We’re all about living our best lives this season, and that includes feasting in style and, occasionally, treating ourselves to a delicious summer fruit trifle. Never made one before? Don’t fret! We’ve got you covered. 

SERVES 10–12 // PREP TIME 45 min // COOK TIME 1 hr

INGREDIENTS
3 cups white wine 
2 cups caster sugar 
3 cups water
Juice of 1 orange 
Juice of  lemon 
5 peaches, 4 scored and 1 sliced 
12 gelatine leaves
15 strawberries, halved
2 Madeira loaves, sliced
 cup brandy 
1  cups cream cheese 
4 tbsp icing sugar
1 tsp vanilla essence 
2 cups whipped cream 
1 cup strawberries, sliced 
 cup flaked almonds, toasted

METHOD
1. Make jelly by combining the wine, sugar, water, and orange and lemon juice in a pot over medium heat.
2. Bring to a simmer and stir until the sugar has dissolved.
3. Add the scored peaches and poach for 15 minutes.
4. Remove the peaches and whisk the gelatine into the poaching liquid until dissolved. Strain and refrigerate for 1 hour.
5. Pour half of the jelly into the bottom of your trifle dish. Keep the rest at room temperature.
6. Peel and slice the cooled peaches and add half of them, along with half of the strawberries, to the jelly in the trifle bowl. Refrigerate until set.
7. Arrange the Madeira slices in an even layer on top of the jelly and brush with 20 ml of the brandy.
8. Whip the cream cheese, icing sugar, vanilla essence and the remaining brandy together, until smooth and fluffy. Fold through the whipped cream.
9. Spread half of the cream mixture in an even layer on top of the Madeira layer and refrigerate for 15 minutes.
10. Pour the remaining jelly on top of the cream layer, and add the other half of the poached peaches and sliced strawberries. Refrigerate until fully set.
11. Serve the trifle topped with extra whipped cream and decorated with peach slices, strawberries and almonds.

Tip: Making your own jelly can be so rewarding, but if you are in a rush, feel free to use any of your favourite jelly packets in this dish. Using tinned peaches is also a great way to speed up the process, but without compromising on flavour.

There’s no better way to indulge in summertime than by sharing a fresh, seasonal fruit platter with friends and family after a meal!