Best Traditional Scottish Sherry Trifle Recipes

CLASSIC TRIFLE

Steps:

• Put 750g frozen summer fruit in a pan with 200g caster sugar and 1 litre water and bring to a gentle simmer.
• Cook for 2 mins, then scoop out 6 tbsp fruit and 150ml juice. Now carry on cooking the fruit in the pan for 5 mins.
• Meanwhile, soak 9 sheets leaf gelatine in cold water to soften it. If you have a hand blender, blitz the cooked fruit or mash with a potato masher, then strain through a sieve into a large bowl and push through the pulp so just the skins and seeds are left.
• Squeeze excess water from the gelatine, add to the hot fruit syrup and stir to dissolve. Cool, then chill until on the point of almost setting.
• Make the custard according to pack instructions with 75g custard powder, 1.2l milk and 50g caster sugar to create a really thick custard. Cover the surface with baking paper while it cools a little.
• Pile 1½ - 2 cubed madeira cakes into a trifle bowl, spoon over the reserved juice and berries, then 4 tbsp sherry or cassis.
• Pour over a thick layer of custard, pushing it against the side of the dish to seal in the cake below. Leave to cool and set with a skin - this makes a barrier for the jelly.
• When the custard is cold and set, and the jelly is on the point of setting, spoon the jelly over the custard and chill until ready to complete.
• Whip 300 - 450ml double cream with 1 tsp vanilla extract and 2 tbsp icing sugar until just holding its shape, then spoon round the bowl over the set jelly. Scatter with 2 crushed amaretti biscuits and chill until ready to serve.

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.

18TH CENTURY SCOTTISH WHIM WHAM - BRANDY AND SHERRY TRIFLE

Steps:

• 1. Melt the butter in a heavy-based frying pan and fry the almonds until golden brown. Stir in the sugar and cook for 1 minute, stirring continuously, until the sugar dissolves and the almonds are well coated. Tip on to a greased baking sheet and leave to cool.
• 2. About 30 minutes before ready to serve, break the sponge fingers in half and put into a serving bowl. Pour the sherry, brandy and orange rind and juice over and leave to soak for 30 minutes.
• 3. Whip the cream until it just holds its shape, then carefully fold in the yogurt. Spoon it on top of the sponge. Roughly chop the almonds, sprinkle on top and serve immediately.

SCOTTISH TRIFLE

Steps:

• Make the sponge roll:
• In a large bowl with an electric mixer beat the eggs, the sugar, and the vanilla until the mixture is thick and pale. Sift the flour and the baking powder over the egg mixture and fold them in gently but thoroughly. Line the bottom of a baking pan, 13 by 9 by 2 inches, with parchment paper, spread the batter in the pan, and bake the cake in a preheated 400°F. oven for 8 minutes, or until it is puffed and golden. Invert the cake onto a lightly sugared kitchen towel. In a small saucepan melt the jam over low heat, stir in the kirsch, and spread the surface of the cake with the jam mixture. Starting with a long side and using the towel as guide, roll the cake up jelly-roll fashion and sprinkle it with the Sherry. Wrap the sponge roll firmly in the towel, let it cool, and cut it into 3/4-inch slices.
• Make the custard:
• In a bowl set over a saucepan of simmering water beat the yolks and the sugar with the electric mixer until the mixture is thick and pale. Remove the bowl from the pan and stir in gradually the milk, the cream, and the vanilla. Cook the custard in the bowl set over the pan of simmering water over moderately low heat, stirring, until it registers 170°F. on a candy thermometer. Transfer the custard to a metal bowl and whisk in the crème fraîche and the Sherry. Set the bowl in a larger bowl of ice and cold water, whisk the custard until it is cool, and chill it, its surface covered with plastic wrap, until it is cold.
• To assemble the trifle:
• In the bottom of a 2 1/2-quart straight-sided glass bowl scatter half the amaretti crumbs, top them with half the sponge roll slices, and top the sponge roll slices with the remaining amaretti crumbs. Sprinkle the Sherry over the remaining sponge roll slices, line the side of the bowl with the slices, and pour in the custard, spreading it to let it seep down around the side and bottom. Chill the trifle for at least 2 hours and up to 24 hours. Just before serving, in a bowl with the electric mixer beat the cream until it is stiff, transfer it to a pastry bag fitted with a decorative tip, and pipe rosettes around the edge and in the center of the trifle.
• Sprinkle the pistachios over the trifle and garnish the rosettes with the citron and small drops of the jam.