by Alexa Sparkman, MA, RD, LD with Kathryn Kangos, Jessica LeBarre, Sama Kaskas, Shelly Taylor & Gracie M. Alvarado V., C.S.C.S., ut nutrition students | photo by Nicole Story

Layers of colorful berries balance the creamy taste of mascarpone cheese in this delicious blackberry trifle. Satisfy your sweet tooth while getting a dose of antioxidants at the same time.

Nutrition: Blackberry Trifle

Calories:290 cal / Carbs: 40 g
Fat: 13 g / Fiber: 5 g
Protein: 3.5 g / Sodium: 400 mgs


What You Need: Trifle

Angel food cake store-bought ($4.40)
1 cup light whipped topping ($2.06)
2 tablespoons white sugar ($0.10)
2/3 cup mascarpone cheese ($4.49)
1 teaspoon vanilla ($0.28)
1 cup blackberry sauce (recipe below) ($3.99)
1 cup fresh blackberries ($3.50)
1 cup fresh strawberries, sliced ($2.79)

How To Make It: Trifle

Using a large round cookie cutter make eight circles from the cake.

Mascarpone Cream: Combine whipped topping sugar, mascarpone and vanilla in a large bowl and whip until soft peaks form.

Assemble trifles:
{1} Place one angel food cake round on bottom of each trifle glass.
{2} Spoon 1-2 tablespoons of cooled blackberry sauce on top of each angel food cake round.
{3} Add a few blackberries.
{4} Add a large dollop of the mascarpone cream on top of blackberries.
{5} Repeat steps 1-4. Add strawberries in place of or in addition to blackberries. Cover and refrigerate for at least 4 hours.

Makes 4 trifles. Each serving = 1½ cups


What You Need: Blackberry Sauce

1/4 cup white sugar ($0.12)
1/2 teaspoon cornstarch ($0.01)
1/8 teaspoon ground cinnamon ($0.09)
Pinch of salt ($0.A)
1/3 cup water ($0.00)
1 cup fresh blackberries ($3.50)
Zest from ½ lemon ($0.17)
2 teaspoons lemon juice ($0.05)

How To Make It: Blackberry Sauce

{1} Combine sugar, cornstarch, cinnamon, salt and water in a medium sauce pan and stir until smooth.
{2} Add blackberries and place pan over medium heat. Cook until sauce thickens and becomes translucent.
{3} Add lemon zest and lemon juice. Allow sauce to cool. Cover and refrigerate.

Recipe Cost per serving: $5.40
Restaurant Cost per serving: $7.00