“Colomba” English Trifle

The colomba English trifle is a recipe for “leftovers”.  In every Italian pantry, there’s a Colomba Easter (click here for more) that wasn’t eaten during Easter holidays — so what to do? Here’s a wonderful recipe for a summer dessert, for when the temperature rises and we all enjoy a slightly chilled treat straight from the fridge.

The colomba English trifle is easy to prepare and will win over even the most demanding palates! Just like in the classic English trifle, this dessert also features a classic custard; but instead of the sponge cake usually used, this time we've chosen to use the Easter Dove Cake... obviously to be soaked with coffee & Rum!

Ingredients:

• Colomba 7 oz (200 g) (click here for info)

• Coffee & Rhum 0.42 cup (100 g)

• Sugar less cocoa powder

For the custard

• Whole milk 2.1 cups (500 g)

• Sugar 0.7 cup (140 g)

• Egg yolks 4.9 tbsp (70 g) - (approximately 4 medium)

• Cornstarch 6 tbsp (45 g)

• Vanilla extract 1 tsp

Preparation:

How to prepare Colomba English Trifle

1) To prepare the Colomba English trifle, first make the custard: pour the milk into a saucepan along with the vanilla extract and bring to a boil. Meanwhile, place the egg yolks in a bowl, beat them lightly, and add the sugar. Mix well with a whisk.

2) Now add the corn starch and mix again. As soon as the milk reaches a boil, slowly add it to the egg mixture, stirring to temper it.

3) Then pour everything back into the saucepan and cook over low heat, stirring until the custard thickens and comes to a boil again. Remove from heat, put it a part and let it cool.

4) Then cut the slices into pieces. Take rectangular dish line the bottom with pieces of colomba, pressing them slightly with your hands. Soak the colomba with coffee & rhum (not too soggy) and cover with a layer of custard.

5) Then add another layer of colomba and soak again with coffee & Rum.

6) Finish with a layer of custard. Sprinkle with cocoa powder. Store in the refrigerator until you are ready to serve your colomba English trifle!

Storage: The colomba English trifle can be stored for 3 days in the refrigerator in an airtight container.

Tips : Instead of coffee & Rum, you can use your preferred liqueur; if you are looking for a non-alcoholic variant, you can use coffee only.

Corn starch gives the custard an excellent consistency, but you can also use all-purpose flour; however, in this case, it's preferable to use 350 g of whole milk and 150 g of cream.

Enjoy!

Simo

Zuppa Inglese con Colomba Pasquale