Vegan Mixed Berry Trifle Recipe

Rich Eggless Dairy-free Cake Layered with Custard and Fruit

© Jill Harris

Dec 4, 2008

Traditional English trifle desserts are served in a straight-sided glass bowl to show off their elegant layers.

Making trifle takes time and a bit of effort - but the “oohs” and “ahhs” are worth it.

There are four layers that make up trifle: cake, custard, fruit and whipped topping. But substituting vegan ingredients is a piece of cake.

Vegan Mixed Berry Trifle Recipe

Serves: 6

Time to prepare: about 3 hours, including making the cake and custard from scratch.

Time-saving tip: Make the cake one day; the custard the next; and assemble the dessert on the next. Cake that is slightly stale is fine for this recipe - it will absorb the custard anyway.

Vegan Cake Layer

Vegan Vanilla Cake Recipe

Ingredients:

• 2 cups all-purpose flour
• 1 cup sugar
• 3 tsp. baking powder
• 1 tsp. powdered egg substitute
• 1 tsp. vanilla extract
• 6 Tbsp. neutral vegetable oil (like canola or grapeseed)
• 1 1/3 cups water

Directions:

1. Preheat the oven to 375F.
2. To a medium mixing bowl, add the flour, sugar, baking powder and egg substitute. Stir well.
3. Add vanilla extract and oil.
4. Blend gently until the dry ingredients are moistened.
5. Add the water and mix well.
6. Lightly oil a 9-inch square baking pan with neutral oil or vegan butter/margarine.
7. Pour batter into pan and bake for 30 minutes, or until the top of the cake bounces back when touched.

Vegan Custard Layer

Vegan Custard Recipe

Time-saving tip: Custard powder is usually vegan. If you don't have custard powder, try using about 2 1/2 cups homemade or store-bought vegan pudding instead.

Ingredients:

• 3 Tbsp. vegan custard powder
• 3 Tbsp. sugar
• 2 ½ cups plain soymilk
• ½ tsp. vanilla

Directions:

1. Using a wooden spoon or wire whisk, mix the custard power and sugar in a medium saucepan.
2. Gradually add the soy milk, stirring well with the spoon or a wire whisk until mixed.
3. Heat the mixture over medium heat, stirring often to ensure there are no lumps.
4. Bring to a boil, stirring frequently.
5. Remove from heat, stir in vanilla and chill.

Fruit Layer

Trifle recipes can use fresh or frozen fruit. If using large fruits, slice or cut into bite-sized pieces before mixing. Try the classic berry combination: blueberries, blackberries and sliced strawberries.

Festive Tip: For special occasions, add a touch of fruit liqueur to the fruit mixture.

Ingredients:

• 1 lb. frozen fruit (~500 grams)
• 1/3 cup orange juice
• Dash cherry or other liqueur, optional

Whipped Topping Layer

Use about 2 cups of your favourite brand of vegan whipped topping. Look for refrigerated or frozen varieties that you prepare yourself.

Assembling the Trifle

Trifle is most stunning in a straight-sided glass trifle bowl. If your kitchen doesn’t include one of these, try another glass bowl (so the layers are visible), or prepare individual servings of trifle in wide-mouthed wine glasses; martini glasses or parfait glasses.

Directions:

1. Cut or rip half the vegan vanilla cake into cubes and lay on the bottom of the glass dish.
2. Top cake with a thick layer of custard.
3. Spread the fruit mixture over the custard.
4. Gently smooth the whipped topping over the fruit.
5. Repeat layering, topping with whipped topping.
6. Refrigerate at least 1 hour; until flavours meld. Trifle gets better overnight as the fruit juices and custard are absorbed into the spongy cake.
7. Serve cold.

Vegan Mixed Berry Trifle

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