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Star-Spangled Berry Trifle

This Star-Spangled Berry Trifle is the perfect 4th of July dessert! Layers of fluffy cake, creamy whipped cream, and fresh, juicy berries come together in a festive, patriotic display of red, white, and blue. It’s easy to make, delicious, and guaranteed to be the centerpiece of your Independence Day celebration.
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Ingredients
  

For the Cake Layers:

  • 1 store-bought angel food cake or vanilla pound cake cut into cubes (or homemade if preferred)
  • 2 tablespoons lemon juice optional, for extra zest

For the Whipped Cream:

  • 2 cups heavy cream
  • ½ cup powdered sugar
  • 1 teaspoon vanilla extract

For the Berry Layers:

  • 2 cups strawberries hulled and sliced
  • 1 ½ cups blueberries
  • 1 cup raspberries optional, for extra color
  • 1-2 tablespoons honey or maple syrup optional, for added sweetness

For Garnishing:

  • Whole berries strawberries, blueberries, raspberries
  • Fresh mint leaves optional, for decoration

Instructions
 

Prepare the Cake Layers:

  • Cut the cake into small 1-inch cubes. Drizzle lemon juice (optional) over the cake cubes to infuse a fresh, citrusy flavor. Set aside.

Prepare the Berries:

  • Hull and slice the strawberries, and gently toss the sliced strawberries, blueberries, and raspberries together in a bowl. Drizzle with honey or maple syrup for added sweetness, and let the berries marinate for about 10 minutes.

Make the Whipped Cream:

  • In a chilled mixing bowl, beat the heavy cream with powdered sugar and vanilla extract until stiff peaks form. Be careful not to overwhip. The cream should be light and fluffy.

Assemble the Trifle:

  • In a large trifle dish or a clear glass bowl, start with a layer of cake cubes at the bottom. Add a layer of whipped cream, smoothing it out with a spatula. Follow with a layer of berries. Repeat the layers until the dish is filled, finishing with a layer of whipped cream on top.

Decorate the Top:

  • Finish by garnishing the trifle with whole berries and arranging them in a patriotic pattern (you can create a star shape or a red, white, and blue design). Add fresh mint leaves for decoration if desired.

Chill and Serve:

  • Cover the trifle and refrigerate for at least 2 hours to allow the layers to meld together. For best results, chill overnight. Serve chilled and enjoy!