Trifle

[MrsPatrickDempsey]

Oh my - I am having a bit of a mental block. What type of custard goes in a trifle? We are having a disagreement. I think it needs to be quite thick but DH thinks it's ok if it's sloppy. Do you just use ready made fresh custard?

I make mine a bit thicker but not solid or rubbery. It has to be thicker than store bought to support the whipped cream

We use birds custard powder and just make it a bit thicker :)

So do you use custard powder or fresh with eggs?

I do fresh and make it normal consistency - it goes firm enough in the fridge to hold the cream. I like it silky and soft, you don’t want it bouncy!

My recipe is 6 egg yolks, 300ml cream and 300 ml blue milk. Bit of sugar and about a tablespoon of cornflour. Done when it coats the spoon.

I normally use the ready to serve birds custard in the carton and it always turns out fine

I used birds custard powder - but with 3/4 of the amount of milk it said on the tin
Was firm enough to hold the cream and stay on top of jelly layer when the trifle was cut

I make it with custard powder. Custard from a carton would make the whole thing too sloppy.

Leave out the custard. It takes up too much space that could be better used for Dream Topping.

When MIL makes it the custard is set and I hate it. It needs to have some run.

JELLY! Abomination!

Custard from powder is fine though.

M&S sell an extra thick custard that's good for trifle if you don't want to make your own. It's just an extra bit of faff I can do without at Christmas.

I just use custard out of a tin. Sponge fingers, tinned fruit cocktail, jelly, Ambrosia, whipped cream, sprinkles. Easiest dessert ever and always complimented massively.

I buy it, but a finest version.

I used the M&S thick custard this year.
Even with several hours chilling, it combined with the cream to make a gloopy mess. It is also very pale so looks the same as the cream.
We were all in heaven, it was delicious

Ah Dream Topping.

The topping of champions

I’m right in the mood for trifle, it’s been at least six months. Roll on new year, I can feel a trifle coming on...

Dont forget the beef mince and peas layer .

@Mookie81

I was just thinking that!

Where does one obtain dream topping? I’ve not had that for ages!

All the main supermarkets except maybe Waitrose sell dream topping near the tinned fruit and ready made custard etc.

Here you will also find Bird's trifle kit, which includes a sachet of dream topping, the right amount of custard powder to make the correct consistency of custard, trifle sponges and jelly to settle any arguments about whether or not jelly belongs in trifle.