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Easy Patriotic Berry Trifle Recipe with Angel Food Cake for Summer Parties

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A light, fresh, and festive dessert featuring layers of airy angel food cake, creamy vanilla pudding, whipped cream, and fresh mixed berries. Perfect for summer parties with a patriotic red, white, and blue theme.

Ingredients

Scale
  • 10 ounces angel food cake, torn into bite-sized pieces
  • 2 cups mixed berries (strawberries hulled and sliced, blueberries, raspberries)
  • 1 package (3.4 ounces) instant vanilla pudding mix
  • 2 cups cold milk
  • 1 cup heavy whipping cream
  • 2 tablespoons powdered sugar
  • 2 teaspoons vanilla extract (1 tsp for pudding, 1 tsp for whipped cream)
  • Zest of 1 lemon (optional)
  • 1–2 tablespoons granulated sugar (optional, for berries)

Instructions

  1. Prepare the pudding: In a large mixing bowl, whisk together the instant vanilla pudding mix and 2 cups cold milk for about 2 minutes until thickened. Add 1 teaspoon vanilla extract and set aside.
  2. Whip the cream: In a separate chilled bowl, beat 1 cup heavy whipping cream with 2 tablespoons powdered sugar and 1 teaspoon vanilla extract until soft peaks form, about 3–5 minutes.
  3. Fold pudding and whipped cream: Gently fold half of the whipped cream into the pudding until combined and smooth.
  4. Prep the berries: Hull and slice the strawberries, mix with blueberries and raspberries in a bowl. Add lemon zest and sprinkle 1 tablespoon sugar if desired. Toss gently and let sit for 5 minutes to macerate.
  5. Cut the angel food cake into roughly 1-inch bite-sized chunks.
  6. Layer the trifle: In a trifle bowl, layer 1/3 of the angel food cake pieces evenly, then half of the berry mixture, followed by half of the pudding-whipped cream mixture. Repeat layers with remaining cake, berries, and pudding mixture.
  7. Top with the remaining whipped cream, garnish with whole berries and a light dusting of lemon zest.
  8. Cover with plastic wrap and refrigerate for at least 2 hours, ideally 4 hours, before serving.

Notes

Use fresh berries for best flavor; frozen berries can be used if thawed and drained well. Avoid overwhipping cream to prevent graininess. Macerate berries with sugar to soften and release juices. Chill trifle for at least 2 hours to meld flavors and soften cake slightly without sogginess. For dairy-free, substitute coconut milk pudding and coconut whipped cream. Gluten-free options available with appropriate cake and pudding.

Nutrition

Keywords: patriotic dessert, berry trifle, angel food cake, summer dessert, easy trifle, Fourth of July dessert, berry dessert

Find it online: https://wigglebite.com/easy-patriotic-berry-trifle-recipe-with-angel-food-cake-for-summer-parties/