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Light Spring Berry Trifle with Creamy Mascarpone

light spring berry trifle - featured image

A light and fresh trifle featuring layers of vanilla-soaked sponge cake, whipped mascarpone cream, and vibrant mixed berries. Perfect for spring and summer, this quick dessert is both indulgent and refreshing.

Ingredients

Scale
  • 6 ounces sponge cake or ladyfingers, sliced into cubes and lightly vanilla-soaked
  • 8 ounces mascarpone cheese, softened
  • 1 cup heavy cream, chilled
  • 3 tablespoons powdered sugar
  • 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
  • 3 cups fresh mixed berries (strawberries, blueberries, raspberries, blackberries)
  • 1 tablespoon fresh lemon juice
  • Optional: 2 tablespoons liqueur (Grand Marnier or fruit liqueur) or berry juice for soaking the cake

Instructions

  1. Slice sponge cake or ladyfingers into bite-sized cubes. Soak the cake cubes in liqueur or berry juice for about 5 minutes until just moistened but not soggy. Set aside.
  2. In a chilled bowl, whip the heavy cream with an electric mixer on medium-high speed until soft peaks form, about 3-4 minutes. Be careful not to overwhip.
  3. In another bowl, combine softened mascarpone, powdered sugar, and vanilla extract. Gently fold in the whipped cream with a spatula, keeping the mixture light and airy.
  4. Rinse and gently pat dry the mixed berries. Hull and slice strawberries if needed. Toss berries with fresh lemon juice to brighten their flavor.
  5. Assemble the trifle by layering soaked cake cubes at the bottom of a trifle bowl, followed by a layer of mascarpone cream, then a layer of mixed berries. Repeat layers until the bowl is filled, finishing with a berry layer on top. Chill for at least 2 hours before serving.

Notes

Keep all ingredients chilled before assembly for best results. Do not over-soak the cake to avoid sogginess. Fold mascarpone and whipped cream gently to maintain airy texture. The trifle tastes better after chilling overnight. For dairy-free, substitute mascarpone with coconut cream and use plant-based whipped topping. Use gluten-free sponge cake or ladyfingers for gluten-free version.

Nutrition

Keywords: spring dessert, berry trifle, mascarpone trifle, easy dessert, light dessert, summer dessert, berry dessert, quick trifle