It's Christmas Eve at last! For me, that can only mean one thing... it's time to make trifle! š
I spent all of yesterday in a state of listless limbo, not able to really do anything, and the day ran on forever and ever, just because I was waiting and looking forward to today. Trifle Making Day!
I love trifle so much and this is the one time of year I make it. I could make it for birthdays, assorted celebrations, or "just because," but I figure it's more special this way and gives me something to really look forward to. š I've gotten to that age and state-of-being where I just don't really care about the season anymore and it's just another day... and if it wasn't for my son, I probably wouldn't celebrate Christmas at all. So I use the Trifle as a means to get some delicious excitement in my system. š
So, the recipe for this is quite easy. A trifle is really just the layering of a bunch of yummy things.
This morning I made some basic vanilla butter cake. Any recipe will do. A boxed mix will do. A pre-made spongecake from the shop will do. Those cake rolls with jam inside are nice too. Whatever you fancy! Want chocolate cake instead? Go for it!! Sponge fingers? Also good!
The great thing with trifle is that it's so versatile!
Last year I made a trifle with chocolate cream rolls, cream, custard, Baileys! and shredded chocolate all over the top to decorate. I was a little bit disappointed with it though. Which was surprising! Chocolate and Baileys? Should be great? But I think I just missed the more traditional Sherry trifle. And so, this year, that's what I'm making. š
Ingredients
- Cake! Cut into rectangles and squares
- Thickened (Heavy/Double) Cream, whipped into peaks
- Custard, homemade or shop-bought
- Jelly (Jell-O) if you want a little extra in your concoction (optional)
- Fruits of your choosing ~ I'm using strawberries, blueberries, kiwi fruit
- Sweet Sherry, or nothing if you'd prefer non-alcoholic
Method
Here we have a plate of sliced cake. A bowl of Sweet Sherry. And a fancy Trifle bowl where all the goods are going to go! Part of the appeal with the trifle is how it looks in a clear bowl, but any large bowl will do if you just want to dig in to something delicious and don't care if it's "displayed." š
Soak a piece of cake for a few seconds in the Sherry, then place in the bowl. Repeat until you have a nice layer of Sherry-infused cake!
Place a neat layer of whipped cream over the top of the cake.
Please, please, PLEEEEASE... do not use a can of whipped cream. š¤£ It needs to be proper cream. Thickened/Heavy/Double Cream, whipped with some sugar until it forms nice soft peaks. Whipped cream in a can just tastes like... air? and nothingness? Please don't use it. š±
On top of the cream, layer some fruit. If you're planning on using some jelly (Jell-O) this would be a good place to add that too. I'm not adding jelly today though! I was thinking of it, but then decided not this time.
Now we will do another layer of sherry-infused cake slices, followed by a thickkkkk layer of custard.
You don't have to do a thick layer of custard if you don't want to. You could save half of it for another layer if you have a very large bowl and a lot of cake. But for me, in this instance, a thick layer of custard in the middle is perfect.
On top of the custard, add another layer of the delightful cake soaked in sherry, then another fruit layer.
As mentioned earlier in this post, the trifle is all about layers! You don't even have to put the layers in the same order as I'm doing... I just find this way the best for getting the fruit into place properly so it looks appealing. š Unfortunately I failed the "appealing" bit today. Usually I have the kiwi fruit facing upright, but there was no room this time. (I need a bigger bowl!!!!!)
Once you've layered up all the deliciousness and the bowl is almost full, it's time to decorate the top!
If you have a piping bag, now would be a fantastic time to put some of your whipped cream into that and do some fancy piping on top of the trifle. I don't have piping tools so I'm just slathering all the cream on top like a heavy-handed monkey.
Mmmmmmmmmm, mmmm, mmmmm!
This is not the most picturesque one I've ever made š¤£š but still... MMMM!
Now, I'm going to put some clingwrap over the top, and put it in the fridge to further soak up all the Sherry, and it's going to tease and taunt me until I can finally dig into it tomorrow. š
A good breakfast for Christmas morning! Yes? No? Maybe? š¤£
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Until next time!
Merry Christmas!!! šš š
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