Traditional English Trifle

Diet Facts (per serving)
281 Calories
9g Fatty
44g Carbs
6g Protein
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Nutrition Facts
Servings: 6
Amount per serving
Calories 281
% Daily Value*
Total Fatty 9g 12%
Saturated Fat 5g 25%
Cholesterol 92mg 31%
Sodium 259mg eleven%
Total Carbohydrate 44g 16%
Dietary Fiber 3g xi%
Full Sugars 20g
Protein 6g
Vitamin C 12mg 60%
Calcium 182mg 14%
Iron 1mg 8%
Potassium 322mg 7%
*The % Daily Value (DV) tells you how much a food in a nutrient serving contributes to a daily nutrition. 2,000 calories a day is used for general nutrition advice.

(Nutrition data is calculated using an ingredient database and should be considered an estimate.)

An English trifle is a quintessential dessert that has graced British tables for more than than four centuries. This corrupt-looking treat is merely luscious and often made with alcohol, some with jelly and some not, while the fruit is a must-have for some and a plow-off to others.

Essentially, an English language trifle needs sponge fingers or pound cake, perhaps soaked in sherry—but this is optional only if children are not involved. It also needs jelly (aka Jell-O in the U.Due south.), a thick layer of creamy custard, and a deep layer of lightly whipped fresh cream. The rest is all well-nigh personal preference.

A trifle made with jelly might be more highly-seasoned to children, and many adults love information technology besides, because as it soaks into the cake, it gives it more texture. If y'all prefer a trifle without jelly, but go on without information technology—this volition exist quicker to make because information technology doesn't need to set up in the refrigerator. Both are equally delicious.

A footed trifle basin is traditional and makes an elegant presentation for the famous British dessert. If you don't have one, get in in any large glass dish, or assemble information technology in private spectacles.

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"I've had trifles before, merely never one fabricated with gelatin. I wasn't sure I'd like it, just I think I adopt it. I made this recipe twice using both unflavored (Knox) gelatin and strawberry Jell-O. Both were expert, though I preferred the expect of the flavored version. Information technology'southward a peachy brand-alee dessert that looks elegant." —Danielle Centoni

English trifle with strawberry garnish in small glasses

  • 6 sponge fingers (or vi ouncessponge block or pound block), halved horizontally and cutting into thick slices

  • ii to 3 tablespoons sherry, optional

  • 2 cups fresh raspberries or strawberries (do non utilise frozen)

  • 2 cups jelly or Clot-O made to package instructions (or make your own )

  • 2 cups thick bootleg custard (or canned)

  • 2 cups softly whipped foam

  • Whole raspberries or strawberries, garnish

  • Toasted sliced almonds, optional garnish

  • Grated chocolate, optional garnish

  1. Gather the ingredients.

    The Spruce Eats / Elaine Lemm

  2. Line the bottom of the trifle bowl or spectacles with the sponge fingers or cake in a overnice even layer. If you want to apply sherry, now is the fourth dimension to add it. Brush information technology on the sponge and let it soak in for 5 minutes.

    The Spruce Eats / Elaine Lemm

  3. Encompass the fingers with a thick layer of raspberries or strawberries. Slowly and gently pour over i/3 of the liquid jelly and put into the fridge—doing this will prepare the sponge and fruit into the bottom of the bowl. Once this layer is set, pour over the remaining jelly and leave to set.

    The Spruce Eats / Elaine Lemm

  4. Once set, spoon a thick layer of custard on top.

    The Spruce Eats / Elaine Lemm

  5. Stop with a thick layer of whipped cream either spooned over or piped using a piping bag.

    The Bandbox Eats / Elaine Lemm

  6. All that's left to do is to decorate as you wish, with fresh fruit, maybe almonds or chocolate—information technology is up to you lot.

    The Spruce Eats / Elaine Lemm

  7. Serve and savour.

    The Spruce Eats / Elaine Lemm

Tips

  • If y'all don't accept sponge block, y'all can utilise 6-ounce/160-gram packages of trifle sponges or sponge fingers instead.
  • If you have some trifle leftover, cover the dish and store it in the refrigerator. Information technology volition keep for upwards to 3 days. The sponge will soak up the layers, and it will non look as cute, just it volition remain succulent.

Recipe Variations

This traditional British trifle recipe is just the showtime, and yous can take information technology anywhere you similar.

  • Some people add multiple layers of fruit and custard.
  • Brandy, Madeira, or a sugariness white wine can replace the sherry.
  • Explore other trifle recipes such as a decadent chocolate trifle, a rum-infused panettone trifle featuring the Italian fruitcake, or savour the seasonal taste of a pumpkin and gingerbread trifle.
  • The trifle is so popular that other desserts have been adapted to this course. For instance, there's a cerise velvet trifle, a banana split trifle, and a blackness forest credibility trifle that happens to exist gluten costless.

Can a Trifle Be Fabricated in Advance?

Over fourth dimension, a trifle will settle to the bottom and lose its layers, so you lot don't want to make information technology likewise early. If using jelly, prepare the bottom layers with enough time for them to gear up. You can also prepare all of the ingredients and take them set up in the refrigerator. It'southward more often than not best to finish assembling a trifle no more an 60 minutes in advance.