Individual Lemon-Blueberry Trifles

My inspiration came from a love of layered desserts and a desire to create a trifle that was both visually appealing and bursting with fresh, vibrant flavors. I envisioned a dessert that would be easy to assemble, portable, and perfect for serving individual portions.

My goal was to adapt existing recipes (for the lemon cake and potentially the lemon curd, as referenced in the notes) into a cohesive and delightful trifle. This recipe, with its combination of homemade and semi-homemade elements, seemed like an excellent starting point, offering a balance of convenience and fresh, homemade flavors.

These trifles are perfect for a picnic.

Nostalgic Appeal

While individual trifles might seem like a modern presentation, the components of this dessert tap into several nostalgic elements. Trifles, in general, have a long history, often associated with layered desserts featuring cake, custard, fruit, and whipped cream.

Lemon cake, with its bright, citrusy flavor, is a classic and comforting dessert, reminiscent of homemade treats and sunny days.

Whipped cream is a timeless topping, evoking memories of classic desserts and simple, elegant finishes.

And fresh blueberries, especially in season, are a nostalgic fruit, often associated with summer, berry picking, and homemade pies and jams.

Homemade Focus

These Individual Lemon-Blueberry Trifles strike a nice balance between homemade and semi-homemade elements. You’re making the lemon cake and the whipped cream from scratch, while the lemon curd can be either homemade (using a separate recipe, as referenced) or store-bought, offering flexibility depending on your time and preference.

I appreciate recipes that allow for a hands-on baking experience while still being approachable for home cooks of all skill levels. This recipe provides that balance, allowing you to create a beautiful and delicious dessert without requiring overly complex techniques.

The homemade lemon cake, adapted from other recipes, provides a moist, tender, and intensely lemony base that’s far superior to any store-bought cake.

And the homemade whipped cream, made with just heavy whipping cream, vanilla, and maple syrup (or sugar), adds a light, airy, and subtly sweet element that complements the other flavors perfectly.

The flexibility of the homemade or store bought curd.

Flavor Goal

The primary flavor goal of these Individual Lemon-Blueberry Trifles is a delightful combination of sweet, tangy, and fresh flavors, with layers of texture and a vibrant presentation. It’s a dessert that’s designed to be both refreshing and satisfying.

The lemon cake provides a moist, tender, and intensely lemony base.

The sweetened whipped cream adds a light, airy, and subtly sweet element.

The lemon curd (whether homemade or store-bought) contributes a concentrated burst of tangy lemon flavor and a smooth, creamy texture.

And the fresh blueberries add a touch of sweetness, juiciness, and a beautiful pop of color.

The overall effect is a trifle that’s both bright and comforting, with a perfect balance of flavors and textures that’s sure to impress.

Ingredient Insights

Let’s examine the ingredients more closely.

FOR THE LEMON CAKE:

• Cake Flour: This flour has a lower protein content than all-purpose flour, resulting in a more tender cake.
• Baking Powder and Baking Soda:
• Salt:
• Butter, Softened:
• Granulated Cane Sugar: Cane sugar is often preferred for its slightly less processed nature, but regular granulated sugar can be substituted.
• Egg:
• Vanilla Extract:
• Lemon Extract: This enhances the lemon flavor.
• Buttermilk: Adds moisture and a slight tang to the cake.

FOR THE SWEETENED WHIPPED CREAM:

• Heavy Whipping Cream:
• Vanilla Bean Paste Or Vanilla Extract:
• Pure Maple Syrup {or Sugar}:

FOR THE TRIFLES:

• Half of the baked Lemon Cake
• Sweetened Whipped Cream
• Lemon Curd (homemade or store-bought):
• Fresh Blueberries:

This is a great combination of ingredients.

Essential Equipment

You’ll only need standard baking tools:

• A 9-inch cake pan: For baking the lemon cake.
• Mixing bowls (at least two):
• A whisk:
• An electric mixer (stand mixer or hand mixer):
• A rubber spatula:
• Half-pint (8-ounce) jam jars (or other individual serving glasses or bowls):
• Measuring cups and spoons.

This is a common list of kitchen tools.

List of Ingredients with Measurements

Here’s the complete list of ingredients, with precise measurements:

FOR THE LEMON CAKE:

• 1 cup Cake Flour
• 1/2 tsp. Baking Powder
• 1/4 tsp. Plus 1/8 Teaspoon Baking Soda
• 1/4 tsp. Salt
• 1/2 stick Butter, Softened
• 1/3 cup Granulated Cane Sugar
• 1 Egg
• 3/4 tsp. Vanilla Extract
• 1/2 tsp. Lemon Extract
• 1/2 cup Buttermilk

FOR THE SWEETENED WHIPPED CREAM:

• 1 cup Heavy Whipping Cream
• 1/4 tsp. Vanilla Bean Paste Or Vanilla Extract
• 1 Tbsp. Pure Maple Syrup {or Sugar}

FOR THE TRIFLES:

• 1/2 Lemon Cake (See Recipe)
• Sweetened Whipped Cream (See Recipe)
• 1 cup Lemon Curd (See Note)
• 2 cups Fresh Blueberries

These are perfect quantities.

Prepare and organize all the ingredients.