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–+ servings
Christmas Trifle!

Deliciously Festive Christmas Trifle to Wow Your Guests

This Christmas Trifle is a delightful dessert that layers homemade cranberry jelly, rich custard, and fluffy whipped cream, perfect for holiday gatherings.
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Prep Time 1 hour
Cook Time 15 minutes
Chilling Time 2 hours
Total Time 3 hours 15 minutes
Servings: 8 servings
Course: Desserts
Cuisine: British
Calories: 350
Ingredients Equipment Method Nutrition Notes

Ingredients
  

For the Cake Base
  • 1 loaf Madeira cake or Pound cake homemade for best flavor
  • 1/2 cup orange or fruit-flavored liquor (or juice) for moistening
For the Jelly Layer
  • 1 packet gelatine powder plain, not flavored
  • 1 cup cranberry juice, original (with sugar) avoid No Added Sugar options
For the Fruit Layer
  • 1 cup strawberries, halved can mix with other berries
For the Custard Layer
  • 2 cups heavy/thickened cream or pure whipping cream
  • 1/2 cup white sugar (caster sugar) for balancing flavors
  • 2 teaspoons vanilla extract
  • 1 cup milk full or low-fat
  • 1/4 cup caster sugar (additional) for sweetening custard
  • 1 teaspoon vanilla bean paste or extract recommended for flavor
  • 4 large egg yolks for custard richness
  • 2 tablespoons cornflour/cornstarch for thickening custard

Equipment

  • trifle dish
  • Saucepan
  • Mixing bowls
  • spatula
  • Whisk

Method
 

Step-by-Step Instructions
  1. Cut Madeira or Pound cake into 2 cm cubes and arrange in the base of a trifle dish. Drizzle with liquor or juice to moisten.
  2. In a saucepan, simmer half of the cranberry juice. Mix gelatine powder with remaining juice, dissolve in simmering juice, then pour over cake base. Refrigerate until partially set, about 1 hour.
  3. Combine milk, caster sugar, and vanilla extract in a saucepan and heat until simmering. Whisk egg yolks with cornflour, then gradually add warm milk mixture. Return to saucepan and cook, stirring until thickened.
  4. Spoon warm custard over the partially set jelly carefully, smooth the top, and refrigerate for 1-2 hours until custard is set.
  5. Prepare a second layer of jelly using the same method. Spoon over custard layer, then scatter halved strawberries or other berries on top.
  6. Chill assembled trifle for several hours or overnight. Whip cream until soft peaks form, dollop on top, and garnish with berries and icing sugar before serving.

Nutrition

Serving: 1servingCalories: 350kcalCarbohydrates: 45gProtein: 3gFat: 20gSaturated Fat: 12gPolyunsaturated Fat: 1gMonounsaturated Fat: 6gCholesterol: 120mgSodium: 50mgPotassium: 200mgFiber: 1gSugar: 25gVitamin A: 500IUVitamin C: 10mgCalcium: 60mgIron: 1mg

Notes

For the best results, prepare your trifle a day ahead of serving to allow flavors to meld beautifully.

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