Description
A visually stunning, no-bake dessert featuring layers of pound cake, vanilla pudding, whipped cream, and red, white, and blue berries. This easy 5-ingredient recipe comes together in 15 minutes and is perfect for holidays and summer gatherings.
Ingredients
Scale
- 1 loaf store-bought pound cake or angel food cake (about 450g), cubed into 1-inch pieces
- 1 box (5.1 oz) vanilla instant pudding mix
- 2 cups (480ml) heavy whipping cream, cold
- 2 cups (300g) red berries (strawberries or raspberries), washed and hulled
- 2 cups (300g) blueberries, fresh or thawed and drained
- 2 tablespoons powdered sugar (optional, for whipping cream)
- 2 tablespoons apricot jam or clear glaze (optional, for glaze)
Instructions
- Cube the pound cake or angel food cake into 1-inch pieces and set aside.
- Prepare the vanilla pudding according to box instructions, usually by whisking the mix with cold milk for 2 minutes until thick. Let it sit for 5 minutes to thicken fully.
- In a cold bowl, whip the heavy cream with powdered sugar (if using) until stiff peaks form.
- Start assembling the trifle by adding a layer of cake cubes to the bottom of a large glass trifle bowl or individual mason jars.
- Spread half of the vanilla pudding over the cake layer.
- Dollop half of the whipped cream over the pudding.
- Scatter half of the blueberries evenly over the cream.
- Repeat the layers: remaining cake, remaining pudding, remaining cream.
- Top with the red berries, arranging them neatly for a final pop of color.
- Cover the bowl with plastic wrap and refrigerate for at least 2 hours, ideally overnight, to allow flavors to meld and cake to soften.
- Before serving, optionally brush the top berries with warmed apricot jam for a glossy finish.
Notes
For best results, use cold cream and cold bowls to ensure the whipped cream holds stiff peaks. If using frozen berries, thaw and drain them well to prevent sogginess. The trifle is best made ahead and chilled overnight. Do not freeze, as the texture of the cream and pudding may separate.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 0 minutes
- Category: Dessert
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 serving
- Calories: 350
- Sugar: 30
- Sodium: 250
- Fat: 18
- Saturated Fat: 10
- Carbohydrates: 45
- Fiber: 2
- Protein: 5
Keywords: Labor Day dessert, no-bake trifle, berry trifle, red white and blue dessert, easy summer dessert, party dessert, pound cake trifle