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Original poster

Trifle with tinned custard

27 replies

Cabinfever20 · 21/12/2023 14:54

I was watching Mary Berry's Christmas programme the other day and she made a trifle using tinned custard mixed with whipped double cream (for the custard part) and then whipped double cream on top as usual. Has anyone tried this with the custard and does it hold its shape/set like normal custard would. I quite like the idea of not having to make proper custard on Boxing Day.

OP posts:
ToWonderWhyIBother · 21/12/2023 14:56

I make my trifle using tinned custard and have done for years, it's much easier I don't add the whipped cream to the custard though, as I don't like cream I use dream topping 😆

It doesn't last long enough in my house to check and see if it holds it shape sorry

Gasp0deTheW0nderD0g · 21/12/2023 15:00

When I make trifle I always use Ambrosia, either out of a tin or a carton, largely out of habit, as that's what my mum would do. She used to use Bird's custard powder when we were growing up, but later moved over to ready-made. I've never bought the ready-made custard in the chilled section of the supermarket - is it better than the long-life stuff in tins/cartons? I imagine it should be.

Scampuss · 21/12/2023 15:03

I use Birds powder as I like it to set enough to squelch when serving.

LyingLikeACheapCarpet · 21/12/2023 15:07

Ready Made in the chiller is nicer than tins, but Ambrosia tinned is pretty good.

I don't care if I'm a heathen, life is too short to make custard.

festivetinseling · 21/12/2023 15:07

I saw a Jamie Oliver programme the other day where he used tinned custard mixed with melted chocolate to make a Black Forest trifle.

<starts taking bets that the shops will sell out of tinned custard this year>

Wbeezer · 21/12/2023 15:16

I've done both, the firm set of real custard is good to stop the trifle turning into soup after you've served up a few portions but DH had to watch his cholesterol so I'm going back to tinned ,deciding between doing individual trifles or attempting to thicken the tinned a bit by adding some extra custard powder, heating and then re-cooling.

Shopper727 · 21/12/2023 15:17

I use the birds powder sachets
love them forgot my sherry tho oops

HarrietJonesFlydaleNorth · 21/12/2023 15:18

I haven't, because I like my trifle custard to be so thick and set so you can slice it!
I'd be interested to know if this works though.

I do like a Black Forest trifle although I usually just put some cocoa powder in the birds custard powder to make chocolate custard.

itsgettingweird · 21/12/2023 15:33

Even easier - use a carton of ready made custard that already has clogged cream in it Grin

MrsPelligrinoPetrichor · 21/12/2023 15:38

festivetinseling · 21/12/2023 15:07

I saw a Jamie Oliver programme the other day where he used tinned custard mixed with melted chocolate to make a Black Forest trifle.

<starts taking bets that the shops will sell out of tinned custard this year>

I use ambrosia chocolate custard!

Mellowautumnmists · 21/12/2023 15:38

Those using tinned custard powder - do you use less milk to get it to set thicker? If so, how much do you use?

ErrolTheDragon · 21/12/2023 15:46

itsgettingweird · 21/12/2023 15:33

Even easier - use a carton of ready made custard that already has clogged cream in it Grin

Clogged cream.... mmm, just what our arteries want!Grin

OP, tinned custard is 'normal custard' nowadays!

freshgreen · 21/12/2023 15:47

If Mary says it's ok, then it's definitely ok.

PinkflowersWhiteBerries · 21/12/2023 15:50

James Martin did a Black Forest Trifle a few years ago and he said use fresh if you can, if not , tinned. He also said buy the fudge brownies as a base. Perfect.
i have made it a couple of times, it’s lovely .

Scampuss · 21/12/2023 16:48

Mellowautumnmists · 21/12/2023 15:38

Those using tinned custard powder - do you use less milk to get it to set thicker? If so, how much do you use?

More custard powder. No exact quantities, it's just habit after decades of doing it!

Mellowautumnmists · 21/12/2023 16:50

@Scampuss, thank you!

gerbo · 21/12/2023 16:53

Can I cheekily ask for a simple trifle recipe? Nothing fancy?!

AndrewPreview · 21/12/2023 17:17

I'm an absolute heathen and use blancmange instead (for those that like a nice set custard).

SerpentEndBench · 21/12/2023 17:20

As long as you don't put jelly in, go for it.

Mirrormeback · 22/12/2023 02:01

gerbo · 21/12/2023 16:53

Can I cheekily ask for a simple trifle recipe? Nothing fancy?!

Delia Smith has the best one

ManateeFair · 22/12/2023 11:43

It works really well - when you mix it with the whipped cream, the custard thickens up and sets more than it would on its own. It also works with fresh custard from the chiller cabinet.

The trifle I made last year used fresh ready-made custard mixed with mascarpone.

Valsie · 24/12/2023 19:06

I used Mary’s recipe and the custard was delicious, whipped the cream added the tinned custard so easy and very nice

Oblomov23 · 24/12/2023 19:12

Always ambrosia tinned custard. It's my fave.