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
Juicy berries, pillowy cream, and crisp ladyfingers—this trifle looks like a showstopper but couldn’t be easier to throw together.
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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I cant find the right kind of lady fingers How much pound cake do I need instead?
Hi Joni, I’m not 100% sure how much pound cake you’ll need — just cut it into the shape of lady fingers and layer it according to the recipe. I’m sorry I can’t be more specific about the amount!
I couldn’t find them locally but Amazon has them.
I have made this trifle twice now and it is show-stopping delicious. 1)simply stunning in a trifle dish
2)bright, wonderful summer flavors
3) makes enough for eight, with leftovers
I so much want to put orange liquor like your raspberry and cream parfait has and is so delicious. How will that work with this recipe? Thanks!
Sure, I’d add it to the cream cheese/confectioners’ sugar mixture. I’d love to hear how it turns out!
Making this for new years. Is it possible to use frozen berries or is it better to use what I find freash in the store?
Hi Laurie, this recipe really does need fresh berries so I’d use what you can get at the store.
Hi, I’ve got some spare gooseberries – would it be ok to add some to the fruit mix for this recipe do you think?
Hi Julie, I’ve never had gooseberries, so I don’t know what they taste like, but if you like the way they taste, that would be fine.
Are you in the US? I have never come across them here. Love gooseberries!
This is the BEST festive desert and so beautifully impressive. I have made it several times and never realized the discrepancy with the Jam measurements. It says 3/4c (8oz) which confused me. I used 1 c though. Which is the correct measurement!
Also, if you can’t find the crispy Lady Fingers, and only the soft kind, just put them in a 200 degree oven for 10-15 mins, cut off stove and let them sit til they are crispy.
Thanks Jenn!
Tissa L
Hi Tissa, So glad you like it! 3/4 cup is the volume you need and it’s the equivalent of 8 ounces (what it would weigh if you put it on a scale). Hope that clarifies!
In reading previous comments I see that you can make this the night before — is that also if you are using angel food cake? I couldn’t find lady fingers – all sold out for the 4th.
Sure, it’s still okay to make it the night before. 🙂
Can you make this the day before?
Sure – enjoy!
I added grated lemon rind to the cream cheese, and everyone loved it!
This trifle is delicious any time of the year. I made it for a New Year’s party. It was a very refreshing alternative to all the holiday baked goods. I plan on making it again this summer with fresh local berries.
Absolutely delicious! Thanks Jen
Fabulous recipe! I made this as a special birthday gift to my daughter instead of a usual cake! Her whole family loved it. Easy to follow and accurate directions. The whipped cream/cream cheese combo even pleased our littles!