Candied Apple and Berry Trifle

Hey Guys,

So I am in charge of desserts for Christmas this weekend. I wanted to get some up onto the blog pre-christmas so that then I can share them with you guys for Christmas! My father in law is a bit of a trifle lover so very kindly agreed to be my guinea pig for the idea that I have had for a trifle. I HAD to make it today as I was waking up in the middle of the night laying there planning how I would put the stupid thing together…. so now tonight I look forward to a nice sleep (kids are you reading this ? Yes! )

I once remember seeing it done on master chef however I have made this one kid friendly and used a little more summer / christmas style fruits. You could definitely twist it up your way with different fruits or the milk chocolate version of the cake. To me that is the beauty of cooking. Wether you take a recipe as is or make your own mark on it! So long as you enjoy the process!

Oh and by the way the candied apples were done on the stove top. If I can have my little brag here…. The thermomix doesn’t have to be the ONLY way you do things… To me I use it as an extra set of hands in the kitchen. I used it for 90% of this recipe and to be honest it’s help me create something that I probably wouldn’t have been bothered trying otherwise. For me it enhances my already strong love of cooking and definitely doesn’t take “the cooking” out of it for me. It is what you make of it I guess! So whilst I got to make the candied apples on the stove I loved the whole process of this Trifle.

APPLE JELLY:

60g Raw Sugar

750ml Bottle of Appletiser (Sparkling Apple)

6 Sheets of Gold Leaf Gelatine

1 Punnet of Fresh Berries (I used Raspberries)

Handful of Green Grapes (Halved)

METHOD: 

1. Place Gelatine sheets into a bowl of cold water for at least 5 minutes to soak and soften.
2. Whilst Gelatine soaking add raw sugar to the TM and blitz for 6 seconds on speed 9.
3. Add Appletiser to the TM bowl and heat for 6 minutes at 80 degrees, on speed 3 (note this should reach the 80 degree mark. You may need longer if you are using cold Appletiser. )
4. Squeeze out excess water from Gelatine and add to the TM bowl.
5. Mix for 20 seconds on speed 4.
6. Place fresh fruit into the container that you will serve Trifle in. Pour the Appletiser Jelly mix over the fruit.
7. Place in the fridge until set. Will take a few hours. Make the night before or the morning of serving.

Jelly before it was set – ready for the fridge.

Jelly after it was set – Ready for the rest of the layers.

WHITE CHOCOLATE ALMOND CAKE 

(This is a spin on the Torta Caprese – I tweaked it slightly to use white chocolate. I think it would work just as nicely if you used the normal recipe for it.)

250g White Chocolate

250g Almonds

100g Sugar

150g Butter (room Temp)

6 Eggs

1tbls Baking Powder

METHOD:

1. Add the chocolate to the TM and Blitz for 5 – 10 seconds on speed 8. Set aside.
2. Add the Almonds to the TM and mill for 6 seconds on speed 7, set aside with the chocolate.
3. Add remaining ingredients (Without the chocolate and almonds) and mix for 20 seconds on speed 6-7
4. Add the Chocolate and Almonds to the TM and mix for 30 Seconds on speed 5-6. 
5. Place into a greased and lined tin. I prefer to use a baking paper high lined slice tin. (Gives it a brownie texture)
6. Bake in a pre-heated oven at 160 degrees for approx 1 hour.

First layer of Cake.

CANDIED APPLES (STOVE TOP)

2  Green Apples cored and sliced.

100g Butter

1/4 cup Honey or Agave Necotr or Maple Syrup.

METHOD:

1. Heat (non stick) pan on stove top and melt butter. Once melted add the apple slices and cook off for a couple of minutes. Once all apple is well coated and softened slightly add the sweetener and stir through.
2. Stir until the apple is coated in the candy and the majority of liquid is absorbed.
3. Pour onto your thermo mat to cool (or baking paper if you don’t have a mat.)
4. DO NOT TOUCH the candy right away! It will be super, super hot!
5. Allow to cool until you need it to assemble Trifle.

Candied Apple Slices

CUSTARD

 As per the EDC cookbook. Do not flavour the custard (leave out the lemon / vanilla) I made the Trifle with one batch of custard but you can do a double batch if you like.

MASCARPONE CREAM TOPPING

250g Mascarpone Cheese

300g Cream

80g Sugar

1 tsp Vanilla Essence (Or Vanilla Extract / Or scrape the inside of the vanilla pod into the mix.)

METHOD: 

1. Add Sugar to the TM bowl and blitz for 8 seconds on speed 8.
2. Add Mascarpone Cheese, Cream and Vanilla to the TM Bowl. Add the Butterfly and whip for 1 minute on speed 4.