How to make the ultimate trifle

Good Food Blog

What is RSS?

Posted at 9:02AM, 28 December 2011 by Roxanne Fisher - Writer/Sub-editor, bbcgoodfood.com

It's a festive favourite but with so many different people to please making a trifle is often more complicated than its name suggests. Our Good Food experts and Good Food fans share their tips on getting it right.

What our experts say:

Use up leftovers

Food editor, bbcgoodfood.com, Caroline Hire: "Use leftover Christmas pudding instead of sponge and Grand Marnier instead of sherry.'"

Quick festive trifle

Cookery assistant, Cassie Best: "For a gorgeous festive trifle I place slices of ginger cake at the bottom then layer up with clementine slices (which look great lined around the edge of the bowl) mixed with a little chopped stem ginger and a drizzle of sherry, amaretto or Grand Marnier, then top with custard, cream and flaked almonds."

Leave to mature

Deputy food editor, Sarah Cook: "Let it sit - a good trifle really improves from being made ahead so all the flavours can 'marry' - which not only makes your life easier, it makes the trifle taste better."

A finishing touch

Cookery assistant, Adam Russell:: "Add a fancy finishing touch to your trifle with some fresh fruit before serving."

T-total trifle

Deputy food editor, Sarah Cook: "Worried about kids getting tipsy? Split the trifle into two bowls and make one with grape juice, or juice from the fruits you are using."

From Facebook: Kaje Sawkins Add white chocolate to your custard, and lime zest in the cream, mmmmmm. Louise Bolotin I skip the custard as I hate it. I make a corking trifle with extra cream, plenty of fresh raspberries and a base from Madeira cake, soaked in raspberry liqueur.

Mandi Cresswell We love a chocolate muffin/Black Forest version as a special treat at Christmas, use chocolate muffins as a base, soak with cherry liqueur, add quality kirsch cherries, top with a vanilla custard, cover with cream and sprinkle with dark chocolate shavings - lush.

Try out these suggestions with our selection of trifle recipes, or join the debate on Facebook and let us know your tips.

Your binder

Here are three other great reasons to sign up:

You get an online binder, where you can store all your favourite recipes and create menus.
You can add your own recipes to this site for others to try; plus, rate and make comments on recipes, and share your views on our blog.
You can sign up for our weekly newsletter (sent out on Wednesdays) - it's packed with recipes, special offers and competitions.