Red White and Blue Trifle is a light, colorful, and festive dessert made with beautiful layers of fresh berries, creamy pudding, whipped topping, and soft cake. It is an easy make-ahead treat for Memorial Day, the Fourth of July, summer cookouts, potlucks, and any celebration that calls for a patriotic dessert.
If you enjoy layered desserts, this red white and blue trifle is a wonderful recipe to keep on hand. It looks impressive in a glass trifle bowl, but it is very simple to assemble. The layers of angel food cake, vanilla pudding mixture, strawberries, and blueberries create a dessert that is bright, creamy, and refreshing without being too heavy.
This easy berry trifle is especially perfect for summer holidays because the colors naturally fit the occasion. Fresh strawberries bring the red, blueberries add the blue, and the pudding, whipped topping, and cake create the white layers. The result is a pretty dessert that tastes as good as it looks.
It is also a great recipe when you need something that serves a crowd. Since it is assembled in one large dish, guests can simply scoop out a serving. The creamy filling pairs well with the sweet berries and soft cake, making every bite balanced and delicious.
Table of contents
- Why We Love This Recipe
- Ingredients
- How to make a Red White and Blue Trifle
- Storage
- FAQs
- More Red White and Blue Desserts
Why We Love This Recipe
This red white and blue trifle comes together quickly and makes a beautiful centerpiece for the dessert table. It is festive enough for a holiday party but easy enough for a casual family cookout. The recipe uses simple ingredients, and the assembly is fun because each layer adds more color and texture.
Another reason to love this dessert is that it does not require complicated decorating. Once the cake, pudding mixture, and fruit are layered in the bowl, the trifle already looks polished. Arranging the remaining strawberries and blueberries on top gives it a finished look with very little effort.
Kids can also help with this recipe by layering the cake cubes, spooning in the pudding mixture, or adding the berries. It is a great family-friendly dessert for patriotic holidays, summer birthdays, and backyard gatherings.
Ingredients
- Angel food cake cut into cubes. Yellow cake, white cake, or pound cake can also be used.
- Instant vanilla pudding mix for the creamy filling.
- Cold milk to prepare the pudding.
- Cream cheese at room temperature so it blends smoothly.
- Powdered sugar to sweeten the cream cheese mixture.
- Whipped topping such as Cool Whip, folded in for a light and fluffy texture.
- Fresh blueberries and strawberries for the red and blue fruit layers.
Fresh fruit is recommended for the best texture and appearance. The berries should be rinsed and prepared before you begin assembling the trifle. Slice the strawberries after hulling them so they layer easily throughout the dessert.
How to make a Red White and Blue Trifle
Step 1. In a small bowl, combine the instant vanilla pudding mix with cold milk. Whisk for about 2 minutes, or until the pudding begins to thicken. Set the bowl aside while you prepare the cream cheese mixture.
Step 2. In a large bowl, beat the softened cream cheese until it is smooth and creamy. Turn the mixer to low speed and gradually add the powdered sugar. Once incorporated, beat until the mixture is smooth.
Step 3. Add the prepared pudding to the cream cheese mixture. Use a rubber spatula to fold and stir gently until the two mixtures are fully combined.
Step 4. Add the Cool Whip or whipped topping. Fold it into the pudding mixture until no white streaks remain and the filling is light, fluffy, and evenly blended.
Step 5. Begin assembling the trifle by placing a layer of angel food cake cubes in the bottom of a large glass trifle dish. Spread the pieces evenly so the first layer is visible through the bowl.
Step 6. Spoon a layer of the pudding mixture over the cake. Add berries over the pudding, spreading them toward the edges so the red, white, and blue layers show clearly.
Step 7. Continue alternating layers of cake, pudding mixture, blueberries, and strawberries until you reach the top of the dish. Try to keep the layers even for the prettiest presentation.
Step 8. Finish with a final layer of the pudding mixture. Arrange the remaining strawberries and blueberries on top in a decorative pattern. Serve right away or cover and refrigerate until ready to serve.
Storage
If you are not serving the trifle immediately, cover it tightly and store it in the refrigerator. This dessert is best served within 24 hours of assembly because the cake will continue to soften as it sits.
Leftovers can be refrigerated for up to 3 days. The flavor will still be good, but the layers may become softer over time. For the best presentation, assemble the trifle as close to serving time as possible.
FAQs
Yes, but it is best not to assemble it more than 24 hours in advance. The cake and pudding layers will soften the longer the trifle sits in the refrigerator.
Yes. You can adjust the fruit based on the occasion or your preference. Raspberries or blackberries would also look pretty, or you can use only strawberries or only blueberries if desired.
Freezing is not recommended. The pudding, whipped topping, fruit, and cake layers will become mushy after thawing.
Fresh berries are best for this recipe. Frozen berries release too much liquid as they thaw, which can change the texture of the trifle and make the layers watery.
More Red White and Blue Desserts
- 4th of July Poke Cake
- Red White and Blue Crinkle Cake Mix Cookies
- Red White and Blue Chocolate Covered Pretzels
- Red, White, and Blue Jello
- Red White and Blue Strawberries
- Red White and Blue Popsicles
Once you make this red white and blue trifle recipe, it may become one of your favorite easy patriotic desserts for summer celebrations.
Red White and Blue Trifle
Ingredients
- 1 angel food cake cut into cubes
- 3.4 ounce box instant vanilla pudding mix
- 2 cups cold milk
- 8 ounces cream cheese at room temperature
- 1 cup powdered sugar
- 8 ounces Cool Whip
- 2 pints blueberries rinsed
- 2 pints strawberries rinsed, hulled and sliced
Instructions
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In a small bowl, combine the vanilla pudding mix with the cold milk. Whisk for 2 minutes and set aside.
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In a large bowl, beat the cream cheese on medium speed for 2 to 3 minutes, or until smooth and creamy.
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Reduce the mixer speed to low and gradually add the powdered sugar. Once combined, increase to medium speed and beat for 1 minute, or until smooth.
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Add the prepared pudding to the cream cheese mixture. Fold and stir gently with a rubber spatula until fully combined.
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Add the Cool Whip and fold until the mixture is evenly blended and no white streaks remain.
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To assemble the trifle, alternate layers of angel food cake, blueberries, pudding mixture, and strawberries until you reach the top of the dish.
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Finish with a final layer of pudding mixture, then arrange the remaining strawberries and blueberries on top.
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Serve immediately, or cover and refrigerate until ready to serve.