Strawberry and Elderflower Trifle
Soft sponge soaked in elderflower, fresh strawberries, proper egg custard and softly whipped cream in one pretty bowl.
Made with Victoria sponge base and Egg custard (creme anglaise). Make a batch of the base first, then this takes minutes. Skip to the method
- Time30 min plus chilling
- LevelEasy
- Costabout £1.63 a head
Cost is worked out from Aldi and Tesco shelf prices in October 2026. Your shop and brands will differ.
Ingredients
Tick what you need to buy. It goes on your shopping list.
Method
- 1
Make your Victoria sponge and egg custard first (see the base recipes). The sponge must be completely cold and the custard chilled.
- 2
Toss the strawberries with the sugar and lemon juice and leave for 15 minutes until they release their juices.
15 min - 3
Cut the sponge into 2 cm cubes and spread them over the base of a 2 litre glass trifle bowl. Drizzle over the elderflower cordial mixed with 2 tbsp of the strawberry juices so the sponge is damp but not swimming.
- 4
Spoon over most of the strawberries and their juices, keeping a handful for the top.
- 5
Pour over the chilled egg custard and smooth the top. Cover and chill for at least 2 hours, or overnight.
120 min - 6
Whip the cream with the vanilla until it holds soft peaks. Spoon it over the custard and finish with the reserved strawberries.
Tips
- Check the label on elderflower cordial. Most are nut free, but a few flavoured cordials are made in factories that handle nuts.
- Chill the custard fully before pouring it on, or it will melt the cream and soak the sponge to mush.
- Assemble the trifle the day before but whip and add the cream on the day, so it stays fluffy.
Storing and freezing
Keeps covered in the fridge for up to 2 days. The sponge softens further the longer it sits. Do not freeze.
Questions
Can I make this trifle the day before?
Yes. Build the sponge, fruit and custard layers up to 24 hours ahead and keep them covered in the fridge. Add the whipped cream and fresh strawberry topping on the day so it looks fresh.
Can I use frozen strawberries?
Yes, but thaw and drain them first and use the juice in the soak. Frozen fruit is softer, so chop it small and add it to the layers rather than piling it on top.
Is it suitable for children?
Yes, there is no alcohol in this version, only elderflower cordial. Use pasteurised cream and fully cooked custard, as the base recipe does.
More made with victoria sponge base
Double check before you cook. Recipes can contain mistakes. Any diet labels come from the ingredients as written in this recipe and are a guide, not a guarantee. Always check every ingredient and the packet label for allergens and cross contamination, and ask your doctor or dietitian what is right for you, especially with coeliac disease, diabetes or a serious allergy. This is not medical advice.