DessertsSouth African DessertsDurban Indian

Old Fashioned Trifle

Layers of moist sponge cake, fruit, jelly, creamy custard, and whipped cream. The quintessential South African holiday and celebration dessert made simple.

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By DenisiyaPublished on December 7, 2022
Old Fashioned Trifle
⏱️
Prep Time15 mins
🍳
Cook Time120 mins
⌛
Total Time135 mins
🍽️
ServingsServes 4-8
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This Old Fashioned Trifle is one of the classics in our household. It is fairly simple to prepare & it was how my late grandmother prepared it.

🥗

Ingredients

Scale:
Base Yield: Serves 4-8
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Step-by-Step Instructions

31 Steps
  1. Step 1

    Firstly, prepare the jelly. I am using the cherry flavour but you may use your favourites.

    Step 1 visual guide
  2. Step 2

    Add the jelly granules to a casserole & follow the instructions on the packaging.

    Step 2 visual guide
  3. Step 3

    Pour in 225 ml boiling water & stir until the granules dissolve. Thereafter, pour in the 225 ml cold water & stir.

    Step 3 visual guide
  4. Step 4

    Cover the casserole & allow the jelly to set in the refrigerator for ±2 hours.

    Step 4 visual guide
  5. Step 5

    Once set, it should be jiggly without any runny liquid.

    Step 5 visual guide
  6. Step 6

    The jelly can be scooped into the trifle when layering but if you want the cubes then simply use a knife & gently slice vertically & horizontally to form the cubes.

    Step 6 visual guide
  7. Step 7

    When ready to use the jelly, drag a spoon under the cubes & they should easily come off.

    Step 7 visual guide
  8. Step 8

    Now it’s time to begin preparing the trifle so bring out a deep trifle bowl.

    Step 8 visual guide
  9. Step 9

    Bring out the Sparletta Raspberry cooldrink.

    Step 9 visual guide
  10. Step 10

    Remove the cap & poke a few holes into it – this will help distribute the cooldrink evenly over the cake when pouring, Secure the lid once done.

    Step 10 visual guide
  11. Step 11

    Bring out the can of peaches.

    Step 11 visual guide
  12. Step 12

    Drain off the syrup from the can as we won’t be using it & keep the peaches in a bowl. Some use the syrup to soak the cake but I will stick to the Sparletta.

    Step 12 visual guide
  13. Step 13

    I am using this store bought sponge cake, I found that this fits perfectly into the bowl but other sponges like swiss rolls or madeira can be sliced & placed inside – if you have the time, you can even make a sponge from scratch.

    Step 13 visual guide
  14. Step 14

    This cake is quite thick so I cut it into halves.

    Step 14 visual guide
  15. Step 15

    Start layering by adding the top half of the cake into the trifle bowl (inside of the cake facing up). You can flatten it a bit by pressing on it firmly.

    Step 15 visual guide
  16. Step 16

    Now for the fun part – drizzle over the Sparletta cooldrink making sure to get it all over the cake, do not over soak it as it will turn to mush. Just use a little of the cooldrink (keep in mind, I only used about ¼ of the bottle in total for both the cakes, I had a lot left over but I use the bottle as it is easier to pour over the cake).

    Step 16 visual guide
  17. Step 17

    Pour a layer of vanilla custard over the cake.

    Step 17 visual guide
  18. Step 18

    Add ½ the can of peaches over the custard.

    Step 18 visual guide
  19. Step 19

    Pour ½ the can of dessert cream over the peaches. Fresh or whipped cream may be used as an alternative – just be sure to whisk the dessert cream in the can before pouring as it can be clumpy.

    Step 19 visual guide
  20. Step 20

    Add a layer of the jelly.

    Step 20 visual guide
  21. Step 21

    Place the other half of the cake into the bowl (inside of the cake facing up).

    Step 21 visual guide
  22. Step 22

    Once again, drizzle over the Sparletta cooldrink.

    Step 22 visual guide
  23. Step 23

    Add another layer of vanilla custard. I was almost to the top of the bowl so I didn’t add a lot of custard, I used a spoon to spread it out evenly.

    Step 23 visual guide
  24. Step 24

    Due to space, I just added the peaches on the circumference.

    Step 24 visual guide
  25. Step 25

    I added some jelly to the center of the peaches.

    Step 25 visual guide
  26. Step 26

    Pour over the remaining ½ of the dessert cream.

    Step 26 visual guide
  27. Step 27

    Finally, bring out the flake & crumble it over the cream.

    Step 27 visual guide
  28. Step 28

    Pop it into the refrigerator for about an hour so that it can set & cool throughout.

    Step 28 visual guide
  29. Step 29

    Once cooled, this Old Fashioned Trifle can be served.

    Step 29 visual guide
  30. Step 30

    It is absolutely delicious & perfect for the festive season.

    Step 30 visual guide
  31. Step 31

    This dessert can be stored in the refrigerator for up to a week.

    Step 31 visual guide
Video Tutorial

Watch How It's Made

Follow along with Denisiya's step-by-step video guide for Old Fashioned Trifle.

Frequently Asked Questions & Cooking Tips

Expert kitchen guidance and troubleshooting for making the best Old Fashioned Trifle

How should I store Old Fashioned Trifle to maintain freshness?

Store in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 1 to 2 weeks. For milk-based sweetmeats like burfee or soji, refrigerate in an airtight container for up to 7 to 10 days.

Can I substitute butter with margarine or oil?

Pure butter or ghee provides the authentic rich aroma and texture characteristic of traditional Indian sweetmeats and bakes. Margarine can be used in a pinch, but butter delivers superior flavor.

Denisiya - Founder & Chef at EatMee Recipes
About the Creator

Meet Denisiya

Hi, I'm Denisiya! Food lover, recipe developer, and founder of EatMee Recipes. I specialize in authentic South African Durban Indian cuisine, comforting curries, and modern Instant Pot adaptations. Every recipe on this site is tested in my personal kitchen to ensure you get mouth-watering, foolproof results every time.

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