Individual Raspberry Trifles

Individual Raspberry Trifles are little pots of delight. Each individual trifle has layers of soft sponge, juicy sweet Scottish raspberries, silky smooth custard and is finished with a topping of whipped cream. These individual trifles are ideal to serve for dessert at parties as well as family meals.

What is trifle?

A traditional British trifle is made with sponge cake soaked in sherry with fruit. This is covered with real egg custard and topped with whipped cream. Recipes for trifle date back as far as the 1590s and trifle is said to have evolved as a way of repurposing stale cake into a delicious dessert.

Why make Individual Raspberry Trifles?

Raspberry Trifle is a dessert that both my Mum and my grandmother would make for family occasions. And I also love to make big bowls of trifle. However, when there are only two of us, a large bowl of trifle is just too much, this recipe allows me to make as few or as many individual trifles as I need. They are also perfect to add to your buffet dessert table.

What ingredients do I need to make Individual Raspberry Trifles?

• Raspberries
• Sugar
• Trifle sponges
• Custard
• Double (heavy) cream
• Flaked almonds
• Raspberry liqueur (optional)

What kind of raspberries should I use?

I make raspberry trifles with fresh Scottish raspberries when they are in season. But if I can’t get good fresh raspberries then I use frozen raspberries. You can also use canned raspberries straight from the can. They don’t have as good a texture as fresh or frozen berries but you can still make a trifle with them.

Can I use other fruit?

If you want to make a raspberry trifle, then you need raspberries. However, you can make individual trifles with strawberries, blackberries, pears, peaches, apricots or mango. if you’d like to try something different I have recipes for Jamaica Ginger Cake and Pear Trifles, Blackberry and Apple Trifle and Rhubarb and Ginger Trifles,

What kind of sugar should I use?

I use white caster (superfine) sugar because it dissolves easily and quickly into the raspberries. You can use white granulated sugar just make sure all the crystals have dissolved or the raspberries will be gritty. Brown sugar is not suitable for this recipe as it will change the taste of the raspberries in the trifle.

What are trifle sponges?

Trifle sponges are small squares of sponge cake (yellow cake) that you can buy in UK supermarkets. They are convenient and if there are any leftover I freeze them for another time.

What can I use instead of trifle sponges?

Use any kind of light vanilla sponge cake such as Victoria sponge, Madeira cake or sponge (lady) fingers. You can also use a slice of Swiss Roll (jelly roll).

Can I use ready-made custard?

Yes, I often use ready-made custard for convenience. Choose the best quality custard you can afford. I like to use the premium chilled custard but also make the trifes with long-life custard in a carton. Or use my recipe for Easy Vanilla Custard Sauce to make your own delicious creamy custard.

I can’t find custard, what else can I use?

Custard is a very British ingredient and I’m aware that it isn’t available easily in the US. Make your own using the recipe above or use Vanilla pudding as a substitute.

Why is there no jelly (jello) in these trifles?

The first recipe for the ‘modern trifle’ is found in Hannah Glasse’s cookery book from 1747. A recipe for trifle also features in the first edition of Mrs Beeton’s Book of Household Management from 1861. Neither of these recipes includes jelly. At that time jelly was very much a dessert in its own right and usually set in fancy moulds.

I prefer my trifle without jelly as this is how my mum and gran made it. However, there is no reason why you shouldn’t add some raspberry jelly (jello) over the sponge and fruit and leave to set in the fridge before adding the custard and cream layers.

Can I use whipping cream?

I use double (heavy) cream as it has 48% fat and whips to a thick luscious cream. Whipping cream has around a 36% fat content and will also whip sufficiently to create a whipped cream that is suitable to top the individual raspberry trifles.

How should I decorate the Individual Raspberry Trifles?

I like to decorate the trifles with toasted flaked almonds. You can also reserve a few raspberries to decorate the top of the trifles. Or use some pretty coloured hundreds and thousands (sprinkles) on top.

Can I make the Individual Raspberry Trifles ahead of time?

This is the ideal dessert to make ahead of time. Make up the trifles leaving off the flaked almonds or spinkles until you are ready to serve them. If you put them on too early they will go soft. Store the made-up trifles in the fridge for up to 12 hours.

Can I freeze the Raspberry Trifles?

No, trifle is not suitable for freezing.

Vegetarian

Individual Raspberry Trifles are suitable for vegetarians. Please check the trifle sponges and any ready-made custard or sprinkles to ensure that they meet your requirements.

Gluten Free

The trifle sponges I use contain gluten. Substitute a GF vanilla sponge cake or make your own with this Gluten Free Trifle Sponge recipe from Gluten Free Alchemist Please also check any other ready-made ingredients to ensure that they are suitable for your diet.

For more information regarding any dietary information provided on this website, please refer to my Nutritional Disclaimer.

How do I serve Individual Raspberry Trifles?

If you have had the trifles in the fridge bring them out about 15-20 minutes before you plan to serve them. They will have so much more flavour than if they are fridge cold.

Serve the individual trifles for dessert anytime, I think they are ideal to serve after a big Sunday Roast when you are feeling full but just want something sweet. They make a great addition to a dessert table at Christmas, Thanksgiving or any holiday or get-together.

More Trifle Recipes

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