Description
This Memorial Day Berry Trifle is a delightful, layered dessert that showcases fresh berries, a fluffy vanilla bean cream, and a light cake base. It’s a festive treat that combines the rich, smooth flavor of vanilla cream with the tangy sweetness of fresh berries. The trifle is often served in a large glass bowl, allowing the colorful layers to shine. It’s the perfect centerpiece for any summer gathering, especially during Memorial Day, where its red, white, and blue color scheme adds a patriotic flair to the table.
Ingredients
For the Cake Layer
1 store-bought angel food cake or pound cake (about 12 oz), cut into 1-inch cubes
(You can also bake your own if you prefer.)
For the Vanilla Bean Cream
2 cups (480 ml) heavy whipping cream
1 cup (240 ml) cold mascarpone or cream cheese
½ cup (100 g) granulated sugar
1 vanilla bean, split and seeds scraped (or 2 tsp pure vanilla extract)
1 tsp lemon zest (optional, for brightness)
Pinch of salt
For the Berry Layer
2 cups (300 g) fresh strawberries, hulled and sliced
1½ cups (225 g) fresh blueberries
1½ cups (225 g) fresh raspberries
2 tbsp sugar
1 tbsp fresh lemon juice
(You can substitute or add blackberries if desired.)
Instructions
1. Prepare the Berries
In a medium bowl, combine berries with sugar and lemon juice.
Gently toss and let sit for 10–15 minutes to macerate (juices will form).
2. Make the Vanilla Bean Cream
In a large chilled bowl, beat the heavy cream until soft peaks form.
Add mascarpone (or cream cheese), sugar, vanilla bean seeds, lemon zest, and salt.
Continue whipping until stiff peaks form and the cream is smooth and fluffy.
Do not overbeat — it should be silky, not grainy.
3. Assemble the Trifle
In a large glass trifle bowl (or individual cups):
Layer 1: Cake cubes (⅓ of total)
Layer 2: Spoon of macerated berries (and some of their juices)
Layer 3: Vanilla bean cream (⅓ of total)
Repeat layers twice more, finishing with a generous layer of vanilla cream on top.
Decorate with a pattern of berries — create a flag design (rows of strawberries and a “blueberry corner”) for a patriotic touch. 🇺🇸
4. Chill & Serve
Refrigerate for at least 1 hour before serving so flavors meld.
Serve chilled — scoop down deep to get every layer in each serving.
Notes
This festive Memorial Day Berry Trifle is as beautiful as it is delicious! For an extra touch, garnish the top with fresh mint leaves or a sprinkle of powdered sugar. It’s the perfect red, white, and blue dessert to celebrate with family and friends!
- Prep Time: 25 minutes
- Cook Time: 10 minutes
- Category: Dessert
- Method: Layered/Chilled
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 cup
- Calories: 320
Keywords: Memorial Day dessert, summer berry trifle, patriotic berry trifle, berry trifle with vanilla cream