Learn how to make British Desserts: Sticky Toffee Pudding, English Trifle

England is known for its dynamic range of complex and delicious meals that are made with surprisingly simple and easily available ingredients. Their pies and desserts are well-known in the culinary world, and it would be interesting for you to give some of them a go, and experience a slice of Britain in your own kitchen.

Traditional English Trifle

This is one of those British desserts that are a hit among all British families, and have been so for generations. It is one of those easy yet fancy dishes that captures the essence of gourmet desserts.

Ingredients:

• 202 gm sponge cake
• 201 gm berries
• 103 gm sugar
• 102 gm custard powder
• 503 ml milk
• 202 gm cream
• 1 tbsp sherry

Method:

1. Since this recipe consists of several layers, you have to start at the bottom by slicing sponge cake into medium to small pieces and layering them at the bottom of a large glass bowl.
2. On top of this layer, you have to carefully add sugar and mixed berries.
3. After this, you are to prepare custard quickly, combining milk and custard powder in a pan, and cooking it over low heat while stirring it in between until everything is thick and that of a pudding-like texture.
4. After your custard is made, you have to cool it down a little and pour it over the berries and sugar.
5. For the last step, you must not forget the beloved sherry and whipped cream to garnish the trifle.
6. While it would look delicious and absolutely inviting to dig in immediately, you have to hold on for at least an hour while the trifle is refrigerated and all the flavors combined together into a beautiful traditional English trifle.

Classic Sticky Toffee Pudding

This is such a classic sweet meat from Britain that will bring you memories of childhood breakfast desserts with its sticky toffee flavor and also give you the deliciousness of ice cream melting in your mouth.

Ingredients:

• 201 gm dates
• 203 gm brown sugar
• 104 gm sugar
• 102 gm butter
• 2 eggs
• 201 gm flour
• 2 tsp baking powder
• A pinch of salt
• 104 gm toffee sauce

Method:

1. In the beginning, you need to let the oven preheat to 180°C.
2. Then, you have to whisk together eggs, butter, baking powder, salt and flour.
3. To this flour mixture, you need to add brown sugar, white sugar, and dates and combine everything well.
4. Next, you have to transfer the combination of all the ingredients into a baking tray greased with butter.
5. Next, you have to allow it to bake for 30 to 35 minutes, and then once done, you cannot forget the sticky, warm toffee sauce with vanilla ice cream that you have to top the cake with before serving.

Traditional Eccles Cakes

Eccles cakes are a traditional sweet dish from England that comprise delicious pastry stuffed with currants and garnished with icing sugar glaze.

Ingredients:

• 202 gm puff pastry, thawed
• 103 gm currants
• 101 gm brown sugar
• 52 gm sugar
• 1 tsp cinnamon
• 2 tsp nutmeg
• A pinch of salt
• 50 gm butter

Method:

1. First, your oven needs to be preheated to 200°C.
2. Next, you have to spread out the puff pastry to around 5 mm of thickness.
3. After that, you can take a cookie cutter of any shape and cut out that shape of puff pastry.
4. Next, please take a bowl in which you have to combine. Brown sugar, white sugar, currants, cinnamon, salt and nutmeg together.
5. After your mixture is ready, you have to scoop it out with a spoon and layer it on the cutout shape of the puff pastry.
6. You have to be careful to add some butter to the sides of the pastry and fold it in half.
7. Once each cutout has been filled with the currants, you need to let them bake for 25 to 30 minutes.
8. Once done, you can drizzle with some icing sugar, glaze and enjoy.

The next time you think of Britain, you will not only think of Buckingham Palace and rainy streets, but you will also be reminded of the sweet aroma of these dishes. While they are perfect for any occasion, many of these desserts can be served during family gatherings and birthday parties for an interesting deviation from your regular sweets. You can take the liberty to add more nuts into these recipes or choose to garnish with fresh cream, chocolate syrup, maple syrup, or icing sugar.