Why do people insist on putting jelly into trifles? A traditional English Trifle never ever has jelly in it!?

Question

Sorry had to bring this up after being to too many childrens christmas parties lately where they served Birds package trifle as dessert. No-one ever put jelly in a trifle until Birds came up with their packaged variety. A true English Trifle has stale sponge (or sponge fingers) on the bottom topped with fresh fruit with a little juice (usually raspberries), then layered with FRESH custard (it must NOT be the type that sets), then whipped cream, topped with extra raspberries or flaked almonds. I don't know why this bothers me so much, I'm sorry but it does;-)!!

Yes sorry I admit if the trifle is adults only it is definitely inhanced by a good slosh of sherry onto the sponge!!!

The recipe I have added above was the one my grandmother had passed down to her from her mother who was the housekeeper at a large country house in Edwardian times.

Answer 1

Well get over it... we now put jelly in and it's nothing to do with Birds influence.

Birds triffles are an insult to puddings... if you can't make one from scratch don't bother.

I also don't beleive it should have and sherry in it... spoils the taste of what can be a very nice pud!

Answer 2

Trifle Recipe Without Jelly

Answer 3

This Site Might Help You.

RE:
Why do people insist on putting jelly into trifles? A traditional English Trifle never ever has jelly in it!?
Sorry had to bring this up after being to too many childrens christmas parties lately where they served Birds package trifle as dessert. No-one ever put jelly in a trifle until Birds came up with their packaged variety. A true English Trifle has stale sponge (or sponge fingers) on the bottom...

Answer 4

I agree with what you say, I'm in my late 50`s and can always remember my parents making the trifle with broken cakes or biscuits , fresh fruit and a small drop of brandy, when we had it, only fruit being a bit scarce earlier days, with nice thick creamy custard and if lucky some cream if can afford it. Sadly with the onset of this era, and the fact that children do not seem to eat as much fresh fruit now, as they should. The only way is this gelatin stuff called Jelly being flavoured with fruit is the nearest some will ever get. but they call it trifle after all. Its quick and easy.

Answer 5

my mother's trifle was the best - she'd get everything she could find in the dessert cupboard and pile it on, layer by layer, until there was a big multi-coloured layered heap of trifle sponge, sherry, brandy, fresh fruit, tinned fruit, more trifle sponge, home made custard, fresh cream, hundreds and thousands, chocolate shavings plus whatever else could be piled into the bowl. The trifle would then be brought to the table as a quivering mass of bright coloured calories and we would all pile in. My mouth is watering as I write this.
My reply has nothing to do with your question, but this was the sixties when Fanny Cradock was the telly chef of the day and technicolour over-garnished grub was everywhere!

Answer 6

I am not sure if I have ever eaten a trifle without jelly, but the ones with jelly are very nice anyway. Recipes change over the years, so you either accept that .. or make your own trifle sans jelly!!

Answer 7

Here's the definition of a trifle, according to Merriam Webster dictionary. Maybe that's why people put preserves. I have a trifle recipe that does not call for preserves, it's cake, pudding, and fresh berries. 2.a dessert typically consisting of plain or sponge cake often soaked with wine or spirits (as brandy or rum) and topped with layers of preserves, custard, and cream

Answer 8

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Answer 9

sorry sweetheart "birds" sorted out trifles dont think so (a trifle does consist of sponge jelly fruit custard and cream if you could afford it and any other sweet thing you could get your hands on)it was a sweet(afters) for people to savour after lunch

Answer 10

My mum always makes it the way you do except she mixes sherry into the sponge. And it's the best trifle I've ever had.

Answer 11

you see, I never knew!! there should be a website for traditional recipes - I would certainly use it as I like traditional things, but I have to admit I make my trifle with jelly, sorry...