How to make a fool A Messy, Trifling Fool

Has love turned you into a fool? A messy, trifling fool? Well, then have I got a dessert for you!

Layers of buttery cake, sweet, tangy jam, crispy meringues and fluffy whipped cream combine to make a desert that is anything but foolish!

This dessert takes some time to make. There are a few components to it but none too complicated. It’s a combination of a trifle (a chilled dessert with layers of cake and fruit covered custard, cream and jam) an Eton Mess (a dessert of berries, crushed meringue and whipped cream) and a fool ( fruit puree folded into whipped cream)

Make meringues

Get the complete recipe for French meringue cookies HERE

First we beat egg whites with powdered sugar to make a crispy baked meringue cookie. I like to use powdered sugar instead of granulated sugar in my meringues because it dissolves almost immediately. No chance of gritty egg whites here. Swirl in a little gel food coloring to match the theme of your celebration. I gave my meringues a pink swirl using just the tiniest drop of red gel food color. Bake at a low temperature to dry the meringues out and make them crispy. Store cooled meringues in an airtight container until ready to use.

Next make pastry cream

Get the full recipe for pastry cream HERE

Use the yolks left from making meringues to make the pastry cream. Beat a simple mixture of egg yolks, corn starch, sugar, and salt together then slowly pour in hot milk a little at a time. This is called tempering and keeps the eggs from scrambling. Put the mixture back over low heat and cook, stirring constantly until thickened. Stir in vanilla and butter.

Make or buy a pound cake and some raspberry jam

Your favorite pound cake is perfect for this recipe. Sandwich some raspberry jam between slices of pound cake and layer it in a serving glass.

Whip it real good

Whipped cream, that is. I like to make homemade whipped cream, whipped cream in a can disintegrates into nothing in a matter of minutes. With a whisk beat 1 cup of heavy cream with 2-4 tablespoons of powdered sugar (depending on how sweet you like it, but remember we’re adding sweetened jam too) and 1/2 teaspoon of vanilla, it’s that easy. Combine 2 tablespoons of raspberry jam with the whipped cream to make raspberry whipped cream.

If you build it, they will come

Build your “Messy Trifling Fool” in individual serving glasses or make one big one for a crowd. Layer the raspberry jam filled pound cake with pastry cream, whipped cream and meringue. Top with whipped cream, fresh berries and a crispy meringue and serve right away, the meringue gets soft quickly.

How to make a fool