Fresh Star-Spangled Berry Trifle in Mason Jars
A quick and easy summer dessert featuring layers of fresh berries, whipped cream, and angel food cake served in charming mason jars. Perfect for outdoor gatherings and crowd-pleasing with a fresh, light taste.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 0 minutes
- Total Time: 1 hour 10 minutes
- Yield: 4 to 6 servings 1x
- Category: Dessert
- Cuisine: American
Ingredients
Scale
- 1 cup blueberries (fresh or thawed if frozen)
- 1 cup strawberries, hulled and sliced
- 1 cup raspberries (fresh or thawed if frozen)
- 8 ounces angel food cake, cut into 1-inch cubes (can substitute with pound cake or gluten-free cake)
- 2 cups heavy whipping cream, chilled (or store-bought whipped topping)
- 1/4 cup powdered sugar
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- Zest of 1 lemon (optional)
- Fresh mint leaves for garnish (optional)
Instructions
- Rinse and dry all berries carefully. Slice strawberries and cube the angel food cake into 1-inch squares. Zest the lemon if using. Chill mixing bowl in fridge or freezer.
- Pour cold heavy cream into chilled bowl. Add powdered sugar and vanilla extract. Whip with electric mixer on medium-high speed until soft peaks form, being careful not to overwhip.
- Layer the trifle in mason jars: start with 2-3 pieces of cake cubes, add a generous spoonful of whipped cream, then a mix of fresh berries. Repeat layers once more, finishing with a dollop of whipped cream on top.
- Sprinkle lemon zest over the top cream layer and add a mint leaf for garnish. Cover jars with lids or plastic wrap and refrigerate for at least 1 hour to meld flavors and keep cake moist.
- Serve chilled directly from the jars.
Notes
Use cold cream and chilled bowls for best whipping results. Thinly slice strawberries for better layering. Lightly brush cake cubes with berry juice or liqueur to prevent dryness. Assemble at least 1 hour before serving for best flavor melding. Can be made dairy-free with coconut cream and gluten-free with alternative cakes. Avoid freezing to maintain texture.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: About 1 cup per maso
- Calories: 235
- Sugar: 18
- Sodium: 90
- Fat: 12
- Saturated Fat: 7
- Carbohydrates: 28
- Fiber: 3
- Protein: 3
Keywords: berry trifle, mason jar dessert, summer dessert, easy dessert, fresh berries, angel food cake, whipped cream, picnic dessert