English Trifle
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Traditional English Trifle is a classic dessert with layers of pound cake, crème anglaise, fresh fruit, and whipped cream. It is most commonly served at Christmas time, although the British prime rib restaurant I worked at in the mid 80s served it year round. This holiday trifle uses fresh raspberries and poached pears, making it as delicious as it is beautiful. I’ve included the information and recipes for every step of this beautiful traditional trifle, but if you want some shortcuts, I’ve also included those!
(This post was originally published on December 6th, 2012)
What is trifle?
Trifle is a traditional English layered dessert usually made for Christmas or a special occasion. A proper English trifle has layers of pound cake, angel food cake, or sponge fingers, thick custard, (Bird’s is common), jelly (the English word for jello), raspberry jam, and whipped cream. Each layer of cake is drizzled with sherry then left to set in the refrigerator a a few hours. It’s served in a footed trifle bowl, but any large glass bowl will work just as well.
Traditional Christmas Dessert
I have warm memories of Christmases spent in England. We’d drive up from London for a few days to my friend’s family home in North Yorkshire. The dining room was large enough to hold one long table which sat 24 family members and one far-from home expat-Californian.
Mr. R., as the host, wore a smoking jacket and “slippers,“ while all the other men wore dinner jackets with fancy waistcoats. We women wore long gowns. Christmas dinner was definitely a black tie affair. It was all very “Downton Abbey!”
In addition to the plum pudding brought to the table soaked in alcohol and set afire, there was a gorgeous Christmas trifle dessert. Ever since then, Christmas really isn’t Christmas without it. Many years ago Mom set the dessert bar even higher when she adapted Emeril Lagasse’s poached pear and raspberry trifle.
She made a few changes. Instead of using a store bought pound cake, she made a gluten-free almond pound cake, (my favorite flavor!) sprinkled with a combination of Amaretto (more almond flavor!) and Marsala. Homemade custard isn’t very difficult and is far tastier! It’s definitely the best Christmas trifle recipe we’ve had yet!
How to Make English Christmas Trifle
To make this Christmas trifle recipe, you’ll need the following ingredients. For best results, make the pound cake, creme anglaise, and poached pears a day in advance. The recipes for each of the components are linked below.
- Almond pound cake
- Creme Anglaise (custard mixture)
- Fresh raspberries
- Poached pears
- heavy cream
- Amaretto and Marsala wine (you can also use sherry in place of the wine)
- Sliced almonds for garnish.
Assembling the trifle
Having the ingredients ready in advance means you can put the whole dessert together in less than 30 minutes. The whipped cream should be made just before you plan to use it. You’ll need a large glass trifle bowl so the layers of the trifle can be seen. You can use a glass salad bowl, but to make it a real show-stopper, use a glass Christmas trifle bowl.
Cut the pound cake into thick slices or cubes. Using ⅓ of the pound cake, layer it in the bottom of the bowl. Sprinkle the cake with some of the Marsala and Amaretto.
Next, layer some pears and raspberries on top of the layer of pound cake.
Then pour about 1/3 of the creme Anglaise or custard layer over the fruit.
Begin again with another layer of pound cake, Marsala and Amaretto, fruit, and custard. Repeat one more time for a total of three layers.
Over the top layer of custard, add a thin layer of whipped cream as a base and then pipe rosettes.
Garnish with more raspberries, toasted slivered almonds and fresh mint.
Want to simplify this trifle recipe?
This recipe uses Gluten-Free Almond Pound Cake, but you can use store-bought pound cake. Sara Lee pound cake is a great substitute! Canned pears packed in their own juice for an easy Christmas trifle.
For an easier version of creme anglaise, try Bird’s custard powder. It’s not as fresh tasting and yummy as from scratch, but it’s a classic British ingredient and far easier. Bird’s can be found at most grocery stores.
From there, you’ll just need to assemble the trifle. Just don’t cheat on the fresh whipped cream!
Here are some items for a classic English Christmas party!
Every English Christmas celebration includes a Christmas Cracker. Each cracker includes a paper party hat, a joke and a trinket.
More Christmas dessert recipes!
English Trifle
Ingredients
- 3 cups creme Anglaise (or prepared Bird's custard)
- 1 12 ounces pound cake crusts trimmed
- 1/3 cup marsala wine or sherry
- 1/3 cup amaretto
- 4 large pears poached, and sliced into wedges.
- 4 cups raspberries fresh or frozen and thawed
Whipped Cream
- 1/4 cup confectioner's sugar
- 2 cups whipping cream
- fresh raspberries and mint leaves for garnish
Instructions
Whipped Cream
- In a medium bowl, whip cream with the confectioner's sugar until stiff peaks form. Set aside.
Macerate the berries
- In a separate mixing bowl toss the berries with 2 tablespoons Marsala, stirring to bruise the berries slightly.
Assembling the trifle
- To assemble the trifle cut the cake into 1/2-inch thick slices to fit tightly into the bottom of a trifle bowl (or a 1 1/2-quart decorative glass bowl).
- Drizzle or sprinkle the cake layer with Marsala and Amaretto.
- Layer 1/3 of the pears and raspberries over the top of the cake, followed by 1/3 of the creme Anglaise or custard.
- Repeat the process, creating a total of three layers with the remaining ingredients.
- Spread whipped cream on top, then pipe rosettes of whipped cream.
- Garnish with raspberries and slivered almonds.
Notes
- Pears can be poached a day ahead of time.
- Bird’s Custard powder can be used instead of homemade custard.
- prepared pound cake can be substituted for homemade.
- Nutritional values are hard to calculate. I’ve based it on the recipe card’s nutritional data base for a purchased pound cake and prepared custard.
- Servings can range from 16 to 24. Nutritional value is based on 18.
Absolutely perfect! Wish I’d found this recipe years ago!
Thank you so much!
Wow. Beautiful trifle. Pinned your recipe to try this holiday.
Great recipe! I made this Christmas trifle and my whole family devoured it. Thanks for sharing!
thank you! I’m so glad!
Pinned to make for the holidays! Thank you for the fabulous recipe. 🙂
thank you!
What can I sun in place of the alcohol?
Fruit juice or a simple syrup. You could save the juice from poaching the pears and then use that to soak the pound cake.
This trifle is incredible! It’s a creamy delicious dessert that’s perfect for the festive season!
thank you!
You can’t beat a classic trifle. It is a must at Christmas time.
Trifle really does remind me of family Christmas gatherings. There would always be a trifle for pudding. Love this!
Yes! It’s a holiday tradition!
Wow, what a beautiful looking dessert. I might try this for boxing day, as it would make a good center piece at the table too, right after dinner.
Hey, this is just so perfect. My boys are into beautiful treats. This is perfect for a weekend gathering or just cuddling while watching some movies.
It’s a little more of an elegant holiday dessert, than a movie snack.
This looks so so good!!! I’ve never heard of English Christmas Trifle, so good!!! I can’t wait to make it…
I think A good trifle is so pretty. Perfect for a holiday gathering.
I’ve never really been the biggest fan of trifle. I think if I’m having a dessert it’s all about the chocolate things, but all of the layers do sound tasty x
Oh wow! This looks amazing! I’ve always wanted to find a good trifle recipe, thank you!
thank you!
I no sooner so this gorgeous trifle when I knew what dessert we were having for our family Christmas. You can’t beat raspberries for their color and holiday vibe. I can almost taste that whipped cream and those berries. I’ve pinned the recipe and even printed it out so I have it handy to make sure I get all of the ingredients. I can’t wait!!
thank you! So glad you like it!
This trifle looks amazing. Lovely layers and freshness from fruits. I have to make this.
thank you!
What a fabulous Christmas tradition! This is such a pretty trifle! I love the festive colors in it. My family already asked me to make it again too.
Thanks so much!
Oh yes! Take me right to Downton Abbey with this dessert 🙂 This is perfect for those special occasions.
thank you! You’re right, a bit of Downton Abbey!
Great Blog. Thanks For Sharing!!
Super excited to try this English Christmas Trifle, this one seems super delicious and amazing . Super excited to try this one , thanks for sharing with us.
This English Christmas Trifle seems amazing and unique . Super excited to try this , thanks for sharing with us.
This English Christmas Trifle seems super delicious and amazing . Super excited to try these, thanks for sharing with us.
You are awesome for sharing all that knowledge. I really appreciate visiting your website again.
thank you!
Thank you for sharing this Christmas Trifle idea, I actually was searching for delicious stuff to prepare for Christmas Eve, super excited to try this delicious one and If satisfied , will love to share with others too.
This Christmas Trifle seems perfect idea for me , will love to try this one. I was actually looking for same stuff and will love to try this one.
I made this last year and just pulled the recipe up again for this year. It’s definitely not a quick and easy dessert, but so worth it for an amazing christmas presentation. I’m making the pound cake today and freezing it. I’ll poach the pears and make the custard the day before and assemble it after we open gifts. We’re having 17 this year, so it’s the perfect size. Thanks!