Easy Blackberry and Apple Trifle is an ideal dessert to make the most of foraged blackberries and homegrown apples. It’s simple to make and the layers of cake, fruit, custard, and cream make it one of my very favourite desserts.
I’m lucky that I have access to all the hedgerows on our farm and I have my own apple tree. However, if you don’t have access to the countryside and have no apple tree, never fear, you can buy cultivated blackberries or use frozen fruit. And apples are available everywhere and all year round.
WHAT ARE BLACKBERRIES?
Blackberries are the fruit of a usually prickly bush which is part of the rose family. Each individual blackberry, when ripe, is made up of 20-50 single seeds known as drupelets that are small, juice-filled, and a deep purplish-black when ripe.
ARE BRAMBLES THE SAME AS BLACKBERRIES?
In Scotland blackberries are known as brambles, the terms can be used interchangeably. Sometimes the long, prickly arching stems are referred to as the brambles and the fruit the blackberries. Whatever you call them, they are absolutely delicious!
WHERE CAN I FIND BLACKBERRIES?
FORAGED BLACKBERRIES
Wild blackberries grow in all kinds of places. You will find them growing over ruined buildings, at the edges of woodlands, in parks, and in hedgerows. I even have them invading my garden!
CULTIVATED BLACKBERRIES
You can buy cultivated blackberries at markets, in supermarkets and green grocer’s shops. You can also grow the cultivated varieties in your garden. One of the advantages of cultivated blackberries is that you can get thornless varieties.
HOW TO PICK BLACKBERRIES
If you’ve never picked wild blackberries or brambles, then here are a few tips to help you with your foraging and avoid disappointment.
- Blackberries are at their best towards the latter half of summer, peaking in August and early September.
- You will find blackberries in woods, hedges, roadside verges, and possibly even your garden.
- Do not trespass on private property, always ask if you see blackberries in an area that looks private.
- Don’t pick blackberries close to a busy road as the berries will be covered in pollution from exhaust fumes.
- Pick only berries that are fully black and shiny. Mature berries are plump yet firm, a deep black colour, and pull free from the plant without a yank. Berries do not ripen after being picked.
- Once you pick each berry check the core (see photo above) it should be white and not discoloured. If it is brown then the berry is past its best and should go into the compost.
- Pick blackberries during the cooler parts of the day. Once picked, place berries in the shade and refrigerate as soon as possible
- Once you get your berries home, pour them out into trays or baking trays in a single layer, and remove any soft or unripe berries and random leaves.
- Don’t wash the berries until you are ready to use them or freeze them. Washing makes them more prone to spoiling.
Can I make the trifle ahead of time?
Make the trifle on the day you plan to serve it. However, you can make it and keep in the fridge for about 6 hours beforehand. Add the flaked almonds and decorative fruit just before serving.
Can I freeze Blackberry & Apple Trifle?
No, this dessert isn’t suitable for freezing. I often use frozen blackberries to make the compote for the trifle but the finished trifle will not freeze successfully.
Can I make a large trifle?
Yes, you can make the trifle in a single bowl with the same layers and serve into dishes. Or you can layer up individual trifles in glass bowls.
Vegetarian
Blackberry and Apple Trifle is suitable for vegetarians. Please check the cake and custard packaging to ensure that there are no animal products.
Gluten Free
Please use a gluten-free vanilla cake for the trifle base and check the packaging on the custard for any ingredients that may contain gluten.
For more information regarding any dietary information provided on this website, please refer to my Nutritional Disclaimer.
Step by Step How to make Easy Blackberry and Apple Trifle
This Blackberry and Apple Trifle really is very simple to make. Use ready made cake and custard and it’s an easy assembly job that looks fantastic and tastes amazing.
Trifle is one of my favourite desserts, it’s such an easy dessert to assemble and now that you can get really good ready-made custard in supermarkets it is even easier.
Put the cake in the base of the glass
Start the Blackberry and Apple Trifle with some cubes of Madeira cake. You can use other plain cake or even trifle sponges, but I find that madeira cake makes a nice base.
Add the sherry
Madeira cake soaks up alcohol very nicely and holds together well without disintegrating. I used the last of my Hedgerow Vodka, but use sherry or other fruit liqueurs whatever you enjoy.
Make with orange juice
Make it without alcohol, use orange juice to moisten the cake.
Add the Blackberry and Apple Compote
Make sure you add plenty of the Blackberry and Apple compote. It’s the star of the show and, although it is sweetened, it has a nice tart flavour which balances out the custard and cream.
Spoon over the custard
Spoon the custard over the fruit compote. Make sure you cover the blackberry and apple compote it with a nice even layer of custard.
Whip the cream
Whip the double (heavy) cream just to the point where it holds its shape.
Pipe the cream onto the Easy Blackberry & Apple Trifle
Pipe the cream onto the trifles if you want to make the Easy Blackberry and Apple Trifle a little prettier. I used a Wilton 1M piping nozzle and started piping from the centre of the bowl.
If you are not confident about piping then simply pile the cream on top of the custard.
How should I serve Blackberry and Apple Trifle?
Just before serving sprinkle the trifle with toasted flaked almonds, a fresh blackberry and a thin slice of apple.
More Blackberry and Apple Recipes from Farmersgirl Kitchen
Blackberry and Apple Crumble is one of the real treats of the end of summer. It’s an easy dessert to make and can be served with ice cream, cream, yogurt or custard.
Easy Blackberry and Apple Hand Pies are individual puff pastry dessert pies filled with delicious blackberries and apple.
Blackberry & Apple Jelly is a classic and delicious jelly that is the perfect way to preserve the flavours of autumn (fall).
Spiced Blackberry Jam is a delicious combination of sweet blackberries and warming spices. Make it with whole berries or make it seedless and smooth whatever your preference. It’s perfect to serve on bread, toast and scones.
What to make with Blackberries
What to make with Blackberries is a collection of 30 Blackberry recipes. You’ll find Blackberry Desserts; Jams, Jellies & Preserves; Cakes & Bakes; Drinks & Cocktails and even a savoury recipe all using blackberries. There is bound to be a blackberry recipe you want to make.
More Blackberry and Apple Recipes
- Elizabeth’s Kitchen – Blackberry and Apple Skillet Breakfast Crumble
- Family Friends Food – Blackberry and Apple Crumble Cake
- Fab Food 4 All – Blackberry and Tofu Brulee
Easy Blackberry and Apple Trifle
Ingredients
- 150 grams (5½ oz) madeira or other sponge cake
- 300 grams (1¼ cups) Easy Vanilla Custard Sauce or ready made chilled custard
- 200 millilitres (¾ cups) double cream
- 25 grams (2½ tbsp) flaked almonds, toasted
- 20 millilitres (1½ tbsp) hedgerow vodka, sherry or orange juice
- 4 (4) fresh blackberries for decoration
- 1 apple for decoration
Blackberry and Apple Compote
- 4 medium (4 medium ) cooking apples
- 300 grams (1½ cups) blackberries
- 100 grams (½ cups) sugar
- 2 tablespoon (2 tablespoon) water
Instructions
To make the compote
- 4 medium cooking applesPeel, core and dice the apples.
- 300 grams blackberries, 100 grams sugar, 2 tablespoon waterPut the apples, blackberries, sugar and water into a saucepan and heat gently until the sugar is melted.
- Simmer for 5-10 minutes until the apples have dissolved to a pulp.
- Leave to cool.
To assemble the trifes
- 150 grams madeira or other sponge cake, 20 millilitres hedgerow vodka, sherry or orange juiceCut the cake into cubes and place in the bottom of the trifle dishes, divide the alcohol between the four portions, sprinkling over the cake.
- Spoon blackberry and apple compote over the cake. You will have plenty of compote, so add as much as you like but do cover the cake.
- 300 grams Easy Vanilla Custard SauceCover the compote with custard.
- 200 millilitres double creamWhip the cream until it is soft but will hold its shape. You don’t have to pipe it onto the trifles but it does look pretty. I used a Wilton 1M piping nozzle. If you don’t pipe then simply pile the cream onto the custard.
- 25 grams flaked almonds, toastedToast the flaked almonds in a dry frying pan on a medium heat, moving them around until they are a golden brown.
- 4 fresh blackberries, 1 appleJust before serving, Sprinkle the toasted almonds over the trifles and add fresh blackberries and a half slice of apple.
Elizabeth says
Blackberry and apple are such a perfect fruit pairing, but I never thought to put them together in a trifle before. Genius! I’ll be trying this soon. 🙂
Janice Pattie says
Thanks, Elizabeth, enjoy the fruits of the season!
Camilla Hawkins says
Loving the idea of blackberry and apple in a trifle, must try this! Lovely photos too!
Janice Pattie says
Thank you, Camilla. I’m so fortunate to have access to these seasonal fruits in abundance. So I’ll try to include them in every dessert!
Kellie Anderson says
This trifle looks fantastic! I can’t do jelly so I was grateful not to see any mention of this evil ingredient 🙂 Seriously, it sounds gorgeous and perfect for the start of autumn comfort food cravings
Janice Pattie says
Oh, you are completely right there Kellie. My granny called trifle with jelly ‘children’s trifle’ and I’m sure it was those packets of trifle ingredients in the 1960s and 70s that created the myth that you need Jelly in your trifle. Mum always made her own egg custard too, at least for special occasions, but the top end ready made stuff is really good and much quicker!
Lesley Garden says
This looks delicious, I’ll have to make it as I love a good trifle.
Janice Pattie says
Thanks Lesley. Trifle is a great favourite in our house.
Corina Blum says
This is such a lovely trifle recipe! My mum used to make a trifle almost every week when I was growing up and because of that I got bored of it and have never made one myself. However, this looks so good and I love the fact it’s made with foraged berries and apples from your own tree.
Janice Pattie says
Thanks Corina. I can imagine how that might put you off! I love foraging for free food and then making recipes for it.
Jenny walters says
What a great recipe and I love all the blues in your sumptuous photos.Beautiful!
Janice Pattie says
Thank you, Jenny.
Choclette says
Oh, you do know how to make my mouth water. This looks fabulous. I love the blackberry season and blackberry and apple is a classic combination for good reason. Nice video too.
Janice Pattie says
I love the blackberry season too, thanks for your kind comments.
Jo Allison / Jo's Kitchen Larder says
Who doesn’t like a trifle and combination of blackberries and apples is so delicious. You made it look so pretty too! 🙂
Janice Pattie says
Thanks, Jo. We certainly do love trifle and that classic blackberry and apple combination.
Kavita Favelle says
I do love a good trifle and this blackberry and apple one look delicious. Very impressed with the pretty piping of the cream!
Janice Pattie says
Thank you Kavey, a little bit of piping always makes things look even more delicious!
Louise Fairweather says
Blackberries and apples are such a great combination. Thanks for linking up #cookblogshare
Janice Pattie says
Thanks Louise,it’s a pleasure to join #cookblogshare
Sheila Russell says
Just eaten this now, it was so tasty and refreshing! Just what we needed in this hot weather!
Janice Pattie says
Thank you, Sheila. I’m so glad you enjoyed the trifle.