Red, White, & Blue Trifle

Learn how to make this festive and patriotic dessert that's perfect for Memorial Day or 4th of July celebrations! Red White & Blue Trifle is a simple recipe to make that makes a statement. Only 5 ingredient is all you need to make this layered pudding trifle recipe with fresh berries. 

For more red, white, and blue recipes be sure and try these Red, White, and Blue Cookie Bars and my 4th of July Patriotic Jello Pie.

Red White Blue Trifle Recipe

I absolutely love festive and colorful Holiday desserts! This red white blue trifle recipe is so simple to make thanks to the short ingredient list. Cake, instant pudding mix, milk, and fresh berries are all you need to assemble this layered trifle recipe.

Perfect for any patriotic occasion and celebration like Memorial Day or 4th of July with it's red, white, and blue themed colors. 

Ingredients Needed

Here is the list of ingredients that you will need to make this trifle recipe.

• Instant Vanilla Pudding - You will need two large boxes. I prefer the taste of the vanilla pudding but if you want a true white color, then try using white chocolate instant pudding mix instead. Either one works great in this recipe, it's just whatever you prefer. 
• Half & Half Milk - This is the best milk to use. You need the fat to help thicken and set the pudding layers. If wanted, you can use whole milk or 2%. 
• Cake, Pound Cake or Angel Food Cake - Lots of options with this one. I prefer the taste and texture of pound cake or a vanilla cake mix. You can either purchase these in the bakery at the store or buy a box of cake mix, pound cake mix, or angel food cake and make it according to package instructions. 
• Fresh Berries - Do not use frozen berries. Blueberries and raspberries are what is shown in the pictures but strawberries (sliced or chopped) or blackberries are other great options. 

How to Make a Red, White, & Blue Trifle for Memorial Day or 4th of July

Learn how to make this recipe with these easy steps below. Be sure and read to the bottom of this post where I have a recipe card with all the detailed instructions, ingredients, and tips. 

• Preparation : Make sure you have cooked & completely cooled cake chunks for this recipe. You can purchase a pound cake or angel food cake at the store, or purchase a box of pound cake or angel food cake and make it yourself according to package directions. Or make a white cake mix or vanilla cake mix, according to package instructions, and use that in the trifle. Wash the fresh berries and dry them. I pat the berries with a paper towel to ensure that there is no moisture and they're dry. You do not want to put wet berries into the trifle when layering.
• Pudding : Whisk together the instant pudding mixes and half & half milk in a mixing bowl. Whisk for 2-3 minutes, ensuring that all the pudding is dissolved and combined well with the milk. Let this sit for 5 minutes before layering. 
• Layered Trifle : Use a glass trifle dish OR similar serving dish. Assemble the layers inside the trifle dish in this order.

  - Thin layer of pudding

  - Layer of raspberries (reserve some for the top)

  - All of the cake chunks (3 cups)

  - Layer of pudding

  - Layer of blueberries (reserve some for the top)

  - Remaining pudding

  - Remaining berries

• Serve : The trifle can be served immediately but for best results let it refrigerate, covered, for 2- 4 hours before serving. 

Tips For Success

Here are a few of my helpful tips so that you can have success recreating this recipe in your kitchen.

• Use Half & Half : This is a milk of half cream + half milk. It has extra fat in it which will help the pudding layer set and thicken. It also tastes better, thicker, and richer in this recipe. I prefer it but you can easily use whole milk or 2% if wanted. 
• Use Pound Cake or Vanilla Cake Mix : I have tested this recipe several ways and the pound cake or vanilla cake mix is what we thought tastes best. You can either purchase a pound cake at the bakery, and chop it up, or buy a box of it at the store and prepare it according to package instructions. I believe Better Crocker makes a pound cake boxed mix. 
• Trifle Dish : Using a glass trifle dish is what makes this look so pretty. You can easily find trifle dishes on Amazon (affiliate link to the one I use below in the recipe card) or at any retailer. 
• Dry Berries : Make sure that you are not adding wet or moist berries into the trifle. Wash the berries and pat them dry with a paper towel before adding them into the layers. 
• Cooled Cake : Use completely cooled and chunked cake pieces for the cake layer. 

Red White Blue Trifle FAQ's

• Can I Make This Ahead of Time?
  • Yes you can. I do not recommend making this the night before. I recommend making it 4 hours before serving time, and letting it sit in the fridge until you're ready for it. It can be served right away but for best results and taste, let it refrigerate for 2-4 hours before serving. 
• How To Store Leftovers
  • Keep leftovers in the fridge, in the trifle dish or in single servings in air-tight containers, for up to 3 days.
  • The cake will soften the longer it's in the fridge, and the berries will begin to bleed into the pudding.
  • This trifle is best served within 4 hours of making it. 
• Variation & Substitution Ideas
  • Berries : Blueberries, Strawberries (sliced or chopped), Raspberries, or Blackberries are all great options in this trifle. If I am making it for Memorial Day or 4the of July, I like to outline a star shape with blueberries and the place chopped strawberries around it for the top of the trifle. 
  • Pudding : Vanilla or white chocolate instant pudding are both great choices. I prefer the taste of the vanilla in this recipe. 
  • Cake : Pound cake, white or vanilla cake mix, or angel food cake will all work in this recipe. I think the pound cake (purchased or from a box) or a vanilla cake mix tastes the best.
• Can I Make this Healthier?
  • Yes! There are a few ways that you can lighten up this recipe. Experiment using sugar-free pudding mixes. You might need less milk if doing this, just follow the directions on the back of the box. Use angel food cake for the cake. Angel food cake is lighter in calories and fat compared to pound cake or a cake mix. Use a lower-fat milk like 2% or 1% milk. The pudding layer won't be as thick but it will still be delicious.