Basic Trifle Recipes

Steps:

• Prepare pudding or custard according to directions and let cool.
• Mix the fruit with the sherry.
• Cut the cake into 1" chunks and place 1/2 of the chunks in the bottom of a trifle bowl.
• Layer 1/2 of the fruit on top of the cake layer and top with 1/2 the pudding.
• Repeat layering.
• Top with whipped cream and garnish with fresh fruit.
• Chill well before serving.
• Variations.
• To make a low fat trifle, use angel food cake, fat-free pudding and low fat whipped cream.
• Strawberry Shortcake Trifle- Yellow or Angel food cake, custard and strawberries.
• Black Forest Trifle- Chocolate cake, raspberries and custard.
• Tropical Trifle- Angel food cake, mixed pineapple, mangoes, papayas, vanilla or lemon pudding. Sprinkle with shredded coconut.
• Apples and cream Trifle- Spice Cake, Apple pie filling and custard.
• Banana Creme Trifle- White or chocolate cake, Sliced Bananas, Custard.

Steps:

• Line a clear medium bowl with separated ladyfingers to cover inside of the bowl completely. Gently press fingers together at seams to set. Sprinkle fingers with sherry or orange liqueur. Spread with the fruit spread.
• In a second bowl, combine instant vanilla pudding mix with 1 1/2 cups milk. Pudding will be stiff. Fold in heavy cream until evenly incorporated. Fill bowl with cream pudding and top with almonds and berries.
• Trifle is set enough to serve, or may be covered and chilled.

Steps:

• Put 750g frozen summer fruit in a pan with 200g caster sugar and 1 litre water and bring to a gentle simmer.
• Cook for 2 mins, then scoop out 6 tbsp fruit and 150ml juice. Now carry on cooking the fruit in the pan for 5 mins.
• Meanwhile, soak 9 sheets leaf gelatine in cold water to soften it. If you have a hand blender, blitz the cooked fruit or mash with a potato masher, then strain through a sieve into a large bowl and push through the pulp so just the skins and seeds are left.
• Squeeze excess water from the gelatine, add to the hot fruit syrup and stir to dissolve. Cool, then chill until on the point of almost setting.
• Make the custard according to pack instructions with 75g custard powder, 1.2l milk and 50g caster sugar to create a really thick custard. Cover the surface with baking paper while it cools a little.
• Pile 1½ - 2 cubed madeira cakes into a trifle bowl, spoon over the reserved juice and berries, then 4 tbsp sherry or cassis.
• Pour over a thick layer of custard, pushing it against the side of the dish to seal in the cake below. Leave to cool and set with a skin - this makes a barrier for the jelly.
• When the custard is cold and set, and the jelly is on the point of setting, spoon the jelly over the custard and chill until ready to complete.
• Whip 300 - 450ml double cream with 1 tsp vanilla extract and 2 tbsp icing sugar until just holding its shape, then spoon round the bowl over the set jelly. Scatter with 2 crushed amaretti biscuits and chill until ready to serve.

Steps:

• In medium bowl, beat pudding mix, vanilla, milk and sour cream with electric mixer on medium speed until soft pudding forms. Cover; refrigerate.
• In trifle bowl or large clear bowl, arrange 1 layer of sliced cake to cover entire bottom of bowl. Top with a layer of pudding, then a layer of whipped topping, and then a layer of strawberries. Repeat all layers except use blueberries. Continue with layers until bowl is full.
• Cover with plastic wrap; refrigerate until ready to serve.

Steps:

• Prepare the gelatin with raspberries as directed on package.
• Cover and place in refrigerator until set.
• Prepare vanilla pudding mix as directed on package.
• Set aside.
• After gelatin is firmly set, spoon into a large clear glass bowl.
• Top with sliced bananas and sliced almonds Break angel food cake into bite size pieces and layer on top of the bananas and almonds, filling the bowl with the entire cake.
• Pour vanilla pudding over cake, allowing it to seep down through the layers.
• Top with heping layers of whipped cream.
• Sprinkle with decorative sprinkles or more sliced almonds just before serving.
• Store in refrigerator.
• Best if eaten within 24 hours.
• You can make your own pudding and cake if you wish, but this recipe is the easy method.