Description
A bright, creamy, and fruity Christmas trifle with layers of sponge cake, cranberry jelly, custard, whipped cream, and fresh berries. This festive dessert serves as a show-stopping centerpiece for any holiday table.
Ingredients
450g Madeira or Pound cake, cubed
1/3 cup orange or fruit-flavored liquor, or fruit juice (or 2 tbsp brandy)
7 tsp gelatine powder
6 cups sweetened cranberry juice
500–750g strawberries, halved
1 punnet each of blueberries and raspberries
2½ cups thickened or whipping cream
3 tbsp white sugar
1½ tsp vanilla extract
3 cups milk
½ cup caster sugar (divided)
1 tsp vanilla bean paste or extract
4 egg yolks
½ cup cornflour
Instructions
1. Cube the cake and layer it at the base of a trifle dish. Sprinkle with liquor or juice and optionally add halved strawberries.
2. Heat half the cranberry juice until simmering. In a large bowl, mix remaining juice with gelatine and whisk to dissolve. Pour hot juice into the bowl and whisk again.
3. Pour half the jelly over the cake and refrigerate uncovered for 1.5 hours until partially set.
4. Prepare the custard by heating milk, ¼ cup sugar, and vanilla until simmering. Whisk yolks, remaining sugar, and cornflour in a separate bowl. Temper, then combine and cook until thickened.
5. Once custard cools, whisk until smooth and spoon over the jelly layer. Chill for 1 hour.
6. Let the remaining jelly set slightly in the fridge until spoonable, then spread over custard. Scatter berries and refrigerate for 3 hours or overnight.
7. Whip cream with sugar and vanilla until soft peaks form. Spread evenly on top and decorate with remaining berries and a dusting of icing sugar.
Notes
Use sweetened cranberry juice for best flavor.
Allow custard to cool before layering to prevent melting.
Pour jelly only when soft, not firm, to avoid mixing layers.
Store-bought double-thick custard works fine for convenience.
Assemble up to two days ahead; add cream and fruit before serving.
Serves 10–14 people. Use a 3.5L trifle dish.
- Prep Time: 45 mins
- Cook Time: 10 mins
- Category: Easy & Decadent Christmas Desserts
- Method: Layered dessert (refrigerated)
- Cuisine: British / Holiday
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 cup
- Calories: 320
- Sugar: 38g
- Sodium: 90mg
- Fat: 14g
- Saturated Fat: 8g
- Unsaturated Fat: 5g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 42g
- Fiber: 1g
- Protein: 5g
- Cholesterol: 110mg