Low Carb Berry Trifle
Low Carb Berry Trifle
Low Carb Berry Trifle is low in carbs and added sugars, and it will have you baffled. You see it tastes just like a traditional trifle so there is absolutely no compromise on flavor at all. My husband was extremely surprised when I told him it was a low carb version and sugar free. You know you have a winning recipe when you receive comments like this.
Preparation
This recipe isn’t difficult to make, although you will have to make a a sponge, the custard and the jelly advance before assembling it. You may manage to buy a low carb cake, although this is highly unlikely as they aren’t available in many places. This isn’t a problem though, as the sponge recipe really simple to make so you’ll be able to make it in no time. You could also make the sponge in advance and freeze it. Just defrost it when you want to make the trifle. Note that the sponge cake recipe is made specifically for this recipe. I have kept it simple as the cake is soaked in sherry, fruit and custard, so it really doesn’t need to be a complicated recipe.
You will need to make the custard in advance and allow it to cool in the fridge to thicken. The jelly will also need to be made well in advance to ensure it has set properly. You could make these a day or so in advance, then it’s just a matter of assembling the trifle. I recommend you make your trifle at least 4 hours (or a day) in advance, so that all of the flavors meld together and the sponge softens.
Get Creative
Have fun decorating your Low Carb Berry Trifle. You could simply use fresh cream, fresh berries and nuts as I have in the pictured trifle. You could also top it with whipped cream, cream rosettes, a little of the diced jelly, berries and nuts. Edible rose petals would look beautiful on this as well. This is the fun part. Google pictures of trifles if you are looking for some inspiration.
Portion Size
Just watch your portion sizes with this recipe.It’s definitely a moreish recipe and if you are watching your carb intake, you will want to keep a check on how much you eat. This recipe does serve around 16 people so if you aren’t catering for such a large crowd, you could simply halve the recipe. Freeze half of the cake for the next trifle and only make up half the jelly and the custard. I generally use about an 8″/20 cm trifle bowl for the whole recipe so you will need a lot smaller bowl if you half the recipe.
I bet you never thought you could do low carb and low sugar and still eat trifle…and a damn fine one at that!
Enjoy!
Ingredients
Ingredients To Be Made In Advance
- 2 packets of lite jelly/sugar free jello - berry flavored. made in advance
- 600 ml Low Carb Custard from Scratch made in advance
- A Simple Low Carb Sponge Cake -see recipe below. made in advance
Additional Assembly Ingredients
- 2 cups mixed berries of choice strawberries, blueberries, raspberries including at least 6 large strawberries to decorate the side of the bowl.
- 100 ml Sweet Sherry or to taste
- Chopped blanched almonds/slivered almonds grated chocolate, mint leaves etc to garnish as desire
Whipped Cream Ingredients
- 3/4 cup pure cream/heavy cream for the topping
- 1 teaspoon stevia blend or alternative sweetener
- 1/4 teaspoon organic vanilla extract
Simple Low Carb Sponge Cake Ingredients
- 4 large eggs separated
- 175 gms almond meal or almond flour
- 1 teaspoon baking powder
- 1 teaspoon organic vanilla extract
- 1/3 cup Erythritol or alternative sweetener
- A pinch of salt
Instructions
Preparation in Advance
- Make the jelly/jello up according to instructions on the packet in advance, so it sets well before you use it. Set it in a large container so that the jelly is not too deep. Dice it into squares when ready to assemble the trifle.
- Make the Low Carb Custard as per the recipe link in advance and allow to cool and thicken in the fridge.
- Make the Simple Low Carb Sponge Cake as per instructions below in advance.
- Whip the cream with the sweetener and vanilla extract just prior to assembling your trifle.
A Simple Low Carb Sponge Cake Method
- Preheat the oven to 175 C/350 F Fan Forced and prepare the baking pan with oil/butter and baking paper.
- Beat the egg whites until light and fluffy and set aside.
- Beat the egg yolks with the sugar and vanilla extract
- Whisk the dry ingredients to make sure the baking powder is well dispersed.
- Pour the egg whites and the egg yolk mixture over the dry ingredients and gently fold in, using minimal stirring but ensuring the batter is well combined.
- Pour the batter into the prepared baking pan and smooth out the top.
- Bake in the oven until for about 20-27 minutes or until the cake is cooked in the centre.
- Allow the cake to cool slightly before inverting. Wrap in cling wrap and allow to cool until ready to assemble the trifle.
- Just prior to assembling the trifle, cut the cake in half and with the crumb side up, sprinkle half the Sherry onto each side. Cut the cake into small 2.5 cm/ 1"cubes.
To Assemble the Trifle
- Slice 6 large strawberries into thin slices (approximately 6 slices per strawberry) and stick a row of them around the bottom edge of the trifle bowl, facing outwards.
- Lay half of the cake pieces on the bottom of the trifle bowl and then add another row of strawberry segments around the side of the bowl, just above the first row of strawberries.
- Sprinkle 3/4 cup of berries on top of the cake and then top the berries with half of the cubed jelly. Pour half of the cold custard over the jelly (not warm or it will melt the jelly.)
- Repeat the layers 1 more time starting with the other half of the cubed cake, then top with 3/4 cup of berries and finally add the remaining half of the jelly.
- Finish off with a layer of the remaining custard. Smooth off the top. Top the custard with whipped cream, and decorate with remaining berries, chopped/slivered almonds, mint leaves etc.
- Store in the fridge for a minimum of 4 hours before serving.
Recipe Notes
Nutritional Information
8 thoughts on “Low Carb Berry Trifle”
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I made this for Christmas for my family. No one even guessed that it was one of my special low carb recipes. They all loved it.
I am in love. For alcoholic free version, I mixed 50ml lowcarb berry jam with 50 ml hot water as substitute for sherry. My hubby devoured 3 portions in a row! Also my first custard made with egg yolks came out perfect! Thank you for sharing such an amazing recipe!
Thanks so much Pippa for the amazing feedback. Well done on making the perfect custard as well. I’m still enjoying my left over trifle as well. I serve it up to everyone and no-one guesses it’s low carb.
I am in love. For alcoholic free version, I mixed 50ml lowcarb berry jam with 50 ml hot water as substitute for sherry. My hubby devoured 3 portions in a row! Also my first custard made with egg yolks came out perfect! Thank you for sharing such an amazing recipe!