My absolute favorite holiday is the 4th of July. It’s summer and warm and everyone is in a good mood! The 4th of July is not only a time for celebration, fireworks, but of course, delicious food! If you’re heading to a BBQ party this Independence Day and wondering what dessert to bring, look no further. Here’s a delightful and patriotic option that’s sure to impress your friends and family: a Berry Trifle. This dessert is not only visually stunning with its layers of red, white, and blue, (I mean just look at that photo, it makes me drool) but it’s also light, refreshing, and perfect for a summer gathering with your family or friends. Once you have your Trifle Dish there are lots of great summer trifles. (We have a Key Lime Pie trifle recipe that is amazing as well!)
Why Bring a Berry Trifle to a BBQ?
A Berry Trifle is the quintessential 4th of July dessert for several reasons:
- Patriotic Colors: The vibrant red, white, and blue layers symbolize the American flag, making it a festive choice.
- Fresh and Light: With a mix of berries and creamy layers, this dessert is refreshing, which is ideal for a hot summer day.
- Easy to Make: Despite its elegant appearance, a Berry Trifle is straightforward to prepare and can be made ahead of time.
- Crowd-Pleaser: This dessert caters to a variety of tastes and is perfect for serving a large group.
- Featured Recipe: Berry Trifle
How Hard is it to Make a Berry Trifle?
This is why this dessert is one of my favorites. You can whip it up extremely quickly, especially if you decide to go with the store-bought angel food cake option. (We are talking 20 minutes max, and then throwing it in the fridge to chill!) Here’s a fantastic Berry Trifle recipe originally from Dinner Then Dessert that you can whip up for your 4th of July BBQ party.
Ingredients:
1 (9-inch) angel food cake, cut into cubes – we highly recommend baking your own (even from just a box mix). It’s much more light and fresh than a store-bought cake.
2 cups strawberries, hulled and sliced
2 cups blueberries
2 cups raspberries – sometimes we just stick with strawberries and blueberries!
1 cup heavy whipping cream
1/4 cup powdered sugar
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
1 (3.4 oz) package of instant vanilla pudding mix
2 cups cold milk
Instructions:
- Prepare the Pudding: In a medium bowl, whisk together the instant pudding mix and cold milk until thickened, about 2 minutes. Set aside.
- Make the Whipped Cream: In a separate bowl, beat the heavy whipping cream, powdered sugar, and vanilla extract until stiff peaks form.
- Layer the Trifle: In a large trifle dish or glass bowl, layer half of the angel food cake cubes. Top with a third of the pudding, then a third of the whipped cream, followed by a layer of strawberries, blueberries, and raspberries.
- Repeat Layers: Repeat the layers, ending with a layer of whipped cream and berries on top for a beautiful presentation.
- Chill and Serve: Refrigerate for at least 2 hours before serving to allow the flavors to meld together.
More 4th of July Dessert Ideas:
While the Berry Trifle is a standout dessert, here are a few more ideas to consider bringing to your 4th of July BBQ:
- Flag Cake: A sheet cake decorated with berries and frosting to resemble the American flag. My cousin has a birthday on the 4th of July and this is her birthday cake every year!
- Patriotic Parfaits: Layered desserts in mason jars with red, white, and blue ingredients like strawberries, blueberries, and whipped cream.
- Red, White, and Blue Popsicles: Homemade popsicles using fruit juices and yogurt for a cool treat.
- Firecracker Cupcakes: Cupcakes with red, white, and blue swirl frosting and festive sprinkles.
Tips for a Successful 4th of July BBQ:
- Plan Ahead: Make your desserts the day before to save time on the day of the BBQ.
- Stay Cool: Keep desserts chilled until serving to ensure they stay fresh and delicious.
- Presentation Matters: Use clear containers or trifle dishes to show off the beautiful layers of your desserts.
- Variety is Key: Offer a mix of foods and desserts to cater to different tastes and dietary preferences.
- Backyard Games: Take a look at our entire list of Outdoor Activities and Backyard Games! There are plenty of options to get the entire group involved and to make sure your party is memorable.
With these ideas and the delicious Berry Trifle recipe, you’ll be all set to bring a festive and tasty dessert to your 4th of July BBQ party. Enjoy the celebrations and the delightful treats!
