A delicious strawberry trifle recipe with layers of creamy custard, jelly, sweet Madeira cake, whipped cream, fresh berries and grated chocolate. The BEST no-bake trifle dessert that takes just 30 minutes to prepare and is perfect for Christmas and the entire festive season!
Nothing screams Christmas more than a big, messy, fresh and fruity bowl of trifle!
Just like a Christmas cake, mini Christmas pudding balls and chocolate ripple cake, it just wouldn't be Christmas without a big show-stopping trifle on the dessert table.
It truly is one of those desserts that looks just as impressive as it tastes!
What Is Trifle?
While technically trifle originated in Britain, here in Australia, trifle is a BIG THING - especially during the festive season (... so we might just have to claim it as our own!)
It's a layered and chilled dessert made with cake (generally Madeira, vanilla cake or sponge cake), jelly, custard, whipped cream and fresh fruit.
Because trifle is a popular summer dessert, it's the perfect time to make use of all the amazing fresh berries that are in season.
My favourite is a combo of sweet strawberries, blueberries, raspberries, blackberries and cherries!
Why You're Going To Love This Recipe
Ask any Aussie what their favourite Christmas dessert is and there's a good chance you'll hear the word trifle!
Here's why it's so popular - not only in Australia, but across the world:
- Show-stopping dessert - this dessert may look picture perfect sitting high and mighty on the table in a glass trifle bowl... but don't be fooled! Once this elegant trifle is served, the layers become a deliciously messy feast!
- No-bake recipe - one of the best things about trifle is that it's a simple chilled dessert so there's no need to turn the oven on - making it a perfect option for entertaining during a hot Aussie summer!
- Make ahead dessert - trifle requires overnight chilling as this allows the cake to soften, the layers to set and the flavours to develop. This is the perfect dessert for Christmas Day as all the hassle (not that there is much hassle with trifle!) is taken care of the day before.
- Feeds a hungry crowd - my strawberry trifle recipe serves 12 people - however, that is 12 very generous serves. If you're serving trifle alongside other Christmas desserts, this will serve up to 20 people.
- Kid-friendly - for a trifle that the entire family can enjoy, simply replace the Cointreau that is drizzled over the Madeira cake with fruit juice (cranberry, orange or apple juice work well).
What You Need
Fresh, light and summery ingredients combine to make this EPIC Strawberry Trifle.
Note: Please scroll to the recipe card at the bottom for the ingredients quantities and full detailed method.
- madeira cake - you can use any plain sweet (unfrosted) cake in trifle. I recommend using either Madeira cake, sponge cake, jam sponge roll or vanilla cake.
- Cointreau (or fruit juice) - drizzling liquid over the cake helps to soften and flavour it. If you're preparing an adults-only dessert then use Cointreau. However, if like me, you're catering for both adults and children, simply substitute the Cointreau for a fruit juice (like cranberry, orange or apple juice).
- fresh strawberries - summer is the perfect time to make this strawberry trifle! Fresh strawberries are absolutely bursting with flavour and make this trifle recipe fabulously sweet and flavoursome.
- strawberry jelly crystals - I use packets of strawberry Aeroplane jelly for this recipe. You could substitute with a different flavour of jelly if you prefer.
- custard - I recommend using Pauls brand Double Thick Vanilla Custard as it has an amazing flavour and the perfect thickness for trifle. If using a different brand, ensure that it is extra thick. Alternatively you can make your own homemade custard using this recipe and cooking for a few extra minutes until very thick.
- whipped cream - I like to make my own whipped cream using thickened or whipping cream, caster sugar and vanilla extract. Alternatively, you could use a can of store-bought whipped cream.
- fresh berries - tis the season for delicious berries bursting with flavour! Use whatever berries you like to decorate your strawberry trifle - I like to use a mix of strawberries, blueberries, raspberries, blackberries and cherries.
- grated chocolate - nothing completes a trifle quite like a good sprinkling of grated chocolate over the top! Either grated milk or dark chocolate work beautifully in this recipe.
Step By Step Instructions
Don't be fooled by the many layers of Strawberry Trifle... it's a super simple dessert to assemble (and a great recipe to get the kids involved with).
It's all about the layering!
Note: Please scroll to the recipe card at the bottom for the ingredients quantities and full detailed method.
Step 1 - Prepare The Jelly
In a large bowl, add the strawberry jelly crystals and boiling water. Stir until the crystals have dissolved then add the cold water and mix.
Chill the jelly in the fridge for 1 hour (or until just slightly thickened, but not completely set).
Step 2 - Make The Cake Layer
Place the Madeira cake onto a chopping board and cut into cubes (approximately 3cm).
Place the cubes of cake into the base of a 3.5 litre trifle dish or a large serving bowl.
Drizzle the liquid (Cointreau or fruit juice) over the top of the cake.
Step 3 - Add Half Of The Jelly
Spoon half of the slightly thickened jelly over the top of the cake.
Step 4 - Decorate With Strawberries
Cut 250g (1 punnet) of strawberries in half and place along the outside edge of the trifle bowl.
TOP TIP: Place the cut side of the strawberries facing outwards in the glass bowl for a pretty effect.
Step 5 - Spoon Over The Custard
Gently spoon the thick custard over the top of the jelly and strawberries.
NOTE: The custard will not cover the tops of the strawberries (especially if your strawberries are quite large.
Step 6 - Add The Remaining Jelly & Chill Overnight
Gently spoon the remaining jelly over the top of the custard.
Place into the fridge overnight.
Step 7 - Add The Whipped Cream
It's so easy to make your own homemade whipped cream using cream, vanilla extract and caster sugar.
Note: Alternatively you can use store-bought whipped cream.
Use hand-held beaters, a stand-mixer or a Thermomix to beat the cream, vanilla and sugar until soft peaks form.
Gently spoon the lightly whipped cream over the top of the jelly and smooth with the back of a spoon.
Step 8 - Decorate With Fresh Berries & Grated Chocolate
Now comes the fun part!
Use all of your favourite in-season berries to arrange on top of the whipped cream.
TOP TIP: Cut the strawberries in half (particularly if they're quite large).
Use a grater or zester to grate chocolate over the top of the strawberry trifle.
Expert Tips & FAQ
Want the down-low on making the perfect Christmas trifle?
Here's my top tips to get you started:
Yes, absolutely! In fact, you really NEED to make trifle the day before!
For the best results, trifle should be chilled overnight to allow the layers to set, the cake to soften and the flavours to develop. Definitely DO NOT skip the chilling time!
Of course! Trifle is an all-time favourite dessert with kids - thanks to the delicious layers of jelly, custard, cream and cake! Just ensure you substitute the Cointreau with fruit juice to make it suitable for children.
To be honest, in this Strawberry Trifle recipe there's really no benefit to making your own homemade custard (unless of course, you really, reeeeally want to - in which case, try this recipe!).
As long as you use a good quality store-bought custard (like Pauls Double Thick Custard), there's no flavour difference at all... so save yourself some time and effort and use store-bought!
There is absolutely NO way of serving up a nice, neat little bowl with perfect layers of trifle! Use a large spoon to dig down through all the delicious layers and place them into a bowl. You'll have a messy (but oh-so-delicious) dessert!
Store any leftover trifle in the fridge and consume within 2 days.
This recipe is not suitable for freezing.
Related Recipes
Chilled no-bake desserts are perfect for entertaining during summer!
Here's a few of my favourite no-bake desserts:
- No-Bake Rocky Road Cheesecake - this over-the-top cheesecake is decorated with marshmallows, chocolate topping, nuts, raspberry lollies and more!
- No-Bake Chocolate Cheesecake - a classic chocolate cheesecake that looks elegant and tastes amazing. The ultimate dessert.
- Tiramisu - coffee, cream and liqueur soaked lady finger biscuits..... simply delicious.
- Christmas Jelly Cake - I love this festive green and red layered dessert. It's a fun recipe to make with the kids and looks fantastic served on the Christmas dessert table.
- Raspberry, Chocolate & Meringue Ice Cream Cake - whip up this ice-cream cake ahead of time and have a refreshing dessert ready when you need it!
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Strawberry Trifle
Ingredients
- 4 X 85 g packets strawberry jelly crystals like Aeroplane brand
- 625 ml (2 ½ cups) boiling water
- 400 ml cold water
- 450 g Madeira cake or vanilla cake, sponge cake or sponge jam roll
- 80 ml Cointreau or fruit juice , see notes
- 250 g strawberries fresh
- 900 g double thick vanilla custard like Pauls brand, see notes
- 600 ml thickened cream
- 45 g caster sugar
- 2 tsp vanilla extract
- fresh berries your choice of strawberries, blueberries, blackberries, raspberries and cherries, to decorate
- 50 g chocolate grated, to decorate
Instructions
- In a large bowl, add the strawberry jelly crystals and boiling water. Stir until the crystals have dissolved. Add the cold water and mix through.Chill the jelly in the fridge for 1 hour (or until just slightly thickened, but not set).
- Meanwhile, place the Madeira cake onto a chopping board and cut into cubes (approximately 3cm).Place the cubes of cake into the base of a 3.5 litre trifle dish or a large serving bowl.Drizzle the liquid (Cointreau or fruit juice) over the top of the cake.
- Gently spoon half of the jelly over the top.
- Cut the strawberries in half and place along the outside edge of the trifle bowl (with the cut-side facing outwards).
- Spoon the custard over the top of the jelly (note: the custard may not cover the entire strawberries).
- Spoon over the remaining jelly.
- Chill in the fridge overnight.
- Use hand-held beaters or a stand-mixer to whip the cream, vanilla and sugar on medium speed until soft peaks form. Note: if using a Thermomix, insert the Butterfly attachment and mix on Speed 3 until soft peaks form.
- Decorate the trifle with all of your favourite in-season berries.
- Grate the chocolate over the top of the whipped cream and berries using a grater or zester, and serve.
Notes
- Madeira cake - you can use any plain sweet (unfrosted) cake in trifle. I recommend using either Madeira cake, sponge cake, jam sponge roll or vanilla cake.
- Cointreau (or fruit juice) - drizzling liquid over the cake helps to soften and flavour it. If you're preparing an adults-only dessert then use Cointreau. However, if like me, you're catering for both adults and children, simply substitute the Cointreau for a fruit juice (like cranberry, orange or apple juice).
- Fresh strawberries - summer is the perfect time to make this strawberry trifle! Fresh strawberries are absolutely bursting with flavour and make this trifle recipe extra sweet and flavoursome.
- Strawberry Jelly Crystals - I use packets of strawberry Aeroplane jelly for this recipe. You could substitute with a different flavour of jelly if you prefer.
- Custard - I recommend using Pauls brand Double Thick Vanilla Custard as it has an amazing flavour and the perfect thickness for trifle. If using a different brand, ensure that it is extra thick. Alternatively you can make your own homemade custard using this recipe and cooking for a few extra minutes until very thick.
- Whipped Cream - I like to make my own whipped cream using thickened or whipping cream, caster sugar and vanilla extract. Alternatively, you could use a can of store-bought whipped cream.
- Fresh Berries - tis' the season for delicious berries bursting with flavour! Use whatever berries you like to decorate your strawberry trifle - I like to use a mix of strawberries, blueberries, raspberries, blackberries and cherries.
- Grated chocolate - nothing completes a trifle like a good sprinkling of grated chocolate over the top! Either milk or dark chocolate work beautifully in this recipe.
Mehjabeen
Hi do u need sooo much jelly: 4 packs or can i use onli 2 an do i need cream, i was thinking just usin the custard?
Lucy
Hi there, for best results, I recommend following the recipe without any changes.