English Trifle

Although the word “trifle” may sound like a skirmish on a British school playground, this classic dessert is anything but disagreeable. A trifle is a centuries-old English dessert created by layering ingredients in a clear glass bowl. The end result is a deliciously creamy, lightly sweet dessert that is so gorgeous it can double as a centerpiece. This English trifle dessert takes less than an hour to prepare and is so impressive that you may want to pre-print copies of the recipe because your guests will undoubtedly ask for it.

English Trifle Ingredients

• Sponge cake: Cubes of pre-made sponge cake are the base layer for this trifle. Sponge cake is dense enough to absorbs some of the liquid without disintegrating.
• Macaroons: Coconut macaroon cookies are crumbled and mixed with the cake layer to add sweetness, flavor and a slightly crunchy texture.
• Heavy whipping cream: Homemade whipping cream boasts naturally mild sweetness and velvety texture. This recipe also uses heavy cream as the base ingredient for the trifle custard layer. Nothing beats homemade whipped cream for a dessert topping.
• Eggs: Four egg yolks thicken and add structure to the custard.
• Sugar: Granulated white sugar adds just the right amount of sweetness to the custard layer.
• Vanilla: Quality vanilla extract will bring an abundance of flavor and aroma to this dessert. Choosing the best vanilla extract can be tricky and our test kitchen has taken the guesswork out of the equation.
• Raspberries: Ripe raspberries have a delicate balance of sweet and tart, making them a perfect addition to this English trifle.
• Strawberries: Strawberries are incorporated into the fruit layer and bring an additional sweet yet acidic tang to this dessert. They are a beautiful and delicious addition.
• Peaches: Fresh, wonderfully sweet and juicy, peaches are an excellent counterpart to the tartness of the berries. You can use canned or thawed frozen when fresh peaches are out of season.
• Almonds: Sliced and roasted almonds top of this English trifle dessert recipe, bringing additional visual appeal and a crunchy, nutty blast of flavor.
• Sherry (optional): A traditional ingredient in English trifle gives the dessert its uniquely warm and boozy flavor. The alcohol can be substituted with orange juice to make it kid-friendly.
• Brandy (optional): A small amount of brandy will add a sweet oakiness that gives balance to the fruit. As with the sherry, this ingredient can be reserved for adult gatherings or replaced with fruit juice.

Directions

Step 1: Make the custard

Make an ice bath by placing ice cubes and water into a baking pan and set aside. Whisk the egg yolks with the sugar in a small and heavy saucepan until blended. Stir in 1-3/4 cup heavy cream and mix until incorporated. Place the saucepan on the stovetop and cook over low heat, gently stirring for about 10 minutes until the custard reaches a temperature of 160ºF and is just thick enough to coat a metal spoon—avoid bringing it to a boil. Immediately remove the saucepan from the heat, pour the custard mixture into a small bowl and place it in the ice bath. Gently mix the vanilla into the custard and continue stirring for several minutes until the custard begins to cool. Press a sheet of plastic wrap directly onto the surface of the custard and place the bowl into the refrigerator until it’s cold.

Step 2: Layer the trifle

Using a trifle bowl or 3-qt glass bowl to make the first layer by evenly spreading the cubed sponge cake and crumbled macaroons across the bottom. Drizzle the bottom layer with sherry and brandy (or juice). Next, layer the raspberries, strawberries and peaches over the bottom layer. Remove the custard from the refrigerator and spread evenly over the fruit layer. Cover and refrigerate for at least one hour.

Step 3: Top it off

In a large bowl, beat the remaining heavy whipping cream until stiff peaks form. Cover the custard with whipping cream using a piping bag or rubber spatula. Finish the English trifle by sprinkling the sliced almonds across the top.

English Trifle Variations

• Make it holiday-themed: Trifle is terrific option to bring to a holiday party and you can easily dress it for the occasion. Substitute eggnog for the sherry and use crumbled gingerbread cookies in place of macaroons. You can sub out the peaches with kiwi and some maraschino cherries to the topping.
• Make it suitable for summer: Instead of vanilla custard, try using lemon curd for a zesty, citrus twist.
• Try it chocolaty: For a non-traditional but delicious twist, replace the sherry with a coffee liquor and layer the fruit with a chocolate mousse in place of vanilla custard. Or use both!

How to Store English Trifle

To store this recipe, wrap the dish with plastic wrap and place it in the refrigerator. It can be kept for up to four days.

Can I freeze this English trifle?

We don’t recommend freezing this dessert as the dairy-based custard does not freeze well and will most likely separate when thawed.

Can I make an English trifle ahead of time?

You can. Making the dessert a day ahead will allow time for all the flavors to marry, making it taste even better. However, we recommend adding the whipped cream the day you plan to serve the trifle.

English Trifle Tips

Can I make an old English trifle gluten-free?

Definitely. To make this recipe gluten-free, you’ll need to sub-out the sponge cake with a wheat-free version. If you have trouble finding pre-made cake, try our recipe for gluten-free angel food cake. You will also want to swap out the macaroons with a gluten-free cookie of your choosing.

Is there an easier way to make the custard?

Try substituting with an instant vanilla pudding mix for an easy alternative to making the custard layer. It won’t have the same structure as the custard but the dessert will have a similar flavor profile.

Do I need to buy a trifle bowl?

A stemmed trifle bowl is the traditional vessel for this English dessert, as the grand, decadent appearance is part of its attraction. However, if you want to avoid making the investment, a clear glass bowl will work just well. Additionally, with a little more effort you can make individual trifles in smaller glass bowls, large wine glasses or water goblets. Use what you have and make it your own.