Make a Showstopping No-Bake Summer Berry Trifle

Remember that scene in Friends where Rachel made a trifle? This no-bake summer berry trifle one is NOTHING LIKE THAT. No ground meat, I promise. Just luscious, vibrant berries layered with fluffy whipped cream and soft pound cake in a chilled glass dish.

This dessert is perfect for 4th of July celebrations (it's red, white, and blue!!), BBQs, summer baby showers, potlucks, and more!

Watch The How-To Video

Why You'll Love This Berry Trifle

This recipe is deceptively easy, but looks beautiful and elaborate.

• No-bake – No oven required, which is a huge win in hot weather.
  
• Make-ahead friendly – In fact, it actually tastes better the next day!
  
• Perfectly patriotic – With red, white, and blue layers, it’s ideal for Memorial Day or the Fourth of July.
  
• Totally customizable – Switch up the cake, change the berries, or add layers of pudding for a new twist.
  
• Berry-packed – With strawberries, raspberries, and blueberries, it’s bursting with fresh, summery goodness.

What is a Trifle?

A trifle is a traditional British dessert that dates back to the 18th century. It's usually made by layering sponge cake (sometimes soaked in sherry or juice), custard, fruit, and whipped cream in a deep glass bowl.

But like most classic recipes, the trifle has evolved. These days, it’s common to see trifles made with pudding, cookies, brownies, or in this case—pound cake. This berry trifle keeps the spirit of the original but gives it a fresh, summery spin.

Let’s Talk About the Berries 🍓🫐

Berries are the heart and soul of this trifle. You’ll want the freshest you can find—ideally local, in-season, and bursting with flavor. If you're going berry-picking this summer, you'll want to bookmark this recipe! Here’s what this recipe calls for:

1. Fresh Strawberries

These are the “meat” of your berry mix. Look for strawberries that are bright red, fragrant, and firm (but not hard). Make sure to hull them (remove the tops) and slice them thin for easy layering. If you want some other ideas of what to do with fresh strawberries, I've rounded up 40 recipes that need fresh strawberries, here.

2. Fresh Raspberries

Delicate, sweet-tart, and perfect for soaking up the raspberry jam. Raspberries add a soft, juicy texture to the trifle and a beautiful pop of red.

3. Fresh Blueberries

These sturdy little guys bring a mellow sweetness and a pretty purple-blue hue to the mix. They’re the easiest to prep—just rinse and dry!

You could also mix things up with blackberries, cherries, or even sliced peaches if you're feeling adventurous. But the classic red-and-blue berry combo just screams summer.

Choosing the Right Cake for your Berry Trifle

The cake forms the backbone of your trifle, and there are a few solid choices depending on your preferences:

Pound Cake (Classic)

Dense, buttery, and satisfying—pound cake holds up well under layers of fruit and cream without getting mushy too quickly. It adds richness to balance the tangy cream and juicy berries. This is my personal choice when making berry trifles.

Angel Food Cake (Light)

For a lighter option, go with angel food cake. It’s airy and spongy and gives the trifle a more delicate feel. It soaks up berry juices quickly, so it’s best if you’re serving the trifle within a few hours.

Sponge Cake (Traditional)

Soft and neutral, sponge cake is a traditional trifle choice that gives you structure without overpowering the berries.

No matter which cake you use, make sure it’s cut into even bite-sized cubes so your layers stay neat and every spoonful has a bit of everything.

Other Trifle Recipes

Chocolate Trifle
Raspberry Chocolate Mousse Trifle
No-Bake Caramel Apple Cheesecake Trifle
Chocolate Caramel Trifle

About The Filling For This Berry Trifle...

The creamy layer is what binds everything together—and it’s not just whipped cream. This trifle uses a mixture of whipped heavy cream and sweetened cream cheese for a texture that’s light, fluffy, and stable enough to hold up in the fridge for a day or two.

The tang from the cream cheese balances the sweetness of the jam and berries, while the whipped cream keeps it soft and pillowy. It’s like if cheesecake and whipped cream had a v delicious baby. Add a splash of vanilla and a squeeze of lemon juice, and it’s chef’s kiss perfect.

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Tips for the Best Berry Trifle

Here are a few pro tips that’ll help you make the most stunning, crowd-pleasing berry trifle:

1. Chill Everything

Keep your cream cold, your bowl cold, and your beaters cold when whipping. This helps the cream thicken faster and hold its shape.

2. Layer Smart

Start with cake, then berries, then cream. Repeat. Make sure your layers go all the way to the edges of the trifle dish so you can see the stripes of color.

3. Don’t Skimp on Jam

Warming and mixing raspberry jam with the berries makes a simple, luscious sauce that ties everything together.

4. Make it Ahead

Letting the trifle sit in the fridge for a few hours (or overnight) helps the flavors meld and makes slicing easier. Just know the cake will soften over time, so don’t wait too long to serve.

5. Top it Off

Save a handful of the prettiest berries to decorate the top. Add a few sprigs of fresh mint and you’ve got a picture-perfect dessert.

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How to Serve a Berry Trifle

Serve your trifle straight from the dish with a big spoon or ladle. Glass trifle bowls are great for presentation, but any clear, deep bowl will do.

If you have extra time on your hands and want to make serving a non-issue, make individual trifles in mason jars or stemless wine glasses for an totally mess-free presentation at parties or brunches. They're super portable and look great on a dessert table.

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Frequently Asked Questions About Trifles

Can I make a trifle the night before?

Absolutely. In fact, it’s recommended! Making your berry trifle a day ahead gives the flavors time to blend and lets the cream firm up. Just keep it covered in the fridge.

What is the Best Trifle Dish to Use?

I love using this large clear glass trifle dish. It looks kind of like a cake stand base with a large bowl on top.

If you do not have a trifle dish, you can use any large bowl. It's best to use a clear glass option so you can see the layers you create, but if you don't have one on hand and aren't serving guests, you can make this in any container with a lid to keep it fresh.

How long will berry trifle last in the fridge?

Your trifle will stay fresh for up to 2 days in the refrigerator. After that, the cake may get too soft and the berries can start to break down. If you’re storing leftovers, press a piece of plastic wrap directly on the surface of the cream to keep it from absorbing fridge odors.

Can I use frozen berries?

You can, but fresh berries give the best texture and appearance. If you must use frozen, thaw them completely and drain off excess liquid before mixing with the jam.

Can I add other layers?

Totally! Try folding in lemon curd, vanilla pudding, or mascarpone for an extra flavor boost. A sprinkle of crushed cookies or slivered almonds between layers adds crunch.

Is this dessert kid-friendly?

Definitely. Just skip any alcohol-soaked cake layers (traditional trifles often include sherry). This version is booze-free and family-approved!

Make It Your Own: Variations to Try

Once you’ve made this trifle once, it’s easy to customize it for any occasion:

🍑 Peach-Berry Trifle

Swap half the strawberries for sliced peaches and add a swirl of peach preserves instead of raspberry jam.

🍫 Chocolate Berry Trifle

Use chocolate pound cake and add a drizzle of chocolate ganache over each layer of berries.

🍋 Lemon Berry Trifle

Add lemon curd to the cream layer and top with candied lemon slices for a bright, tangy twist.

If You Try this Recipe Let Me Know!

If you try this Summer Berry Trifle or any other recipe on Suburban Simplicity, don’t forget to rate the recipe and let me know how it went in the comments below; I love hearing from you! Better yet, use the hashtag #suburbansimplicity if you make the recipe.

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