🍓How to Make a Refreshing Fruit Trifle Dessert

This is one of my favorite desserts to make — it’s super easy, looks amazing, and tastes even better! It’s a simple fruit trifle made with layers of soft cake, creamy custard, fruity jelly, and a mix of fresh fruits.

I love making this when I want something sweet but don’t feel like baking. You just layer everything in a glass dish, chill it, and you’re done! It’s perfect for warm days, family dinners, or sharing with friends.

In this Instructable, I’ll show you step-by-step how I make it, so you can enjoy it too!

Supplies

To make this fruit trifle, you’ll need:

1. Jelly (any flavor you like)
2. Milk
3. Custard powder
4. A plain dry cake or sponge cake (store-bought or homemade)
5. Fresh fruits (use any you like — such as apples, bananas, grapes, etc.)
6. Sugar (optional, depending on how sweet you want it)

Tools

To make this fruit trifle, you’ll need:

1. A stove or heat source (for cooking the custard)
2. A pot (to prepare the custard)
3. A bowl (to mix and set the jelly)
4. A knife (to cut the cake and fruits)
5. A spoon or whisk (to stir the custard and jelly)
6. A large serving bowl or individual clear cups (to assemble and serve the trifle)

It’s best to follow the instructions on your custard powder package, but here’s a general guide:

1. Pour about 1 liter of milk into a pot.
2. Gradually add the custard powder — usually, it’s around 2 to 3 tablespoons per liter of milk (check your package for the exact amount).
3. Add a bit of sugar if you want it sweeter.
4. Stir the mixture well so the powder dissolves completely and doesn’t clump.
5. Heat the pot on the stove over medium heat, stirring constantly.
6. Keep stirring until the custard thickens and starts to boil gently.
7. If it’s too thick, add a little more milk; if it’s too thin, cook it a bit longer.
8. Once thickened, remove from heat and let it cool.
9. After it cools, keep an eye on the surface and stir gently if a thick skin starts to form — you want the custard smooth and pourable so you can easily layer it on top of the other ingredients.

Make the Jelly

1. Take 2 packs of your favorite jelly powder.
2. Pour the jelly powder into a bowl.
3. Add the amount of boiling water the package suggests (usually about 2 cups), and stir well until the powder fully dissolves.
4. Then add the recommended amount of cold water to help it set properly.
5. Let the jelly cool down at room temperature for a bit so it’s not too hot, but still liquid enough to pour.

Prepare the Fruits and Cake

1. Wash and peel your fresh fruits if needed.
2. Cut the fruits into bite-sized pieces or slices — preferably just like the pieces in the image (Image 1).
3. Take your dry or sponge cake and tear or shred it into small pieces or crumbs(Image 3).
4. In a large bowl, gently mix the cake pieces with the cut fruits (Image 4).
5. Toss carefully so the fruits and cake combine evenly without crushing the fruit.

1. Start with a thin layer of jelly at the bottom of your serving bowl or cups. Spread it gently with a spoon—don’t pour too fast or hard.
2. Add a layer of the mixed cake and fruit on top of the jelly. Spread it evenly but gently.
3. Add another thin layer of jelly over the cake and fruit mix.
4. Pour a light layer of custard over the jelly.
5. Add another layer of the cake and fruit mix.
6. Follow with a thin jelly layer, spread gently.
7. Pour a generous final layer of custard on top.
8. Finish with a little bit of jelly spooned gently over the top custard layer.
9. Decorate with fresh fruits or nuts to make it look beautiful and inviting.

Step 5: Some Patience!

1. Once your trifle is fully layered, cover it lightly with plastic wrap or a lid.
2. Place it in the fridge and let it chill for at least a few hours.
3. This waiting time helps all the flavors blend together and lets the jelly and custard set perfectly.
4. When ready, serve chilled and enjoy your delicious fruit trifle!