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Desserts

Traditional Zuppa Inglese (Italian Trifle) Recipe

Traditional Zuppa Inglese (Italian Trifle) is a delightful spoon dessert with an inviting appearance and unique taste. Perfect to serve at the end of a dinner, here's how to make this classic dessert!
Recipe Traditional Zuppa Inglese (Italian Trifle) Recipe
  • Difficulty Easy
  • Preparation 30 minutes
  • Cooking 10 minutes
  • Servings for Serves 8

Zuppa Inglese is a spoon dessert of English origin that is truly simple and quick to make. It was imported to Italy around 1500 when a politician returning from England asked his cooks to prepare a “trifle,” a London dessert he loved, made with leftover sweets. This recipe was first cooked in the same way we present it today only around 1800.

Layers of pastry cream, chocolate pastry cream, and ladyfingers soaked in alchermes alternate to form a colorful and exquisite dessert: whipped cream, strawberries, chocolate curls, and hazelnut crumbs are just the final touch that makes this dessert irresistible. Italian cooks replaced the English leavened dough with ladyfingers while substituting the custard with pastry cream and added the liqueur with its typical red color, making modifications appreciated worldwide today!

The Rum Tiramisu, English Cream, Nougat Semifreddo, Panna Cotta with Strawberry Coulis, Brownimisù, and many other spoon desserts await you on our site! Now, put on your apron and cook with us the Zuppa Inglese!

Ingredients for Serves 8

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Method

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  1. To prepare the English Trifle (Zuppa Inglese), start by making the Custard Cream (Crema Pasticcera) and Chocolate Custard Cream following our recipes, then let them cool completely. Take eight glass serving bowls and cut the ladyfingers (savoiardi) to fit the size of your chosen containers.
  2. In a small saucepan, dissolve the sugar in water over medium heat, then add the red Alchermes liqueur (a traditional Italian red liqueur with notes of rose and spices), stir and let it cool completely. Lightly soak the ladyfingers in this syrup mixture and place them at the bottom of each bowl. Using a piping bag, create a second layer with the vanilla custard cream, cover with more soaked ladyfingers, and finish with a layer of chocolate custard cream.
  3. Using an electric mixer, whip the cream with sugar in a bowl until soft and fluffy. Wash the strawberries, remove their green stems, clean them and slice them thinly. Arrange the strawberry slices in a fan pattern on top of the chocolate custard cream, top with a spoonful of whipped cream, and garnish with chopped hazelnuts and chocolate curls. Let the English Trifle rest in the refrigerator for at least 30 minutes before serving to your guests. Finally, remember to download our App with exclusive content and fewer ads!

Variations and Alternatives

Instead of Alchermes (a traditional liqueur originally imported from Arab countries), you can use Marsala wine for soaking the cookies. You can also use leftover mixed berries and ladyfingers to decorate the English Trifle. To make a lactose-free version, replace whole milk with soy milk and whipping cream with plant-based cream.

Storage

You can store the English Trifle (Zuppa Inglese) in the refrigerator covered with plastic wrap for up to three days.

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