Easy Desserts: Summer Fruit Trifle Recipe

Trifle is a fantastic dessert any time of year, but especially during summer when the fruit ingredients are in season. Trifle has gained popularity in the last few years and some really tasty and creative variations have followed. I have seen Chocolate Trifle, Red Velvet Trifle, and even Red, White, and Blue Trifle. The glass trifle bowl is like a vase, displaying the colorful contents within. For this reason, trifle makes a beautiful dessert centerpiece for a party, luncheon, or family dinner.

My recipe and other modern trifle desserts are different from the original English version. To find out what traditional English trifle was like, I asked my British friend to describe what she had growing up in England. It is always fun to translate the British to American English when we talk. She described her family's trifle recipe as follows:

• bottom layer of "sponge fingers" (must be like ladyfingers)
• layer of "jelly" (gelatin)
• layer of "tinned" (canned) fruit, usually peaches
• layer of custard
• whipped cream on top

Some British recipes call for a layer of jam over the bottom layer of cake. I have found American recipes from years ago that include jam (or preserves), but it seems to have been phased out along with the Jello. In my area, many recipes call for yellow cake as the base, though angel food cake (the American version of sponge cake) is very popular. Angel food cake can be made from scratch or a box mix, but even the store-bought one works fine for a good trifle.

Most trifle recipes call for a layering of ingredients for a spectacular presentation, not to mention the delicious and refreshing taste. The trifle I make is special for several reasons. To keep the recipe quick and easy, I use store-bought angel food cake, boxed pudding mix, and Cool Whip. Don’t be turned off, though! My secret ingredients transform the dessert into something special. I use:

• sour cream and Cool Whip to make the pudding thick and rich
• Amaretto liqueur that soaks the cake and adds a kick
• fresh peaches for an additional Southern flair
• fresh berries when available

My easy no-bake recipe is below, as well as a mini trifle idea for kids.

Trifle bowls even come in mini sizes, which are perfect for individual servings. Leave out the Amaretto and let the kids make their own trifle desserts. Set out the fruit, cake, pudding and Cool Whip on the counter and let the kids take over. They can tear the cake into small pieces and layer the ingredients however they want. Add a twist by substituting white cheesecake pudding for the vanilla flavor. Everyone loves a good trifle!