↑

Pumpkin 'N Spice

Where easy recipes and lifestyle collide

You are here: Home / Cakes and Cupcakes / Berry Vanilla Pudding Pound Cake Trifle

Berry Vanilla Pudding Pound Cake Trifle

Cakes and Cupcakes Desserts Seasonal Favorites

This Summer Berry Pound Cake Trifle is filled with creamy, whipped vanilla pudding, buttery pound cake chunks, and fresh blueberries and raspberries. It’s layered together to create an easy summer treat that’s ready in no time! Perfect for the 4th of July! 

Two pound cake trifles in glass jars, next to a sliced loaf of pound cake.

Even though I’m fully grown and haven’t been in school for quite some time now, I still think of the 4th of July as the halfway point of summer. I still even get that back-to-school feeling when August rolls around!

So, I’m squashing the feeling of summer being almost halfway over with…which, really, it’s not! Instead, let’s just focus on some patriotic treats today. Sound like a plan?

If you’ve been hanging around here long enough, you know that easy treats are the name of my game. So, it only seemed fitting to share with you a simple, yet festive treat that just screams summer and 4th of July fun.

This summer berry trifle with pound cake is filled with creamy, whipped vanilla pudding, buttery pound cake chunks, and fresh blueberries and raspberries. It’s layered together to create an easy summer treat that’s ready in no time!

The blueberries and raspberries create a deliciously sweet flavor and are perfectly festive for the 4th. Layer everything together and you have the perfect berry trifle with pound cake. 

Overhead view of two summer berry trifles in glass jars.

Ingredients for Pound Cake Trifle 

You need just 6 simple ingredients to make this summer berry trifle! Here’s what goes into this red, white, and blue dessert: 

  • Instant vanilla pudding mix
  • 2% milk
  • Whipped topping (such as Cool Whip)
  • Pound cake
  • Fresh blueberries
  • Fresh raspberries 

Do I Have to Use Instant Pudding? 

I’m a total sucker for the boxed, instant pudding, which is what I used in this recipe. You can definitely make your own pudding, but to keep things simple, I opted for vanilla. (My favorite kind, by the way!)

Do I Have to Use Store-Bought Pound Cake? 

For this pound cake trifle recipe, I used Sara Lee butter pound cake that you can find in your grocer’s freezer. I’ve mentioned this before (and I’m not getting paid to say this), but Sara Lee pound cake is the best. My favorite! It reminds me of my childhood.

Of course, homemade pound cake is even better, but again….we’re going for easy today!

A summer berry trifle with pound cake cubes in a glass jar.

How to Make Pound Cake Trifle

This berry trifle takes all of 10 minutes to prepare, and it can be served immediately! 

  1. In a large bowl, whisk together the instant pudding mix and milk for 2-3 minutes, or until it starts to thicken.
  2. Gently fold the whipped topping into the pudding until just combined. Set aside.
  3. Place about ¼ cup of pound cake cubes into the bottom of a glass jar or trifle.
  4. Spread a layer of pudding mixture on top of pound cake.
  5. Add about 1/4 cup of blueberries on top of pudding, followed by more pound cake cubes, another layer of pudding, and then top the pudding with about 1/4 cup of raspberries.
  6. Repeat until you’re out of ingredients, ending with pudding.

This simple dessert is impressive enough for parties, get-togethers, and for watching the fireworks on July 4th. And I guarantee you’ll be making this treat all year long!

A berry and pound cake trifle in a glass jar.

Tips for Making a Summer Berry Trifle

  • I chose to serve this pound cake trifle in mini mason jars for ease and cuteness, but feel free to use a regular trifle dish.
  • Make sure to buy instant vanilla pudding mix for this recipe. If you accidentally buy cook and serve, you’ll have to prepare it on the stove and then chill it in the fridge until cool. 
  • Make sure your milk is fridge cold before mixing it into the pudding mix. 

Looking for more pound cake desserts? I’ve got you covered!

This Berry Vanilla Pudding Pound Cake Trifle is filled with creamy, whipped vanilla pudding, buttery pound cake chunks, and fresh blueberries and raspberries. It's layered together to create an easy summer treat that's ready in no time!
Print Pin

Summer Berry Pound Cake Trifle

This Summer Berry Pound Cake Trifle is filled with whipped vanilla pudding, buttery pound cake chunks, fresh blueberries and raspberries.
Course Dessert
Cuisine American
Keyword 4th of july, cake recipe, holiday dessert
Prep Time 10 minutes
Total Time 10 minutes
Servings 3 mini trifles or one medium trifle

Ingredients

  • 1 box (3.4 ounce) instant vanilla pudding mix
  • 2 cups 2% milk (should be cold)
  • 1 container (8 ounce) whipped topping (such as Cool Whip), thawed
  • 1 (16 ounce) pound cake , cut into small cubes
  • 3 cups fresh blueberries
  • 3 cups fresh raspberries

Instructions

  • In a large bowl, whisk together the instant pudding mix and milk for 2-3 minutes, or until it starts to thicken.
  • Gently fold whipped topping into pudding until just combined. Set aside.
  • Place about ¼ cup of pound cake cubes into the bottom of a glass jar or trifle. Spread a layer of pudding mixture on top of pound cake. Add about 1/4 cup of blueberries on top of pudding, followed by more pound cake cubes, another layer of pudding, and then top the pudding with about 1/4 cup of raspberries.
  • Repeat with rest of jars. If using a medium trifle dish, repeat the layering process, ending with pudding.
  • Serve immediately or refrigerate until ready to serve.

Notes

  • If you'd rather make your own pound cake rather than buy it from the store, I recommend making this pound cake recipe. It calls for chocolate chips, so simply omit them. 
Tried this recipe?Mention @pumpkin_n_spice or tag #pumpkin_n_spice!

 

By Gayle |

Comments

  1. Blair @ The Seasoned Mom says

    Mmm…this is the perfect dessert in my opinion! I love trifles, I love when a recipe comes together easily, and I love anything in a jar! Beautiful, Gayle! Now if only you could bring some to me TODAY!

    Reply

    • Gayle says

      Jars just seem to make desserts taste better! Thank you, Blair! I would definitely bring you some if I could! 🙂

      Reply

  2. Mir says

    I might have mentioned this before, but the Sara Lee pound cake holds a special place in my heart. This looks so refreshing and happy!
    And thank goodness the east coast skews summer later to the first of September. Our summer is just getting started here!

    Reply

  3. Megan - The Emotional Baker says

    I spent the first half of my childhood oblivious to this halfway point, but then someone pointed it out to me and ever since I get really sad when we hit this point in summer! (But didn’t summer just start?) Well, whatever, I’ll cure my sorrows by having lots of this trifle! Such a perfect hot weather treat 🙂

    Reply

    • Gayle says

      I feel like summer just started! But I love your thinking, let’s drown our sorrows with this trifle! 🙂

      Reply

  5. Danielle says

    I’m not quite sure how it’s already almost the 4th of July. I feel like this year has just totally flown by. Looks like we were on the same wavelength with the trifles today! I love those beautiful layers and that you used pudding in them too. What a gorgeous treat!

    Reply

    • Gayle says

      Yay for being trifles twins! Thanks for the kind words, Danielle! This years is going by so fast, I wish there was a pause button in life! 🙂

      Reply

  6. Dawn @ Girl Heart Food says

    Where does the time go, Gayle? We are celebrating Canada Day here on July 1st. And when I think about it, around here in August, Costco starts to put little bits of Christmas stuff out. Unreal. However, I’m going to think that Summer just started and we have lots of grilling and sunny days to look forward to, right 😉 Love this trifle! What a great idea mixing the Cool Whip with the pudding! Sarah Lee cakes are such a childhood treat, aren’t they? I remember having McCain chocolate cake, too. Not sure if you have them in the US. They were good too. And all those berries just makes this the perfect Summertime treat! Pinning, of course 🙂 Great way to start the week 🙂

    Reply

    • Gayle says

      Isn’t it crazy how early stores start putting out Christmas decorations? I hate that! But your are so right, we have a lot of summer left! I’ve never heard of McCain cake, but that does sound delicious. Thanks for the kind words and pin, friend!

      Reply

  7. Demeter | Beaming Baker says

    Oh dang, is the summer really almost half over? Say it ain’t so, Gayle! Rats… and I thought it was just starting! Okay, I’m all for squashing that feeling with this gorgeous pound cake trifle. The bounty of berries in this dessert is just everything. YUM! Hoping you have a great start to the week G! Pinning, of course!

    Reply

    • Gayle says

      I guess summer isn’t really half over, but it kind of feels like it once the 4th hits! Thanks for the trifle love and pin, Demeter!

      Reply

  8. Kristine | Kristine's Kitchen says

    Yes, let’s focus on the fun and festive treats instead of the end of summer- I’m not nearly ready for that yet! You make the best easy desserts, Gayle! These berry trifles are beautiful, and I know they would be a huge hit with my family!

    Reply

  9. Liz @ Floating Kitchen says

    Oh my gosh, I don’t think I realized how close 4th of July was until I just read your first sentence. Eeek! I need to get moving on some red, white and blue recipes! :-). Love these trifles. Individual desserts have my heart. Swoon.

    Reply

    • Gayle says

      Thank you, Liz! I’m trying to forget that summer is flying by and instead indulging in LOTS of desserts! 🙂

      Reply

  10. marcie says

    It’s ridiculously close to the 4th and I’m nowhere near ready for it! I just made trifles like this for Mother’s Day and wondered why I don’t it more often? They’re so fun and you can’t beat individual desserts! I grew up on Sara Lee pound cakes too — I haven’t had one of those in so long! They would certainly make this a lot easier, and these are just perfect for the 4th!

    Reply

    • Gayle says

      Thanks, Marcie! I don’t buy Sara Lee pound cake a lot, because I seriously eat the whole loaf in no time! 🙂

      Reply

  11. Amanda says

    What a tasty trifle! And I love the presentation in the jars. How fun.
    Whenever I see back to school supplies in stores I still feel a little sad for kids. I always remember how angry I used to get about how they’d stock the shelves with that stuff in about July. Haha. Happy 4th!

    Reply

    • Gayle says

      Haha yes! It’s just too early to start thinking about going back to school. Thanks for the kind words, Amanda!

      Reply

  15. Cheyanne @ No Spoon Necessary says

    These trifles are so festive and fun, Gayle!! Love that you combined the pudding with whipped topping! I bet that makes it so airy and light! And serving these in mini mason jars is genius! Pinned! Cheers, friend!

    P.s. I can’t believe the 4th is next week either! Crazy how fast this year is going!

    Reply

  16. Keri @ Fashionable Foods says

    I feel the same about the 4th being the halfway point for summer! I am excited to visit family for the 3-day weekend and see some fireworks. This trifle looks SO pretty! My mom used to always make trifles for summer barbecues and she always used the sara lee pound cake! 🙂

    Reply

  17. annie@ciaochowbambina.com says

    A lady after my own heart with this one! I love trifles! It’s hard to believe the 4th of July is shortly upon us! (Actually – I shouldn’t be too shocked since I’m already looking at Christmas! 😉 )

    Reply

  21. Kelly says

    This year is going by way too fast! I can’t believe June is almost over! These trifles would be perfect for 4th of July or any summer party!! So adorable and pretty!

    Reply

  23. Annie says

    This looks beautiful! This is one of those recipes everyone needs on hand for when you need to have a beautiful but easy dessert!

    Reply

  24. Ashley - The Recipe Rebel says

    That is so strange to me — here July 4 our summer is just beginning! School here runs right until the end of June (sometimes the 26th or 27th if it’s an earlier year), and we don’t go back until after the long weekend in September! Either way, this year I feel like we’re getting an extra, EXTRA long summer with the way the weather has been and I’m not complaining! These are so fun and perfect for quick parties!

    Reply

    • Gayle says

      Haha and your schedule feels strange to me! Schools start early here, usually in mid August (some starting a little later) and then get out in late May or early June. When I was little, we started school after Labor Day weekend, but that’s long gone now…so summer is almost halfway over for us! 🙂

      Reply

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

Recipe Rating




Featured in:

Featured On