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The dessert, From around the world

English trifle

English trifle is a layered dessert for 6 people, with soaked ladyfingers, custard, berries and whipped cream. It takes 50 minutes of active work and is made the day before, only the whipped cream comes together right before guests arrive. It's easy and costs €2.40 per person, and the key is letting it rest overnight so the biscuits soften.

I'm getting out the big glass bowl for an English trifle, soaked ladyfingers, custard, berries and whipped cream in layers.

English trifle
For
6 people
Work
50 min
Total time
2 h 30
Prep
Prepared the day before
Difficulty
Easy
Cost per person
€2.40
Calories per person
480 kcalcalculated by Kiloach, your weight coach

English trifle plays on contrast, the crisp ladyfingers disappear into the custard overnight, the berries bring acidity, and the whipped cream finishes it with a light note. It's a spoon dessert, with visible layers in a glass bowl, a nice change from the usual tarts and chocolate mousse.

It's the ideal dessert for a dinner with friends in spring or summer, when strawberries and raspberries are good and you want a dessert that needs no attention on the day. Kids tend to love it too, thanks to its sweet, colorful look, and it's served straight from the bowl at the table, for the full effect.

The schedule

What happens when, so you can be with your guests instead of in the kitchen.

  1. The day before 4 steps, 1 h 35
  2. The same day Nothing to do
  3. Before the guests arrive 1 step, 10 min
  4. When it's time to serve Nothing to do

The day before, make the custard, let it cool in the fridge, then layer the ladyfingers, jam, fruit and custard in the bowl before covering it overnight. Right before guests arrive, whip the cream and decorate with the reserved fruit. Serve straight from the bowl at the table, letting everyone spoon out their own portion.

The ingredients

6 people

Pantry

  • Ladyfingers 250 g
  • Sugaroften in the pantry 100 g
  • Vanilla bean 1
  • Raspberry jamoften in the pantry 4 tbsp
  • Orange juice 10 cl
  • Powdered sugaroften in the pantry 2 tbsp

Dairy

  • Whole milk 50 cl
  • Egg yolks 5
  • Heavy cream 30 cl

Fruits and vegetables

  • Raspberries 250 g
  • Strawberries 250 g

Allergens Gluten, Lactose, Eggs

The recipe, moment by moment

The day beforeWhat's better after resting overnight in the fridge.

  1. Heat the milk with the scraped vanilla bean, whisk the yolks with the sugar, pour the hot milk over them and return everything to low heat until the custard coats the back of a spoon. 15 min

    Don't go above 82°C and stir in figure eights, past that the yolks cook and the custard turns into sweet scrambled eggs.

  2. Let the custard cool in the fridge, press plastic wrap directly onto the surface to stop a skin from forming. 1 h

    Plastic wrap pressed right onto the custard keeps a skin from forming.

  3. Line the bottom of the bowl with ladyfingers soaked in orange juice, spread the jam, add a layer of fruit then custard, and repeat a second time. 20 min

    Dip the ladyfingers for just a second, they keep soaking up liquid all night.

  4. Cover the bowl and refrigerate until the next day.

    Save a few nice whole berries for the top, the ones from the night before will look a bit soft.

Before the guests arriveThe last hour, right before the doorbell rings.

  1. Whip the well chilled heavy cream into whipped cream with the powdered sugar, spread it over the trifle and decorate with the reserved berries. 10 min

    Bowl and whisk chilled in the freezer for fifteen minutes, the cream whips faster and holds better.

Our tips to get it right

  • Pick a clear glass bowl, the layers of biscuits, custard and berries are half the fun of a trifle, so let them show.
  • If your berries release too much liquid against the custard, drain them briefly on paper towels before layering.
  • Whip the cream and add the decoration right before guests arrive, whipped cream that sits too long in the fridge starts to deflate.

The variations

  • Swap the raspberries and strawberries for blueberries and blackberries depending on what's at the market, the trifle keeps its sweet tart balance.
  • For an alcohol free version true to the original spirit, keep the orange juice for soaking the ladyfingers, which this recipe already does.
  • For kids or a quicker version, swap the homemade custard for store bought pastry cream and save twenty minutes of prep.

What to serve it with

  • A light coffee after the meal
  • A fragrant black tea
  • Fresh berries on the side

Storage

The trifle keeps for 2 days in the refrigerator, covered with plastic wrap. It doesn't freeze well, the texture of the biscuits and whipped cream doesn't hold up to freezing.

Questions about this recipe

Can you use a different biscuit instead of ladyfingers?

Yes, sponge fingers or leftover sponge cake work just as well, as long as they absorb liquid easily. Avoid dry biscuits like shortbread, they don't soak the same way.

How do you keep the custard from curdling?

Stay below 82°C and stir constantly over low heat. If it starts to look grainy, pull the pan off the heat right away and whisk vigorously off the burner.

Can you make trifle in individual glasses?

Yes, it's actually handy for a family meal, just divide the layers into 6 small glasses or jars instead of one big bowl. The assembly and resting times stay the same.

Is trifle a good dessert for kids?

Yes, it's a sweet, colorful dessert that kids generally enjoy, and this version has no alcohol. You can also set aside a portion without the tarter fruit if needed.

Can an English trifle be made ahead?

Yes, it's even recommended. The recipe needs 50 min of work in total, split up like this, the day before, 4 steps, before the guests arrive, 1 step.

How long does it take to make an English trifle?

Allow 2 h 30 in total, including resting and cooking time, of which 50 min is actual work. The recipe is rated "easy".

How many calories are in an English trifle?

About 480 kcal per person, for a recipe meant for 6 people. The calories are calculated by Kiloach, your kilo coach, the app that partners with Mon Chou.

How much does an English trifle cost?

About €2.40 per person, that's €14.40 for 6 people, based on average supermarket prices.

What allergens does this recipe contain?

This recipe contains gluten, lactose, eggs. Remember to ask your guests about their allergies before putting your menu together.

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