Description
A stunning, no-bake patriotic dessert featuring layers of vanilla cake, fresh strawberries, blueberries, raspberries, and stabilized vanilla bean whipped cream. This make-ahead trifle is perfect for summer gatherings and requires zero baking skills.
Ingredients
Scale
- 1 store-bought or homemade vanilla round cake (cooled, approx. 10–12 cups crumbled)
- 1 pound strawberries (hulled and sliced)
- 1 teaspoon sugar (for strawberries)
- 1 tablespoon lemon juice (for strawberries)
- 1 pint blueberries (rinsed and dried)
- 1 pint raspberries (rinsed and dried)
- 2 cups heavy cream (cold)
- 2 ounces cream cheese (softened)
- 2 teaspoons vanilla bean paste (or 1 tsp vanilla extract + 1 tsp sugar)
- 3 tablespoons granulated sugar (for cream)
- Whole berries and mint leaves (for garnish)
Instructions
- Wash berries and pat them completely dry with paper towels. Hull and slice strawberries, keeping blueberries and raspberries whole. Toss sliced strawberries with 1 teaspoon sugar and 1 tablespoon lemon juice; refrigerate for 15 minutes.
- In a large mixing bowl, combine cold heavy cream, softened cream cheese, vanilla bean paste, and 3 tablespoons sugar. Beat on medium-high speed until stiff peaks form (2-3 minutes). Taste and adjust sweetness if needed. Refrigerate until assembly.
- Crumble the cooled vanilla cake into 1-2 inch chunks. Remove frosting if desired. Place crumbs in a large bowl.
- In a large glass trifle bowl, create layers: start with cake crumbs, then whipped cream, then strawberries, then blueberries. Repeat layers (cake, cream, strawberries, blueberries, raspberries) until ingredients are used, ending with a layer of whipped cream on top.
- Smooth the top layer of whipped cream and garnish with whole berries and mint leaves. Cover with plastic wrap and refrigerate for at least 1 hour, preferably overnight, before serving.
Notes
Ensure all berries are completely dry to prevent the whipped cream from becoming watery. The cream cheese stabilizes the whipped cream, helping it hold its shape longer. This dessert tastes better the next day as the flavors meld. Do not freeze, as the texture will suffer.
- Prep Time: 30 minutes
- Cook Time: 0 minutes
- Category: Dessert
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 slice/scoop
- Calories: 350
- Sugar: 28
- Sodium: 150
- Fat: 18
- Saturated Fat: 11
- Carbohydrates: 45
- Fiber: 2
- Protein: 4
Keywords: Labor Day dessert, patriotic dessert, berry trifle, no bake dessert, make ahead dessert, summer dessert, gluten free dessert, easy trifle recipe