Well, my friends – all good mediocre just OK things must come to an end and my co-host/partner-in-crime/good friend Donna and I have agreed that this will be the final WOYPBC post that we will do. Hard to believe that we have kept this going for almost 4 years now, but Donna has the stats detailed on her post and you can’t argue with that! It’s been an enjoyable ride and I have so loved seeing all of your posts, reading your comments, and getting so much inspiration (and hunger pangs!) from them.
For my last post on this subject, I humbly submit a Holiday Tale of Two Trifles:
My daughter started the trifle tradition at Chez Badass. Actually, my late mother started it when she brought a fruit trifle to my daughter’s 1st birthday celebration and we watched in amusement as my infant daughter gleefully chowed down on the dessert. Flash forward ~ 30 years later to when my daughter offhandedly remarked “What about a trifle instead of a birthday cake, for my birthday?” And we have been a trifle household ever since. To the point that my daughter (who, may I remind you, started all of this) says “I’m over trifle at Christmas. Let’s have tiramisu instead.” Then she sends me an Instagram reel detailing something called a Tiramisu Trifle, probably thinking it will quell the disappoint of her trifle-obsessed mad convert mate. I won’t share the recipe here because dear readers, I did make it – and although tasty – it was OVERKILL. Trust me – I think this recipe was designed just to sell product from a shop, and not because it was in any way better than a well-made tiramisu.
We had decided that it was too decadent – even for us – and it will not grace the table again. Luckily, the grandson’s birthday falls 2 days after Christmas, and I had a chance to redeem myself with my regular trifle. Like father, like son…my grandson is also a trifle-obsessed mad convert.
I can’t post a recipe for this trifle either. It’s cake spread with jam and cut up into cubes, layered between fruit, and also layers of vanilla custard. Topped with real whipped cream. Oh, and don’t forget the sherry! I usually put it in with the fruit. You can also soak the cake with sherry but mostly I don’t anymore because minors will be eating it and I don’t want to be THAT grandma (the one that boozed up the grandkids). Cough*black forest trifle of 2020*cough!
Trifle is a centuries-old dessert. I don’t know who invented it, but to me it seems like a good way to use up stale cake and I wonder if some thrifty cook in a medieval castle concocted it for that purpose. Like bread pudding, you know?
Anyways, that’s a wrap! I’d love to see what’s been cooking at your house, in the Comments.
Anyone is welcome to pick up our torch and continue to run with it or some variation thereof. If you feel so inclined...
Rock on,
The WB
I have not been able to comment on your blog for years. I gave up trying yonks ago, but I am trying again to say, I love trifle, although the orange juice version rather than the sherry version, and I prefer the traditional cake with fruit and custard. Good old medieval England for creating this yumminess.
I don’t blame you for giving up, AJ. WordPress has done me dirty so many times and I been unsubscribed to so many blogs by them as well! But this comment came through, so thank you 💕
I’m not sure if I’ve ever had a trifle but now I want some. But I’m a HUGE fan of bread pudding. My mom made that every Friday to use up stale bread before grocery shopping day on Saturday. I have a collection of over a hundred recipes, but I rarely use on when I make it.
And I bet it’s delicious every time! Thank you, Jean 💕
Hi, Deb – it’s been a sincere privilege cohosting ‘What’s On Your Plate’ with you. I learned so much, and greatly enjoyed the linkups from all who participated.
If you are going to venture into super sweet desserts, I have two words for you: Nanaimo Bars! Honestly, maybe you should try one again. You never know! ♡
I am already missing our regular adventures and you haven’t even left yet.
Oh, I DO know! Even with my newly acquired sweet tooth, Nanaimo bars are not for me 😂. I think if we put our heads (and calendars) together we could squeeze in one more adventure before we head out on our separate travels. Thanks so much, Donna 💕💕
I’m not sure who in their right mind ever has stale cake, but I’m a trifle lover as well. I make a cappuccino mousse trifle for Thanksgiving every year and it’s always a hit.
I wondered that too, Rivergirl 😂. Perhaps in some royal castle after a huge feast…certainly not in a peasant household like mine! Your trifle sounds amazing! Thank you 💕
You have inspired me. I love all the things in trifle but don’t make it! It hides all faults (that’s you frosting that slips down the side and cracks on cakes). I will miss your challenge but onto new things for you!
Thank you very much, Kate 💕 I never thought of that, but trifle would indeed make great use of a cake that didn’t turn out quite perfect enough to be served on its own!
I have never made a trifle, nor do I ever have stale cake. Maybe someday I’ll be lucky enough to be served some somewhere.
I don’t know if I have ever had a trifle. Too bad because I’m seem to have lost my taste for super sweet things in my old age so I may never have one in the future. They look beautiful, though.
I’m getting my taste buds all set for my annual birthday Caramelized Orange Cheesecake made by the hubs. It’s sweet but not too, and oh so good. Which reminds me… I need to make sure he has all the ingredients he needs.
What I like about my homemade trifle is the ability to control the sugar – the custard is not as sweet as pudding, and I don’t make the whipped cream or fruit very sweet either. Enjoy your annual cheesecake and have a very happy birthday, Janis! Thank you 💕
I have always enjoyed the challenge, Deb, and appreciate the time and effort you put into it. My fav was the monthly international snack kit! So hilarious. We like trifle but rarely make it.
Thank you very much, Bernie 💕 The snack box series was so much fun to do! Donna and I might want to dream up something similar at some point 🤔.
Trifle is a Christmas tradition in this house. My Scottish born husband would argue that it was invented in England and therefore he is the only one in the house allowed to make it and all trifles must be made his way. Whatever lol. Our daughter has the leftovers for Boxing Day breakfast. Even if we’re elsewhere for Christmas lunch he has to make an extra small one so she can call it leftovers. Thanks for the WOYP foodie fun.
You’re most welcome, Jo! Leftover trifle gets eaten for breakfast next door too, I am sure. If any makes it through the night, that is 😂. Thanks 💕
Happy New Year, Debbie and Happy Birthday to your grandson! – In my 61 years I’ve never had trifle. Not once and that’s weird because I’ve been to a lot of places where you’d think a person would have had trifle but nope. I haven’t. The blueberry one looks delicious! Now that I know what they are I’m going to attempt to make one! Thanks for sharing this.
You are most welcome, Mimi! Happy New Year to you too! I hope you get to try a trifle. Thanks 💕
We will have to do a trifle-off
Sounds good!
Hi Deb – sounds fun … while grandson looks happy … challenging times having a birthday so near Christmas. Trifle is always delicious … as long as we remember it’s coming after the main course! Cheers and hope the Bermuda time is happy or whichever island you be communing on – happy 2025 – Hilary
Close! It’s Barbados and it’s pretty fabulous 😁. Thank you very much, Hilary 💕