Jamaica Ginger Cake and Pear Trifles

Jamaica Ginger Cake and Pear Trifles are individual desserts made with sweet and sticky ginger cake, layered with fresh pears, custard and cream. They are so simple to make and are sure to become a family favourite.

Why make Jamaica Ginger Cake and Pear Trifles?

I love sweet sticky Jamaica Ginger Cake. It’s a cake that has been around for over 50 years and is still delicious. These individual Jamica Ginger Cake & Pear Trifles are really simple to make. You just need to assemble the ingredients and you have a fabulous dessert.

What ingredients do I need to make Jamaica Ginger Cake and Pear Trifles?

• Jamaica Ginger Cake
• Pears
• Dark rum, coffee liqueur or strong coffee
• Ready made custard
• Double cream
• Caster sugar 
• Flaked almonds 

What is Jamaica Ginger Cake?

Jamaica Ginger Cake is a British gingerbread cake that got its name from the ginger was imported to Britain from Jamaica along with dark brown muscovado sugar. Both ingredients are essential for a Jamaica Ginger Cake.

McVities have been producing Jamaica Ginger Cake for over 50 years and it’s readily available throughout the UK. It’s a cake I really love and it still tastes pretty much the same as I remember from my childhood.
Jamaica Ginger Cake also makes a great base for a trifle and is a nice change from sponge fingers or Madeira cake.

Can I make my own Ginger Cake?

Any sticky gingerbread cake is suitable as a base for these trifles. My recipe for Gingerbread Traybake Cake is ideal for this purpose.

What kind of pears should I use for the trifles?

I use fresh ripe pears. It doesn’t really matter what kind of pears they are as long as they are ripe.

My pears are not ripe, can I still use them?

If you have hard, unripe pears then you can use them if you poach them first. Peel the pears cut them in half, and remove the seeds and core. Place them in a wide saucepan and cover with water. Add two teaspoons of sugar and very gently simmer for 10-15 minutes until the pears are soft but not falling apart. Leave to cool then use in the trifle recipe.

Can I use canned pears in the Jamaica Ginger Cake & Pear Trifles?

Yes, canned pears are perfect to use in these trifles. If you prefer not to use rum or liqueur, you can use the juice from the canned pears instead.

What can I substitute for the rum?

I use dark rum or a coffee liqueur in the recipe. However, if you want to avoid alcohol in your trifles, then you can use strong coffee. Here are some other alternatives:

• If you use canned pears you can use the pear juice to moisten the ginger cake.
• If you poached your pears, save the poaching liquor and use that on the ginger cake.
• Use apple juice as an alternative If you don’t have any of these.

What kind of custard should I use in the trifles?

I use the best quality chilled ready-made custard. However, you can use any ready-made custard that you have available. You can also make your own, use my recipe for Easy Vanilla Custard Sauce. Leave it to cool then use as ready-made.

Can I use aerosol cream on the trifles?

If you don’t want to whip the cream, you can use aerosol (squooshy) cream. However, this kind of cream does not hold its shape for long, so only add the cream just before serving.

What alternative toppings can I use instead of flaked almonds?

I like to use flaked almonds as a topping because they add a little bit of crunch to the soft trifle. However, there are lots of other toppings you can use, here are some ideas:

• Grated or flaked chocolate
• Small pieces of crystallised ginger
• Cupcake sprinkles
• Chopped hazelnuts
• Crushed Biscoff/Speculaas biscuits

Why is there no jelly/jello in this trifle?

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.

My grandmother referred to trifle with jelly as a ‘children’s trifle’ but I know that many adults enjoy the contrasting texture of jelly as part of the layers of the trifle. So by all means use jelly if that’s what you like.

If you want to add jelly to your trifle, then I suggest that you use either orange or lemon jelly. Make up the jelly according to the packet instructions and pour over the ginger cake and pears then leave in the fridge to set before adding the custard and cream.

Can I make Jamaica Ginger Cake and Pear Trifles ahead of time?

This is the ideal dessert to make ahead of time. Make up the trifles leaving off the flaked almonds 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. Remove them from the fridge 20 minutes before you want to serve them so you can taste all the flavours.

Can I freeze Jamaica Ginger Cake and Pear Trifles?

No, the trifles are not suitable for freezing.

Vegetarian

This recipe is suitable for vegetarians, but not for vegans as it contains dairy products.

Gluten-Free

The Jamaica Ginger Cake contains wheat flour and is, therefore not suitable for a GF diet. Gluten Free Alchemist has a recipe that you can use if you would like to make a GF Jamaica Ginger Cake.

How do I serve Jamaica Ginger Cake & Pear Trifles?

Serve the trifles for dessert. I like to serve them at room temperature as if they are too cold you really can’t taste all the delicious flavours.

If you are catering for a crowd you might prefer to make one large bowl of trifle. The principles are exactly the same just double up the ingredients to serve more people.

More Ginger Cake Desserts

Chocolate Gingerbread Cupcakes have a rich chocolate taste and the sweet sticky texture of gingerbread.  Add chunks of chopped chocolate to the cupcake mixture and top with cinnamon buttercream. 

Mini Gingerbread with Lemon Glaze are impressive individual gingerbreads baked in a mini bundt pan. They also make a really delicious dessert,  serve them warm from the oven, without the glaze, with some pouring cream or custard.

Pear Upside Down Cake is the most delicious gingerbread cake made with fresh pears on the base. Serve it warm as a dessert or cut into fingers and serve as a snack with tea or coffee.

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