This Patriotic 4th of July Trifle is a festive treat with soft pound cake cubes as the base, fluffy cream cheese whip, and a generous layer of blueberries and sliced strawberries. It’s the kind of no-bake dessert that’s easy to throw together but still looks impressive enough to serve to a crowd.

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Fourth of July or not, this dessert checks the boxes—it’s easy, refreshing, and a total crowd-pleaser. I’ve served it at simple backyard cookouts and potlucks, and it’s something everyone always scoops into. You can also make it ahead as the layers hold up well in the fridge. Not only is it time-efficient, but it’s also even better when chilled, so that’s a win.

Ingredients You’ll Need

You’ll need all the ingredients shown in the photograph below.

Bowls containing ingredients for a Patriotic 4th July Trifle—sugar, chopped strawberries, pound cake pieces, blueberries, vanilla extract, cream cheese, and heavy cream—are arranged on a red tabletop. — Patriotic 4th of July Ingredients. Photo Credit: Hungry Cooks Kitchen.

How to Make Patriotic 4th of July Trifle with Step-By-Step Instructions

Scroll down for the full recipe card containing a full printable recipe and measurements in both US customary and metric units.

If you follow my easy steps, you’ll have a trifle that looks festive and surely tastes like summer in every bite.

Beat the Cream Cheese and Sugar

In a large mixing bowl, use an electric mixer to beat the softened cream cheese and sugar on medium-high speed for about 1-2 minutes until the mixture is smooth and fluffy.

If you find the cream cheese is a little too firm, I warm it gently in a microwave-safe glass mixing bowl for 10–15 seconds at a time until it softens just enough to blend without lumps.

The goal here is to create a creamy base that’s light in texture and totally lump-free—if it still looks grainy or thick, keep mixing for a little longer.

Don’t forget to scrape down the sides of the bowl so everything gets evenly combined. A flexible silicone spatula makes this part a lot easier and keeps you from leaving streaks of unmixed sugar behind.

A mixing bowl with sugar and cream cheese, surrounded by bowls of sliced strawberries, blueberries, vanilla extract, and a pitcher of liquid on a red surface—perfect for assembling a Patriotic 4th July Trifle under string lights. — Beat cream cheese and sugar for 1-2 minutes.

A mixing bowl with creamy batter and vanilla, surrounded by bowls of sliced strawberries and blueberries, awaits assembly for a festive Patriotic 4th July Trifle on a red surface adorned with string lights. — Add vanilla and cream.

A large bowl of whipped cream sits on a red surface, surrounded by bowls of sliced strawberries, whole blueberries, and decorative string lights—perfect for assembling a Patriotic 4th July Trifle. — Whisk until fluffy.

Add the Cream and Vanilla

Slowly pour in the heavy cream and vanilla extract, so they blend more smoothly into the cream cheese mixture. If you pour it in too quickly, the cream can sit on top or separate before it fully incorporates, which makes it harder to whip into that light, fluffy texture you’re going for.

Once everything’s combined, switch to a whisk attachment (or use a hand whisk if that’s what you’ve got). I use this hand mixer with whisk attachments all the time—it’s lightweight and gets soft peaks in just a few minutes without tiring your arm.

Keep whisking until the cream thickens and soft peaks form. The mixture should be airy but still hold its shape.

Layer the Pound Cake

In a deep, clear trifle dish or any large glass bowl with a 12 to 14-cup capacity, start with half of the pound cake cubes. I love using a glass trifle bowl like this one because it makes all the red, white, and blue layers pop visually—and honestly, it just makes the whole thing feel more special.

Spread them out evenly across the bottom. This layer gives you a solid base and lets the juices from the fruit and cream soak in just a bit.

A glass bowl with several pieces of sliced cake at the bottom, surrounded by red, white, and blue decorative string lights and paper spoons on a red surface—perfect for serving a patriotic 4th July Trifle. — Layer pound cake in a glass bowl.

A glass trifle bowl filled with layers of strawberries, blueberries, and whipped cream sits on a red surface, surrounded by patriotic 4th July Trifle décor like red, white, and blue string lights and festive paper decorations. — Spread cream and add the berries.

Add the First Layer of Berries

Sprinkle about two-thirds of your sliced strawberries and blueberries over the pound cake. Don’t worry about making it perfect—just try to distribute them so every spoonful gets a bit of both.

Spread the Cream Layer

Spoon about one-third of the whipped mixture over the berries and carefully spread it out to cover the surface. It’s fine if it swirls a little—those soft layers are part of the charm —but a small offset spatula makes it easier to get a clean spread without dragging berries around or mashing them into the cream.

Repeat the Layers

Now go in again with the remaining cake cubes, then another layer of strawberries and blueberries (saving a handful for the top), and finish with the rest of the cream.

A Patriotic 4th July Trifle with layers of cake, whipped cream, and berries sits in a glass bowl on a red surface, surrounded by festive string lights and paper spoons in red, white, and blue. — Repeat a layer of pound cake.

A glass trifle bowl filled with layered strawberries, blueberries, cake, and cream sits on a red surface beside red, white, and blue decorative string lights and spoons—a perfect Patriotic 4th July Trifle centerpiece. — Add another layer of cream.

A patriotic 4th July trifle, layered with cake, cream, strawberries, and blueberries, sits in a glass bowl on a red surface, surrounded by decorative string lights. — Top with blueberries and strawberries.

Smooth the top and decorate with your reserved strawberries and blueberries so the red, white, and blue really shine.

Chill Before Serving

For the best results, pop the whole trifle bowl in the fridge for at least 1 hour. This helps everything firm up slightly and makes it even easier to serve clean layers when scooping.

Lastly, enjoy your trifle!

A Patriotic 4th July Trifle, this layered dessert features strawberries, blueberries, cake, and cream in a glass bowl, surrounded by festive red, white, and blue decorations on a vibrant red surface. — Chill for 1 hour before serving.

Recipe Notes and Expert Tips

I’ve made this red, white, and blue trifle more times than I can count, even if it’s not on the Fourth of July, and these tips make a great difference.

Soften Your Cream Cheese: Cold cream cheese won’t mix well and can leave lumps. Let it sit out for 30 minutes first.
Whip the Cream Just Enough: You want soft peaks for the perfect light texture, not too loose and not too stiff.
Use a Clear Glass Bowl: It’s not required, but a glass dish like this makes the colors pop and adds to the visual wow factor.
Use Fresh or Day-Old Pound Cake: Fresh is great, but slightly stale pound cake holds its shape better and soaks up flavor without falling apart.
Pat Berries Dry: After rinsing, gently blot the berries with a paper towel so they don’t add extra moisture to your layers.
Make It Ahead: Assembled trifles hold up well in the fridge overnight, so this is a great one to prep the day before your event.
Chill Before Serving: Letting it rest in the fridge for at least an hour gives the layers time to meld and makes it easier to scoop cleanly.

A glass trifle bowl filled with layers of whipped cream, strawberries, blueberries, and cake is served with a spoon. Red, white, and blue decorations are nearby, making this the perfect Patriotic 4th July Trifle for your celebration. — Patriotic 4th of July. Photo Credit: Hungry Cooks Kitchen.

How to Store Leftovers

Store any leftovers in the fridge, covered with plastic wrap or a tight-fitting lid. It’ll keep well for up to 2-3 days, although the cake will soften more with time. The texture will also get a little creamier as it sits.

This recipe is not ideal for freezing—the whipped cream and fruit layers will most likely become watery upon thawing. If you want to preserve its smooth and creamy texture, don’t freeze it.

What to Serve With Patriotic 4th of July Trifle

You can serve this trifle on its own, but if you’re putting together a full spread, try pairing it with a scoop of vanilla ice cream or a bowl of even more berries on the side, such as raspberries and blackberries.

Light drinks like lemonade, iced tea, or fruit punch work well with this trifle, too. If you’re looking for something crunchy alongside, shortbread cookies, wafers, or graham cracker crisps are a fun touch to its creamy texture.

A layered Patriotic 4th July Trifle with strawberries, blueberries, cake, and cream in a glass bowl, surrounded by red, white, and blue decorative string lights. — Patriotic 4th of July. Photo Credit: Hungry Cooks Kitchen.

More Easy Recipes for You to Try at Home

Whether you’re planning ahead for the Fourth or just want something festive and easy, I’ve got more patriotic favorites that keep things simple.

Patriotic 4th of July Trifle

This Patriotic 4th of July Trifle is a festive, no-bake dessert layered with soft pound cake, fluffy cream cheese whip, and plenty of fresh blueberries and strawberries. It’s quick to assemble, easy to make ahead, and always looks like you put in way more effort than you actually did. It also works for backyard cookouts, potlucks, and simple dinners—it fits right in no matter the occasion. The layers hold up beautifully in the fridge, and honestly, it tastes even better once it’s had time to chill.

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Prep Time: 30

Total Time: 30

Course: Dessert

Cuisine: American

Keyword: Patriotic 4th July Trifle, Patriotic 4th of July Trifle

Servings:

Calories: 487kcal

Equipment

Ingredients

8 ounces cream cheese at room temperature
½ cup granulated sugar
1 ½ cups heavy cream
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
1 pound pound cake cubed
2 cups blueberries
2 strawberries stems removed and slice

US Customary – Metric

Instructions

In a large mixing bowl, beat the softened cream cheese and sugar on medium-high speed until smooth and creamy (about 1–2 minutes). Scrape down the sides of the bowl.
8 ounces cream cheese, ½ cup granulated sugar
Slowly add the heavy cream and vanilla. Once combined, switch to the whisk attachment (or a hand whisk) and beat until soft peaks form and the mixture becomes light and fluffy.
1 ½ cups heavy cream, 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
In a large trifle dish (12–14 cup capacity), start by layering the bottom with half of the pound cake cubes.
1 pound pound cake
Top with about two-thirds of the blueberries and strawberries, spreading them evenly over the cake.
2 cups blueberries, 2 strawberries
Spoon about one-third of the whipped cream mixture on top of the berries and gently spread to cover. Repeat the layers until you reach the top, finishing with a layer of cream.
Decorate the top with the remaining berries for a festive red, white, and blue look. For best results, chill for 1 hour before serving.

Video

[adthrive-in-post-video-player video-id=”NvdnTMow” upload-date=”2025-09-25T09:06:39+00:00″ name=”Simple Red White and Blue Trifle” description=”The best patriotic berry trifle recipe for holiday gatherings.” player-type=”default” override-embed=”default”]

Notes

Soften Your Cream Cheese: Cold cream cheese won’t mix well and can leave lumps. Let it sit out for 30 minutes first.
Whip the Cream Just Enough: You want soft peaks for the perfect light texture, not too loose and not too stiff.
Use a Clear Glass Bowl: It’s not required, but a glass dish like this makes the colors pop and adds to the visual wow factor.
Use Fresh or Day-Old Pound Cake: Fresh is great, but slightly stale pound cake holds its shape better and soaks up flavor without falling apart.
Pat Berries Dry: After rinsing, gently blot the berries with a paper towel so they don’t add extra moisture to your layers.
Make It Ahead: Assembled trifles hold up well in the fridge overnight, so this is a great one to prep the day before your event.
Chill Before Serving: Letting it rest in the fridge for at least an hour gives the layers time to meld and makes it easier to scoop cleanly.

Nutrition

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About the Author

A woman with long brown hair is smiling and standing with her arms crossed. She is wearing a sleeveless, black and white diamond-patterned dress.

Hey there! I’m Mandy

Mandy Applegate is a home cook, food blogger, and writer who believes the best meals are the ones shared with the people you love.

She’s all about easy recipes that taste amazing, the kind that make ordinary days feel a little more special and remind you why cooking at home matters.

She has been published on NBC, the Daily News, the Boston Herald, and the Chicago Sun-Times, amongst many others.

Patriotic 4th of July Trifle

Ingredients You’ll Need