Prue Leith, the renowned judge on “The Great British Baking Show,” is known for her expertise in elaborate desserts. However, when it comes to making desserts at home, she prefers a simpler approach that requires no baking time at all. In her latest cookbook, “Life’s Too Short to Stuff a Mushroom,” Leith reveals her favorite dessert to make at home – a trifle.
Leith refers to herself as the “queen of trifles” and shares five recipes for the classic English dessert in her cookbook. A traditional English trifle consists of layers of sponge cake soaked in sherry or fortified wine, custard cream, fruit, and a whipped cream topping. However, Leith encourages home cooks to experiment with different variations of trifle, such as a Caramel-Pear-Cheesecake Trifle or a Black Sesame Banana Cake Trifle.
The beauty of a trifle lies in its versatility. You can create a trifle using leftover cake, store-bought ingredients, or a combination of both. Whether you opt for a fully homemade trifle or take a semi-homemade approach, the possibilities are endless. For instance, you can use leftover cake layers, cut them into cubes, and layer them with store-bought lemon curd or caramel sauce. Alternatively, you can enhance store-bought pound cake with homemade custard cream and fresh fruit.
When assembling a trifle, start with a large trifle dish or bowl. If you don’t have a trifle dish, a large glass mixing bowl works just as well. Begin by adding a layer of cake, whether it’s sponge cake, pound cake, brownies, or even stale croissants. Soak the cake layer with a liqueur or spirit for added flavor, then add a creamy layer such as custard, mousse, or whipped cream. Top with fruit, nuts, or crushed cookies, and repeat the layers until you reach the top of the bowl. Finish with a garnish of fresh fruit, crushed candy, nuts, or cookies.
The beauty of making a trifle is that you can customize it based on your preferences and the ingredients you have on hand. Whether you follow a traditional English trifle recipe or get creative with different flavor combinations, a trifle is a delightful and indulgent dessert that is sure to impress your guests. So, don’t be afraid to experiment and “trifle” with different ingredients to create your own unique dessert masterpiece.
