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Trifle

Trifles are an exceptionally English dish. The roots of this dish reach back to the end of the 16th Century, but this is very far from the modern trifle we know and love. The main difference is that the Victorians put alcohol in everything, including their trifles. A favourite of the time was brandy - and this recipe has plenty of it!

 

Remember to dig deep through the layers to grab all the indulgent layers!

Recipe from Theodore Garrett, The Encyclopaedia of Practical Cookery (1891)

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Cook Time:

1.5 Hours

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Serves: 

6-8

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Ability:

Medium

Ingredients:

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For the Custard:

170ml Double Cream

170ml Milk

2tbsp Vanilla Extract

4 Egg Yolks

50g Caster Sugar

2tbsp Powdered Gelatine (one 12g sachet)

 

For the Trifle:

100g Lady’s Fingers

150ml Brandy

1 Jar of Jam (recipe here)

570ml Whipping Cream

1tbsp Icing Sugar

 

To Decorate:

Candied Cherries

Raspberries

Grated Lemon

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Equipment:

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Saucepan

Wooden Spoon

Electric Whisk

Glass Trifle Bowl

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​Directions:

  1. Start by making the custard.

  2. Put the cream, milk and vanilla in a saucepan and heat without boiling.

  3. Whisk the egg yolks and sugar together and pour the hot milk over the mixture, whisking as you go.

  4. Return the mixture to the pan and cook gently until it thickens. Do not let it boil.

  5. Add the gelatine and allow to cool to room temperature.

  6. While this is cooling, cut or grate all the fruit ahead of decorating

  7. Begin assembly!

  8. Start with a layer of lady’s fingers, then pour over the brandy. Spread the jam over the top.

  9. Then put the bowl in the fridge to rest for 10 minutes. This is so the cakes are thoroughly soaked.

  10. Remove the bowl from the fridge and pour over the custard. Return this to the fridge until just set (this should take 20 minutes)

  11. Whip the whipping cream and icing sugar until thick.

  12. Spoon the cream onto the trifle and spread evenly.

  13. Decorate with raspberries, candied cherries and grated lemon in a symmetrical arrangement – a favourite of the nineteenth-century.

Video Tutorial Here

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