Gelatin trifle perfect for 4th

What happens when you cross a gelatin mold with strawberry shortcake? You get a jiggly trifle.

For a refreshing and so very American dessert for the Fourth of July, we used fruit juice to make jiggly gelatin. We then cut the gelatin into cubes and layered them with cubes of angel food cake, berries and whipped cream. The result is beautiful, delicious and fun.

One tip: to slice an angel food cake, use a slightly moistened serrated knife.

Start to finish: 4 hours (1 hour active)

Servings: 8

4 envelopes (1 ounce) unflavored gelatin (each box contains 4 envelopes)

1/4 cup sugar

1 cup cold water

1 cup boiling water

12-ounce can frozen berry blend juice concentrate, thawed

2 cups heavy cream

1/4 cup powdered sugar

2 pounds fresh strawberries, quartered

13-ounce angel food cake, cut into cubes

Lightly coat a 9-by-13-inch baking pan with cooking spray, then line it with plastic wrap, leaving excess wrap overhanging outside the short ends of the pan.

In a medium bowl, stir together the gelatin, sugar and cold water. Let sit for 5 minutes. Pour the boiling water into the bowl and stir to dissolve. Add the juice concentrate and stir. Pour into the prepared pan and refrigerate for 3 hours, or until firm.

When the gelatin is firm, use the plastic wrap to lift it out of the pan and overturn it onto a cutting board. Discard the plastic wrap, then cut the sheet of gelatin into 3/4 -inch cubes. Set aside.

Using an electric mixer, beat the heavy cream and powdered sugar together until semi-firm peaks form.

In a trifle dish or a deep glass bowl, place a layer of the angel food cake cubes. Top with a layer of the strawberries, then the whipped cream, and finally the cubed gelatin. Repeat this layering process until you’ve used all the ingredients. Refrigerate until ready to serve.