Description
A creamy, fruity, and refreshing layered dessert made with tender cake, silky vanilla custard, fresh strawberries, bananas, and fluffy whipped cream. Best of all, there’s no oven required!
Ingredients
- 500 ml milk
- 100 g granulated sugar
- 35 g cornstarch
- 3 large egg yolks
- 1 tsp vanilla extract
- 30 g unsalted butter
- 1 sponge cake or vanilla cake, cut into cubes
- 300 g fresh strawberries, sliced
- 3 ripe but firm bananas, sliced
- 360 ml heavy whipping cream, chilled
- 40 g powdered sugar
- 1 tsp vanilla extract
Instructions
- In a saucepan, whisk together the sugar and cornstarch. Gradually whisk in the milk and egg yolks until smooth.
- Place over medium heat and cook, stirring constantly, for 5–7 minutes, until the mixture thickens and coats the back of a spoon.
- Remove from the heat and stir in the vanilla and butter until smooth. Transfer to a bowl and cover the surface directly with plastic wrap. Let cool completely.
- Beat the chilled heavy cream, powdered sugar, and vanilla until medium-stiff peaks form. Don’t overbeat.
- In a large trifle dish or deep glass bowl, arrange a layer of cake cubes, a layer of vanilla custard, sliced bananas, sliced strawberries, and a layer of whipped cream.
- Repeat the layers until the dish is filled, finishing with whipped cream and a generous layer of strawberries.
- Cover and refrigerate for at least 2–4 hours. Overnight chilling gives the cake more time to absorb the custard and fruit flavors.
- Garnish with additional strawberries and banana slices just before serving.
Notes
- Use firm, ripe bananas so they don’t become mushy.
- Toss banana slices with a tiny amount of lemon juice to slow browning.
- For a shortcut, use instant vanilla pudding instead of homemade custard.
- Add a layer of strawberry jam or strawberry sauce for extra fruity flavor.
- For individual desserts, assemble the trifle in small glasses or jars.
- Prep Time: 25 minutes
- Cook Time: 5–7 minutes
- Category: Dessert
- Method: No-Bake
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 serving
- Calories: Approximately 300
- Sugar: 20 g
- Sodium: 50 mg
- Fat: 15 g
- Saturated Fat: 10 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 5 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 40 g
- Fiber: 2 g
- Protein: 4 g
- Cholesterol: 100 mg