A cherished recipe in my family is our strawberry trifle, a delightful, no-bake dessert that’s as easy to make as it is delicious. Over the years, we’ve given this beloved recipe a patriotic spin by adding blueberries to create a red, white, and blue masterpiece perfect for Memorial Day and Fourth of July celebrations. Today, I’m thrilled to share this recipe with you!

This festive dessert, like any classic trifle, is made by layering cake, fruit, and cream. Our version features homemade cream made by whipping together sweetened condensed milk, vanilla instant pudding, a little water, and freshly whipped cream. The result is a dessert that’s light, creamy, and bursting with fresh fruit flavors.

Trifle dessert with patriotic flag design on top. — Festive

Ingredients You’ll Need:

1 package vanilla instant pudding
1 can sweetened condensed milk
1/2 cup water
1/2 pint heavy whipping cream
1 loaf of vanilla or plain pound cake
1 container of Cool Whip
1 package of fresh strawberries (about 2 cups), washed, stems removed, and sliced
1 packcage of fresh blueberries (about 9 ounces), washed

Ingredients for 4th of July laid out — All of the ingredients you need to make a 4th of July trifle.

Patriotic Trifle Additions and Substitutions:

What I love most about a trifle is its versatility. You can mix up the flavors and make substitutions to accommodate dietary restrictions or personal preferences. Here are some ideas to customize your dessert:

Angel Food Cake: For a softer, creamier texture, substitute the pound cake with angel food cake. It’s a lighter option that blends beautifully with the cream and fruit.

Dairy-Free Options: Make the dessert non-dairy by using Coco Whip (coconut whipped cream) and replacing the sweetened condensed milk and instant pudding mix with dairy-free alternatives.

Fruit Variations: While strawberries and blueberries create a patriotic theme, you can use raspberries or blackberries for a similar effect. Alternatively, go rogue and add a variety of fruits like kiwi, peaches, pineapple, or cherries for a colorful explosion, like a fireworks!

Cake Variations: If you can’t find plain or vanilla pound cake, don’t worry. Lemon pound cake adds a delightful citrus twist, and marble pound cake brings a rich chocolate flavor that pairs perfectly with berries.

How to Make a 4th of July Trifle:

This trifle is super easy to assemble and doesn’t require any baking. Here’s a step-by-step guide to creating this beautiful and delicious dessert:

Step 1: Prepare the Cream Mixture
In a large bowl, beat together 1/2 cup water, 1 can of sweetened condensed milk, and 1 package of vanilla instant pudding mix. Mix until smooth and well combined.

pudding mix, water, and condensed milk in a bowl

Step 2: Refrigerate
Place the mixture in the refrigerator for about 5 minutes to allow it to set slightly.

Step 3: Whip the Cream
In a separate bowl, beat 1/2 pint of heavy whipping cream until stiff peaks form. This will take a few minutes, so be patient.

Step 4: Fold the Mixtures
Gently fold the chilled pudding mixture into the whipped cream until well combined. This will create a light, fluffy cream base for your trifle.

cream folded together with cake pieces and berries on the side

Step 5: Prepare the Pound Cake
Cut one loaf of pound cake into small squares. The size of the squares can vary based on your preference, but bite-sized pieces work best for layering.

Step 6: Add a Layer of Pudding Mixture
Using a glass trifle bowl, begin by adding a layer of the pudding mixture. Next, add sliced strawberries along the perimeter of the bowl. Layer the strawberries to make it look pretty from the outside.

Step 7: Fill in the Perimeter with Cake Pieces and Strawberries
Add a layer of pound cake squares on top of the pudding mixture. Then add a layer of strawberries. Continue layering the pudding mixture, cake, and strawberries. Continue layering the pudding mixture and cake.

Tip: Feel free to add blueberries with the strawberries in your layers. I personally prefer for them to be used as part of the flag decoration on top; however, feel free to make it your own!

Step 8: Continue Layering
Repeat the layering process until you run out of the cream mixture or the bowl is full. The goal is to have multiple, distinct layers of cream, cake, and fruit.

Layer the trifle with strawberries, pound cake, and cream

Step 9: Top with Cool Whip
Once your trifle bowl is filled, top the dessert with an even layer of Cool Whip. This creates a smooth, white canvas for your patriotic decoration.

Step 10: Decorate with Berries
Create a flag design on top of the Cool Whip using strawberries and blueberries. The strawberries will form the red stripes, and the blueberries will represent the stars.

Trifle decorated with berries to create flag design

Step 11: Chill Before Serving
Allow the dessert to cool in the refrigerator for at least an hour before serving. This helps the flavors meld together and makes slicing easier.

Enjoy Your Festive Dessert!

Your Fourth of July trifle is now ready to be the star of your celebration. It’s a dessert that not only looks impressive but also tastes incredible. Each bite offers a perfect balance of creamy, sweet, and fruity flavors, making it a hit with both kids and adults.

Tips for a Perfect Trifle:

Use Fresh Fruit:
Fresh, ripe berries will make a big difference in the taste of your trifle. They add natural sweetness and vibrant color. Another tip is ensuring they are pat dry after washing them and before layering.

Chill Thoroughly:
Allowing the trifle to chill properly helps the layers set and enhances the overall flavor. If possible, prepare the trifle a few hours in advance or even the night before your event.

Get Creative:
Don’t be afraid to experiment with different fruits, cakes, and even toppings. Toasted coconut, chocolate shavings, or a drizzle of fruit sauce can add an extra layer of flavor and texture.

Why This Trifle is the Perfect Festive Dessert

Creating a Fourth of July trifle is a fun and festive way to celebrate the holiday. This no-bake dessert is easy to assemble, visually stunning, and delicious. Plus, it’s a versatile recipe that you can adapt to suit your tastes and dietary needs. Whether you stick with classic strawberry or decide to try some of the suggested variations, this trifle is sure to be a crowd-pleaser.

This refreshing and light dessert is perfect for those hot summer days. It is also great to prepare ahead of your celebration and only gets better the longer it cools in the fridge.

So this Fourth of July, have fun building this beautiful trifle! Gather your family and friends to help you prepare the cream, slice the strawberries, and decorate! Enjoy the holiday and all that it brings. This trifle will be the perfet ending to the celebration.