Jelly Custard Trifle Squares Recipes

JELLY & CUSTARD TRIFLE SQUARES

Steps:

• Line a deep 20 x 25cm baking tin with a sheet of baking parchment so it goes along the bottom and up the sides to make it easy to lift the trifle out. If you're using a loose-bottomed tin, tightly wrap the base in foil. Cut the cakes horizontally and use to fit the base of the tin, drizzle with 3 tbsp of the sherry and set aside.
• Soak the gelatine in cold water to soften and heat the custard gently in a saucepan or in the microwave until hot. Drain and squeeze the gelatine, then stir it into the custard until completely dissolved. Leave to cool slightly, then spread it evenly over the sponge. Put in the fridge for 30 mins to set.
• Make up 1 pack of jelly following pack instructions, then leave to cool for 30 mins. Pour half over the custard, scatter over the berries, pour over the rest of the jelly and put in the fridge for 1 hr. Make up the remaining jelly, leave to cool, then pour over and put back back the fridge to set for at least 1 hr more. Can be made up to two days ahead and kept in the fridge.
• Before serving, whisk the cream with the sugar and the remaining sherry until it holds its shape. Tip the cream into a piping bag fitted with a star nozzle. Carefully lift the trifle out of the tin and cut into 12 squares. Lift onto plates and pipe a big splodge of cream onto each square, and scatter with almonds and sprinkles to serve.

CLASSIC TRIFLE

Steps:

• Put 750g frozen summer fruit in a pan with 200g caster sugar and 1 litre water and bring to a gentle simmer.
• Cook for 2 mins, then scoop out 6 tbsp fruit and 150ml juice. Now carry on cooking the fruit in the pan for 5 mins.
• Meanwhile, soak 9 sheets leaf gelatine in cold water to soften it. If you have a hand blender, blitz the cooked fruit or mash with a potato masher, then strain through a sieve into a large bowl and push through the pulp so just the skins and seeds are left.
• Squeeze excess water from the gelatine, add to the hot fruit syrup and stir to dissolve. Cool, then chill until on the point of almost setting.
• Make the custard according to pack instructions with 75g custard powder, 1.2l milk and 50g caster sugar to create a really thick custard. Cover the surface with baking paper while it cools a little.
• Pile 1½ - 2 cubed madeira cakes into a trifle bowl, spoon over the reserved juice and berries, then 4 tbsp sherry or cassis.
• Pour over a thick layer of custard, pushing it against the side of the dish to seal in the cake below. Leave to cool and set with a skin - this makes a barrier for the jelly.
• When the custard is cold and set, and the jelly is on the point of setting, spoon the jelly over the custard and chill until ready to complete.
• Whip 300 - 450ml double cream with 1 tsp vanilla extract and 2 tbsp icing sugar until just holding its shape, then spoon round the bowl over the set jelly. Scatter with 2 crushed amaretti biscuits and chill until ready to serve.