Blackberry trifle is a classic British dessert recipe with a twist. Get the recipe below.
The perfect dessert
You may have seen that earlier this week I posted my recipe for a Roast Pork with Apples and Cider Gravy. Along with the recipe, I shared some of my top tips for serving up your roast on time without any burnt parsnips or under-cooked carrots.
As good as that recipe is (and boy is it good) a Sunday roast just isn't complete without a pudding, and not just any pudding but a trifle!
What goes into a trifle?
The trifle is such a quintessentially British pud - its long history goes back as far as 1585 where it first appeared in a book called “The good huswife’s Kewell” by Thomas Dawson though this referred to a thick cream flavoured with sugar, ginger and rosewater not at all like the pudding we know today. (Thanks Wikipedia for that little fact.)
Almost every family up and down the land has their own recipe but there are certain elements everyone agrees on, a traditional trifle must have:
- Custard;
- Cream;
- Fruit; and
- Sponge soaked in alcohol or fruit juice.
You’ll find the odd recipe with jelly but this is really a matter of taste.
Blackberry Trifle
To celebrate the British-ness of this dessert, I decided to use blackberries as the fruit of choice in this imaginatively named “Blackberry Trifle”. I have fond memories of picking blackberries from hedgerows around my home town and while away on holidays to Cornwall and Devon. If I happen to come across a blackberry bush even now I’m likely to stop to pick a few!
I like to think of this Blackberry Trifle as a grown up desert. Not only have I stuck with blackberries, flavoured with a hint of star anise, but I've also drenched the sponge layers in kirsch and black raspberry liqueur which adds an extra dimension to the dessert. Lastly, I've opted for extra lashings of thick white chocolate custard and just a few squirts of whipped cream to top it all off. The fresh white chocolate custard makes this a really rich and decadent dessert but the blackberry with star anise compote cuts through this making it incredibly more-ish. I've stated that this recipe serves 6-8 but these are some pretty generous helpings! Bring your appetite!
Simple shortcuts
There are a couple of ways you can make life easier for yourself with this recipe. First, is not foraging for your own blackberries - just pick them up in store! If you can't find fresh (or they are super pricey) opt for frozen berries, it shouldn't affect the taste.
You can also use store bought Madeira cake if you don’t have time to bake your own. If you do chose to bake your own, try using a cake tin that is the same size of the trifle dish so that you don’t have to play tetris with pieces of cake trying to create a complete layer! (Trust me, I've made this mistake a few times...)
Last but not least, don’t forget to take out the star anise! No one wants a broken tooth from eating trifle.
Hopefully I've convinced you that trifle isn't just an old fashioned pudding your Nan rolls out for special occasions. This updated version is seriously tasty and a real crowd pleaser!
The recipe
Blackberry Trifle
Ingredients
- 250 g white chocolate
- 4 egg yolks
- 150 g caster sugar 50g for the custard, 100g for the compote
- 300 ml milk
- 300 g double cream roughly 170g for the custard, 130g for whipping
- 1 vanilla pod seeds only
- 600 g Madeira sponge cake bought or home-made
- 10 tablespoon kirsch liqueur
- 500 g blackberries 700g if using frozen (keep a handful to one side for decorating)
- 1 tablespoon butter
- 1 star of star anise
- 1 sprig mint
Instructions
- Begin by creaming together the egg yolks and caster sugar in a large bowl. Whisk for about 2-3 minutes (by hand is fine) until the mixture becomes pale, thick and creamy. It will also increase slightly in volume.
- Next, pour the milk and cream along with the seeds of the vanilla pod into a heavy bottomed saucepan and bring to the boil.
- Add a ladle full of the hot milk/cream to the egg yolk mix and whisk quickly ensuring the mix does not curdle.
- Add the rest of the milk/cream a ladle full at a time until fully combined.
- Pour the mix back into the sauce pan and cook over a moderate heat for another 5 minutes until the custard begins to thicken and coats the back of your spoon.
- Add in the white chocolate and stir until this has melted completely.
- You must allow the custard to cool completely before you can build the trifle so place this to one side.
- To make the blackberry compote, melt the knob of butter in a large pan on a low heat.
- Add the blackberries, sugar and star anise to the pan and cook for 5 minutes or until the fruit starts to soften and burst.
- Remove the star anise and place to one side to cool.
- Once both the custard and compote are cool you can begin to build the trifle.
- Begin by layering half of the sponge in the bottom of your trifle dish before spooning over half of the kirsch.
- Next, layer on top of the sponge half of the cooled blackberry compote followed by half of the custard.
- Repeat the sponge, kirsch, blackberry and custard layers for a second time and place in the fridge to set (ideally leave overnight).
- Before serving, decorate the trifle with some of the reserved blackberries and cream (whipped). Top with a sprig of mint and dive in!
Nutrition
More dessert recipes
If you've enjoyed this Blackberry Trifle recipe, why not try one of these other delicious desserts.
The dessert recipe collection
For more delicious dessert recipes check out the dessert recipe archive.
Choclette says
I do love a good trifle and yours looks excellent. I heartily approve of the white chocolate addition and the blackberries give a sophisticated touch.
Emma Walton says
Thanks Choclette!!! White chocolate custard is my new favourite thing. I'm going to try and incorporate it into every dessert I can haha! Glad you like it 🙂
nazima says
what a lovely trifle. I do love blackberries, their colour and floral sweetness. The sweet trifle layers are a perfect way to soften the acidity of them too!
Emma Walton says
Thanks Nazima! The white chocolate is really what gives it the edge and balances them out 🙂 this is a must try!!! X
Linda says
Looks delicious! 🙂
Emma Walton says
Thanks Linda 😀 xx
Emma Walton says
Thanks Linda 😀
Tracy says
Yum, I especially like a pudding when it's used in the same sentence as 'generous helpings'! Sounds lovely.
Emma Walton says
Haha thanks Tracy 😀 puddings should always be generous 😉
Jen says
I'm not the worlds biggest trifle fan but I think you could convert me with this boozy concoction 🙂
Emma Walton says
Haha thanks Jen. I don't usually go for trifle either but this is a winning recipe!
ManjiriK says
I love blueberries and this combination of custard and white chocolate and the naughty bit of liqueur is just too tempting!
Emma Walton says
Thanks so much for stopping by! After making white chocolate custard for the first time I feel like all custard should be white chocolate now 😛
Helen at Casa Costello says
Very pretty - Love the Britishness! Thanks for sharing your link to include in my post x
Emma Walton says
Thanks Helen. I think its important to celebrate seasonal produce in recipes like this! And thank you for including it!