This post has been sponsored by Pillsbury™ and MARS Inc. All thoughts and opinions are my own.
Patriotic Mini Trifles: The Ultimate Red, White & Blue Celebration Dessert
Layers of Pillsbury™ Funfetti® Cake, creamy frosting, delightful Snickers, and vibrant M&M’s combine to create these irresistible Patriotic Mini Trifles – the perfect way to express your love for Red, White, and Blue!
Looking for more festive dessert inspiration? Explore our delicious Lemon Berry Trifles.
Celebrate with Flavor: A Season of Patriotism and Sweet Treats
As Memorial Day passes, we pause to honor the brave men and women who have served our country. Flag Day is just around the corner, a beautiful prelude to the grand celebration of Independence Day. Soon, skies will light up with fireworks, and homes will echo with laughter, all under the proud banner of Red, White, and Blue!
For our family, the excitement for the Fourth of July truly begins on July 5th – when we start dreaming up the next year’s dessert masterpiece. I still fondly remember the Patriotic Layer Cake I crafted a few years ago, a real showstopper. And for the little ones, who deserve their own special treats, the Patriotic Crispy Treats were always a huge hit.
This year, I craved something equally festive and impressive, yet a little less labor-intensive. Something that would still elicit that universal “WOW!” factor. And that’s how these delightful Patriotic Mini Trifles were born. They’re fun for adults, captivating for kids, and absolutely heavenly for chocolate lovers. Without a doubt, these mini trifles will be a highlight of our Independence Day celebration, rivaled only by the spectacular fireworks display itself!
My Sweet Obsession: The Joy of Baking for Others
It seems I’ve become the designated dessert creator for almost every party, and I’m often the first call for bake sales. Honestly, I wouldn’t have it any other way! There’s a secret benefit to baking for a crowd: the more I bake for others, the less I end up eating myself – which, let’s be real, is a small victory for my waistline! Our family, however, boasts a notoriously huge sweet tooth. We each have our particular weaknesses; mine is undeniably SNICKERS®, while my husband can never resist Peanut M&M’s®. And when it comes to cake, a box of Pillsbury™ Funfetti® is a permanent fixture in our pantry.
The Spark of Inspiration: Crafting the Perfect Patriotic Dessert
This year, while browsing the aisles of Meijer, inspiration struck. I stumbled upon Pillsbury™ Funfetti® Stars & Stripes® Cake Mix and coordinating Frosting, alongside packages of Red, White & Blue Peanut M&M’s®. My mind immediately started buzzing with ideas for this year’s festivities. As I continued my shopping, I spotted the SNICKERS® Brand Red, White & Blue Minis. Naturally, those went straight into my cart too. I started reflecting on past Red, White, and Blue desserts. None of them had been trifles, but how could I make them even more special and engaging? Mini trifles! Everything is inherently more delightful and manageable when it’s in a charming mini size. This was it – the perfect blend of ease, patriotism, and pure indulgence.
A Family Affair: Baking Fun for Everyone
My daughter absolutely loves helping me bake, so we transformed our kitchen into a sweet little workshop to whip up these Patriotic Mini Trifles. She revels in pouring ingredients, cracking eggs, and stirring the batter. I suspect her enthusiasm is partly fueled by the promise of licking the bowl scraper clean once we’re done – a cherished tradition for any budding baker! We patiently waited for the Pillsbury™ Funfetti® Stars & Stripes® Cake to emerge from the oven, fragrant and golden, and then allowed it to cool completely. Once cooled, I carefully cut the cake and the Snickers minis into small, bite-sized pieces. These delightful morsels formed the base layer in our mini trifle bowls. Next, we spooned a generous layer of Pillsbury™ Funfetti® Stars & Stripes® frosting, lightened and made even creamier by combining it with whipped cream. On top of this luscious layer, we scattered the festive Red, White & Blue Peanut M&M’s. We repeated these layers, building up the vibrant colors and textures. Finally, for the grand finale, we adorned the top with a few extra Snickers pieces and M&M’s, finishing each trifle with a playful sparkler – a photo opportunity I’d been dreaming of capturing!
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Print Recipe
Patriotic Mini Trifles
Cook Time:
Total Time:
Author: Megan | Strawberry Blondie Kitchen
Yield: 2 trifles
These Patriotic Mini Trifles are an explosion of flavor and festivity! Featuring delightful layers of Pillsbury™ Funfetti® Cake, smooth frosting, crunchy Snickers, and colorful M&M’s, they are the ideal dessert to showcase your patriotic spirit with red, white, and blue flair. Easy to make and even easier to enjoy, these mini treats are perfect for any celebration, from backyard BBQs to grand Fourth of July gatherings.
Ingredients
- 1 box Pillsbury™ Funfetti® Stars & Stripes® Cake Mix
- 1 cup water
- 1/2 cup Crisco® Oil
- 3 whole eggs
- 1 container Pillsbury™ Funfetti® Stars & Stripes® Vanilla Flavored Frosting
- 1 container frozen whipped topping (thawed)
- 8 mini SNICKERS® Brand Red, White & Blue Minis, halved
- 20 M&M’s® Red, White and Blue Peanut Chocolate Candy
Instructions
- Begin by preparing the Pillsbury™ Funfetti® Stars & Stripes® Cake according to the package directions. Ensure you follow the specific instructions for water, oil, and eggs to achieve the perfect cake consistency.
- While your festive cake is baking, prepare the creamy frosting mixture. In a medium bowl, combine the Pillsbury™ Funfetti® Frosting with the thawed whipped topping. Gently fold them together until they are fully incorporated and create a light, airy, and fluffy texture. This combination will give your trifle a wonderfully smooth and decadent frosting layer.
- Once the cake is baked, remove it from the oven and allow it to cool completely to room temperature. This is a crucial step; attempting to layer warm cake will melt your frosting and result in a messy trifle.
- After the cake has thoroughly cooled, carefully cut it into small, uniform squares. Aim for pieces that are easy to manage in your mini trifle or parfait glasses and will create neat layers.
- Now, let’s start building your mini trifles! Take your parfait glass or mini trifle bowl. Place a generous layer of the Pillsbury™ Funfetti® Stars & Stripes Cake pieces at the bottom. Follow this with approximately 3 tablespoons of your prepared frosting mixture, spreading it evenly over the cake.
- Next, arrange the halved pieces of SNICKERS® Brand Red, White & Blue Minis. For an appealing presentation, try to place some of them against the sides of the glass so their colorful insides are visible through the glass. Top these with another layer of cake pieces.
- Add another 3 tablespoons of the delightful frosting mixture, ensuring it covers the cake and Snickers layers beautifully.
- For the final flourish, decorate the top of each trifle with the vibrant M&M’s® Red, White and Blue Peanut Chocolate Candy. Don’t forget to sprinkle some of the fun sprinkles that come with the Pillsbury™ Funfetti® Stars & Stripes® Vanilla Flavored Frosting for an extra festive touch!
Chef’s Notes & Tips
*For each mini trifle, I typically use about 16 small squares of cake (8 pieces for each cake layer). This recipe is incredibly flexible, allowing you to easily make around 8 mini trifles with a single box of cake mix and container of frosting. Simply adjust the number of Snickers and M&M’s accordingly. These Patriotic Mini Trifles are not only delicious but also incredibly easy to scale up for larger gatherings, ensuring everyone gets a taste of this festive treat!
*Consider chilling your trifles for at least 30 minutes before serving. This allows the layers to set and the flavors to meld beautifully, creating an even more delightful experience.
*Get creative with your presentation! Besides sparklers, you can add small American flags, patriotic sprinkles, or even fresh berries (like blueberries and raspberries) for an extra burst of color and flavor that complements the Red, White, and Blue theme.
*Don’t be afraid to involve the kids! As my daughter loves to demonstrate, assembling trifles is a fantastic, hands-on activity for little helpers. They can layer the cake, spoon the frosting, and decorate with candies, fostering a sense of pride in their delicious creation.
Category: Dessert
Why These Mini Trifles Are a Must-Make
Beyond being absolutely delicious and incredibly fun, these Patriotic Mini Trifles are remarkably simple to prepare, making them an ideal project for kids to help with in the kitchen. Imagine their excitement and pride as they tell all your friends and family that they helped create these beautiful Red, White, and Blue desserts! It’s a wonderful way to teach them about the joy of baking and the spirit of celebration.
Stock Up and Save at Meijer!
This summer, as you head to Meijer to gather all your Patriotic essentials, make sure to take advantage of their fantastic savings! Use your Mperks account to save up to $1.00 on any Pillsbury Baking Mix or Frosting product, and on M&M® or Snickers® Red, White & Blue packs (30-42oz). It’s the perfect opportunity to stock up on all the ingredients needed for these delectable trifles and more!
Check out the latest deals here and maximize your savings.
Share Your Patriotic Creations!
So, get ready to embrace the spirit of America and bake something truly special that showcases your American pride. I highly recommend trying these incredibly delectable Patriotic Mini Trifles – they’re sure to be a crowd-pleaser and a memorable part of your celebrations. Or, if you have another fun and creative recipe using Pillsbury and Mars products, we’d love to hear about it! Share your culinary patriotism with us and inspire others to get baking. We can’t wait to see how you celebrate!