Easter Trifle Dessert (Printable)
Festive layered dessert with sponge, custard, berries, and cream
# What You'll Need:
→ Sponge Cake Layer
01 - 1 pound prepared sponge cake or ladyfingers, cubed
02 - 1/4 cup orange juice or sherry (optional, for soaking)
→ Custard Layer
03 - 2 cups whole milk
04 - 4 large egg yolks
05 - 1/2 cup granulated sugar
06 - 3 tbsp cornstarch
07 - 1 tsp vanilla extract
→ Berry Layer
08 - 2 cups mixed berries (strawberries, raspberries, blueberries), fresh or thawed
09 - 2 tbsp granulated sugar
10 - 1 tbsp lemon juice
→ Whipped Cream Layer
11 - 1 1/2 cups heavy cream
12 - 2 tbsp powdered sugar
13 - 1 tsp vanilla extract
→ Garnish (Optional)
14 - Assorted chocolate eggs
15 - Colored sprinkles
16 - Fresh mint leaves
# How-To Steps:
01 - Cube the sponge cake or ladyfingers and arrange half in the base of a large trifle dish. Sprinkle with orange juice or sherry if using.
02 - Heat milk until steaming in a saucepan. Whisk egg yolks with sugar and cornstarch. Gradually pour hot milk into yolk mixture, whisking constantly. Return to pan and cook over medium heat, stirring until thickened. Remove from heat, add vanilla, and cool completely.
03 - Mix berries with sugar and lemon juice in a bowl. Let sit for 10 minutes to release juices.
04 - Whip heavy cream, powdered sugar, and vanilla until soft peaks form.
05 - Layer half the custard over cake, spoon in half the berries, add half the whipped cream. Repeat layers with remaining cake, custard, berries, and whipped cream.
06 - Decorate top with chocolate eggs, colored sprinkles, and fresh mint if desired. Refrigerate at least 2 hours before serving.
# Expert Suggestions:
01 -
- You can assemble most of it the night before and emerge from the kitchen looking effortless while guests rave about the showstopping centerpiece
- Those spoonfuls with all three layers hitting your tongue at once are the kind of moment that make people close their eyes and forget polite conversation
02 -
- The custard must be completely cool before layering or it will melt your whipped cream into a sad puddle. I learned this the hard way one Easter morning.
- Trifle actually tastes better after sitting for several hours or overnight. Those layers seep into each other and create this incredible marriage of textures.
03 -
- Run your knife through larger berries so the juice distributes better and you get berry flavor in every single bite
- Place your trifle dish on a sturdy serving tray before assembling because moving a full bowl without spilling is nearly impossible