Discover the sweet, multi-layered Christmas Trifle recipe, easy to make at home. Indulge in layers of cake, custard, cream, and fresh fruit.
Looking to make your year-end party memorable? The Christmas Trifle is the perfect choice. With layers of soft cake, creamy custard, fluffy cream, and fresh fruit, this dessert is not only visually stunning but also sweet and easy to prepare at home.
Preparation
15 minutes Cooking
15 minutes Serves
1-2 people
Ingredients for Christmas Trifle from Custard Cake
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1 roll Swiss jam roll
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2 packs Port wine jelly
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1 can Mixed fruit (strawberries, blueberries, peaches, etc.)
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1.8 kg Custard
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600ml Thickened cream
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Fresh fruits: strawberries, blueberries
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Powdered sugar
Ingredients for Christmas Trifle
How to Make Christmas Trifle from Custard Cake
Place 2 packs of port wine jelly in a large bowl, pour 800ml of boiling water (400ml per pack), and stir until completely dissolved. Add 400ml of cold water (200ml per pack) and stir well. Let the jelly cool for about 10–15 minutes before pouring over the cake.
Tip: The jelly should be slightly warm – not too hot to melt the cake, and not too cold to set in clumps.
Step 1: Prepare the jelly
Cut the Swiss jam roll into slices about 1.5–2cm thick. Arrange a layer of cake to cover the bottom of a clear trifle dish for a visually appealing look. Evenly spread the drained canned fruit over the cake, using a spoon to ensure it doesn’t float.
Use a large ladle to slowly pour the liquid jelly over the cake and fruit layer. First, pour half of the jelly to allow the cake to absorb it, then after 1–2 minutes, pour the remaining jelly to fully cover the cake. Pour slowly down the side of the dish to avoid disturbing the layers.
Place the dish in the fridge for at least 3 hours or overnight until the jelly is completely set. Test by gently pressing – the jelly should be springy and not stick to your finger.
Step 2: Layer the cake and fruit
In a bowl, combine 600ml thickened cream, 2 tsp vanilla, and 150g sugar. Use an electric mixer on medium speed to whip until the cream is stiff and forms peaks. Avoid over-mixing to prevent the cream from separating.
Once the jelly is set, gently pour 1.8kg of custard over the jelly layer and use a spatula to spread it evenly, ensuring full coverage. The custard should be thick to avoid melting the jelly. Smoothly spread the whipped cream over the custard, creating a flat or slightly wavy surface for decoration.
Step 3: Whip the cream and prepare the custard
Once the jelly, custard, and cream layers are set and firm, decorate the Christmas Trifle with fresh strawberries, blueberries, or your favorite fruits for a vibrant look.
Sift 1 tsp of powdered sugar over the top to create a festive snow effect. Finally, chill for an additional 1–2 hours to ensure the layers are firmly set, making it easy to serve and enjoy each layer of cake, cream, and custard.
Step 4: Final touches
Serve the Trifle chilled to maintain the perfect texture of the jelly, custard, and cream layers. Use a large spoon to serve, showcasing each distinct layer: jelly-soaked cake → custard → cream → fruit. Each spoonful offers a delightful blend of flavors and colors.
Pair it with tea or coffee to enhance the sensory experience, savoring the sweetness of the custard, the softness of the cake, the freshness of the fruit, and the creamy topping. The Trifle is best enjoyed straight from the fridge, as leaving it at room temperature may cause the layers to soften.
Enjoying Christmas Trifle
Preparation
10 minutes Cooking
20 minutes Serves
3 – 4 people
Ingredients for Trifle with Crushed Cookies
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300ml Fresh cream
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100g Plain cookies, crushed
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150g Sugar
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300g Strawberries
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Vanilla essence
How to choose fresh strawberries: Fresh strawberries are bright red and plump. Look for strawberries with intact stems and leaves, with a noticeable gap between the stem and the fruit, and a distinct sweet aroma. Avoid strawberries with green spots, as they are unripe and will taste sour. Also, avoid bruised or wilted strawberries, as they are old.
Fresh strawberries
How to Make Trifle with Crushed Cookies
Chop the strawberries into small dice.
Chopped strawberries
In a saucepan, combine the chopped strawberries with 50g of sugar and cook over low heat until the strawberries form a thick syrup. Stir gently and continuously to prevent burning.
Note: Avoid mashing the strawberries to maintain their texture, ensuring a better mouthfeel when combined with the cake.
Strawberry syrup
Whip 300ml of fresh cream with 100g of sugar and a few drops of vanilla essence until soft peaks form. Transfer the whipped cream into a piping bag.
Whipped cream
Start with a layer of whipped cream in a glass, followed by a layer of crushed cookies, and then a layer of strawberry syrup.
Cream – crushed cookies – strawberry syrup
Repeat the layers in the order of cream, crushed cookies, and strawberry syrup. Finish with a final layer of cream and garnish with fresh strawberries.
Tip: For a softer texture, replace the crushed cookies with sponge cake.
Decorate with fresh strawberries
Also try: How to make Christmas candy canes for a simple and festive treat.
The trifle has a perfectly balanced sweetness and richness. The layers of cake, cream, and strawberry syrup blend harmoniously, with the cookies and cream melting softly in your mouth. The slightly tangy and sweet strawberry syrup adds a refreshing touch.
Strawberry Trifle
With this recipe, you can create a colorful, multi-layered Christmas Trifle at home, perfect for both enjoying and decorating your festive table. A delightful and impressive dessert for the holiday season.
