When it comes to dessert, we all have a very special place for it in our hearts. And there is no exception to the traditional Australian trifle recipe. Whatever the occasion, this stunning-looking dessert will always add more charm to your table.
It was 2022 when I tried my first Australian trifle, and it was a piece of heaven in my taste bud!
Being a baking enthusiast myself, I always thought of it as a peaceful experience. So, this was my first time trying to get the perfect trifle. Surely intimidating, but with a few practised shots, I was able to get somewhat perfect it.
And the best part is that it is really easy to prepare it at home. This lovely combination of cream and custard, paired with fruits, jelly soaked cake will make you eat bowl after bowl, even though you know that you should stop.
What Is Trifle?
Trifle is actually an English dessert. This one is enriched with the love and nurturing nature of our grandmoms. This is a type of traditional dessert that is carried forward from generation to generation.
But when it comes to traditional Australian trifle recipes, the preparation is a bit different. But the basics are always the same all the time. The typical layers of trifle consist of jelly, cream, and custard. Though across the world, there are many variations.
What Will We Need?
Here, I will guide you with the traditional Australian trifle recipe, which is pretty simple, and actually, a throw-together recipe that you will be able to make easily. You do not need any special master chef skills in order to prepare trifles with this easy recipe.
1. Jelly
The very first thing that you need to prepare is the jelly base for a traditional Australian trifle recipe. One of my most favorite flavors is Port Wine Jelly. But that does not mean that you have to use only this one.
You always can use any flavor that you like the most. The sweet flavor of raspberry and blackberry go really well for the traditional Australian trifle recipe base.
2. Swiss Jam Roll
You can always use any of the swiss rolls from the local store. At the same time, it is also really popular to use Madeira cake, homemade vanilla sponge cake, or Italian sponge fingers, such as in tiramisu.
You can either slice it or chop the cakes into squares, whatever you like. It totally depends on your choice and the type of presentation you want.
3. Custard
When it comes to the custard part of a traditional Australian trifle recipe, you can make your own kind of custard. Or, in case you want to take the shortcut route, you have the option of buying a double-thick custard all the time.
But when you are buying custard, you need to be a little cautious and always should go with the best and thickest options available. Remember you are going to put cream on it, so it should have the strength to hold the cream.
Traditional Australian Trifle Recipe
Now is the time to start with the actual preparation of the traditional Australian trifle recipe. Follow the below-mentioned steps, and you will be able to make your favorite dessert.
- Take a large mixing bowl and pop your jelly crystals on it, and then add boiling water. Now stir well until the crystals are totally dissolved. Use some cold water to top it up, and keep stirring through. Now set aside and let it cool.
- Now slice the cake or the jam roll, whatever you are using, into 1.5 cm wide slices. Now take a deep trifle dish, and arrange the slices in a single layer; if you want, you also can arrange one row of cake slices around the edge as well.
- Into the middle, add some canned fruit. Now pour the jelly very carefully over the cake slices till it covers the layering. Keep it in the fridge and let it sit for around 3 hours.
- While the jelly is sitting in the fridge, we can start with the next step. Put the cream in a large mixing bowl, or stand mixer. If you want, you also can add additional sugar and vanilla essence; it will enrich the taste. Whip the cream on high speed for around 3 to 5 minutes, or until the cream thickens and holds a nice shape.
- After 3 hours of refrigeration, when the jellyfish set, use a large spoon for layering the custard over the jelly. After adding the custard, use the back of the spoon to smooth the surface.
- Now gently place a spoonful of the whipped cream, and spread the cream very lightly using a fork to cover the custard, and make the final lawyering of a traditional Australian trifle recipe.
- Finally, top with some fresh fruits like blueberries and strawberries; you also can add a light sparking of iced sugar if you want.
Some Tips
When you are layering the traditional Australian trifle recipe, make sure that you are doing it really gently. Especially when you are layering the whipped cream to cover the custard, be very gentle. The last thing you will want is to push the cream into the custard.
You also need to be more careful when serving it. A ladle or spoon with a long handle will work for scooping through all the layers. This will be perfect to dish each serving up with the even amount of every layer.
Variations
We all like variations with our desserts, and especially when it is our favorite one, like a traditional Australian trifle recipe. If you are not that much into fresh fruits, feel free to experiment with the toppings.
Add some chocolate shavings, marshmallows, lollies, or sprinkles. Some of us also might like crushed peanuts or their favorite crushed cookies, like Oreos.
Contemporary Australian Trifle Recipes
Here are some of the common trifle recipes which you should try alongside the traditional one.
Tropical Mango and Coconut Trifle
Here are the ingredients you will need.
Ingredients
- One small sponge cake cut into cubes. If you have some time in hand, make your own sponge cake. Nothing tastes better!
- Two ripe mangoes, diced.
- 50g of coconut cream.
- 200g of butter.
- One cup of heavy cream.
- Two tablespoons of sugar.
- One cup of passionfruit pulp.
- Fresh mint leaves as garnishing.
Instructions
Here are the instructions to making this trifle.
Prepare the Coconut Cream: Refrigerate the coconut cream until it thickens – ideally, chilly overnight. Scrape off the solid portion, and beat it with the heavy cream and sugar until light.
Layer the Trifle: Beginning the trifle dish, the sponge cake in cubes is the first layer. Put a layer of passion fruit pulp on top, then layer it with whipped coconut cream. Keep repeating the layers until you are on top of the dish. You can sprinkle some sugar on top, and caramalizng it with a torch gun if you want your dessert to be fresh tonight.
Top and Serve: Lastly, spoon the top of the fully covered passionfruit pulp and garnish the piece it with mint leaves. Refrigerate for at least one hour before and then serve it fresh.
Lemon Curd Trifle
Let’ begin with the ingredients.
Ingredients
- One slice cut from a lemon pound cake. Again, if you are an expert, you can create this cake on your own.
- One jar of lemon curd.
- One cup of raspberries.
- One cup of fresh blueberries.
- Two cups of vanilla custard.
- One cup of heavy cream has to be whipped.
- Lemon zest for garnish.
Instructions
Let’s start with the ingredients of preparing one.
Prepare the Lemon Curd: If you are going to use a ready-made lemon curd that you can purchase one at any local supermarket. However, if homemade, you need to cool it before layering.
Layer the Trifle: This trifle dish arrangement begins with the base layer of lemon pound cake cut into slices. Pour the lemon curd filling on top of the cake and spread it uniformly. Top it up with a blend of raspberries and blueberries puree. When the pastry is cool, add a layer of vanilla custard to the filling, and then repeat the layers.
Top and Serve: Lastly, top it with a layer of whipped cream and sprinkle the lemon zest over it. For a better taste, you should allow it to cool and even refrigerate before serving.
Caramel and Banana Trifle
Here are the ingredients you should get.
Ingredients
- Here are the ingredients you will need.
- One bar of banana bread, cubed.
- 50 ml of caramel sauce.
- Two ripe bananas, sliced.
- Two small cups of vanilla pudding.
- Heavy cream, 1 cup whip.
- Raises toasted coconut flakes to the level of being a garnish.
Instructions
Let’s begin with the instructions for the recipe.
Prepare the Caramel: If using a caramel sauce from store, you would have to warm it beforehand. If making your own, ensure that you reach the right temperature. You wouldn’t want your caramel to harden much when you refrigerate.
Layer the Trifle: Begin with the first layers of cut-up pieces or slices of banana bread. Then pour the caramel sauce over one piece of bread and then spread sliced bananas over the caramel sauce—finally, layer vanilla pudding on top of the cake. Repeat the layers.
Top and Serve: Lastly, top it with whipped cream and sprinkle with toasted coconut flakes. Let it cool for at least an hour before serving, or you can even let it sit in the refrigerator for at least a few hours or until it is cold.
FAQs
Here are some questions that most of us usually have in our minds when it comes to the traditional Australian trifle recipe. Let’s get the answers to those questions.
1. Can I Freeze The Trifle?
Though it is not recommended very much, fresh trifles are the best and usually are stored in the fridge. Make sure you are eating it within 2 to 3 days. Otherwise, the cake will start to disintegrate, and it will all turn into mush.
2. What Is The Best Way To Present The Trifle?
The easiest way is to use a large bowl that is made of glass and specially designed for serving traditional Australian trifle recipes. It will really show off all the layers. If you don’t have one, you can just use a deep bowl. You also can serve in individual glasses or ramekins.
3. Can It Be Made The Day Before?
In case you want to make it the day before, leave the cream and topping part. And add it when you are ready to serve. This way, the traditional Australian trifle recipe dessert will look its best.
Bottom Line
So, this is all about the traditional Australian trifle recipe. I hope you get all the answers that you had in your mind regarding the traditional Australian trifle recipes. This dessert always allows you to experiment a bit, so feel free to try different things.
Read Also:
