Roma Downeys Favorite Dessert Sherry Trifle Recipes

MARY'S ROYAL CHERRY TRIFLE

Steps:

• First, make the custard. Tip the caster sugar, cornflour and vanilla into a mixing bowl and add the eggs and egg yolk. Whisk with a hand whisk until smooth and blended.
• Pour the milk and double cream into a pan and heat gently until hot, but do not boil. Pour this over the egg mixture and immediately whisk until blended. Wash the pan to remove any scum from the milk and pour the custard back into the clean pan. Heat gently, stirring constantly until thickened. Don't panic if the custard starts to look lumpy as it thickens, just continue to heat and whisk until the custard is thick and smooth. Pour into a jug and cover the surface of the custard with cling film to prevent a skin from forming. Set aside to cool.
• Tip the stoned cherries into a pan with half the jam or conserve and cook over a medium heat for 5-10 mins until softened and saucy. Remove from the heat and leave to cool slightly.
• Spread half the slices of Madeira cake generously with the remaining cherry jam. Sandwich with the remaining cake slices, then cut in half. Pour the kirsch or brandy into a shallow bowl, dip each sponge sandwich into the liqueur, then arrange in the base of the trifle dish (you will need a shallow, straight-sided, 20cm round glass dish about 5cm deep). Line the edges of the dish first to create a stripy effect, then fill in the centre with the remaining sandwiches, pouring over any remaining liquid.
• Spoon over the cherries and any juice from the pan, then scatter over the broken biscuits. Pour over the cooled custard, then spread whipped cream over the top. Decorate with fresh whole cherries and chill for a few hours, or make it a day ahead and chill for up to 24 hours before serving.

TRADITIONAL ENGLISH SHERRY TRIFLE - STRICTLY FOR THE GROWN UPS!

Steps:

• Split the sponges in half then spread each half thinly with raspberry jam.
• Sandwich each half back together and cut into quarters.
• Place in the base of three and a half pint (2 litre) glass trifle bowl.
• Sprinkle the sherry over the sponges and spoon over the partially thawed raspberries and their juice.
• Roughly crush the ratafia biscuits and sprinkle over the raspberries.
• Chill for 3-4 hours.
• Place the milk and vanilla pod in a small pan and slowly bring to just below boiling point.
• Transfer to a heatproof jug and leave to infuse for 10 minutes.
• Remove the vanilla pod from the milk.
• Place the egg yolks, cornflour and sugar in a bowl and whisk together.
• Whisk in the milk, then strain the liquid back into the rinsed pan through a fine sieve.
• Cook over a gentle heat , stirring constantly until the custard starts to thicken, being careful not to allow to boil.
• Cook gently for two minutes unit the custard is a thick pouring consistency.
• Quickly pour the custard into a cold bowl to prevent further cooking.
• Sprinkle the surface with a thin coating of caster sugar to prevent a skin forming.
• Set aside and leave to cool.
• Spoon the cold custard onto the raspberries in the trifle bowl, spreading to the edges with a palette knife.
• Gently whip the cream until it nearly holds its shape, then spoon three quarters of it on top of the custard and carefully spread to the sides of the bowl.
• Whip the remaining cream until it holds it shape.
• Pipe swirls of cream around the top of the bowl and decorate with flaked almonds and cherries, silver dragees or raspberries.

SHERRY TRIFLE

Steps:

• In trifle bowl or very large glass serving bowl, prepare both packages of gelatin as directed except omit 1/2 cup water. Place in refrigerator and cool, about 30 to 40 minutes.
• Sprinkle 1 jigger of sherry over ladyfingers. Arrange ladyfingers in the bowl containing the gelatin by covering the bottom and sides of the bowl. Refrigerate until firmly set.
• Arrange berries over gelatin and ladyfingers. Prepare the custard as directed. Cool custard until it is only slightly warm, approximately15 to 20 minutes.
• Gently cover the fruit; gelatin trifle, with custard; be careful not to crush the fruit. Refrigerate until cooled and set about 2 to 3 hours.
• Just before serving, whip heavy cream and syrup together into stiff peeks. Do not over sweeten, cream should be lightly flavored and rich. Layer whipped cream over top of trifle.
• Garnish with fresh fruit, sprinkles or mint leaves.
• Note: Keep refrigerated until ready to serve; the whipped cream will fall if not served soon. Also, if you use too much sherry, gelatin will not set.

TRADITIONAL SCOTTISH SHERRY TRIFLE

Steps:

• Prepare custard according to package directions OR prepare homemade custard as follows: Whisk together the egg yolks, sugar and vanilla essence until pale and creamy.
• Heat the milk and cream together in a saucepan until boiling point then stir into the egg mixture.
• Once it is well blended, return to the pan and stir continuously over a low heat until the custard thickens.
• Pour into a dish and set aside to cool.
• Place the sponge in the base of a large glass bowl and spread with the raspberry jam.
• Mix the sherry and the Drambuie and sprinkle evenly over the sponge allowing it to soak inches.
• Next add a layer of raspberries and sliced bananas.
• When quite cool, pour the custard over the layer of fruit, spreading evenly.
• Next whip the double cream well, add sugar to sweeten and spoon on top of custard.
• Decorate with toasted almonds and/or slices of fresh soft fruit.