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English Trifle Cake

17/11/2023

The English Trifle Cake is a rich and luscious dessert inspired by the traditional English trifle, transformed into a cake. Here’s how to prepare it:

Ingredients

  • 300 g of sponge cake (you can use store-bought or make it at home)
  • 500 ml of custard (ready-made or homemade)
  • Alchermes liqueur as needed to soak the sponge cake
  • Unsweetened cocoa powder for dusting
  • 200 g of dark chocolate
  • 300 ml of fresh cream for whipping

For the custard (if homemade):

  • 6 egg yolks
  • 150 g of sugar
  • 50 g of flour or cornstarch
  • 1 vanilla pod
  • 500 ml of whole milk

Preparation

If you’re making the custard at home, start with it:

  1. Heat the milk with the split vanilla pod to release the seeds.
  2. In a bowl, whisk the yolks with the sugar until frothy, then add the sifted flour and mix well.
  3. Remove the vanilla from the milk and gradually pour the hot liquid over the yolks, stirring constantly.
  4. Return the mixture to the pot and cook over medium heat, stirring continuously, until the cream thickens.
  5. Let it cool by covering with cling film touching the surface to prevent a skin from forming, and optionally store in the fridge.

To assemble the cake:

  1. Cut the sponge cake into layers about 1 cm thick.
  2. Moisten each sponge layer with enough Alchermes to dampen it without soaking it too much.
  3. Place the first moistened sponge cake layer on a serving plate.
  4. Spread a generous layer of custard over it.
  5. Repeat the process until all the ingredients are used up, ending with a layer of sponge cake.
  6. Put the cake in the fridge for about an hour to set.

For the topping:

  1. Melt the dark chocolate in a double boiler.
  2. Whip the fresh cream without adding sugar.
  3. Fold the melted chocolate into the whipped cream with gentle movements to keep it airy.
  4. Cover the cake with this chocolate mousse.
  5. Finally, dust the surface with unsweetened cocoa.

Put the cake back in the fridge for at least another 2 hours before serving.

A curiosity: the name “English trifle” comes from its resemblance to the English trifle, a layered dessert made of sponge cake, cream, and fruit. The Italian “trifle” is distinguished by the use of Alchermes, a liqueur with a bright red color and a unique taste that gives the dessert its characteristic aromatic note.

English Trifle Cake