Need an easy dessert for patriotic holidays? Try this patriotic berry trifle recipe made with fresh fruit and a bit of a cheesecake filling.  It’s the perfect easy dessert for Memorial Day, Labor Day or the Fourth of July.

What do you do in the summer months when it’s hot outside and you don’t want to bake dessert? You make a trifle! These patriotic 4th of July trifles are the perfect summer dessert because there’s absolutely no baking required.  

a photo of several individual trifles with blueberries and strawberries - 4th of July Trifles

The pretty layers make it this berry trifle recipe a beautiful dessert for a hot summer day! This delicious red, white and blue trifle is truly one of the easiest desserts you can make.

Plus, how cute would these be served alongside a tray of Red White and Blue Jello Shots, this Firecracker Bundt Cake and some patriotic White Chocolate Puppy Chow?

an overhead photo of blueberry and strawberry mini trifles

This Summer Berry Trifle recipe can be a last-minute dessert because it’s made with simple ingredients! You will need fresh berries, something for the cake layers, and just a few simple ingredients for the cream cheese layer.

a close up photo of a 4th of july trifle in a cup

I’m picturing these beautiful patriotic desserts served alongside something fresh and summery for the adults, like this Key Lime Pie Shot recipe, or this vibrant red Strawberry Dump Cake!

I love the cream cheese layer because it gives a cheesecake flavor to the dessert. But there are ample substitutions for this creamy layer and all of the layers, which I have listed below!

a photo of individual trifles on a wooden plate

4th of July Trifles Recipe Substitutions 

There are ample substitutions available for this patriotic trifle! A few suggestions are below:

  • Substitute the ladyfingers with cubes of store-bought angel food cake, sponge cake, pound cake, plain yellow cake or white cake
  • Replace the blueberries with blackberries
  • Replace the strawberries with fresh cherries or raspberries 
  • You can substitute the cream cheese mixture with cool whip or whipped cream for a lighter dessert 
  • Or substitute vanilla or white chocolate pudding for the cream cheese layer. 
  • Substitute almond extract for the vanilla extract for a subtly different flavor.
  • Instead of the cream cheese layer, you can simply use whipped topping!

Serving Suggestions

Need another easy patriotic dessert? I recommend my White Chocolate Puppy Chow! It’s made with festive red and blue candy, perfect for the 4th of July.

Or, try out this Red White and Blue Ice Cream! Even more patriotic if you serve this ice cream over the top of my vibrant red Cherry Dump Cake!

a photo of cream cheese filling being blending

You can also choose to use this recipe to make a large single trifle using a trifle bowl or punch bowl. Depending on the size of your bowl, you may want to double or triple this recipe. 

I hope that you love this 4th of July trifle recipe! If you make them, I’d love to hear how it went in the comments below.

a photo of an individual trifle with fresh berries

Berry Patriotic 4th of July Trifles

Need another easy dessert for patriotic holidays? Try this patriotic berry trifle recipe made with fresh fruit and a bit of a cheesecake flavor!  It's the perfect easy dessert for Memorial Day, Labor Day or the Fourth of July.
5 from 1 rating

Ingredients
 

For the cream layer:

  • 8 ounces cream cheese, softened
  • cup powdered sugar
  • ¼ cup milk
  • ½ teaspoon vanilla extract

For serving:

Equipment

Instructions
 

  • Slice two strawberries lengthwise completely in half (stems included). Hull and slice the remaining strawberries. Set aside.
  • In a large bowl, add softened cream cheese and powdered sugar. Use an electric mixer to cream together until smooth.
  • Add milk and vanilla extract to the bowl. Mix again until incorporated. Set aside.
  • Break apart ladyfingers and add a layer to the bottom of each cup.
  • Carefully spoon on a layer of the cream cheese mixture over the layer of ladyfingers.
  • Add a layer of strawberries.
  • Next, add a layer of broken ladyfingers on top of the berries followed by another layer of the cream cheese mixture.
  • Top with a layer of fresh blueberries.
  • Finish each trifle with a half of a strawberry on top. You can also add extra berries and whipped cream on top.
  • Cover with plastic wrap and refrigerate if not serving immediately. 

Notes

Substitute the ladyfingers with cubed angel food cake, sponge cake, pound cake, plain yellow cake or white cake
Make a packet of instant pudding mix instead of the cream cheese layer! I recommend something white; vanilla pudding mix or white chocolate pudding. 
This recipe is easily made gluten free. Just purchase gluten free lady finger cookies. I recommend Schar Ladyfingers (GF).
Serving: 1trifle, Calories: 372kcal, Carbohydrates: 38g, Protein: 7g, Fat: 22g, Saturated Fat: 13g, Polyunsaturated Fat: 1g, Monounsaturated Fat: 6g, Cholesterol: 108mg, Sodium: 218mg, Potassium: 262mg, Fiber: 3g, Sugar: 20g, Vitamin A: 937IU, Vitamin C: 46mg, Calcium: 98mg, Iron: 1mg
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