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Christmas Trifle Recipe

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★★★★★

4.4 from 99 reviews

This festive Christmas Trifle is a beautiful layered dessert perfect for holiday celebrations. Featuring a combination of red gelatin, moist sponge cake, creamy vanilla pudding, luscious raspberry jam with fresh berries, and a light whipped cream topping, it offers a delightful blend of textures and flavors. Easy to assemble and visually stunning, this trifle is sure to be a crowd-pleaser at any Christmas gathering.

Ingredients

Scale

Gelatin Layer

  • 6 ounces red gelatin (strawberry or raspberry flavor)
  • 1 cup boiling water
  • 1 cup cold water

Base Layer

  • 1 large sponge cake, cut into cubes (store-bought or homemade)
  • ½ cup cranberry juice (or sweet sherry for an alcohol version)

Pudding Layer

  • 6.8 ounces vanilla or white chocolate instant pudding mix (two 3.4-ounce packages)
  • 4 cups cold whole milk
  • ¼ cup powdered sugar

Fruit and Jam Layer

  • 2 cups fresh strawberries, washed, hulled, and sliced
  • 2 cups fresh raspberries
  • 16 ounces raspberry jam (or preserves)

Whipped Cream Layer

  • 2 cups heavy cream
  • ¼ cup powdered sugar
  • 1 teaspoon vanilla extract

Garnish

  • A few fresh mint leaves
  • Additional fresh strawberries and raspberries
  • Powdered sugar (for dusting)

Instructions

  1. Prepare Gelatin: In a medium bowl, dissolve the red gelatin packet in 1 cup of boiling water, stirring until fully dissolved. Add 1 cup of cold water and set aside to cool slightly.
  2. Build First Layer: Arrange sponge cake cubes in the bottom of a large trifle bowl. Drizzle cranberry juice or sherry over the cake to moisten it evenly.
  3. Add Gelatin Layer: Pour the cooled red gelatin mixture over the soaked cake layer, spreading evenly. Refrigerate for 30-45 minutes until the gelatin is softly set but not fully firm.
  4. Prepare Pudding: In a large mixing bowl, whisk together the instant pudding mix and cold milk until thick and smooth. Stir in ¼ cup powdered sugar. Refrigerate the pudding while the gelatin sets.
  5. Add Pudding Layer: Once the gelatin is softly set, spoon the vanilla pudding over it, spreading evenly. Return the trifle to the refrigerator.
  6. Prepare Fruit Jam Mixture: Warm the raspberry jam in the microwave for 30 seconds to 1 minute to soften it. Combine the sliced strawberries and raspberries with the softened jam, coating the fruit well.
  7. Add Fruit Layer: Carefully spread the fruit and jam mixture over the pudding layer. Place back in the refrigerator.
  8. Make Whipped Cream: Whip the heavy cream with the remaining ¼ cup of powdered sugar and vanilla extract in a medium bowl until stiff peaks form.
  9. Add Whipped Cream Layer: Spread the whipped cream over the fruit and jam layer evenly.
  10. Garnish and Chill: Decorate the top with fresh strawberries, raspberries, fresh mint leaves, and dust with powdered sugar. Refrigerate for at least 2-3 hours, preferably overnight, to allow flavors to meld and gelatin to set fully.
  11. Serve: Serve the Christmas Trifle chilled for best flavor and texture.

Notes

  • For an adult version, substitute cranberry juice with sweet sherry.
  • Use a clear trifle bowl to showcase the beautiful layers.
  • Ensure the gelatin is only softly set before adding pudding to avoid mixing layers.
  • Prepare the trifle at least a few hours ahead or overnight for best results.
  • Use fresh, ripe berries for optimal flavor and freshness.
  • Adjust sweetness by modifying powdered sugar amounts to taste.
  • The sponge cake can be homemade or store-bought depending on preference and convenience.

Keywords: Christmas trifle, holiday dessert, layered dessert, gelatin trifle, vanilla pudding trifle, raspberry dessert

Find it online: https://flavorsbymaya.com/christmas-trifle-recipe/