Summer Berry Trifle
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This berry trifle is perfect for a summer party — it’s refreshing, gorgeous, and make-ahead.
Photo by Alexandra Grablewski (Chronicle Books, 2018)
Berry trifles make wonderful (and patriotic) summer party desserts. Not only are they gorgeous, they feed a crowd and are made in advance. The only drawback is that, with all their layers, they can be time-consuming to make from scratch. I save time by using store-bought Savoiardi biscuits (a.k.a. crisp ladyfingers), cream cheese, and raspberry jam. The result is a dazzling, delicious berry trifle that can be made in 30 minutes. Use a deep, clear glass bowl or a footed glass trifle dish so the pretty layers can be seen. And don’t worry if the layers look slightly uneven or if the layers mix a bit — that’s the beauty of a trifle. You can also make the trifle in small glasses as individual parfaits.
“Oh my! This is so easy, beautiful and absolutely delicious!! Made for a party and everyone raved.”
What You’ll Need For Summer Berry Trifle
Step-By-Step Instructions
To begin, warm the raspberry jam in the microwave.
Toss it with the berries and let it sit while you prepare the rest of the trifle.
Beat the heavy cream until stiff peaks form, then set aside.
In a large bowl, combine the softened cream cheese and Confectioners’ sugar.
Beat until smooth and creamy, then beat in the vanilla.
Add a third of the whipped cream.
Beat until smooth and then add the remaining cream.
Fold with a rubber spatula until evenly combined.
To assemble, begin by layering the lady fingers in the bottom of the dish. Top with a third of the berry mixture, followed by a third of the cream. Continue alternating the lady fingers, berries, and cream.
End with the cream cheese mixture on top; for the last layer of cream, leave a 1-inch border around the edge showing the fruit beneath. Sprinkle some berries and a fresh mint on top.
Let the trifle chill for at least 8 hours, then top with some fresh berries and a spring of fresh mint, if desired.
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Video Tutorial
Summer Berry Trifle
This berry trifle is perfect for a summer party — it’s refreshing, gorgeous, and make-ahead.
Ingredients
- ¾ cup (8 oz) seedless raspberry jam
- 1 quart (1½ pounds) strawberries, hulled and cut into ¼-inch slices
- 1 pint (12 oz) raspberries
- 1 pint (12 oz) blueberries
- 1½ cups heavy whipping cream, cold
- 16 ounces cream cheese (preferably Philadelphia brand), at room temperature
- 1¾ cups confectioners' sugar
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 1 (7 oz) package crisp lady fingers (also called savoiardi biscuits)
- Fresh mint spring, for garnish (optional)
Instructions
- Set aside a few berries for topping the trifle.
- Heat the raspberry jam in a large bowl in the microwave for about 1 minute, or until hot and liquidy. Add the fresh berries and toss to coat. Let sit while you prepare the rest of the recipe, stirring occasionally.
- In a large bowl, whip the heavy cream until stiff peaks form. Set aside.
- In another large bowl, beat the softened cream cheese with the powdered sugar until smooth and creamy. Beat in the vanilla, then beat in a third of the whipped cream. Using a large rubber spatula, fold in the rest of the whipped cream until well combined.
- Cover the bottom of a 9-inch (14-cup capacity) trifle dish or glass bowl with a layer of lady fingers (break into pieces as necessary). Follow with ⅓ of the berry-jam mixture (including ⅓ of the juices), then ⅓ of the cream. Alternate, ending with the cream cheese mixture on top; for the last layer of cream, leave a 1-inch border around the edge showing the fruit beneath. Garnish with the reserved whole berries and a fresh mint spring if using. Refrigerate for at least 8 hours, or overnight, before serving.
Nutrition Information
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- Per serving (10 servings)
- Calories: 554
- Fat: 31g
- Saturated fat: 18g
- Carbohydrates: 65g
- Sugar: 41g
- Fiber: 5g
- Protein: 7g
- Sodium: 197mg
- Cholesterol: 143mg
This website is written and produced for informational purposes only. I am not a certified nutritionist and the nutritional data on this site has not been evaluated or approved by a nutritionist or the Food and Drug Administration. Nutritional information is offered as a courtesy and should not be construed as a guarantee. The data is calculated through an online nutritional calculator, Edamam.com. Although I do my best to provide accurate nutritional information, these figures should be considered estimates only. Varying factors such as product types or brands purchased, natural fluctuations in fresh produce, and the way ingredients are processed change the effective nutritional information in any given recipe. Furthermore, different online calculators provide different results depending on their own nutrition fact sources and algorithms. To obtain the most accurate nutritional information in a given recipe, you should calculate the nutritional information with the actual ingredients used in your recipe, using your preferred nutrition calculator.
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Hi! I plan on making this dessert for Father’s Day. Since it has to chill for at least 8 hours, could I make it up the night before? Wasn’t sure if the cake would become too soggy. Thanks!
Rebecca
Definitely – it won’t get soggy if made a day ahead.
Hi Jenn,
I haven’t make this recipe YET, but am going to, but I want to ask if you think bananas and strawberry jam would be a good replacement for the raspberries…I really dislike raspberries! -thanks, pam
Hi Pam, I think the bananas may brown a little, but you can certainly replace the raspberries with them (or you can just use more strawberries and blueberries). Hope you enjoy!
OMG!! Thanks again for making me look like a star at a cook out. I really don’t know why I keep my cookbooks- I never use them anymore. Every recipe comes out perfectly.
For this recipe, I used more raspberries and blueberries and I used pound cake because I had only hours to prepare. It still was wonderful. I reduced the cream base by half- everything else the same only because we are watching calories.
I made this delicious Summer Berry Trifle recipe to honor my Aunt for her 81st Birthday. As suggested, I used a glass serving platter which made a stunning presentation. Don’t you just enjoy how guests eyes open with delight when they see this Trifle? I did lessen the amount of both the confectioners sugar and the cream cheese. I used Bonne Raspberry preserves instead of jelly because the jellies offered for sale had high fructose corn syrup, which I prefer not to use. The organic strawberries, blueberries and raspberries were really fresh. I used the lady fingers on the first layer, but completely forgot them for the second layer! Do they have to be used at all? Thank you again for a wonderful dessert recipe which I look forward to making again!
This was a huge hit at book club–a real winner and very easy to make!!
Hi Jenn,
So glad I found your website, you’ve done an awesome job with it! I love fresh fruit desserts. It says to chill for 8 hours but I was hoping to do mine the day before and the party is in the evening the next day. Is that too long to stay in the fridge – will it ruin it?
Thanks!
That’s perfectly fine, Sarah. It keeps well for several days. Glad you’re enjoying the site!
This recipe is definitely a keeper! The addition of raspberry jelly to the berries was perfect 🙂 I used pound cake instead of lady fingers since it was what I had on hand. Will definitely make this again!
This is the best trifle by far! It was a little messy to make ( the kids pitched in) but it was definitely worth it! Your recipes are always fail proof even for begginers like me. Thank you for all the work that you put in creating them.
Hello Jenn, your kitchen is simply fantastic, 2 years ago I discovered your recipes, since then I am enjoying cooking your recipes, which are easy, very well explained and delicious. I love cooking and finding your website has been a blessing since I enjoy even more looking for new recipes.
You are very popular with my family and friends and everyone enjoys your recipes. Very anxious that your book is available in the market to have mine and also to give some to my family.
Thanks for the nice words Doris– so glad you enjoy the recipes! And the book will be available for purchase in almost exactly a year– in the spring of 2018!
Haven’t made yet, but can tell it’s going to be a winner recipe for Easter! Do you think marscapone cheese would kick it up a notch over the philly cheese? Thanks so much for a perfect dessert recipe!
Hi Dave, I think you could use mascarpone cheese here if you prefer. I’d love to hear how it turns out!