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Berry Angel Food Trifle

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This no-bake dessert layers fluffy angel food cake cubes with homemade vanilla whipped cream and fresh blackberries, blueberries, and strawberries in a clear trifle dish. Ready in just 10 minutes of active work, it delivers impressive visual appeal with minimal effort.
Prep Time 5 minutes
Cook Time 5 minutes
Total Time 10 minutes
Servings: 8 servings
Course: Dessert
Cuisine: American

Ingredients
  

  • 1 large angel food cake cut into 1-inch cubes
  • 2.25 cups heavy cream Horizon Organic preferred
  • 0.25 cup powdered sugar
  • 1 teaspoon vanilla bean paste
  • 2.5 cups blackberries
  • 2.5 cups blueberries
  • 1.25 lbs strawberries hulled and sliced into 1/4-inch rounds

Equipment

  • Electric mixer
  • Chilled mixing bowl
  • Large trifle dish or clear serving bowl
  • Mixing bowls

Method
 

  1. Place the heavy cream in a chilled mixing bowl and beat with an electric mixer on medium-high speed until soft peaks develop, approximately 2 to 3 minutes. Mix in the powdered sugar and vanilla bean paste, then keep beating until stiff peaks form and the mixture holds its shape firmly, an additional 1 to 2 minutes. Reserve the whipped cream for layering.
  2. Combine the blackberries and blueberries in a bowl, tossing them gently to mix. Cube or tear the angel food cake into roughly 1-inch pieces in a separate bowl—precise uniformity isn't necessary as the rustic appearance works well in trifles. Ensure the strawberries are already hulled and cut into 1/4-inch round slices.
  3. Select a large trifle dish, clear serving bowl, or individual glasses for assembly. Distribute one-third of the cake cubes evenly across the bottom as the first layer. Spread one-third of the prepared whipped cream over the cake, then arrange one-third of the berries (both the mixed blackberries and blueberries, plus strawberries) on top of the cream.
  4. Build two additional identical layers using the remaining cake, whipped cream, and berries in the same order, ending with a final berry topping for visual appeal. When using a transparent trifle dish, angle the layers slightly to create diagonal striping that highlights the distinct components when viewed from the side.
  5. Cover and refrigerate the assembled trifle for a minimum of 30 minutes to allow the flavors to blend and the cake to absorb just enough moisture without becoming overly soggy. Serve by spooning portions into individual bowls or glasses, ensuring each serving contains cake, cream, and berries from all layers.

Notes

For best results, chill your mixing bowl and beaters before whipping the cream to help it reach stiff peaks faster. Stop whipping immediately once firm peaks form to avoid grainy, over-whipped cream. If your berries seem especially wet, pat them dry with paper towels before layering to prevent excess moisture from making the cake soggy. The trifle can be assembled up to 4 hours ahead and kept refrigerated, though the cake will gradually soften. For longer advance prep, store the whipped cream, cake cubes, and berries separately in airtight containers for up to 1 day, then layer within an hour of serving. Leftover trifle keeps covered in the fridge for up to 2 days, though the texture will become softer.

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