Almond Apricot Trifles Recipes

APRICOT TRIFLE

Steps:

• Preheat oven to 375ºF.
• In a small bowl, soak the apricots in 3 tablespoons of Amaretto and set aside.
• Grease and flour a 9x13" baking pan.
• In a large mixing bowl, combine the cake mix, eggs, oil, 2 tablespoons of the Amaretto and the amount of water called for on pkg directions less 2 tablespoons of liquid.(Due to the Amaretto that you added).
• Beat until well combined.
• Evenly spread the batter into the pan.
• Place in oven and bake until toothpick inserted into the cake's center comes out clean, 20-25 minutes.
• Let the cake cool in the pan for 15 minutes.
• Unmold the cake.
• Using a 3" round cookie cutter, cut 12 rounds from it.
• Use a serrated knife to split each round in half horizontally.
• With a pastry brush or a basting brush, brush each of the 24 rounds with some of the remaining Amaretto.
• To assemble a single serving of trifle ~ place one round into an individual serving dish(like the little glass custard cups).
• Top with a spoonful of the jam or preserves, then 2 tablespoons of the custard, and a sprinkling of toasted almonds.
• Top with another layer of cake, jam and custard.
• Sprinkle with some of the Amaretto soaked apricots and top with a sprinkling of toasted almonds.
• NOTE: This can be made with a store bought yellow cake, store bought custard and the rest of items and can be literally put together in no time. This too, would look pretty in a parfait glass and just cut the round into little cubes.

APRICOT BERRY TRIFLE

Steps:

• Make the apricot custard:
• In a heavy saucepan scald the milk with the vanilla bean. In a metal bowl whisk together the egg yolks, the sugar, the cornstarch, sifted, and a pinch of salt. Add the milk mixture to the yolk mixture in a stream, whisking, and transfer the mixture to the pan. Boil the custard, whisking, for 1 minute, or until it is thick and smooth, strain it through a fine sieve into a bowl, and stir in the brandy. Chill the custard, its surfaced covered with plastic wrap, for at least 6 hours or overnight. Whisk in the crème fraîche, fold in the heavy cream, beaten to stiff peaks, and the apricots, and chill the apricot custard, covered.
• Make the red berry mixture:
• In a blender or food processor purée 2 cups of the strawberries, sliced, and 1 cup of the raspberries with the sugar, the lemon juice, and the framboise until the mixture is smooth, force the purée through a fine sieve into a bowl, pressing hard on the solids, and stir in the remaining 2 cups strawberries and 1 cup raspberries, both crushed lightly.
• Make the blackberry mixture:
• In a blender or food processor purée 1 1/2 cups of the blackberries with the sugar, the lemon juice, and the framboise until the mixture is smooth, transfer the purée to a bowl, and stir in the remaining 1 cup blackberries, crushed lightly.
• Assemble the trifle:
• Arrange one third of the cake on the bottom of a 3 1/2- to 4-quart trifle bowl, sprinkle it with one third of the brandy, and pour half the red berry mixture evenly over the cake. Spoon one third or the apricot custard evenly over the red berry layer, top it with half the remaining cake, and sprinkle the cake with half the remaining brandy. Pour the blackberry mixture evenly over the cake, spoon half the remaining custard over it, and top the custard with the remaining cake. Sprinkle the cake with the remaining brandy, pour the remaining red berry mixture evenly over it, and spoon the remaining custard evenly over the red berry layer, covering the red berry layer completely.
• Chill the trifle, covered, for at least 12 hours or overnight, garnish it with the berries, and serves it with the additional raspberries.