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Creamy Berry Trifle Recipe Easy Homemade Vanilla Custard Delight

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A quick and easy layered dessert featuring homemade vanilla custard, mixed berries, and pound cake, perfect for any occasion and made with simple ingredients.

Ingredients

Scale
  • 2 cups whole milk (480 ml)
  • 4 large egg yolks (room temperature)
  • ½ cup granulated sugar (100 g)
  • 3 tablespoons cornstarch (24 g)
  • 1 teaspoon pure vanilla extract
  • Pinch of salt
  • 6 cups mixed berries (900 g) – fresh or frozen (thawed), such as strawberries, blueberries, raspberries, and blackberries
  • 1 pound cake or sponge cake, cut into 1-inch cubes (about 450 g)
  • Optional: 2 tablespoons berry liqueur or orange juice for soaking the cake
  • Whipped cream for topping (about 1 cup / 240 ml)

Instructions

  1. In a medium bowl, whisk together the egg yolks, sugar, and cornstarch until smooth and pale (about 2 minutes).
  2. Heat the milk and salt in a medium saucepan over medium heat until it just starts to steam (about 5 minutes).
  3. Slowly pour about a quarter of the hot milk into the egg mixture while whisking constantly to temper the eggs.
  4. Pour the egg mixture back into the saucepan with the remaining milk.
  5. Cook over medium-low heat, whisking constantly, until the custard thickens and coats the back of a spoon (5-7 minutes). If lumps form, strain through a fine mesh sieve.
  6. Remove from heat and stir in the vanilla extract. Transfer custard to a heatproof bowl, cover with plastic wrap pressed onto the surface, and chill in the refrigerator for at least 2 hours.
  7. Cut the pound cake into 1-inch cubes. Toss the berries lightly to mix.
  8. If desired, soak cake cubes in berry liqueur or orange juice for 1-2 minutes, then drain excess liquid.
  9. In a trifle bowl or individual glasses, layer one-third of the cake cubes, one-third of the chilled custard, and one-third of the mixed berries.
  10. Repeat layers two more times, finishing with berries on top.
  11. Top with a generous layer of whipped cream just before serving.
  12. Chill the assembled trifle for at least 1 hour to let flavors meld; overnight is better.

Notes

Temper the eggs by slowly adding hot milk to prevent scrambling. Constant whisking during custard cooking prevents lumps and curdling. Use a heavy-bottomed saucepan to avoid scorching. Chilling custard for at least 2 hours improves texture and flavor. Soak cake cubes briefly in liqueur or juice for added flavor but skip for kids. Assemble trifle a few hours before serving for best flavor melding.

Nutrition

Keywords: berry trifle, vanilla custard, easy dessert, layered dessert, pound cake, mixed berries, homemade custard

Find it online: https://tessierecipes.com/creamy-berry-trifle-recipe-easy-homemade-vanilla-custard-delight/