Easy Summer Berry Trifle

Nothing says summer (or, impending summer, as the case may be) like fresh berries. Who doesn’t love strawberries, blueberries, blackberries, raspberries, or really any other berry? Next time you think about making Berry Shortcake, why not make the Easiest Summer Berry Trifle instead?  It is so much easier because all of the work is done ahead of time!  Just 30 minutes to prepare the fruit and whipped cream cheese and assemble this lovely layered marvel. Then into the fridge for up to 24 hours (not that a few more hours would hurt, either!). Then serve to a chorus of “Mmmm. Mmmm. Yum! Maybe just one more scoop. ”

You can tell how much I love trifle. It is one of my all-time favorites, because it combines so many yummy things: cake, custard, whipped cream and whatever other ingredients you like:  fresh or dried fruit, nuts, coconut – anything, really!  A great exercise in creativity!  I often make My Chocolate-Gingerbread Trifle during the winter Holidays, using leftover Chocolate-Gingerbread Cake, a luscious chocolate custard and whipped cream for that one. Like this Summer Berry Trifle, it is a fantastic taste of the season! Since this time I didn’t have any leftover cake, I looked for a recipe that would use Lady Fingers instead. I found it at Once Upon a Chef. I had actually never used Lady Fingers, but after this Summer Berry Trifle, I’m a complete convert.  They worked beautifully, didn’t require baking, and  became wonderfully cake-y with the mixed berries and whipped cream cheese topping.  And they maintained this texture through the next day.  So delish!

So when you need an impressive (but easy!) dessert to serve a crowd, go buy some lady fingers (in the cookie aisle!) and make this beautiful Summer Berry Trifle.  You won’t be sorry!  Enjoy!

Summer Berry Trifle

This Summer Berry Trifle adapted from Jennifer Segal of Once Upon a Chef, is so easy and the absolute BEST summer trifle!  Made with fresh berries, lady fingers, and cream cheese whipped cream, it tastes like a dream!  Everyone will adore this dessert!

You can use any type of fresh berries, just plan to have 5-6 cups total.

• Author: Laura, adapted from Jennifer Segal
• Prep Time: 30 minutes
• Total Time: 30 minutes
• Yield: 10 servings 1x
• Category: Desserts
• Method: No-bake

Ingredients

Scale 1x2x3x

• 1 qt Fresh Strawberries (about 1 1/2 lb.)
• 1 c Fresh Raspberries
• 1 c Fresh Blackberries
• 1 c Fresh (or Frozen) Blueberries
• 3/4 c Seedless Raspberry Jam
• 16 oz. (2 blocks) Cream Cheese, at room temperature
• 1 1/2 c Confectioners’ Sugar
• 1 1/2 c Heavy Whipping Cream, cold
• 1 t Natural Vanilla Extract
• 1 (7 oz.) package Lady Fingers (also known as Savoiardi Biscuits)

Instructions

1. Pour all of the berries into a large bowl, leaving several out for garnish.  Heat the jam in a small bowl in the microwave, 45-60 seconds, until hot.  Pour over the berries and stir.  Set aside while you prepare the other ingredients.
2. In another large bowl, whip the cream until stiff peaks form.  Set aside. In a third (large) bowl, beat the cream cheese and confectioners’ sugar together until smooth.  Beat in the vanilla and about a third of the whipped cream.  Fold the remaining whipped cream using a large, flat spatula.
3. In a trifle dish or a large bowl, build the layers of trifle in the following order:  1/3 of the lady fingers (you may need to break some to fit), 1/3 of the fruit mixture, along with 1/3 of the juice, and then 1/3 of the whipped cream mixture.  Smooth top.  Repeat these layers twice more, and perhaps leave a 1″ border of fruit showing around the cream at the top of the trifle.  Garnish with the reserved berries.
4. Refrigerate several hours – the more the better, ideally overnight, before serving.

Notes

If you are using a bowl instead of a trifle dish, you may use fewer lady fingers for the bottom layer.  This is fine, just add them to the cookie layer as the bowl widens.

Nutrition

• Serving Size: 1/10 recipe
• Calories: 470

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