Summer Berry Trifle
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This no-bake berry trifle is quick to make, make-ahead friendly, and always one of the first desserts to disappear at a party.
Photo by Alexandra Grablewski (Chronicle Books, 2018)
Berry trifles make perfect summer party desserts—they’re beautiful, feed a crowd, and can be made ahead. The only downside is that all those layers can be time-consuming to make from scratch. I take a few shortcuts: store-bought Savoiardi (crisp ladyfingers), cream cheese whipped into the filling for richness, and raspberry jam to bring the fruit together. The result is a stunning, crowd-pleasing trifle that comes together in just 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 To make A Summer Berry Trifle
Step-By-Step Instructions
Step 1: Warm the jam and toss with berries. In a large bowl, heat the raspberry jam in the microwave until it’s hot and liquidy—about 1 minute. Add the sliced strawberries, raspberries, and blueberries, then gently toss to coat. Let the mixture sit while you prep the cream; the berries will soften slightly and get nice and glossy.
Step 2: Whip the cream. In a large mixing bowl, whip the cold heavy cream until stiff peaks form. Be careful not to over-whip—you want it fluffy and smooth. Set it aside for now.
Step 3: Make the cream cheese filling. In another large bowl, beat the softened cream cheese with the confectioners’ sugar until it’s completely smooth. Mix in the vanilla extract.
Beat in about a third of the whipped cream to lighten the mixture. Switch to a spatula and gently fold in the rest of the whipped cream until fully combined and fluffy.
Step 4: Assemble the trifle. Begin with a layer of ladyfingers in the bottom of a large glass trifle dish or bowl (break them as needed to fit). Spoon on about a third of the berry mixture—juice and all—then spread a third of the cream on top. Don’t worry about being perfect; rustic looks beautiful here.
Continue layering, ending with the cream cheese mixture on top. For the last layer, try to leave a 1-inch border around the edge so the colorful berries peek through underneath. Sprinkle some berries and a fresh mint on top. Let the trifle chill for at least 8 hours or overnight, then top with some fresh berries and mint, if you like. Enjoy!
Video Tutorial
More Summer Desserts You May Like
Summer Berry Trifle
Ingredients
- ¾ cup (8 oz) seedless raspberry jam
- 1 qt (1½ lb) strawberries, hulled and cut into ¼-in (6-cm) slices
- 1 pint (12 oz) raspberries
- 1 pint (12 oz) blueberries
- 1½ cups heavy whipping cream cold
- 16 oz 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 sprig, 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-in/23-cm (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-in (2.5-cm) border around the edge showing the fruit beneath. Garnish with the reserved whole berries and a fresh mint sprig if using. Refrigerate for at least 8 hours, or overnight, before serving.
Nutrition Information
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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I’ve made this a lot. It is delicious and definitely a crowd pleaser. There is great presentation, tastes so fresh and so good. Very easy to prepare.
How to adjust to 6 individual glass servings
I’d just evenly divide the ingredients into six serving dishes. Depending on the size of the dishes, you may need to break the biscuits into smaller pieces. If you’re planning to serve six, they will definitely be generous portions.
As wonderful as everyone says! But a heads-up about “Prep Time: 25 minutes.” That clock starts only after you’ve washed and dried the berries and hulled and sliced a full quart of strawberries. It probably took me closer to an hour to put together. Still absolutely worth it, but Jenn is certainly not the only recipe creator who isn’t fully upfront about total prep times.
I made this on Saturday for a gathering Sunday so chilling the day before is definitely key. It was absolutely divine! All fruit was ripe from the farmers market that morning. I will definitely make it again.
What size is the bowl you use? I have a glass covered cake dish that concerts to a trifle bowl, but I think it’s much larger.
Thanks!!
Hi Rebecca, I use a 9-inch (14-cup capacity) trifle bowl.
For individual glass servings do I still use lady fingers
Yep!
Jen, I want to make this next week but I’m wondering can I use raspberries tea, berries, and blackberries that I have frozen individually instead of fresh and if so how because I’m just worried that when they fall they’re going to release a lot of moisture please let me know as soon as possible because I want to make it in two or three days. Thank you, Donna.
Hi Donna, this really needs fresh berries. Sorry!
Your recipes are amazing. Always so good, always so well written. You make it easy!
This was such a hit at a July 4th BBQ last year that requests have come in for a repeat. It was so tasty yet light. A perfect dessert. Can’t wait!