle recipe is fast, fresh and flavorful, and by using sugar-free and low-fat ingredients, it’s also light and refreshing.

Picture sun-ripened berries layered gently between fluffy angel food cake and extra-creamy pudding. And don’t forget the whipped topping! (I always aim to get a bit of each layer on my fork for the perfect bite.) Serve this trifle berry dessert for summer potlucks, backyard barbecues, spring brunches or holiday soirees—or any time you need something sweet on the fly.

What is a trifle?

A traditional British trifle is a layered dessert made with sponge cake, fresh fruit, rich custard and whipped cream. It’s often served in a large glass trifle bowl so you can see the layers (and garner oohs and aahs from everyone at the table). English trifles usually feature cake soaked in sherry or a fortified wine; fruit including bananas, peaches or berries; and custard flavored to complement the other ingredients. Sometimes trifle desserts will have jams, gelatin or nuts added for texture.

An American trifle can be less fussy. If you ever have a cake that doesn’t come out of the pan or cracks too much to frost, crumble it into a bowl, layer it with pudding or custard, fruit and cream, and you have a trifle! PS: Unlike Rachel’s homemade Thanksgiving dessert in Friends, peas and beef don’t belong in a trifle.

Ingredients for a Berry Trifle

• Milk: Mixing the pudding with skim milk keeps this recipe on the lighter side without sacrificing creaminess. It’s OK to use 2% or whole milk; the higher the fat content, the richer the mixture.
• Instant pudding mix: Instant pudding whips up quickly to add its signature custard texture and sweetness. Vanilla is the classic choice, though banana, peach and lemon are all delicious too. Reach for the sugar-free version to keep it light but still sweet.
• Vanilla yogurt: A touch of tartness is always a welcome addition, especially balanced with the sweetness of the vanilla. We use fat-free yogurt in this recipe but, again, going with a higher fat content just makes it taste more decadent.
• Cream cheese: The thick texture of cream cheese gives our creamy pudding mixture the perfect moisture level and strength to support the other layers. Since there are so many creamy elements in this berry trifle dessert, we chose the reduced-fat version.
• Sour cream: With its tangy smoothness, sour cream is the final piece of our four-part creamy mixture.
• Vanilla extract: Vanilla extract balances the cream cheese and sour cream. Using the best vanilla extract you can buy is always a good idea.
• Whipped topping: While making homemade whipped cream is usually your best bet for many recipes, in this case, whipped topping does a better job of holding its shape and is less likely to liquefy over time. It’s also lower in fat than heavy cream so that second helping of berry trifle dessert is easier to justify.
• Angel food cake: Use a store-bought or homemade angel food cake. This is the trifle structure’s foundation, so don’t make the cubes too small; you don’t want them crushed by the other levels.
• Blackberries, raspberries and blueberries: Nothing tastes more like celebrations and summer to me than these sweet little explosions of flavor. The deep jewel-toned bursts of color against the beige cake and custard in this berry trifle recipe create a beautiful, sculptural dessert.
• Mint leaves: They may be optional, but the clean, aromatic fragrance of mint leaves garnishing the top of this creation is not to be missed. Mint is a fantastic finish, filling out the flavor profile and adding a pop of color. Feeling fancy? A little grated lemon or lime zest with shredded basil could be a fun add-on too.

Directions

Step 1: Create the creamy filling

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Whisk the milk and pudding mix together for two minutes. Let it stand until soft-set, about two minutes.

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Meanwhile, beat the yogurt, cream cheese, sour cream and vanilla until smooth. Fold in the pudding mixture and 1 cup whipped topping.

Editor’s Tip: Using a stand or hand mixer makes whipping the filling a breeze. If the cream cheese is soft enough—it’s always best to leave it out for about 30 minutes before using it—you can use a wooden spoon or rubber spatula.

Step 2: Layer your trifle

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Place a third of the angel food cake cubes in a 4-quart trifle bowl as your first layer.

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Top with a third of the pudding mixture, a third of the berries and half the remaining whipped topping. Repeat the layers once. Top with the remaining cake, pudding and berries. If desired, garnish with additional whipped topping and mint leaves. Your trifle is ready to serve immediately or to refrigerate.

Editor’s Tip: Always start with the cake layer so the trifle is easier to serve.

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Berry Trifle Variations

• Include favorite fruits: Depending on the season or your preferences, try different fruit combinations. Strawberries and bananas are a solid choice, but I love peaches and cherries as well. Just be sure you aren’t adding fruit with too much moisture; you don’t want soggy cake!
• Adjust to your serving dish: Your vessel may be bigger or smaller than a standard trifle dish, so plan ahead. If I want to use a certain giant bowl, I like to increase my pudding mixture while leaving the cake and berry measurements the same, and I shop for ingredients accordingly.
• Give it some spirit: Many trifles have a little kick to them! Try adding an ounce of dark rum to your custard layer, or spritz your cake with an orange liqueur like Cointreau. How about finishing the top of the trifle berry dessert with bourbon whipped cream?
• Swap in crunchy cookies: If angel food cake isn’t your thing, try shortbread cookies, vanilla wafers or chocolate chip cookies in its place.
• Use a different cake: Any sponge cake, including classic yellow cake or lemon chiffon, works for this berry trifle recipe. Use a store-bought cake, a mix or make one from scratch.
• Think tiramisu: Pull inspiration from a classic tiramisu recipe and use ladyfingers instead of angel food cake, mascarpone in the cream filling and chocolate shavings on top.

How to Store a Berry Trifle

Tightly wrap the trifle bowl and store it in the refrigerator until ready to serve. Portion leftovers into smaller airtight containers or keep them tightly covered in the bowl.

How long does a berry trifle last?

Our berry trifle dessert can hang out in your fridge for up to four days—if you can resist it that long. But let’s be honest, it’s more likely to disappear by day two.

Can you make a berry trifle recipe ahead of time?

Sure! Some would say a trifle tastes better when it’s been chilled overnight, especially in the summer. Save your last layer of whipped topping and garnishes for a few minutes before showtime.

Berry Trifle Tips

How do you avoid a soggy berry trifle?

All your ingredients should be chilled—no warm milk or room-temp berries here. And always start your trifle berry dessert with a bottom layer of cake to act as a sponge for all that yummy creaminess.

Can you make a berry trifle with frozen fruit?

You can use frozen fruit for a berry trifle recipe. Let the frozen berries thaw, and drain the excess juice (no one wants a soupy trifle). Frozen fruit works wonders when fresh berries are out of season or if you forgot that you promised to bring the dessert (oops!).

What kind of serving dish is best for a trifle?

The best part of a trifle is showing off all those gorgeous layers, so a big, clear dish is ideal. A classic trifle bowl works, but any large glass container will do the trick. Even individual wine glasses could work! Just make sure to portion out the layers evenly.

What else can you serve with a berry trifle?

If you’re celebrating the Fourth of July holiday, red, white and blue desserts like this berry trifle recipe will steal the show at your picnic. It’s a beauty after grilled recipes, big bowls of potato salad, or some mac and cheese. Add a glass of rosé, and you are set to celebrate.