Lemon-Blueberry Trifle

This Lemon-Blueberry Trifle makes the perfect ending to a summer cookout. There’s nothing like homemade pastry cream (pudding from the box doesn’t even compare). And the lemon-blueberry combo screams summer! We make this trifle easier to put together by using store-bought angel food cake. Feel free to swap the blueberries with another of your favorite berries—or use mixed berries. They all add antioxidants and some fiber, and any of them go great with lemon. Keep reading for our expert tips and tricks to make this wonderfully sweet, tart dessert all summer long.

Tips from the EatingWell Test Kitchen

These are the key tips we learned while developing and testing this recipe in our Test Kitchen to make sure it works, tastes great and is good for you too! 

• To prepare this recipe in advance, store the pastry cream in an airtight container with plastic wrap or buttered parchment paper placed directly on the surface. It can be refrigerated this way for up to three days. The assembled trifle can also be covered and refrigerated for up to 24 hours. 
• If you like the texture of lemon zest in the pastry cream, you don’t need to strain it.
• If you don’t have bottled simple syrup, you can make a small amount to use in this recipe. Combine 1½ Tbsp. sugar and 3 Tbsp. water in a small microwaveable bowl. Microwave on High until bubbling and the sugar is dissolved, about 1 minute. Measure out 2 Tbsp. for the recipe and discard the rest.
• Substitute part or all of the lemon with lime zest and juice to make lemon-lime or lime pastry creams. Also, any type of berry can be used instead of blueberries or in combination.

Nutrition Notes

• As their color suggests, blueberries are loaded with antioxidants. This, combined with their fiber, vitamins and minerals, helps link them to reduced chronic inflammation and disease, lower blood pressure and cholesterol, and improved cognitive function. Blueberries may even benefit aging skin. 
• Like other citrus fruits, lemons are high in vitamin C and antioxidants and provide some fiber. Lemons are associated with improved immunity and skin health, and may reduce your risk of kidney stones. The vitamin C in lemons will also help your body better absorb plant-based iron.
• While angel food cake does not provide much in the way of nutrition, it is a low-calorie, low-fat vehicle to load up with healthy ingredients. And you can’t replicate the taste and texture of angel food cake with anything else—so enjoy!