English Trifle

7 Reviews

Prep: 30 min
Cook: 10 min
Ready In: 12 hr 40 min

“Although this recipe uses a bit of sherry, the alcohol evaporates overnight. You may simply eliminate it if you don't care for alcohol. Two boxes of custard mix or vanilla pudding mix can be substituted for the pastry cream. However, using the pastry cream makes the dessert quite rich!” - by Marc Boyer

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Metric US

Original recipe yields 10 to 12 servings

Directions

The night before, slice the cake into 1/2 inch slices and sprinkle with sherry. Cover lightly so it won't get stale. Let sit overnight to allow alcohol to evaporate.
To make the pastry cream: Mix sugar, flour and salt together in the top of double boiler. Slowly add milk to form a smooth mixture. Cook over low-medium heat stirring constantly until the mixture begins to thicken. Slowly pour 1/2 the hot milk mixture into a bowl of the beaten egg yolks, stirring constantly. Then pour all the mixture back into the double boiler and sir until thick. Add butter and vanilla. Chill.
The next day, spread raspberry jam on top of sherried cake layers (or ladyfingers). Layer the bottom of a bowl with 1/3 the cake and pour 1/3 of the pastry cream over the top. Sprinkle with nuts. Layer cake, cream and nuts until all of the ingredients have been used. Top the uppermost layer with whipped cream and garnish with maraschino cherries and slivered almonds. Refrigerate 1 to 2 hours before serving.

Nutrition

Amount Per Serving (10 total)

Calories
762 cal
38%

Fat
33.5 g
52%

Carbs
101.2 g
33%

Based on a 2,000 calorie diet

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Reviews (7)

Rate This Recipe

DKGASMAN

Jan. 2, 2006

"Delicious and beautiful; 2 packages of vanilla pudding made to directions can be substituted. My double boiler is too small so I had to make it in 2 batches. Served it New Years Eve to 16 people; h..." See moread several requests for the recipe."

Constance

Jan. 29, 2009

"I just love this recipe! Now, with that being said, this last time I made trifle I did make quite a few changes. Instead of using cream sherry, I used Chambord liquer. I used a pre-made frozen poun..." See mored cake that I cut into squares when thawed. Next, I had custard powder in the house from a different recipe, so I made that instead of the pastry cream that this recipe calls for. I know, lots of changes, but the 4 stars I give this recipe is what I rate it when I make it according to the original directions. The changes I made this last time are just optional suggestions to save time and change it up!"

berelinde

May. 10, 2010

"If this recipe had used homemade sponge cake or even packaged ladyfingers, it would have gotten 5 stars. Unlike every other English trifle recipe here, it uses real pastry cream instead of a mix and d..." See moreoes not substitute whipped topping for real whipped cream. A real trifle to me is sponge cake, custard, jam, sherry, and whipped cream. It is not a collection of processed foods. You can really taste the difference, especially with the taste of the custard."

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