brown bread trifle

August 1, 2012mayurisjikoni
Blog post
EVENT: FOODIE’S REDOING OLD POSTS #9
What is the advantage of this theme?

Old posts just get lost in the wide wide wide web unless they are very popular. Renu who blog’s at Cook with Renu has started a Facebook Group called Foodies_ Redoing Old Posts where every two weeks we can redo our old posts and share it on the group. What’s the advantage of doing this? Well, it gives us the opportunity to improve the write up, update photos and get comments. I’ve got so many old posts that need updating especially where the photos are concerned. This group with definitely give me the ‘push’ to prepare the dishes again for better photos.

What is a trifle?

Trifle is an English dessert which has a thin layer of  sponge fingers or a cake soaked in wine, sherry or fruit juice topped with fruits. It may also have a layer of custard on the fruit which is then topped with fresh whipped cream. Today there are so many different varieties of this famous dessert.

Where did I have trifle first?

The first time ever that I had a trifle was when my aunt and I armed with a Hamlyn Cookbook sort out the recipe and made the dessert. As we couldn’t find any sponge fingers we used cake. The family enjoyed the dessert and why wouldn’t they as we had used juicy sweet strawberries and mangoes. However, my mum was not at all happy with the mess we made in the kitchen.

Does this trifle really have brown bread as a base?

Now that’s a question I get asked every time I serve this dessert to friends and guests. They think I’m not telling the truth as the base tastes like chocolate cake crumbs. I learnt how to make this dessert from my sister in law who lived in Nakuru. She in turn had learnt it from her friends. You can imagine the delight and joy on the faces of her friends and relatives when I made it for one of the pre wedding parties during my niece’s wedding celebrations. Nostalgic moment for all present.

My preference:

I prefer making easy cold desserts more than hot ones. The hot climate in Mombasa really doesn’t demand hot desserts. The creamy texture of a panna cotta is a luxurious feeling for the mouth. If mango is added then the mango panna cotta is even more delicious. Or have you tried the airy soft texture of a pomegranate mousse.  For a more firmer textured dessert try out lemon and poppy seed cheesecake.

A bit more about this brown bread trifle:
Making brown bread trifle is very easy for me. Firstly, most of the year I get sweet delicious mangoes which I love to add in this dessert. Secondly, when you have to make it for a large crowd its so easy to keep the ingredients ready beforehand. 

The recipe demands the usage of stale bread. However, I’m not happy using stale bread, as the base becomes dry. I use fresh brown bread and I sprinkle the layer with some milk or fruit juice. 

Types of fruits used:

I tend to use a variety of fresh fruits for this trifle, depending on what is available. I like using berries, mangoes, peaches, nectarine, apples, pears, bananas, pomegranate and pineapple.

What else is required?

This trifle has no custard. Instead,  fresh whipped cream is used for the layers and for the topping.

For the topping I usually add grated chocolate or nuts or both.

One big trifle or mini ones?

When I learnt how to make this trifle I usually made it in one big bowl. However, now when I make it, I prefer to make small individual portions. I use small bowls, glasses or cups.

brown bread pudding 1

brown bread pudding 2

brown bread pudding 3

BROWN BREAD TRIFLE

8 – 10 servings

3 cups of brown bread crumbs

¼ cup sugar

½ cup drinking chocolate powder (sweetened cocoa powder)

¼ cup unsweetened cocoa powder 

1½ to 2 cups fresh cream

2 cups chopped fresh fruit 

1 cup chopped mixed nuts

1 tsp vanilla extract

¼ cup powdered sugar

¼ cup milk or fruit juice

topping of your choice: sprinkles, grated chocolate, nuts, fruit

 

Set in a big bowl:

  1. Take about 8 to 9 slices of brown bread. Process it in the food processor to get crumbs.
  2. Add the sugar, vanilla extract,nuts and drinking chocolate to the bread crumbs and mix well. Divide the mixture into half.
  3. Chop fresh fruits of your choice. You can use any single fruit or mixed fruits.
  4. Whip the fresh cream with powdered sugar till it forms soft peaks.
  5. Divide the whipped cream into half.
  6. Take a big bowl and layer it with half of the bread crumb mixture.
  7. Pat it down gently with a spoon. Sprinkle the half of the milk or fruit juice over the bread crumb layer.
  8. Top the bread crumb layer with the chopped fruit.
  9. Top the fruit with half of the whipped cream.
  10. Add the remaining bread mixture on top of the cream.
  11. Sprinkle remaining milk or juice over it.
  12. Top with the remaining cream.
  13. Leave in the fridge for the cream to set for nearly 4 to 6 hours.
  14. Just before serving top it with your choice of topping.

 

Set in individual bowls, glasses or cups:

  1. Divide the bread crumb mixture equally and layer the containers.
  2. Press down the bread crumb layer gently with a spoon.
  3. Sprinkle some milk or juice over it.
  4. Add the fruit layer.
  5. Top it with fresh whipped cream.
  6. Let it chill in the fridge for 4-6 hours.
  7. Top is with your favourite topping before serving.

 

Tips:

  • The bread crumb layer should not be compact.
  • Choice of toppings can be fresh fruit, nuts, grated chocolate.
  • Use nuts like pistas, walnuts, cashews, almonds.
  • The number of servings you get when you set it in individual containers can vary according to the size of the container.

 

Pin for later:

brown bread trifle

 

A little request:

If you do try this recipe then please either

  • add a comment below,
  • send a picture to my email mayuri.ajay.patel62@gmail.com
  •  tag me as #mayuri_jikoni on Instagram
  • or tag me on Twitter as #Mayuri1962

 
 
 
 

 

29 Comments

  • Lata Lala

    October 5, 2019 at 5:24 pm

    That’s such a good read about making a perfect trifle. Brown bread trifle Is such an awesome idea. It looks so tempting and it’s such a wonderful treat for hit Summer days.
    Thank you for your deatailed post.

    1. mayurisjikoni

      October 5, 2019 at 5:45 pm

      Thanks Lata. It definitely is an easy summer dessert recipe.

  • amrita

    October 7, 2019 at 7:32 pm

    A beautiful and easy dessert has passed on from a different zone to different parts of the world…I love the use of drinking chocolate and that’s why people think cake is used instead of bread

    1. mayurisjikoni

      October 8, 2019 at 7:19 pm

      Thank you so much Amrita.

  • Rafeeda – The Big Sweet Tooth

    October 8, 2019 at 8:41 am

    This is such a fantastic idea… Like you mentioned, it does look like chocolate cake at the bottom. The recipe is quite simple too… Pinning this up…

    1. mayurisjikoni

      October 8, 2019 at 7:27 pm

      Thank you so much Rafeeda. Hope you love this dessert.

  • Jayasri

    October 9, 2019 at 12:54 am

    This is such an easy idea of making a trifle! I make it with a very traditional way! This is such an easy idea.

    1. mayurisjikoni

      October 9, 2019 at 11:36 pm

      It definitely is an easy recipe and a great party dessert.

  • poonampagar

    October 9, 2019 at 3:06 pm

    This brown bread trifle with whipped cream, cocoa, fresh fruits and nuts looks so inviting and I. Sure it is a test to the tastebuds as well. Would make for a stunning party dessert !

    1. mayurisjikoni

      October 9, 2019 at 11:32 pm

      Thank you so much Poonam. It is easy to make it for parties.

  • Padma Veeranki

    October 9, 2019 at 9:45 pm

    Brown bread trifle is a great idea… It really looks like chocolate cake at the bottom. A beautiful and easy dessert !! The way you have explained it in detail is awesome…Delicious treat!!

    1. mayurisjikoni

      October 9, 2019 at 11:31 pm

      Thank you so much Padma.

  • Jagruti’s Cooking Odyssey

    October 10, 2019 at 10:55 am

    Trifle with brown bread crumbs, it’s an interesting twist. A delectable dessert that can be done with ease and looks great too.

    1. mayurisjikoni

      October 10, 2019 at 11:35 am

      Thank you so much Jagruti.

  • Anshu

    October 10, 2019 at 12:41 pm

    Brown bread trifle seems to be a great idea. Use of fresh fruits and nuts makes it all the more inviting. Also, loved the way you have explained it in such detail.

    1. mayurisjikoni

      October 14, 2019 at 9:07 pm

      Thank you so much Anshu.

  • sasmita

    October 10, 2019 at 2:44 pm

    Great one. The layering is so eye catchy for me !!! The colorful fruits used make it more tempting to dig in. And yes, all will get confused by the base layer 😉 whether its a choco cake layer or something else, lovely twist using simple brown bread …

    1. mayurisjikoni

      October 14, 2019 at 9:07 pm

      Thank you so much Sasmita.

  • greenbowl2soulgmailcom

    October 10, 2019 at 4:29 pm

    I love Trifle and your recipe is awesome. Saving it to make it on this Christmas. Thanks for sharing this recipe.

    1. mayurisjikoni

      October 14, 2019 at 9:06 pm

      Thanks and hope you’ll share a picture of your preparation.

  • namscorner18

    October 10, 2019 at 6:36 pm

    Love the idea of using brown bread instead of usual sponge cake for trifle. Such a easy and sinful dessert. Looks so so tempting. We can make lot of variations. I always love to serve these in parties

    1. mayurisjikoni

      October 14, 2019 at 9:05 pm

      Thanks Narmadha and yes you can make so many variations.

  • Renu Agrawal Dongre

    October 15, 2019 at 2:11 pm

    Loving this quick and easy recipe of brown bread trifle Mayuri di. This looks like a perfect party dessert for upcoming festive season. Will pre made bread crumbs also work here as I have made some and not sure how to finish them.

    1. mayurisjikoni

      October 15, 2019 at 2:13 pm

      Thanks Renu, I’m not sure if roasted bread crumbs would work well, never tried with them as I just process bread slices and use it.

  • Lathiskitchen

    October 19, 2019 at 12:31 am

    This trifle looks so easy to make yet delicious to serve the guests. I love when the guests are surprised to hear the ingredients.

    1. mayurisjikoni

      October 20, 2019 at 8:15 pm

      Thank you so much Lathiya.

  • jayashreetrao

    October 20, 2019 at 1:41 pm

    Trifle seems to be one off the easiest desserts I tend to make when they crave something sweet. This looks so delish, loved it Mayuri.

    1. mayurisjikoni

      October 20, 2019 at 8:11 pm

      Thank you so much Jayashree.

  • Be My Guest – Ugadela Math/ Sprouted Math Stir Fry – The Big Sweet Tooth

    September 26, 2020 at 9:24 am

    […] love to try on her blog, and I have literally lost count of it. But the number one in the list is this Brown Bread Trifle. I really want to buy one small pack of brown bread to make it soon – yep, my folks prefer […]

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