Trifle
An English layered dessert of sponge cake or ladyfingers, fruit or jam, custard and whipped cream, assembled in a glass bowl.
- Traditional and regional desserts
- England
A traditional trifle starts with cake soaked in sherry or fruit juice, topped with fruit or jam, then a thick layer of custard and finally whipped cream, often decorated with toasted almonds or berries. It is chilled for several hours so the layers settle and the flavors blend.
Trifle is served in a straight-sided glass bowl so the layers show. It is a classic at Christmas and family gatherings in Britain. Variations use chocolate cake, lemon curd or tropical fruit, and the Italian zuppa inglese is a close cousin.
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Written by VanillaGoods in our own words from these sources. Last reviewed October 15, 2026.
- VIDEO: How to make trifle - the Victorian way, English Heritage