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When our daughters were young, I liked to make a Patriotic Berry Dessert for the 4th of July. Filled with strawberry and blueberry gelatin, whipped cream, berries, and angel food cake, it was the highlight of the evening, usually enjoyed following the fireworks display.
As a grandma, I still enjoy making this dessert. The grandkids (and their parents) eagerly watch as the first dishes are filled. Creamy, refreshing, and yummy. And oh, so lovely in Red, White, and Blue.
Ingredients for Patriotic Berry Dessert
(As a Walmart Affiliate, I earn from qualified purchases at no price increase for you. See the full recipe at the bottom of this post.)
Choosing the Serving Dish
When deciding which dish to use for this dessert, a trifle works best, but I’ve also used a wide compote dish. The main things to consider when choosing a dish is to pick one large enough to hold the ingredients, but also one that is clear so you can see the pretty colors.
If you enjoy thrift store or garage sale shopping, you may easily find used glass trifle dishes. I found one for under $10 at an antique store this past year and was so excited. However, you may also purchase them at a store, such as the one below available on Amazon.
As an Amazon Associate, I earn from qualified purchases at no additional charge for you.
Buy Now → 
Instructions for Making This Recipe
Advance Preparations
This recipe has a couple of items that need advance preparation. You’ll want to begin making this dessert early in the day, or one day before you serve.
To begin, you’ll need to bake an angel food cake (either homemade or a package variety) according to baking instructions. Allow to cool before cutting into pieces.
Slice the cake into bite-size cubes. I found using a serrated bread knife works well for doing this task.
You may opt to buy an angel food cake that is already made. If so, the loaf type would work really well for this recipe. One will be enough.
Prepare the strawberry and blueberry gelatin according to package directions. Cover each and refrigerate to set. I always follow the quick-set directions using ice instead of cold water.
If desired, you may add fresh cut strawberries to the strawberry gelatin before it sets. And blueberries to the blueberry gelatin. You may choose to do either, both, or none. Your choice.
Rinse and drain the strawberries and blueberries. If desired, you may cut the strawberries in half or in chunks.
If you’ve opted to mix the fruit in the gelatin, you may want to save a few berries for garnishing on top.
Assemble the Dessert
Once the cake has been cubed and the gelatin has set, you’re ready to begin making the dessert. Gather your ingredients so that you have everything close at hand on the counter or table.
In a large mixing bowl and using a large wire whisk, whip together the container of whipped topping and Fiori di Sicilia flavoring. If you don’t have this flavoring, you may easily skip this step.
Begin assembling the dessert by adding the Red Layer. Spoon the set strawberry gelatin with strawberries to the bottom of the dish.
If you didn’t add strawberries to the gelatin, spoon them over the gelatin now in a single layer.
Next create the White Layer, by spooning the whipped topping mixture over the strawberries. Sprinkle the miniature marshmallows over the cream and then generously add pieces of cake over the marshmallows. Top with more whipped topping, pressing down to pack the cream.
The cake and cream is the “filler” for this dessert and will take up the majority of the space. Use as much as you need to fill the dish, leaving just enough at the top for the blueberry gelatin.
Next, cover the white layer with Blue by spooning the berry gelatin over the cake and whipped cream mixture. Add half of the fresh blueberries over the gelatin, saving some for garnishing the top.
Finish by covering the blue layer with the remaining whipped topping, carefully spreading it to the edges. If desired, use sliced strawberries and blueberries to make a star design. Be sure to get kids involved in making this dessert. They especially enjoy finishing the dessert with their own artwork!
Cover the dish with plastic wrap and refrigerate until ready to serve. Patriotic Berry Dessert is best eaten the day you prepare it, but you may enjoy leftovers for 3-4 days. It will still taste good, but will not be as pretty for serving. This recipe will serve 8-10 people.
Patriotic Berry Dessert – Alternate Version
This berry dessert is so yummy and adaptable, I wanted to include a second way to serve it to your family. This one is based on fruit, cake, and cream with no gelatin.
To make this version, simply follow the ingredients above, but skip the gelatin and marshmallows. Depending on the size of your serving dish, you may need to double the amount of angel food cake, whipped topping, and fruit.
Assemble the dessert starting with cake on the bottom of the dish, and strawberries and blueberries on the outer edge. Top this with a layer of the whipped topping mixture. Continue layering with cake, whipped topping, and berries until you reach the top of the dish.
Arrange the remaining strawberries and blueberries in a decorative pattern on the top, if desired. Serve immediately, or cover and refrigerate until ready to serve. Again, this dessert is best eaten the day it is made. This version will serve 8-10.
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Patriotic Berry Dessert
(As an Amazon Associate, I earn from qualifying purchases.)
Ingredients
- 1 whole angel food cake (See my Homemade Recipe Here)
- 3 oz strawberry gelatin
- 3 oz blueberry gelatin
- 1 pint strawberries (sliced)
- 1 pint blueberries
- 12 oz whipped topping
- 1/8 teaspoon Fiori de Sicilia (optional)
- 2 cups miniature marshmallows
Instructions
- This recipe has a couple of items that need advance preparation. You’ll want to begin making this dessert early in the day, or one day before you serve.
Bake and Slice the Cake
- To begin, bake an angel food cake (either homemade or package variety) according to baking instructions. Allow to cool before cutting into pieces.
- (You may opt to buy an angel food cake that is already made. If so, the loaf type would work really well for this recipe. One should be enough.)
- Slice the cake into bite-size cubes. I found using a serrated bread knife works well for doing this task.
Prepare the Gelatin and Strawberries
- Prepare strawberry and blueberry gelatin according to package directions. Cover each and refrigerate to set.
- Rinse and drain the strawberries and blueberries. If desired, you may cut the strawberries in half or in chunks.
- (If desired, you may add fresh cut strawberries to the strawberry gelatin before it sets, and/or fresh blueberries to the blueberry gelatin.)
Assemble the Dessert
- Gather your ingredients so that you have everything close at hand on the counter or table.
- In a large mixing bowl, using a large wire whisk, whip together one container of whipped topping and Fiori di Sicilia flavoring. (This step is optional.)
- Begin assembling the dessert by making the Red layer. Spoon the set strawberry gelatin with strawberries to the bottom of the dish. If you didn't add strawberries to the gelatin, spoon them over the gelatin now in a single layer.
- Next create the White layer, by spooning the whipped topping mixture over the strawberries. Sprinkle miniature marshmallows over the whipped cream. Generously add pieces of cake over this, and top with more whipped topping, pressing down to pack the cream.
- The cake and cream is the "filler" for this dessert, and will take up the majority of the space. Use as much as you need to fill the dish, leaving just enough at the top for the blueberry gelatin.
- Next, spoon the blue gelatin over the whipped cream mixture. Add half of the fresh blueberries over the gelatin.
- Finish by covering the blue layer with the remaining whipped topping, carefully spreading it to the edges. If desired, use sliced strawberries and blueberries to make a star design.
- Serve immediately or cover and refrigerate until ready to serve. Serves 8.
Notes
- To make a second version of this dessert, simply follow the ingredients above, but skip the gelatin and marshmallows. Depending on the size of your serving dish, you may need to double the amounts of angel food cake, whipped topping and fruit. Assemble by layering the cake, whipped topping mixture, and fruit until you reach the top.
- Both of these desserts are best served the day you make them, but may be refrigerated for up to 4 days.
