Red, White & Blue Delight: Easy 4th of July Trifle Recipe

Introduction

You’re about to discover the ultimate dessert showstopper: the 4th of July Trifle. This layered beauty is as easy as it is irresistible—no fancy piping equipment, no need to babysit a roasting pan. Think angel food cake, creamy white chocolate pudding, ruby-red strawberries, and brilliant blueberries, all stacked in patriotic glory. It’s festive, fun, and perfect for summer celebrations.

Let me share a quick memory: my first Fourth I brought a jiggling red, white, and blue trifle to a friend’s backyard barbecue. As soon as the spoon hit the bottom, kids and adults alike were diving in. That moment—seeing everyone’s joyful faces—was when I truly fell in love with this layer-cake alternative.

Ingredients

Here’s what you’ll need to build this festive masterpiece. These amounts make one large trifle bowl (about 12 servings):

• 1 box (3.4 oz) white chocolate instant pudding mix
  Provides a creamy, subtly sweet base with a hint of richness. Choose instant for quicker prep.
• 2 cups whole milk
  Used to mix the pudding—whole milk gives the pudding its ideal texture and creaminess. You can use reduced-fat milk, but it may slightly affect the thickness.
• 1 pre-made angel food cake (about 12 oz), cut into 1-inch cubes
  Light, fluffy, and slightly sweet—this cake soaks up the pudding just right without becoming mushy. Homemade or store-bought works.
• 2 cups Cool Whip, thawed
  The whipped topping brings airiness and a smooth finish. For a richer alternative, you can use homemade whipped cream.
• 2 cups fresh strawberries, hulled and halved
  Choose ripe but firm berries for the best flavor and presentation. Dry thoroughly after washing to avoid soggy layers.
• 1½ cups fresh blueberries
  These little bursts of sweetness contrast nicely with the pudding and add that iconic blue for your patriotic color scheme.

Substitutions and Additions

Cake Choices

• Pound cake for richness
• Sponge cake for airy layers
• Gluten-free angel food or pound cake if you’re feeding GF friends

Pudding Twists

• Vanilla instant pudding for classic simplicity
• Cheesecake pudding for tan
• Lemon pudding for brightness

Instructions: How to Make the Trifle

Step 1: Prepare All Ingredients

• Cake: Cut angel food cake into 1-inch cubes. This size creates defined layers and soaks up just enough pudding without falling apart.
• Berries: Wash strawberries and blueberries, then pat them completely dry. Moisture is your enemy here—wet fruit leads to soggy, sunken layers. Hull and halve the strawberries.

Step 2: Make the Pudding Mixture

• In a large bowl, whisk together 1 box of white chocolate instant pudding mix and 2 cups of cold whole milk.
• Whisk for about 2 minutes until thickened. Let sit for a minute or two, then fold in 2 cups of thawed Cool Whip until smooth. This creates a light, fluffy filling that blends perfectly between layers.

Step 3: Layer the Trifle

• In a clear trifle bowl or deep glass dish, start with a layer of cake cubes.
• Spoon a generous layer of the pudding mixture over the cake.
• Add a layer of mixed berries (half strawberries, half blueberries), scattering them evenly.
• Repeat this sequence two to three times, depending on your bowl’s height.

Step 4: Finish with Topping and Decoration

• Spread the remaining Cool Whip over the top for a smooth, clean finish.
• Garnish with whole strawberries and blueberries arranged in a patriotic pattern. Want to go next level? Add a few mint leaves for contrast or a drizzle of white chocolate.

Step 5: Chill and Serve

• Cover the trifle and refrigerate for at least 2 hours before serving. This resting time lets the layers settle and the flavors meld—plus, it firms up for easier scooping.

Pro Tips

• Dry berries well: A paper towel pat-down prevents moisture buildup that ruins texture.
• Keep layers clean: Use a piping bag or spoon carefully to avoid smearing layers against the glass.
• Don’t overfill: Leave a little space at the top—this helps avoid overflow and looks more elegant..

Serving Suggestions

This dessert shines at:

• Barbecues
• Potlucks or block parties
• Holiday festivities

Serve it in bowls or individual glasses. Try:

• A scoop of vanilla ice cream on the side
• Red, white, and blue sprinkles
• Toasted coconut for texture

4th of July Trifle

Print Recipe

Layered with angel food cake, white chocolate pudding, Cool Whip, strawberries, and blueberries—this 4th of July Trifle is the ultimate festive, no-bake summer dessert.

• Author: Emilio
• Prep Time: 20 minutes
• Cook Time: 0 minutes
• Total Time: 20 minutes
• Yield: 12 servings 1x
• Category: Dessert
• Method: No Bake
• Cuisine: American

Ingredients

Scale 1x2x3x

• 1 box (3.4 oz) white chocolate instant pudding mix
• 2 cups whole milk
• 1 pre-made angel food cake (about 12 oz), cut into 1-inch cubes
• 2 cups Cool Whip, thawed
• 2 cups fresh strawberries, hulled and halved
• 1½ cups fresh blueberries

Instructions

1. Cut angel food cake into 1-inch cubes.
2. Wash and thoroughly dry strawberries and blueberries. Hull and halve the strawberries.
3. In a large bowl, whisk together pudding mix and milk for about 2 minutes until thickened. Let sit for a couple of minutes.
4. Fold in 2 cups of Cool Whip until smooth.
5. In a trifle bowl, layer cake cubes, pudding mixture, and berries (half strawberries, half blueberries).
6. Repeat layers two to three times depending on bowl size.
7. Spread remaining Cool Whip on top.
8. Garnish with whole strawberries and blueberries arranged in a patriotic pattern. Optional: mint leaves or a drizzle of white chocolate.
9. Cover and refrigerate for at least 2 hours before serving.

Notes

Dry the berries thoroughly to avoid soggy layers. Use a spoon or piping bag for clean layering. Don’t overfill to maintain a tidy appearance.

Nutrition

• Serving Size: 1 serving
• Calories: 317
• Sugar: 38g
• Sodium: 160mg
• Fat: 8g
• Saturated Fat: 5g
• Unsaturated Fat: 2g
• Trans Fat: 0g
• Carbohydrates: 56g
• Fiber: 1g
• Protein: 4g
• Cholesterol: 10mg

Keywords: 4th of July, trifle, berries, dessert, no bake, patriotic

Storage Instructions

• Make-ahead: Can chill up to 24 hours.
• Refrigerate: Store covered in the fridge.
• Freezing: Not recommended—texture suffers.

Why This Recipe Works

• Simple and quick—no baking required
• Visually stunning with patriotic layers
• Light and refreshing for summer events

Frequently Asked Questions

Nutritional Information (Per Serving)

Conclusion + Call to Action

This 4th of July trifle dessert is your no-fail ticket to patriotic dessert glory. It’s light, refreshing, and looks like a celebration in a bowl. No baking stress, no fancy equipment—just bold flavors and beautiful layers that everyone at your barbecue or potluck will rave about.

Try it, make it your own, and when you do—snap a photo and tag me. I’d love to see your red, white, and blueberry masterpiece in action.

Looking for more holiday dessert ideas?
👉 Head over to my Pinterest for festive recipes, serving tips, and inspiration to keep your summer table sparkling. Let’s make this Fourth of July not just delicious—but unforgettable.