Mary Berry trifle is an irresistible indulgence of delightful Swiss roll soft sponge, juicy pears, and rich custard. This dessert combines the classic Swiss roll with a creamy filling for a show-stopping treat.
less than 30 mins
30 mins to 1 hour
Serves 10
Homemade Swiss roll and soaks up the sherry and adds a special decorative touch to this party-time mega-trifle.
Mary Berry recipes
From The Great British Bake Off
This Swiss roll trifle is a decadent dessert, rich in flavour and texture, making it a perfect choice for special occasions.
Equipment
Ingredients
For the Swiss roll:
Simply buy one or make it yourself:
- Large free-range eggs: 4
- Caster sugar: 100g/3½oz, plus extra for dusting
- Self-raising flour: 100g/3½oz
- Strawberry jam or conserve: 175g/6oz
For the filling:
- Ratafia biscuits: 20
- Tin pear halves in natural juice: 1 x 800g/1lb 12oz
- Medium dry sherry: 250ml/9fl oz
For the custard:
- Large free-range egg yolks: 3
- Caster sugar: 50g/1¾oz
- Cornflour: 50g/1¾oz
- Vanilla extract: 1 tsp
- Whole milk: 600ml/1 pint
- Single cream: 300ml/10½fl oz
To decorate:
- Whipping cream: 250ml/9fl oz
- Flaked almonds (toasted): 25g/1oz
- Cherries: 10
Method
Bake the Swiss roll
- Preheat the oven to 220C/425F/Gas 7. Grease and line a Swiss roll tin with baking parchment.
- Whisk the eggs and sugar together until light and frothy. Sift in the flour and fold gently.
- Pour into the prepared tin and bake for 10-12 minutes until golden-brown.
Create the filling
- Turn the cake out onto sugared parchment and spread with jam. Roll up from the scored end and cut into slices.
- Arrange slices in a glass bowl, crumbling ratafia biscuits over the top.
Add sherry and custard
- Combine pear juice with sherry and sprinkle over the sponge and biscuits.
- For custard, whisk egg yolks, sugar, cornflour, and vanilla. Heat milk and cream, then gradually add to yolks.
- Return to heat until thickened. Pour over the sponge layers and chill until set.
Add decorations
- Beat whipping cream until soft peaks form. Spread over custard and scatter with toasted almonds.
- Spoon blobs of whipped cream on top and decorate with cherries. Chill until ready to serve.
Nutri-score Health Check
This Swiss roll trifle receives a “Moderately healthy” rating on the Nutri-score system. While it contains rich ingredients like cream and sherry, it also incorporates fruit layers that provide some nutritional value. The score is automatically calculated from the ingredients in the recipe and serves as a guide.
Recipe FAQ
Can I use different fruits for this recipe?
Yes, you can substitute pears with other fruits like peaches or berries.
Your recommended storage method?
Store in an airtight container in the fridge for up to three days.
If I can’t find ratafia biscuits, what can I use?
You can substitute with crushed digestive biscuits or ladyfingers.
This dish suitable for meal prep?
Yes, you can prepare components ahead of time; just assemble before serving.
I want more flavour; what should I add?
Consider adding a splash of vanilla extract to your custard or using flavoured jam.
This recipe good for large gatherings?
Absolutely! It’s perfect for serving a crowd as it can be made in advance.
I don’t have self-raising flour; what can I use instead?
You can use plain flour combined with baking powder (about 1 tsp per 100g).
This dish gluten-free?
It can be made gluten-free by using gluten-free flour alternatives.
