Photo: Cath Muscat / Styling: John Mangila
Is there a more elaborate or impressive Christmas dessert than a classic trifle? Perfect for making ahead of the Christmas Day rush, this layered showstopper evokes cherished memories of celebrations past. A true statement for the festive table, it’s every entertainer should have favourite trifle recipes in their repertoire.
At Home Beautiful, we love a beautifully dressed Christmas table and a trifle ticks all of the boxes – a base layer of prepare-ahead jelly in your favourite flavour, rich custard swirling around booze-soaked sponge, and a spectacular crown of meringue to top it all off. The best part? It’s easier to make than you might think. To impress your loved ones, we’ve gathered three variations of this classic Christmas dessert to everyone at the table. But first, let’s answer a few questions about how to make the perfect trifle.
Do you have to put alcohol in trifle?
The best bit about this recipe is that is can be tailored to your guests. As decadent and delicious as this trifle is, you can make a child-safe version. Make up two packets of raspberry jelly crystals to replace rosé jelly and add milk to zabaglione instead of botrytis.
Should a trifle be made the night before?
To get the jump on your party preparations, make up your rosé wine or raspberry jelly the night before you plan to serve this beauty.
Home Beautiful’s favourite trifle recipes
Perfect for those of us who have experienced #triflefail, the assembly of this summer fruit trifle is more freeform than traditional, leaving plenty of scope for pulling things together last minute when the culinary panic sets in.
Limoncello is the IT girl of summer, celebrated in Mediterranean culture for its boundless charm and even a few health benefits. For a new spin on old trifle recipes, pair its zest with an all-white Christmas table for a fresh and festive twist—consider us inspired.
This trifle recipe pulls out all the stops: traditional layers, luscious custard, and a touch of va-va-voom in the presentation. It’s worth investing in a cylinder vase—not just for the trifle, but to fill with baubles and fairy lights for New Year’s Eve. And honestly, you had me at Moscato.
Look no further for a classic trifle recipe. This easy dessert includes an extra step: pressing fruit and brandy-soaked sponge into the half-set jelly before topping it with a perfectly smooth layer of thick custard. Delicious.
Trifle picnic desserts
“The ultimate transportable picnic dessert: make mini trifles using any of the recipes above and pop them into cute jars for your outdoor Christmas gathering. Keep the layers simple for a no-mess, no-fuss treat everyone will enjoy!
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