Tips to make trifle jelly set

[Hohofortherobbers]

I made a sherry trifle last year, had raspberries on the sherry soaked sponges. I made the birds trifle jelly according to instructions and it just wouldn't set. Any tips? Should I make it more concentrated? Let it really cool to almost setting before adding it?

Always sets for me, how much liquid did you have with the sherry?

Have you ever made vodka jelly? There’s a max level of alcohol above which the jelly just won’t set :)

So - go easy with the sherry - maybe spoon over the trifle sponges rather than full-on soak, and make up the jelly with 10% less volume of water. Melt jelly in half of hot water (bit higher if necessary), then make up to (reduced) volume with cold, mixing really well.

Cover and set for a few hours, or overnight if possible, in the fridge.

You may need a few enjoyable practice sessions.

Use less water. I would use a Hartleys or Rowntrees jelly though instead of Birds if I'm honest.

Alcohol prevents jelly from setting so maybe less sherry or some sort of buffer between the sherry and jelly e.g. a layer of strawberries.
You could try a different jelly and use a bit less water.

Forget the Birds kit. Make it from the individual ingredients, Hartley's jelly etc. Make it the night before you need it, up to adding the jelly. Then leave it to set overnight in the fridge, ready to decorate the next morning.

Don't include kiwi fruit either, that also stops jelly from setting.

I use less water than it says to

Definitely less water.
Possible silly question, but have you left it long enough?

You’ve got too much Sherry!

Use a 1/4 less water than the instructions say.

Don't add Pineapple as that can also stop jelly setting. But in this case most likely the sherry

The Birds Trifle in a box jelly is awful these days. You need to buy the jelly block that you break into squares and it should be fine.

Jelly ...? In trifle ...? No, no, no - just Swiss roll slices generously drizzled with alcohol, topped with raspberries, sliced bananas and a ton of custard, followed by billowy whipped cream and a crumbled flake (a la Delia www.deliaonline.com/recipes/books/delias-happy-christmas/traditional-english-trifle)

I'm not against jelly but I wouldn't do the whole thing from a box for Xmas.

serves you right for using jelly in a trifle...so much wrong.

I have a soaked layer of ladyfingers, or sponge, then some fruit usually cherries or rasps. Layer of amaretti, sprinkle over more booze. More fruit, then mince sauteed with peas and onions, NOT really custard and cover with cling film...into fridge and pour over cream when served.

imo Amaretto or sherry is best for trifle. Unless you go for cherries, then try some cherry brandy, and make the custard into chocolate custard.

As @Defiantly41 said, jelly in a trifle is an absolute no no!!

oh and chocolate swiss roll with the cherries...embrace the Black Forest vibe!

Trifle doesn't contain jelly

Here’s my recipe
Slice up a Jamaica ginger cake and line a wide dish with it. Drain a small tin of orange segments. Save the juice. Spread segments onto cake. Make up a packet of orange jelly using the juice from the orange segments, a tablespoon of sherry and hot water so the combined total is just a few mil less than the packet states. Pour over oranges and chill.
When jelly is set, pour over some good vanilla custard then top with whipped sweetened cream. Crumble a flake over the top.

Thank you for your replies! So I will get hartleys jelly, use at least 10% less water, create a thorough raspberry barrier and (sob!) less sherry, I will report back. I quite fancy the ginger cake or black forest recipe, perhaps I will become a complete trifle queen this year

I usually make raspberry trifle with vegetarian jelly - mostly cause I had young children, and it goes down really well, specially at kids parties.
I should try making the non-jelly sherry version - sounds lush!

Nothing to add rather than I read "sex" instead of "set" and it made for a rather funny title!!

No pineapple either just in case you were that want inclined!

@Rexthesnail definitely more Sherry for that one