Wondering if you can freeze the trifle cake? Do you plan to make it in advance, or you have left a few trifle leftovers that you want to freeze? Well, I have bad news for you. Read further to find what you can do to get the best results from your trifle dessert.
Trifle is a popular British dessert that consists of layers of cake, jelly, custard, and whipped cream. It is usually served chilled. Trifle can be made without the jelly layer and instead topped with fruit, but this is not traditional, as the jelly gives the trifle its name.
The tricky part with trifle is that it contains a lot of ingredients that may cause you some headaches if you try to freeze the trifle. Let’s find out what the difficulties are with freezing trifle.
Can You Freeze Trifle?
Freezing trifle is not ideal but possible for up to 2 months in airtight containers or freezer bags. For best results, consume the thawed trifle promptly, as texture and consistency may be compromised after freezing.
That way, you will have two more days to enjoy this dessert. Don’t try to freeze it because you will not like the mess you will get after thawing.
If you just plan to make your trifle dessert, it is recommended to make only the trifle base. If you already have some trifle leftovers, keep them in the fridge for 2-3 days in an airtight container, as it will ruin completely if you put them in the freezer.
Needed Items for Freezing:
Best Way to Freeze it?
If you’re looking to freeze trifle, it is recommended to freeze all the components individually and assemble the dessert after thawing. It is still a challenge, but you will get better results if you freeze assembled trifle.
Why It Doesn’t Freeze Well?
The problem with the trifle is that it contains different ingredients that don’t freeze well.
The base key to the success of this dessert is jelly, but as we know, jelly doesn’t freeze well.
Besides the jelly, after freezing, custard and cream will separate, so in combination, we will get an unpleasant mess that will not be attractive.
Also, if you decide to top the trifle with some fruits, they may brown or release water after thawing, and as a result, the trifle will be even more watery.
However, you can consider thawing the base of the trifle and assembling the dessert on the day when you will need to serve it.
Pro Tip: If you soak the trifle base in liquor or other alcohol, consider that the taste of the alcohol will strengthen after freezing. Take this into consideration to not ruin your cake.
How to Defrost it?
To keep the maximum texture of the trifle base, it is recommended to let it thaw slowly in the fridge overnight. You will lose the texture if you try to speed up the thawing process.
After you defrost the trifle, you must prepare the rest of the ingredients and assemble the cake as soon as possible.
Other Ways to Store Trifle?
If you have already prepared the trifle then the best way to keep it for an extended period is to cover it with a cling film and keep it in the fridge for about 2-3 days.
How to Know if It Goes Bad?
You will see that the trifle goes bad when the texture goes off. The ingredients will separate, biscuits will become mushy, fruits will brown, and so on.
Answering Your Questions:
Can you freeze it without jelly?
Freezing the trifle without jelly will improve the situation a little, but you still will not like the trifle after freezing as the custard and cream will separate from each other.
Can you make the trifle ahead of time?
If you have a special occasion and don’t have the time to make the trifle dessert on that day, then you can make it up to 2 days ahead and keep it in the fridge covered with cling film. If you plan to cover the trifle with whipped cream or other frostings, consider applying this layer before serving it.
How Long Does Trifle Last in the Freezer?
You can freeze the trifle base for about 2-3 months in a well-closing container that is freezer friendly.
Can You Refreeze Trifle?
No, you can’t refreeze the trifle because you will get a mess after thawing and will not have what to refreeze the second time.
Conclusion:
As we said, it is not recommended to freeze the trifle as it doesn’t freeze well, and the texture will suffer a lot after freezing and thawing. If you are limited on time, you can make the trifle base ahead and assemble the cake on the date you plan to serve it.
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