Jelly layer in trifle?

[SpikeWithoutASoul]

DD wants to make a chocolate orange trifle with brownies on the bottom and a layer of orange jelly above.

Is this possible? Won’t the liquid jelly just soak into the brownies before it has a chance to set?

I think that's sort of the idea....

Or you could make jelly separately and put on when it's set if you prefer

Have you never seen or eaten a trifle?

Yes, it does soak in a bit but not completely, just as when you do it with sponge.

You let it solidify a little bit, so it's starting go to a jelly consistency, and then you pour. It will still go in the nooks and crannies, but won't soak completely.

@GroundAlmonds I’ve never had one with jelly!

Just pour the jelly in the sponge - it will be grand.

I haven’t eaten jelly since I was a child, but DD is insisting that her trifle needs a jelly layer.

I think she imagines each layer will be perfectly distinct and even, but I don’t see how we’ll achieve that!

I've had home-made trifle with a jelly layer loads of times. I don't know how to do it but it must be possible. Sorry that's not very helpful...

Don't forget the beef

Yes! Beef sautéed with peas and onions.

You could put the brownies down, cover in a layer of cling film (that has a lot over the edges) then fill with jelly, set, lift the jelly layer out using the cling film, tip upside down, remove cling film, replace jelly on top of brownie layer. No mixing but obviously it won't be 'stuck' together IYSWIM. I imagine if you use jelly that is already starting to set it will work well.

I quite like the jellied sponge!

@msssm

Surely you just make enough jelly so that it sinks into the brownie then continues to go up to a level well above the jelly. So there is a distinct jelly layer. I'm really not understanding you.

It should work, but I suspect might be better with chocolate cake than brownies. I think brownies might just turn to mush! You could add choc chips to the chocolate cake for a bit of interest.

To get the layer to look right the easiest way is to make your jelly in two halves. Add half over the sponge so it soaks in and all the crumby floaty bits are in that layer, three when it’s set add the other half so you get a clean looking layer above.

Otherwise the cake floats on the jelly. Do t know if brownies float I’ve never tried.

That makes sense. So chocolate cake rather than brownies?

Do the jelly layer first, then put brownies on top? Will still taste the same on a spoon.

I think it sounds fab. It all gets a bit mixed up anyway when you serve it up!

Tell DD that some grated orange zest in the cream would be amazing too! And maybe some
Cointreau!

It’s supposed to soak in, that’s the whole point! You don’t want a dry bottom

Thank you all. Hopefully we manage to create something that lives up to her carefully felt-tipped diagram.

@SpikeWithoutASoul

That makes sense. So chocolate cake rather than brownies?

That’s what I would do, standard chocolate sponge with chips in.

now I despise jelly and especially in trifle, but I'd think that if you soak the sponge/brownies in enough juice/sherry/whatever then weigh it down with some tinned mandarins, then put on the jelly you'd get nice defined layers.
You could use the mandarin juice to soak the cake or make up the jelly.
Just loving the idea of your dd drawing out her food ideas!