I need a good recipe for a traditional english trifle...?

Question

I need to make trifile for thanksgiving, and needed a good recipe w/ the works - custard, vanilla pudding, Jell-O, pound cake... etc etc..... thanks everyone!

Answer 1

I always take pound cake on the bottom, then layer of whip cream, then layer with strawberries, blueberries and banannas, then layer with chocolate pudding, then pound cake again, then more fruit and then for a traditional trifle, add a layer of devonshire cream. Some people in England also add jello but I find it tastier with the creams, fruits and whip cream and pound cake alone.

I liked in England for many years and my ex in laws were from there. Try it out, it is fabulous and everyone loves mine.

Good luck!


In reference of the next guys answer.. he was there for 7 weeks, not sure how many trifles he had. I lived there for years (in Cambridge, Manchester and London) and it was customary and quite delicious. The combination of Devonshire and chocolate pudding with fruit and real pound cake is incredible.

Answer 2

Store-bought pound cake is an excellent time-saver here, and you could use vanilla pudding, but if I were you I'd go for a homemade creme anglaise ( you could easily find a basic recipe using Google). I also think the booze factor is important! Lightly dampen your pound cake cubes with the liqueur of your choice--I'd use either Chambord, Drambuie or Grand Marnier--before starting to layer them into your dish. Then a layer of pudding or creme anglaise; then some raspberry jelly (I'd steer clear of the jello!); then repeat your layers, ending with a layer of pudding/creme anglaise. Then, lots and lots of whipped cream on top! Some people like a sprinkling of toasted slivered almonds to finish it off, but I personally feel that a nut has no business in a trifle.

Knock yourself out! :)

Answer 3

It's not trifle without sherry! Here's the recipe from my Irish husband's family:

Line the bottom and sides of a large decorative glass bowl with sices of sponge cake. Use it all! Spread with jam (we like raspberry). Mix 1/3 C. orange juice with 2/3 C. sherry and pour over entire cake. It should be "swimming in sherry"! Spread custard over cake (recipe below). Chill. Top generously with whipped cream and slivered almonds.

Rich custard:
3/4 C. sugar
2 T. cornstarch
dash salt
4 well beaten egg yolks
2 T. butter
1 1/2 tsp. vanilla
2 C. milk & cream

Mix dry ingredients in top of double boiler, Gradually stir in milk. Cover, cook 8 minutes w/o stirring. Uncover & cook 10 minutes more. Add yolks & butter. Cook & stir over hot water 2 minutes. Cool, stirring occasionally to let off steam. Add vanilla. Chill.

Answer 4

Try Foodnetwork.com and recipezaar.com

not to bash the other persons recipe, but I was in England in the southern part for 7 wks and never once did I get a trifle with choc pudding.