Easy Mini Trifles: these mini raspberry trifles are easy to make with store bought ingredients and always a hit with guests.
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I love these mini trifles. I have served them many, many times and they are always a huge hit with guests. These individual trifles are great for a tea party too.
Quick and Easy Recipe
These are super easy to put together because I used all store bought ingredients. You can put these together quickly and easily and they're so good.
I love these in raspberry flavour, but you could really use any jam and fresh fruit in them. Strawberry would be great, and blueberry is a favourite too.
This recipe is more of an assembly kind of a recipe, you could of course make the custard and pound cake from scratch, but this version is quick, easy and really, really yummy. This no bake dessert is quick to make and so delicious.
Individual Servings
I like to make these mini trifles in a small glass, or mini parfait dessert bowl, half pint-sized mason jars, or mini trifle bowls. A clear cup works well, as you can see all the layers through the glass, and they're the perfect individual serving size. These individual desserts making serving so much easier. And there's also the cuteness factor, because these mini trifle cups make such a beautiful presentation.
Cake
I like to use pound cake as the cake layer in my mini trifles. You could any delicious cake for this recipe. If you can't find pound cake you could also use a sponge cake, or small jelly rolls, or even angel food cake. If you can find a raspberry pound cake it works perfectly for the raspberry trifles, but plain pound cake or lemon pound cake works really well for these mini berry trifles.
Custard
Trifle is traditionally made with custard. You can make it from scratch, or use a mix to make it. Or, like I did, you can look for the canned version. Using canned custard makes this whole recipe so easy to put together. If you can not find custard you would also use vanilla pudding instead. An vanilla instant pudding though, won't quite give the true trifle taste the way custard does.
Jam
Traditional English trifle usually has a jelly layer. But making jello and allowing it to set takes quite awhile, so I have substituted it with jam. It works really well to add some sweetness to the dish. You can change the fruit in this dish, and if you do then change the jam flavor to match it. For individual strawberry trifles you could use strawberry jam instead of raspberry.
Fruit
Our raspberry trifles have a layer of fresh raspberries in them. The fresh berries add a tangy freshness to the dish. If you cannot find fresh raspberries you can substitute frozen raspberries instead. My favourite version of these mini desserts is raspberry flavored. And be sure to keep a perfect fresh raspberry to garnish the top of the trifles.
You can easily change the flavor of this trifle by using your favorite berries. Strawberry is a great choice, and fresh blueberries are delicious too. You could also try peach, or cherry for a delicious variation. Trifle is the perfect summery dessert, and perfect to make with fresh in season fruit of almost any kind.
Whipped Cream
We made homemade fresh whipped cream using heavy cream for this dish. Despite using some other shortcuts, I would not use a shortcut for this step. Spray whip cream from a can won't hold, and turns into a watery mess if it isn't served immediately. A dessert topping like Cool Whip just doesn't have the same great flavor of real whipped cream. It is easy to make, and worth the few minutes that it takes to make it from scratch, especially when you're saving times on the other steps by using a store bought pound cake and canned custard.
I had these sweet vintage silver teaspoons to serve them with. These delicious treats are a great make ahead. Make them the night before and wrap the top of each one with plastic wrap and store them in the refrigerator until it's time to serve them.
You can also use this mini trifle recipe to make one large one instead. Instead of using individual small bowls, layer the ingredients in a large trifle bowl instead.
Recipe
Easy Mini Trifles
Ingredients
- 1 raspberry or plain pound cake
- 1 pint fresh raspberries
- 8 tbsp. raspberry jam
- 400 g can of Devon custard
- 236 mL whipping cream
- 1 teaspoon vanilla
- 2 tablespoon sugar
- grated chocolate
Instructions
- Assemble each mini trifle in a small juice glass, or mini parfait, or small mason jar. First, cut the pound cake into small cubes, and layer into the bottom of the glass.
- Next take some raspberry jam, and warm it up in the microwave to make it more runny. You can also add a tsp. or so of water to the warm jam to make it more runny. Pour about a tbsp. or 2 over the pound cake in each glass.
- Add some fresh raspberries as the next layer, but remember to save a few for the top.
- The next layer is the custard, just spoon some over the raspberries. If you do make it yourself, let it cool before you add it
- Then, whip the cream in stand mixer fitted with the whisk attachment until stiff peaks form. Next add 1 teaspoon vanilla nd 2 tbsps of sugar and whip to combine. Add a layer of whipped cream to the mini trifles as the final layer. Garnish with another raspberry and a little grated chocolate.
Nutrition
This simple dessert is such a favourite. If you are a trifle fan you will love these and you'll especially love how quick and easy they are to put together.
With easy mini trifles, life really is a party!
More Dessert Recipe Inspiration
You might also like our Caramel Apple Trifle here.
Also check out Mini No-Bake Berry Cheesecakes here.
You might also like our Easy Chocolate Trifle Recipe here.
connie says
LOVE these
cheryl neely says
Was at the Tea party last nite at Springvale and thot I would check out the triffles We are going to have a mother and daughter tea party on mother's day saturday so this is a perfect time to try these and the other recipes you gave us Thansk again Will try to get to Uxbridge to check out Heather's store too soon
Tammy says
These look delicious! Love the idea of everybody having their own. Looks like a terrific party, facilitated by a terrific host. 😉
Chiara says
I L-O-V-E this! I am hosting Easter and plan on making these mini trifles. This solves the serving issue. Trifles look so pretty when they are made and then, when you start spooning, they start to lose their appeal. This makes each individual portion gorgeous! : ) I shared this recipe on my Friday Favorites post today. Feel free to grab a featured button if you would like it. Have a wonderful weekend.
Catherine says
These look like a perfect idea for a Christmas dessert spread. How far beforehand do you think they could be made. The morning of..., the day before.... I haven't made trifle before so would greatly appreciate your help. I'm in London ON - love your blog.
dnr says
Hi Catherine, I'm sure the day before would be fine, just wrap each one with plastic wrap and keep in the fridge. Good luck!
Catherine says
Thank you for your help. I've been to Ikea and purchased the glasses and I'm all set. I will do it the day before. Keep up the great ideas.