Summer Berry Trifle

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This summer berry trifle has layers of cake, pudding and berries. It tastes best when made ahead but can also be assembled at the last minute. And it makes a great option for your summertime gatherings! This easy-to-prepare trifle will delight your friends and family.

summer berries layered with pudding and whipped cream between layers of cake

What you’ll love about this recipe:

  • CUSTOMIZABLE – Very easily customized with any cake or pudding flavors, and packed with your favorite or seasonal fruits. This trifle is easily assembled within minutes.
  • HEALTHY – We love it because it combines a healthier take on a traditional dessert! We use healthier ingredients for this sweet treat.
  • INEXPENSIVE – This recipe makes a budget friendly dessert that is perfect for your summer gatherings and potlucks.

Summer heat calls for light desserts and this one hits the spot. Using many in season berries, it’s a favorite for a simple dessert that will wow your guests!

This version is a little twist on the traditional English trifle, making this dessert easy to make and so fun.

It is just perfect for summertime! It’s light and perfectly flavored with the season’s best berries! You can customize it to incorporate your favorite fruits.

It makes a great dessert to take along for a Memorial Day or 4th of July gathering because it’s full of beautiful fresh berry color.

cake and berry layers with whipped cream and pudding layered in between.

Ingredients

You can make a deliciously fresh dessert with a few basic ingredients. This recipe gives you options for healthier alternatives.

Here’s what you’ll need:

  • 1 box of vanilla cake mix (plus baking ingredients) — we love Annie’s or other options from Thrive Market
  • 3.4-ounce instant vanilla pudding mix — Thrive Market has great healthier pudding mixes.
  • whole milk
  • 8-ounce tub of Truwhip — This is a great alternative to cool whip, but you can substitute for an even healthier alternative like homemade whipped cream. This can easily be done by whipping together heavy cream and a natural sweetener like maple syrup.
  • fresh strawberries, chopped into small pieces
  • fresh blueberries

Optional toppings:

  • strawberries
  • blueberries
  • raspberries
ingredients for the berry trifle in small bowls

Instructions

This simple trifle recipe is super easy to put together!

Prepare two 8-inch round cakes per the instructions on the box and allow them to cool completely. This can be done in advance.

If your cakes have a rounded top, you can flip them to cut them level, but it is not necessary. Set the cakes aside while you prepare the filling.

pouring the milk into the bowl with the pudding mixture.
mixing the pudding together in a large bowl for the berry trifle.
folding the the whipped cream with the pudding mixture.

In a large bowl add instant pudding mix and milk and beat until it starts to thicken with a hand electric mixer.

Fold in half of the whipped cream to the pudding mixture and set aside.

Be sure to reserve the remaining whipped cream for later.

smooth pudding and whipped cream combined in a large white bowl.
trimming edges off of the round vanilla cake
trifle dish with a vanilla cake as the first layer.

Trim edges of the cake off to fit into your dish if necessary. And begin layering the trifle dish.

Add 1 of the cakes to the trifle dish (if needed cut the edge of your cake off to fit into your dish).

whipped cream and pudding on top of the first vanilla cake layer.
smoothing the layer of whipped cream on the cake.
chopped fresh strawberries on top of the whipped cream/pudding mixture.

Next, add half of the pudding & whipping mixture and layer smoothly. Then add the chopped strawberries.

Add the second cake on top of the strawberries. Then spread the remaining pudding mixture.

second cake layered on top of the fresh strawberries.
whipped cream and pudding mixture added on top of the second cake layer.
blueberries layered on top of the second pudding mixture.

Layer the fresh blueberries on top of this whipped pudding mixture.

Next, top with the remaining whipped cream that was set aside.

Remaining layer of whipped cream on top of the fresh blueberries.
fresh berries on top of the whipped cream topping.
top layer of the trifle with the whipping cream. raspberries, and blueberries.

Add any additional topping items, such as fresh fruit, as desired. Garnish with your favorite mixed berries and fresh mint according to taste.

Keep in the fridge until ready to serve.

Favorite fresh berries:

  • strawberries
  • blueberries
  • blackberries
  • raspberries
  • mulberries
trifle dish layered with cake and fresh berries.

How to store this Berry Trifle:

Store in the trifle dish inside the refrigerator with a cover until ready to serve. This recipe makes a great make ahead dessert that will save you time for your next summer gathering!

More favorite desserts

Here’s a few of our favorite dessert recipes that we think you’ll love too!

FAQ (frequently asked questions)

Can trifle be made a day ahead?

Yes, you absolutely could make the trifle a day ahead! I wouldn’t recommend making it ahead more more than a day for freshness. You may want to make the cake & pudding a day ahead and leave the super quick assembly for the day of your event! This will give it the best results.

Can I use frozen fruit instead of fresh?

I do not recommend using frozen fruit as it is a lot harder to decorate with. Frozen fruit tends to bleed and will color the pudding layers. Frozen fruit also doesn’t keep as long as fresh fruit. Your trifle would have to be enjoyed the same day.

What substitutes can I use for the cake layers?

This trifle recipe is very versatile. You could use really any other cake flavor. Angel food cake or pound cake are also great options.

want more recipes?

Check out the recipe index where you can discover more homemade recipes from my homestead!

top layer of the berry trifle with cream and raspberries & blueberries on top.

Summer Berry Trifle Recipe

This light and refreshing Berry Trifle makes a spectacular dessert when you need to serve a lot of people…or just keep the party going. It’s also a great way to use up summer’s luscious berries for a light and refreshing sweet treat!
Prep Time 10 minutes
Cook Time 30 minutes
Total Time 40 minutes
Serving Size 8

Ingredients

Instructions

  • Prepare two 8-inch round cakes per the instructions on the box and allow them to cool completely. This can be done in advance. If your cakes have a rounded top, you can flip them to cut them level, but it is not necessary. Set aside.
  • In a large bowl add instant pudding mix and milk and beat until it starts to thicken with a hand electric mixer.
  • Fold in half of the whipped cream to the pudding mixture and set aside.
  • Trim edges of the cake off to fit into your dish if necessary. And begin layering the trifle dish.
  • Add one of the cakes to the trifle dish (if needed cut the edge of your cake off to fit into your dish).
  • Next, add half of the pudding & whipping mixture and layer smoothly. Then add the chopped strawberries.
  • Add the second cake on top of the strawberries. Then spread the remaining pudding mixture.
  • Layer the fresh blueberries on top of this whipped pudding mixture. 
  • Next, top with the remaining whipped cream that was set aside.
  • Add any additional topping items, such as fresh fruit, as desired.

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