Introduction

This Irresistibly Indulgent Christmas Pavlova Trifle Delight is a festive dessert that combines creamy custard, fresh fruits, whipped cream, and crunchy meringues. It’s a beautiful layered treat perfect for holiday celebrations and guaranteed to impress your guests.

A clear glass pedestal bowl holds a layered dessert with four distinct layers: the bottom layer is a light tan crumbly base, above it is a thick white creamy layer, then a bright red jelly layer filled with cherries, and the top layer has dollops of white whipped cream arranged in a circle around the edge. The center is piled high with glossy red cherries and blackberries dusted with powdered sugar. The setting includes small Christmas ornaments and pine branches with snow, all on a white marbled surface. Photo taken with an iphone --ar 4:5 --v 7

Ingredients

2 cups thickened cream (whipped to soft peaks)
1.5 cups full cream milk
5 large extra-large egg yolks (from Coles Free Range Eggs)
0.5 cups caster sugar
2 tbsp cornflour
30 g unsalted butter (cubed and softened)
1 tsp vanilla bean paste or pure vanilla extract
250 g cherries (halved and pitted)
1 white and yellow peach (pitted and cut into wedges)
1 white and yellow nectarine (pitted and sliced)
0.25 cups lemon juice
0.25 cups caster sugar (to enhance the flavor of the fruits)
250 g raspberries
100 g Coles Vanilla Meringue Kisses
100 g Coles Flavoured Meringue Kisses

Instructions

Step 1: Place the milk and cream into a medium heavy saucepan. Stir occasionally and gently bring it to a simmer over medium heat, allowing the mixture to become warm and fragrant.
Step 2: In a large heatproof bowl, vigorously whisk together the egg yolks, caster sugar, and ½ teaspoon of sea salt flakes for about 3 minutes until pale and fluffy.
Step 3: Gradually whisk the hot milk mixture into the egg yolk mixture, ensuring a smooth blend. Return the combined mixture to a clean saucepan and cook over medium heat, whisking constantly for 3 minutes until thickened.
Step 4: Remove the custard from the heat. Whisk in the softened butter and vanilla bean paste or extract. Strain the custard through a fine mesh sieve into a shallow container. Cover and chill for 2 hours until thickened.
Step 5: In a separate bowl, toss the cherries, peaches, nectarines, lemon juice, and caster sugar. Allow the mixture to sit at room temperature for 30 minutes, then gently fold in the raspberries.
Step 6: To assemble, spoon one-third of the fruit mixture into a glass serving dish. Layer with one-third of the custard, followed by whipped cream and a quarter of the meringues. Repeat these layers two more times.
Step 7: Finish by decorating the top with the remaining meringues. Chill the trifle for 30 minutes before serving to allow flavors to meld.

Tips & Variations

For extra texture, try adding toasted nuts between the layers.
Use seasonal fruits like berries or stone fruits based on availability for fresh flavor.
Replace the caster sugar in the fruit mixture with honey for a natural sweetness.
To make it nut-free, avoid adding any nuts and use gluten-free meringues if needed.

Storage

Store the trifle covered in the refrigerator for up to 2 days. Meringues may soften over time, so for best texture, add the final meringue topping just before serving. Reheat is not recommended as this dessert is best served chilled.

How to Serve

A clear glass dessert bowl on a pedestal holds a layered trifle set against a white marbled texture. The bottom layer is light tan crumbled cake or biscuit base with a crumbly texture. On top of that is a thick, smooth white cream layer. Above the cream is a glossy, deep red berry jelly or sauce with visible whole berries inside, creating a shiny and slightly translucent look. The top layer features dollops of white whipped cream arranged evenly along the edge, with a large mound of fresh dark blackberries and bright red cherries dusted lightly with powdered sugar in the center. The image gives a cozy, festive feeling with soft warm yellow lights softly blurred in the background. Photo taken with an iphone --ar 4:5 --v 7

Serve this delicious recipe with your favorite sides.

FAQs

Can I make the custard ahead of time?

Yes, the custard can be made and chilled up to 2 days in advance. Just keep it covered in the refrigerator until ready to assemble.

What if I don’t have vanilla bean paste?

You can substitute with pure vanilla extract in an equal amount. Both will add lovely vanilla flavor to the custard.

Irresistibly Indulgent Christmas Pavlova Trifle Delight Recipe

Print Recipe

★★★★★

4.5 from 138 reviews

This Irresistibly Indulgent Christmas Pavlova Trifle Delight is a festive layered dessert combining luscious custard, fresh seasonal fruits, whipped cream, and crunchy meringue kisses. The dessert balances creamy textures with fresh tartness and sweet crunch, perfect for celebrating the holidays with a crowd-pleasing centerpiece.

Author: Dylan
Prep Time: 20 minutes
Cook Time: 15 minutes
Total Time: 3 hours 5 minutes
Yield: 8 servings 1x
Category: Dessert
Method: Stovetop
Cuisine: Australian
Diet: Vegetarian

Ingredients

Scale

Custard

2 cups thickened cream (whipped to soft peaks)
1.5 cups full cream milk
5 large extra-large egg yolks (from Coles Free Range Eggs)
0.5 cups caster sugar
2 tbsp cornflour
30 g unsalted butter (cubed and softened)
1 tsp vanilla bean paste or pure vanilla extract

Fruit Mixture

250 g cherries (halved and pitted)
1 white and yellow peach (pitted and cut into wedges)
1 white and yellow nectarine (pitted and sliced)
0.25 cups lemon juice
0.25 cups caster sugar (to enhance the flavor of the fruits)
250 g raspberries

Assembly

100 g Coles Vanilla Meringue Kisses
100 g Coles Flavoured Meringue Kisses

Instructions

Prepare the Custard: Place the milk and cream in a medium heavy saucepan. Stir occasionally and gently bring it to a simmer over medium heat to warm and develop flavor.
Whisk Egg Mixture: In a large heatproof bowl, whisk together the egg yolks, caster sugar, and ½ tsp sea salt flakes vigorously for about 3 minutes until the mixture is pale and fluffy.
Temper Egg Mixture: Gradually whisk the hot milk and cream into the egg mixture to avoid curdling. Return the blended mixture to a clean saucepan and cook over medium heat, whisking constantly for about 3 minutes until thickened.
Finish Custard: Remove custard from heat and whisk in softened butter and vanilla bean paste. Strain the custard through a fine mesh sieve into a shallow container. Cover and chill in the refrigerator for 2 hours until set and thick.
Prepare Fruit Mixture: In a separate bowl, toss cherries, peaches, nectarines with lemon juice and caster sugar. Let the mixture sit at room temperature for 30 minutes for flavors to meld. Afterward, fold in the raspberries gently.
Assemble the Trifle: In a glass serving dish, spoon one-third of the fruit mixture, followed by one-third of the chilled custard, then whipped cream (about one-third of the whipped cream), and a quarter of the meringue kisses. Repeat these layers two more times.
Decorate and Chill: Top the final layer with the remaining meringue kisses as decoration. Chill the fully assembled trifle for an additional 30 minutes before serving to allow flavors to meld and the dessert to set nicely.

Notes

For best results, ensure the custard is fully chilled and thickened before assembly to maintain distinct layers.
Use fresh, ripe seasonal fruits for optimal flavor and texture.
Handle the meringues gently as they are delicate and can easily break.
This dessert is best served chilled and consumed within 1-2 days for freshness.
You can substitute the fruits depending on seasonal availability or personal preference.

Keywords: Christmas dessert, pavlova trifle, layered trifle, holiday dessert, custard trifle, meringue dessert, festive trifle, fruit trifle