Trifles and large-format puddings were meant for parties: they’re served from a single bowl, feed a crowd, and look fantastic on the table. Plus, they’re best when made in advance, knocking at least one more item off your day-of holiday party to do list. Here’s our favourites, from traditional flavours to some new holiday twists.
(Photo: Erik Putz)
Black Forest Trifle
This decadent Black Forest trifle with cherries is a holiday party waiting to happen. It’s easy to make ahead (and tastes even better the next day).
Get our black forest trifle recipe here.
(Recipes by Donna Borooah; Produced by Aimee Nishitoba; Photography by Christie Vuong; Food styling by Eshun Mott; Prop styling by Madeleine Johari)
Strawberry And Lime Curd Trifle
Tart lime curd and buttery pistachios add a pale green contrast to rosy strawberries and the pairing is reminiscent of those strawberry-kiwi-flavoured treats you enjoyed as a kid. Take the shortcut with store-bought angel food cake; this trifle is full of other homemade elements. Get our strawberry and lime curd trifle recipe here.
Cake design by Brooke Cowitz, Produced by Chantal Braganza and Sun Ngo, Photography by Christie Vuong, Prop Styling by Madeleine Johari, Food Styling by Michelle Lucas Larving
No Bake Raspberry Trifle
Bust out your best novelty glassware: This no-bake trifle recipe from the 1990s remains unchanged and as delicious as ever. Get our no bake raspberry trifle recipe here.
Photo, Roberto Caruso.
Lemon Meringue Trifle
Looking for a great make-ahead desert? This lemon meringue trifle recipe improves over time as the ladyfingers soak in the limoncello & lemon juice. Get our lemon meringue trifle recipe here.
Cranberry-Mandarin Trifle
Our twist on classic trifle sparkles with fruit. Since it tastes better if refrigerated overnight, you only have to dollop on whipped cream before serving. Get our cranberry mandarin recipe here.
(Photo: Roberto Caruso)
Sticky Toffee Pudding
A classic British dessert, allegedly made popular in the 1970s by Francis Coulson, chef at Sharrow Bay Country House in northern England. (No matter its origins, this deluxe moist spongey cake with caramel and creamy custard sauce will please every sweet tooth.) Get our sticky toffee pudding recipe here.
(Photo, Erik Putz.)
Christmas Pudding With Brandy-Butter Sauce
Drizzled with a rich sauce, this luxurious pudding is the perfect way to cap off a traditional roast beef dinner over the holidays. Get our Christmas pudding with brandy-butter sauce.
Mincemeat pudding muffins. (Photo, Erik Putz.)
Christmas Pudding Muffins
Individual servings of this Christmas classic? Yes, please. Get our Christmas pudding muffins recipe here.
Cranberry Sticky Pudding
Our incredibly moist minis can be made days in advance, then reheated in the microwave. Get our cranberry sticky pudding recipe here.
Produced by Stephanie Han Kim, Photo by Christie Vuong, Food Styling by Sage Dakota, Prop Styling by Andrea McCrindle.
Banana Pudding
This ridiculously delicious dessert is the perfect marriage of from-scratch and store bought components. After chilling, the cookies become soft enough to scoop, but still have a bit of bite. Get our banana pudding recipe here.
