Lemon Blueberry Trifle Recipe

This delectable lemon blueberry trifle recipe is sure to receive oohs and ahhs and rave reviews at your next gathering. Made with angel food cake, fresh blueberries, and a creamy lemon cheesecake filling with an optional boozy twist, this is the no bake summer dessert of your dreams.

Trifles are such a beautifully elegant yet super easy dessert to make. Plus they are cold and can be made without any cooking for the perfect cool summer dessert.

To make this dessert even quicker, I like to use a store bought angel food cake. Though, my secret to "fixing" a homemade cake that didn't turn out quite right (maybe it stuck to the pan or is too dry and crumbly) is to turn it into a trifle.

Lemon Blueberry Trifle Layers And Substitutes

1. Cake - I used a store-bought angel food cake but a premade pound cake or homemade cake will also work just fine. Use a lemon flavored cake if you like things extra lemony.

2. Limoncello - This is a lemon flavored liquor that is pretty strong so a little goes a long way. I love the extra flavor it brings to this lemon trifle but if you'll be serving it to children or those who refrain from alcohol, you will want to skip this optional ingredient.

3. Whipped cream - This ingredient is used both in the filling and as a garnish. I make it easy by just spreading it on the top, but you can make the trifle look extra fancy by piping it on.

I really prefer homemade whipped cream for this homemade trifle but some of you may be wondering if you can use whipped topping instead. I haven't tried it so I can't say for sure how the texture would be but it should turn out okay.

4. Lemon cheesecake filling - The best part! This isn't like your traditional baked cheesecake but it's creamy, light, and fluffy with a nice mix of sweet and tart flavors with cream cheese, homemade lemon curd (you can of course use store-bought), and whipped cream.

If for some reason you really just do not like lemon, you could use a jam instead of the curd like raspberry, etc. Just be sure to check the sweetness level of the filling before assembling to make sure you don't need to add sugar.

5. Fresh blueberries - Blueberries and lemon are one of the flavor favorite combinations of all time but you could use other fresh berries too like blackberries, raspberries, strawberries, or cherries.

One benefit of using blueberries, though, is that they can be kept whole while still being bite-sized and not make the trifle too wet the longer it sits.

I don't recommend using frozen blueberries unless you absolutely have to because they will let off a lot of liquid. If you do decide to use frozen berries, be sure to let them thaw and drain as much of the liquid as possible before assembling.

Recommended Equipment

• Trifle Dish - This is the traditional dish to put a trifle in but you could use a large glass bowl if you prefer.
• A hand mixer or stand mixer - A mixer makes the whipped cream and filling much easier and quicker to make.
• A serrated knife - This helps make the cake cubes uniform without potentially smashing them with a traditional knife.
• Large mixing bowl - You'll need one of these to make the whipped cream and cheesecake filling.
• A large spatula - For transferring and spreading the filling and whipped cream.
• Measuring spoons - You'll want a good set of measuring spoons for almost any recipe you make.
• Measuring cups - Dry measuring cups for things like measuring the berries, and wet measuring cups for measuring the cream and curd.

Can I Make This Trifle Ahead Of Time?

Yes, you actually want to make this trifle at least two hours ahead of serving to allow time for the flavors to meld together.

I think the trifle tastes best serving it about 6 to 8 hours after putting it together but you can make it the night before and serve it the next day too. After the first day, it will still taste delicious but it will not look quite as mouthwatering.

Can I Make Individual Trifles Instead?

Absolutely you can turn this recipe into individual trifles! The exact amount you'll get will depend on the size of the dishes you're using but you can assemble the layers the same as directed.

Can I Use Lemon Extract Instead Of Vanilla?

I chose to use vanilla in this recipe to help balance the sweet to tangy lemon flavor ration. You can use lemon extract instead if you really really enjoy lemon.

I'd start by using half the amount and tasting to make sure it's not too much of a lemon punch.

Looking For A Patriotic Dessert?

Since this blueberry lemon trifle dessert screams summer you may want to add a patriotic touch to serve on Memorial Day or the 4th of July. To do this, just add some red berries such as pitted cherries, strawberries, or raspberries in with the blueberry layers.

You can also add some of the red berries to the top with the blueberries.

More Dessert Recipes Using Fresh Berries

• American Flag Cheesecake with Raspberries and Blueberries
• Strawberry Shortcake Made With Brownies
• Strawberries Stuffed With Cheesecake
• No-Bake Cheesecake Parfaits With Berries
• Berries lacking in flavor? Learn how to macerate fruit for extra deliciousness.