Chocolate Trifle
Chocolate trifle is a twist on a British classic, and the chocolate flavor is fantastic with the other parts of this trifle. Add some chocolate buttons for a truly British dish!
We British love our chocolate.
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We also love our desserts, or “puddings” as they are called in the UK, and sometimes combine chocolate with traditional recipes to create things like chocolate trifle.
A while ago we were invited over for dinner at my friend Sheila’s home. Sheila is from England (if you couldn’t figure that our from her photo) and is a wonderful cook, and never skips dessert, or “pudding’. This time was no exception, and she rather outdid herself with a most incredibly delicious chocolate trifle which was her very own recipe!
I had never had a chocolate trifle before and was really amazed at how all the flavors worked together so well! Of course, I had to ask for the recipe. Sheila has graciously permitted me to share her recipe with you and I don’t know about you, but I’m elated that she did!
Individual English Trifles (you can make them Christmas-themed, too)
Sheila made hers in one large bowl, but I made individual chocolate trifles so you can see both ways of serving them. This trifle is a perfect summer dessert as there is no baking, and it is served cold. Not to mention that it has to be prepared ahead of time, so it’s great for dinner parties or get togethers.
Chocolate Trifle
*make sure to use glass bowls or glasses so you can see the layers
Ingredients
- slices or pieces of pound cake, enough to cover the bottom of the bowl(s)
- seedless blackberry jam (I couldn’t find this, so I used seedless raspberry)
- brandy
- a can of peach and pear pieces
- raspberry gelatin (Jello), prepared, but make it so you can put the dessert together before it is completely set
- Bird’s custard, or homemade egg custard (you can use vanilla pudding, but it won’t taste as good)
- 2 to 4 oz good quality dark chocolate
- 1 ripe banana
- 1 pint heavy organic whipping cream
- 1 packet of Cadbury’s Chocolate Buttons or a Cadbury’s Flake bar (Cost Plus has them)
As you can tell from the ingredients, this is not a fussy recipe as most of the ingredients have no measurements. You can just use as much as you like for the most part; I am showing how to make individual trifles, but to make it like Sheila’s (top photo) just layer everything in a large glass bowl.
Directions
1. Spread the jam on the pieces of pound cake and place on the bottom of the ramekin or bowl you are using.
2. Sprinkle the cake with brandy, as much or as little as you like.
3. Add some peach and pear pieces on top of the cake (I didn’t have pear!)
4. Next, layer on the rasberry gelatin, just before it has completely set (see pic.). Place the trifles in the fridge while you make the custard.
5. Prepare the Bird’s custard according to the directions, but adding some chopped dark chocolate at the end, to make chocolate custard. You can also make homemade custard.
6. When the chocolate custard has cooled, add a layer to each trifle.
7. Next, add a layer of banana slices, then whip the cream.
8. Top each trifle with whipped cream, just spooning it on as Sheila did, or piping it on, as I did. Add your favorite chocolates, like Cadbury’s Buttons or Flake!
Keep refrigerated until ready to serve. If you’re looking for these mini glasses, I’ve added a few links to some different shaped and sized sets, below. I use both glass and the plastic ones, depending on the occasion.
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Chocolate Trifle
Ingredients
- 6 slices or pieces of pound cake enough to cover the bottom of the bowl(s)
- seedless blackberry jam I couldn’t find this, so I used seedless raspberry
- brandy
- a can of peach and pear pieces
- raspberry gelatin Jello, prepared, but make it so you can put the dessert together before it is completely set
- Bird’s custard or homemade egg custard (you can use vanilla pudding, but it won’t taste as good)
- 4 oz good quality dark chocolate
- 1 ripe banana
- 1 pint heavy organic whipping cream
- 1 packet of Cadbury’s Chocolate Buttons or a Cadbury’s Flake bar Cost Plus has them
Instructions
- Spread the jam on the pieces of pound cake and place on the bottom of the ramekin or bowl you are using.
- Sprinkle the cake with brandy, as much or as little as you like.
- Add some peach and pear pieces on top of the cake (I didn’t have pear!)
- Next, layer on the rasberry gelatin, just before it has completely set (see pic.). Place the trifles in the fridge while you make the custard.
- Prepare the Bird’s custard according to the directions, but adding some chopped dark chocolate at the end, to make chocolate custard. You can also make homemade custard.
- When the chocolate custard has cooled, add a layer to each trifle.
- Next, add a layer of banana slices, then whip the cream.
- Top each trifle (if making individual servings) with whipped cream, just spooning it on as Sheila did, or piping it on, as I did. Add your favorite chocolates, like Cadbury’s Buttons or Flake!
Notes
Nutrition
A Funny “Lost in Translation” Story
Years ago, my friend, Kristin, told me that her English friend was over at her house having dinner one evening, and he was asked if he wanted seconds of the main course.
Before answering, he wanted to know if there was going to be any pudding. Kristin replied, “No”. Well, you can imagine what happened when dessert was served! Kristin’s friend said, “I thought you said there wasn’t going to be any pudding?” and of course, Kristin responded, “We’re not having pudding, we’re having cake!” So now you know that all desserts are classified and termed as “pudding” in the UK!
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Yum yum yum – these trifles look delicious!!
Thanks, Jenny!