Trifles: A Delectable Decorative Treat

Presentation is everything when it comes to food. One wants to achieve an appetizing look with their culinary masterpiece so taste will be discovered and the best way to accomplish this to prepare trifles on the table.

Trifles are Britain’s creative and delicious gift to the world of desserts. The dessert is a thick solidified mix of sponge cake, fruits, custard, fruit juices or alcohol, and whipped cream layered in a transparent bowl revealing a bright colorful array of the mixed ingredients. In fact, a well-done trifle partly serves as a decorative table centerpiece of families during holidays particularly Christmas, where the delighting colors of red, white, and yellow trifle dessert makes a complementing fit.

Trifles are also called as Punch Bowl Cakes since transparent punch bowls are often used in layering the dessert. One can have the freedom on how to go about the layering of ingredients but traditionally the cake such as lady fingers or sponge cake composes the first layer, a jam spread could go on top of the cake to compose the very thin second layer. Sprinkling sherry and allowing the liquid to soak in is the next step then cuts of fresh fruits such as strawberries or peaches will compose the third layer, which will be over laid with a creamy layer like a custard then finally whipped cream. The layering repeats from putting on the cake again until the last whipped cream layer reaches the totally filled level of the bowl. Finally, the dessert is frozen or refrigerated before serving.

Today, trifles evolved with the times using about any sweet items that would satisfy one’s taste and creative whims. The cake layer, for instance, could be substituted with brownies. Instead of sherry, fruit juices or flavored wine are preferred and other layers could now consist of crushed candies, nuts, or crumbled cookies. The dessert has become a venue to express one’s creativity in experimenting ingredients that would give a colorful and appetizing texture.

From Britain the dessert gained prominence in other countries, which created their own versions of the trifle desert. Russia, for instance, has its Creole Trifle, which almost the same with the original trifle only that special rhum or red wine is used to moisten the cake layer. New Orleans, on the other hand, uses leftover or imperfect baked goods as part of the ingredients.

Trifles not only give a cool delightful treat for your taste buds but a festive sight for the eyes as well.