The novel Hamnet takes place in Stratford-Upon-Avon in the late 1500s. My favorite British dessert is a trifle. A traditional English trifle is made with fruit, a thin layer of sponge fingers soaked in sherry or another fortified wine, and custard. It can be topped with whipped cream. Instead of sharing a traditional trifle recipe, this one is a very modern take made by my dear law school friend Michael Tulloss.

When Mike visited my family last year, he volunteered to make his Trifling Good Strawberry Trifle. In order to save time, he and my daughter-in-law Sarah, went to our local grocery store bakery and asked for an un-iced chocolate sheet cake. The young girl was so confused by this request. Bless her heart. Mike had to use his best lawyering skills to convince her it is really okay to sell a cake without icing.

This Trifling Good Strawberry Trifle is the perfect blend of chocolate, strawberry, and whipped cream. Not only is it delicious, but it makes a beautiful presentation. It is a real show-stopper.

Pip pip cherrio!

Print Recipe

Trifling Good Strawberry Trifle

Course

Cakes, Dessert

Cuisine

British

Keyword

Dessert

Servings

Ingredients

• 1 box Chocolate cake mix with required ingredients
• 1 quart fresh strawberries
• 2 13 ounce jars good quality strawberry jam or preserves
• 2 cups heavy cream
• 2 tablespoons confectioners' sugar
• 1/2 tablespoon real vanilla extract
• 2 boxes dark chocolate pudding mix with required ingredients

Course Cakes, Dessert Cuisine British Keyword Dessert Servings Ingredients 1 box Chocolate cake mix with required ingredients 1 quart fresh strawberries 2 13 ounce jars good quality strawberry jam or preserves 2 cups heavy cream 2 tablespoons confectioners' sugar 1/2 tablespoon real vanilla extract 2 boxes dark chocolate pudding mix with required ingredients

Instructions

1. Prepare a chocolate sheet cake (preferably dark chocolate). Let it cool.
2. Take a quart of fresh strawberries, and slice lengthways.
3. Prepare 2 dark chocolate pudding recipes according to the box. Let them cool in the refrigerator.
4. Whip two cups heavy cream (very cold) in a chilled bowl. Gradually add 2 tablespoons of confectioner's sugar and 1/2 tablespoon real vanilla extract. Whip until stiff peaks form. Set aside.
5. Line the side of a clear glass serving bowl with a layer of fresh strawberry slices.
6. Cut the sheet cake into 2-inch squares. Place one layer on the bottom of the serving bowl.
7. Spoon pudding on top of the cake, pushing it down between the squares. Smooth it out so it just covers the cake.
8. Add a layer of strawberry slices flat on top of the pudding, and continue lining the side of the bowl with strawberry slices as you go up.
9. Add a layer of strawberry preserves, only about a quarter-inch thick. You will basically use one jar of the preserves.
10. Add a one-inch thick layer of whipped cream.
11. Add a layer of chocolate cake, a layer of pudding, a layer of strawberry slices (also adding them around the side), a layer of strawberry preserves, and a layer of whipped cream.
12. Garnish the top with remaining strawberry slices.