Zuppa Inglese (Italian Sponge and Custard Trifle)
Layers of soaked sponge, vanilla custard and chocolate custard, chilled until the flavours meld.
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
- Time40 min + chilling
- LevelMedium
- Costabout £1.10 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 ready made egg custard (creme anglaise, see the base recipe) first and let it cool completely. Make the Victoria sponge base too and slice it into 1 cm pieces.
- 2
Stir the Marsala, orange juice and sugar together in a shallow dish until the sugar dissolves.
- 3
Divide the cold custard in half. Warm one half in a small pan over a low heat until steaming, take it off the heat and stir in the chocolate until smooth. Leave to cool for 15 minutes.
15 min - 4
Dip half the sponge pieces briefly in the Marsala mixture, just 2 seconds each, and lay them in a glass dish in one layer. Spoon over the plain custard.
- 5
Dip the rest of the sponge and add a second layer, then cover with the chocolate custard. Cover and chill for at least 4 hours or overnight.
240 min - 6
Whip the cream to soft peaks. Spread it over the top and finish with the orange zest. Serve cold.
Tips
- Dip the sponge, do not soak it. Cut sponge turns to mush if it sits in the liquid, and the custard layers keep it moist as it chills.
- Traditional zuppa inglese uses alchermes, a red Italian liqueur. Sweet Marsala is easier to find in UK shops and gives a warm, raisiny flavour. Use extra orange juice for an alcohol free version.
- Make the custard the day before and chill it with cling film on the surface, so the pudding can be assembled in minutes.
Storing and freezing
Keep covered in the fridge for up to 2 days, adding the whipped cream just before serving. It does not freeze well.
Questions
Is zuppa inglese the same as trifle?
They are close cousins. Zuppa inglese layers sponge soaked in liqueur with egg custard, often with a chocolate custard layer, and has no jelly or fruit. It means English soup in Italian.
Can I make zuppa inglese without alcohol?
Yes. Replace the Marsala with the same amount of orange juice or cold strong tea. Add a teaspoon of vanilla to the juice for extra flavour.
Can I use shop bought sponge?
Yes, a plain Victoria sponge or sponge fingers work well. Homemade sponge from the base recipe gives a softer, more tender layer that absorbs the liquid evenly.
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.