Trifle is a big deal in my family and has been a beloved dessert for over 30 years! I remixed our from-scratch trifle dessert and made it tropical with layers of creamy coconut custard and fluffy sponge cake.

I’m going to be honest with you – making trifle from scratch is a bit of a labor of love. But 10000% worth the effort. I’ll show you how to make each component so it turns out perfect every time. This is the kind of dessert that you’ll want to brag about on social and take to every special occasion.

There are much easier trifle shortcuts using store-bought cake and instant pudding, so if you’re in a pinch, I wouldn’t recommend this recipe. I highly encourage you to tackle this recipe at least once so you can appreciate the enormous difference homemade custard and sponge cake make in a trifle dessert!

What is a Trifle?

Trifles are an English dessert with layers of sponge cake (sometimes soaked in wine), custard, fruit, and whipped cream.

Parfait vs Trifle

Parfaits and trifles are both layered desserts, but trifles are typically made in a very large, clear serving dish so the layering is visible. It also contains sponge cake and custard. Parfaits are layered in individual cups and often involve yogurt.

Trifle Dessert Ingredients

For The Coconut Custard:

• sugar
• cornstarch, arrowroot, or potato starch
• salt
• coconut milk
• egg yolks
• butter
• coconut extract
• vanilla extract

Fluffy toasted coconut sponge cake

Sponge cake is key in this recipe because you’ll want a cake that won’t weigh down your trifle, but sturdy enough to absorb some of the moisture from the custard and the pineapple without turning to mush. You’ll need:

• toasted shredded coconut
• eggs
• sugar
• gluten-free flour or all purpose flour
• baking powder
• salt
• coconut milk
• butter
• coconut extract
• vanilla extract

Do I need a trifle bowl?

Technically, no. You can use any large, deep bowl. If it’s clear you can see the layering, but that’s not necessary either.

Here’s a trifle dish on Amazon if you need a little guidance. You can find them in most stores that sell kitchenware.

How to Assemble This Coconut Trifle Dessert

It’s showtime!

Once the sponge cake has cooled and the coconut custard has cooled, you can assemble your trifle! Just layer the ingredients in a trifle dish or large bowl and top with whipped cream.

How to make homemade coconut whipped topping

You can make easy coconut cream by putting a can of coconut cream upside down in the fridge for several hours. Flip the can back around and open it from the top. 

Discard all the liquid at the top, then transfer the chilled coconut cream into a medium bowl and beat with an electric mixer until it’s fluffy. It won’t be quite the same consistency as regular heavy whipping cream, but it’ll do. 

When you put it on the trifle and chill it, the cream will harden in the fridge — just a heads up. Leave it at room temp for a while to let it soften. 

Custard Trifle Variations and Substitutions

Can I use fresh pineapple?

Yep! Sure. 

Crushed is definitely more convenient, but if you want a more pronounced pineapple with a little more tartness, fresh would be your best bet. I actually liked it better when I was testing both!

Can this pineapple coconut trifle be dairy free?

Yes, but only if you’re fond of coconut cream. Or leave out the heavy cream completely. And replace the butter with coconut oil. 

Can this be made into mini trifle cups?

Sure! This recipe makes about 20 4-ounce cups. You’ll need slightly less cake and a little extra whipped cream to fill them all.

Tips

Tips for making the coconut custard:

1. Keep the burner lower than you think you need. It’ll take a little more patience, but this custard burns quickly and if that happens — it’s all over my friends.
2. Stir a LOT. Because, again, it burns quickly. Use a rubber spatula to scrape the bottom well.
3. Temper the egg yolks slowly. When you add the hot liquid to the yolks, do it in a tiny drizzle. (Yes, more patience.) You don’t want to make scrambled egg custard.
4. If you make scrambled egg custard, you can always run it through a fine-mesh strainer to get the eggy parts out. Or some of the starch that has congealed. Sometimes that happens, too.

Tips for the sponge cake

1. Bake it a little longer than you’d normally bake a layer cake. You’ll want it to be a little toasty so it doesn’t get too mushy when the trifle has been sitting for a while. You’ll want it to soak up some of the moisture from the custard and the pineapple juice, but not turn into a mushy mess.
2. Add the toasted coconut flakes to the cake batter — if you want.

We had a little debate about adding the toasted coconut to the cake…

I loved the extra texture it gave the sponge cake and the chewiness of the coconut.

Steve didn’t like the texture of the coconut in the cake and preferred the toasted coconut be added to the top of the trifle only or on individual servings to keep its crunch.

I see both sides. They’re both great options. Go forth and make your own choice.

Storing Leftover Custard Trifle

If you happen to have some leftover trifle, simply cover the serving dish with plastic wrap and store chilled. Trifle tends to turn into a messy looking situation when being transferred to from container to container, but if you need to store it in a smaller one, you can also do that.

More Delicious Trifle Recipes

If you liked this coconut trifle recipe, you’ll love these other trifle variations!

Strawberry Trifle — this is the original recipe. And a classic. It’s beyond delicious and always gets rave reviews.

Lemon Berry Mini Trifles — This is a fun, citrusy twist on that original trifle recipe with mixed berries and a tart lemony custard! This recipe is divided into little cups!

If you make one of my recipes, be sure to post it on social media and tag me at @perrysplate or #perrysplate so I can send you some love!

Frequently Asked Questions

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Coconut Trifle

Prep Time: 1 hour

Cook Time: 40 minutes

Chilling Time: 2 hours

Total Time: 3 hours 40 minutes

This coconut trifle is somewhat a labor of love as all the components are made from scratch, but it's well worth it! Fluffy toasted coconut cake + creamy coconut custard + tart crushed pineapple + freshly whipped cream is THE dreamiest dessert.

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Ingredients

For the custard:

• 4 cups coconut milk
• 1 cup sugar
• 4 Tablespoons cornstarch, potato starch, or arrowroot starch
• 1/4 teaspoon salt
• 8 egg yolks, lightly beaten
• 4 Tablespoons butter
• 1 1/2 teaspoons coconut extract
• 1/2 teaspoon vanilla extract

For the sponge cake:

• 2 cups unsweetened toasted coconut flakes
• 3 eggs
• 1 1/2 cups sugar
• 2 cups gluten free flour blend
• 2 teaspoons baking powder
• 1/2 teaspoon salt
• 1 cup coconut milk
• 4 tablespoons butter
• 2 teaspoons coconut extract
• 1 teaspoon vanilla extract

For the rest of the trifle

• 1 1/4 cups heavy whipping cream
• 2-3 Tablespoons sugar or maple syrup
• 1 20-oz can of crushed pineapple or an equivalent amount of finely diced fresh pineapple
• Extra toasted coconut flakes, for garnish (see note)

Special Equipment:

• A trifle dish or a large, deep glass bowl.

Instructions

FOR THE CUSTARD:

1. Whisk together coconut milk, sugar, preferred starch, and salt in a medium saucepan. Cook over medium heat, stirring constantly, until thickened and bubbly.
2. Meanwhile, combine egg yolks into a small bowl and whisk together.
3. Very slowly stir 1 cup of hot custard mixture into the egg yolks while whisking quickly; add egg yolk mixture back into saucepan slowly, stirring constantly.
4. Cook over medium heat until it starts to bubble. Stir frequently so the mixture doesn't scorch, scraping the bottom with a rubber spatula.
5. Remove from heat. Add butter and vanilla, stirring until butter melts.
   Cover with plastic wrap, gently pressing it onto surface. Chill at least 2 hours.

FOR THE SPONGE CAKE:

1. Preheat oven to 350 degrees F. Prepare two 8-inch round cake pans with nonstick spray.
2. Put the coconut flakes in a large dry skillet over medium low heat. Cook, shaking the pan occasionally, until the coconut is toasted to your liking, about 10-12 minutes. Watch it closely because it burns easily!
3. Beat eggs at high speed with electric mixer for 3 min or until thick and pale.Gradually add sugar; beat 4 min.
4. Combine flour, baking powder and salt; gradually fold into batter.
5. Combine coconut milk and butter in saucepan; cook over low heat until butter melts (or zap in the microwave). Gradually stir milk mixture and vanilla into batter.
6. If you are adding your 2 cups of toasted coconut flakes to your cake, fold it in the batter now. (See note)
7. Pour cake batter into prepared round cake pans. Bake for 16-18 min or until toothpick comes clean and the edges are golden brown. You'll want it to be a little more toasty than you'd regularly bake a cake.
8. Cool on wire racks for 10 min. Run a knife around the edges of the cake and invert the layers onto a cooling rack to cool completely. Cut or tear cake into 1 in. cubes.

FOR THE REST OF THE TRIFLE:


1. Whip the heavy cream for a minute or two with an electric mixer. Drizzle in the sugar or maple syrup. Continue whipping until the cream is stiff and stands on its own when you turn off the beaters and lift them out of the cream.
2. Stir about 1/2 cup of sweetened whipped cream into the chilled custard. Reserve the rest for the top of the trifle.
3. Spoon 1 cup custard on bottom of trifle bowl. Continue layering in this order: cake cubes, crushed pineapple, custard, until you run out of ingredients. Top with remaining whipped cream and extra toasted coconut flakes.
4. Serve immediately or cover and chill. The trifle will last longer than that, but the whipped cream on top will begin to wilt after a day or two, so if you're concerned about presentation, serve it within 24 hours.

Notes

1. There was a debate in our house on whether or not to add the coconut to the cake itself. I liked the texture and chewiness it added. Steve didn't like the texture and would rather have all of the toasted coconut on top or add it to individual servings as a garnish. Do what you like with this info.
2. If you're using really thick coconut milk (like Thai Kitchen) I recommend emptying 2 cans into a large glass measuring cup and whisking it thoroughly. This will make it easier to measure.

Recommended Products

As an Amazon Associate and member of other affiliate programs, I earn from qualifying purchases.

• 
  Anthony's Organic Shredded Coconut, 2 lb, Unsweetened, Gluten Free, Non GMO, Vegan, Keto Friendly
• 
  Anchor Hocking Monaco Trifle Bowl, Set of 1, Clear

Nutrition Information

Yield 12 Serving Size 1/10
Amount Per Serving Calories 829Total Fat 50gSaturated Fat 37gTrans Fat 1gUnsaturated Fat 10gCholesterol 231mgSodium 397mgCarbohydrates 92gFiber 4gSugar 64gProtein 10g

The information shown is an estimate provided by an online nutrition calculator. It should not be considered a substitute for a professional nutritionist’s advice.

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