Holiday Trifle

Trifles

A trifle is a traditional holiday dessert from the United Kingdom that is made up of layered pieces of fruit, alcohol or simple syrup soaked cake, and one or two flavored custards. Depending on the number of guests, these items are commonly layered in a medium to large glass punch bowl for a beautiful table presentation. In the food service industry, they are frequently produced from an assortment of leftover cake. This is a means of utilizing leftovers to create a special year-round dessert.

I prefer to moisten my cake with wine or a rum flavored simple syrup. I also enjoy making my trifles with both vanilla and chocolate custards, as opposed to using only one flavor.

Begin assembling your trifle by lining a bowl with a generous layer of fruit. Top this layer with your moistened cake that has been cut into large cubes, followed by a layer of custard. You can repeat another layer of fruit, cake and custard on top of the first layer and if using two custards, this would be the time to use your second flavor. Colorful fruits and berries are then added to the top, followed by a liquor-infused cream called syllabub.

Syllabub is a sweetened semi firm whipped cream, flavored with rum of cognac.

Trifles can be made a day in advance, chilled until needed and then topped with the syllabub cream before serving. Plate using a large spoon.