Novice trifle question

[boredwiththeoldname]

Please can someone advise, I have made a trifle for the first time ever, and it is currently sitting in the fridge awaiting the cream on the top.

How long before serving can you add the whipped cream? Has it got to be literally just before, or will a few hours be ok?

My dairy book of home cookery - new edition for the 90s! suggests topping with the cream and chilling for up to two hours.

I've got the 80s version!!

It's a long, long time since I last used squirty cream from an aerosol can, but I seem to remember that lasts no time at all before collapsing. Ordinary whipped cream, though, stays nice for a long time after whipping, so I think you'd be fine to do that well in advance. Enjoy! I wish now we were having trifle.

It's not the stuff out of a can, it's your actual cream. I might start whipping it then

I don't put the cream on top, we have it as extra. If I make a trifle it is a HUGE vat of it and the cream on the top taints really easily if there is anything at all whiffy in the fridge, we also all prefer trifle that has been in the fridge for a day or two. ...let it all meld together!

I guess if I knew it would all be eaten in the one serving then I'd whip it up and put it on, but not ages bedfore.