Ingredients
- 1 Plain Pound Cake, recipe follows
- 1 cup good raspberry jam
- Framboise
- 2 half-pints fresh raspberries
- 1 pint fresh strawberries
- Cognac Cream, recipe follows
- 2 cups cold heavy cream
- 2 tablespoons sugar
- 2 tablespoons pure vanilla extract
Directions
Cut the pound cake into 9 (3/4-inch) slices and spread each slice on 1 side with raspberry jam, using all the jam. Set aside.
Place a layer of cake, jam side up, in the bottom of a 2 1/2-to 3-quart glass serving bowl, cutting the pieces to fit. Sprinkle with Framboise. Top with a layer of raspberries and strawberries and Cognac Cream. Repeat the layers of cake sprinkled with Framboise, raspberries, strawberries and Cognac Cream, ending with a third layer of cake jam side down and raspberries and strawberries.
Whip the heavy cream in the bowl of an electric mixer fitted with the whisk attachment. When it starts to thicken, add the sugar and vanilla and continue to whip until it forms stiff peaks. Decorate the trifle with whipped cream. The trifle can sit for a while at room temperature.
Plain Pound Cake:
- 1/2 pound (2 sticks) unsalted butter, at room temperature
- 2 cups granulated sugar, divided
- 4 extra-large eggs, at room temperature
- 3 cups all-purpose flour
- 1/2 teaspoon baking powder
- 1/2 teaspoon baking soda
- 1 teaspoon kosher salt
- 3/4 cup buttermilk, at room temperature
- 1 teaspoon pure vanilla extract
Preheat the oven to 350 degrees F. Grease and flour 2 (8 1/2 by 4 1/2 by 2 1/2-inch) loaf pans. Line the bottoms with parchment paper.
Cream the butter and granulated sugar in the bowl of an electric mixer fitted with the paddle attachment for about 5 minutes, or until light and fluffy. With the mixer on medium speed, beat in the eggs, 1 at a time.
In a large bowl, sift together the flour, baking powder, baking soda, and salt. In another bowl, combine the buttermilk and vanilla. Add the flour and buttermilk mixtures alternately to the batter, beginning and ending with the flour. Divide the batter evenly between the pans, smooth the tops, and bake for 45 minutes to 1 hour, until a cake tester comes out clean.
When the cakes are done, let them cool for 10 minutes. Take them out of the pans, place them on a baking rack and allow them to cool completely. Wrap well, and store in the refrigerator.
Cognac Cream:
- 3 cups milk
- 10 extra-large egg yolks, at room temperature
- 1 cup sugar
- 4 tablespoons sifted cornstarch
- 1 teaspoon pure vanilla extract
- 1 teaspoon Cognac
- 2 tablespoons unsalted butter
- 1 tablespoon heavy cream
Heat the milk in a medium stainless-steel saucepan over medium heat and bring almost to a boil. Remove from the heat.
Beat the egg yolks and sugar on medium-high speed in the bowl of an electric mixer fitted with the paddle attachment until pale and thick, about 5 minutes. With the mixer on low speed, sprinkle on the cornstarch. Beat on medium-low speed until combined, scraping down the bowl with a rubber spatula.
With the mixer on low speed, slowly pour the hot milk mixture into the egg mixture. Pour the mixture back into the pan. Cook over low heat, stirring constantly, until the mixture thickens, 5 to 7 minutes. (Pay attention because it will thicken and then quickly become scrambled eggs!)
Immediately, pour the mixture through a fine sieve into a large bowl. Stir in the vanilla, Cognac, butter, and heavy cream. Place plastic wrap directly on the custard and refrigerate until cold.
1 Video | Photo: Red Berry Trifle Recipe

















Review This Recipe
You must be logged in to review this recipe.
or Sign Up to Review
Newest Ratings and Reviews
Read all 87 reviews
By pegbb
on February 03, 2013
Flag
Flag This Review?
Please provide the reason why you think this review is inappropriate.
or Cancel
I agree with the previous two star review. This was expensive and time consuming and the results were disappointing. The custard was tasty, but I stirred and stirred for about 20 minutes and couldn't get it more thick then cream. I served this for Christmas brunch and I had lots of left overs. I thought the pound cake was OK. I might try to make the custard again in a smaller portion. If I can get it to thicken I might try this again, but I think I will look for different trifle recipes.
Tried this a second time and cut the recipe in half. Since my house is cold I made sure the eggs were warm enough, and whisked them by hand. The second time the recipe turned out great! For a special occasion I would make it again. I liked serving it in individual parfait glasses and making a smaller amount.
By Lynetter4257
Seekonk, MA
on January 08, 2013
Flag
Flag This Review?
Please provide the reason why you think this review is inappropriate.
or Cancel
I love I loved the flavor of it all. I had a hard time with the Cognac Cream. It did not thicken properly and I followed the recipe EXACTLY. I cooke the cream for over 10 minutes and it did not seem thick enough but was afraid to burn it or scramble it as Ina mentioned. I chilled it overnight and it was loose in the morning. What suggestions can anyone give me
By timothysjackson...
Jackson, 64
on January 01, 2013
Flag
Flag This Review?
Please provide the reason why you think this review is inappropriate.
or Cancel
Another winning recipe from Ina! She never fails! For those persons who had difficultly making this recipe and blaming Ina, you really should calm it down. She tests each recipe dozens of times and uses nothing but the best ingredients. Try using better ingredients, better equipment and more culinary talent before criticizing her.
Read all 87 reviews