Description
A bright, layered dessert featuring vanilla pound cake, fresh spring berries, and a light lemon mascarpone cream.
Ingredients
Scale
- 1 pound vanilla pound cake, cut into 1-inch cubes
- 3 cups mixed fresh berries (strawberries, raspberries, blueberries)
- 1/4 cup granulated sugar for berries
- 1 tablespoon lemon juice for berries
- 1 cup heavy whipping cream
- 8 ounces mascarpone cheese, softened
- 1/2 cup powdered sugar
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- Zest of 1 lemon
- 1/4 cup milk or half-and-half (optional, for moistening cake)
Instructions
- Prepare the berries: Gently toss the mixed berries with the 1/4 cup granulated sugar and 1 tablespoon lemon juice. Set aside for 15 minutes to allow juices to release.
- Make the lemon mascarpone cream: In a medium bowl, beat the heavy whipping cream until soft peaks form. In a separate bowl, beat the softened mascarpone cheese, powdered sugar, vanilla extract, and lemon zest until smooth.
- Fold the whipped cream into the mascarpone mixture until just combined. Do not overmix.
- Assemble the trifle: Select a large glass trifle bowl. Arrange half of the pound cake cubes in a single layer at the bottom. If the cake seems dry, lightly drizzle with milk or half-and-half.
- Spread half of the prepared berries evenly over the cake layer.
- Top the berries with half of the lemon mascarpone cream, spreading it gently.
- Repeat the layers: Add the remaining pound cake cubes, followed by the remaining berries, and finish with the remaining lemon mascarpone cream.
- Chill the trifle for at least 4 hours, or preferably overnight, before serving to allow the flavors to meld and the cake to soften.
Notes
- You can substitute the pound cake with store-bought angel food cake or sponge cake for a lighter texture.
- Reserve a few perfect berries for garnish on top before chilling.
- If you prefer a tangier cream, increase the lemon zest to the full amount of one large lemon.
- Prep Time: 25 min
- Cook Time: 0 min
- Category: Dessert
- Method: Layering
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 serving
- Calories: 450
- Sugar: 35
- Sodium: 150
- Fat: 28
- Saturated Fat: 17
- Unsaturated Fat: 11
- Trans Fat: 0.5
- Carbohydrates: 45
- Fiber: 2
- Protein: 7
- Cholesterol: 95