Trifle is a British dessert dish made from a mixture of thick custard, fruit, sponge cake, jelly/jello and whipped cream. Most trifles contain a small amount of alcohol (port, sweet sherry or madeira) - non-alcoholic versions use fruit juice instead, as the liquid is necessary to moisten the cake.
A well-made trifle is often used for decoration as well as taste, incorporating the bright colours of the fruit, jelly, jam, and the contrast of the creamy yellow custard and white cream.
See also