Cranberry Trifle Recipe (original) (raw)
This easy Cranberry Trifle Recipe has soft cake layered with sweet-tart cranberries and a creamy homemade custard. Trifles are best made ahead of time making them the perfect desserts for potlucks or holiday meals!
Between the combination of sweet creamy custard and fresh tart cranberries, this beautiful trifle is perfect for any time of year!
What is a Trifle?
A trifle is a traditional British dessert containing layers of soft cake and custard. Trifles often contain layers of fruit and/or liquors and are topped with whipped cream.
Trifle Preparation
I love serving trifles for dessert, especially when I am cooking for a crowd! They’re always gorgeous, easy to make and the best part is that you make them ahead of time!
This cranberry trifle features a homemade sweet-tart cranberry sauce and a from-scratch custard layered with your favorite cake! You can assemble this up to 2 days ahead of time but I’d recommend adding the whipped cream & decorations just prior to serving.
How to Make a Trifle
So this trifle can be prepared by making each layer from scratch or using store-bought pound cake, vanilla pudding, and cranberry sauce. To be honest, it’s best made homemade. If you are short on time, the most important part is the cranberry sauce as it’s more tart and fresh than a store-bought version.
- Prepare cake
- Prepare cranberry sauce
- Prepare custard (learn how to temper eggs here)
- Layer and refrigerate
You’ll want to allow at least 4 hours for the trifle refrigerate. This allows the cake layers to soak up the sauces a bit and all of the flavors to blend.
Toppings for Trifle
I don’t add toppings until just before serving which keeps it fresh and pretty! You can use whipped cream, whipped topping or even shaved white chocolate and fresh cranberries as a topping. I topped this recipe with Sugared Cranberries and added a little bit of orange peel to make it pretty.
Of course this trifle can be made in any bowl, pan or dish but a trifle bowl is my favorite way to layer it. Trifle bowls are inexpensive but allow you to see all of the layers which makes a beautiful presentation. We use our trifle bowl for all kinds of desserts, snacks and even for layered salads so it doesn’t just sit in the cupboard!
More Cranberry Recipes You’ll Love
- Cranberry Feta Pinwheels
- Sour Cream Cranberry Bars
- Cranberry Waldorf Salad
- Easy Cranberry Sauce
- Millionaire Cranberry Salad
- Frozen Cranberry Bars
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This easy cranberry trifle features soft cake layered with sweet tart cranberries and homemade custard. This beautiful dessert is perfect for any time of year!
Prep Time 40 minutes
Cook Time 35 minutes
Total Time 1 hour 15 minutes
Cook ModePrevent your screen from going dark
Cranberry Layer
- ▢ 24 ounces fresh cranberries 2 packages
- ▢ 1 ½ cups water
- ▢ 1 cup granulated sugar
- ▢ 1 cinnamon stick
Custard Layer
- ▢ 1 ⅓ cups granulated sugar
- ▢ 3 tablespoons cornstarch
- ▢ ¼ teaspoon salt
- ▢ 4 ½ cups milk
- ▢ 9 egg yolks
- ▢ 1 tablespoon vanilla extract
- ▢ 1 tablespoon butter
Cake
- ▢ 14.25 ounces white cake mix 1 box, baked, cooled and cubed
- ▢ whipped cream for decorating
- ▢ Sugared Cranberries for decorating
Cranberry Layer
- Combine all cranberry layer ingredients in a saucepan. Bring to a boil, reduce heat and cook uncovered about 10 minutes. Cool completely. Discard cinnamon stick.
Custard Layer
- Combine sugar, cornstarch, and salt in a large saucepan. Whisk in milk. Stir over medium-high heat until mixture reaches a boil, let boil 2 minutes while stirring.
- Whisk egg yolks in a small bowl. Slowly add 1 cup of the hot milk mixture at a time to the eggs while whisking. Return the mixture to the sauce pan and stir over medium heat until thick and bubbly. Let boil 2 minutes.
- Remove from heat and stir in butter and vanilla.
- Cool in the saucepan for 15-20 minutes stirring occasionally. Pour into a large bowl and place plastic wrap on the surface. Refrigerate until completely cooled.
Assembly
- Place half of the cake cubes on the bottom of a trifle bowl. Top with half of the cranberry mixture and half of the custard. Repeat layers.
- Top with whipped cream and candied cranberries if desired.
Calories: 387 | Carbohydrates: 77g | Protein: 6g | Fat: 6g | Saturated Fat: 3g | Cholesterol: 136mg | Sodium: 404mg | Potassium: 178mg | Fiber: 2g | Sugar: 54g | Vitamin A: 290IU | Vitamin C: 5.8mg | Calcium: 182mg | Iron: 1.5mg
Nutrition information provided is an estimate and will vary based on cooking methods and brands of ingredients used.
Course Dessert
Cuisine American
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Recipe Adapted from Taste of Home
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About the author
Holly Nilsson is the creator of Spend With Pennies, where she creates easy, comforting recipes made for real life. With a passion for nostalgic flavors and simplified techniques, Holly helps busy home cooks create delicious meals that always work. She is also the author of “Everyday Comfort,” which promises to inspire even more hearty, home-cooked meals.
See more posts by Holly
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