Recipes | October 26, 2026

Easy Christmas Trifle with Mango & Berries

Is it even Christmas without a trifle? We don't think so. This one keeps all the nostalgic layers you love (jelly, sponge, custard and cream) and tops them with fresh mango and berries for a light, summery finish that suits an Aussie Christmas perfectly.

Best of all, it's made the day before, so there's one less thing to juggle on Christmas morning. Layer it up in a footed glass bowl so everyone can see those pretty stripes, and watch it disappear.

Serves: 8 | Prep: 30 minutes | Chill: at least 4 hours (overnight is best)

Ingredients

1 x 85g packet raspberry or port wine jelly crystals
1 store-bought sponge cake (about 300g), or 1 packet jam rollettes
1/3 cup sweet sherry or orange juice
500ml thick vanilla custard (store-bought is perfect)
300ml thickened cream
1 tbsp icing sugar
1 tsp vanilla extract
2 ripe mangoes, diced
250g strawberries, hulled and halved
125g raspberries or blueberries
To finish: toasted flaked almonds and a few mint leaves (optional)

Method

Make the jelly. Make the jelly following the packet instructions, pour it into a shallow tray and pop it in the fridge for about 2 hours, until set. Cut it into small cubes.
Start with the sponge. Cut the sponge (or rollettes) into 2cm pieces and arrange half over the base of your trifle bowl. Drizzle with half the sherry or orange juice.
Add the first layers. Scatter over half the jelly cubes and a handful of mango and berries, then spoon over half the custard.
Repeat. Add the rest of the sponge, sherry or juice, jelly, another handful of fruit and the remaining custard. Save the prettiest fruit for the top.
Chill. Cover and refrigerate for at least 4 hours, or overnight, so the layers can settle and soak.
Finish with cream. Just before serving, whip the cream with the icing sugar and vanilla until soft peaks form. Spoon it over the trifle, then pile on the remaining mango and berries, almonds and mint.

Tips from our kitchen

Use a glass bowl. A footed glass bowl shows off every layer. We made ours in the Maxwell & Williams White Christmas Footed Trifle Bowl 20cm.
Got leftover layers? Make mini trifles in stemless glasses for the kids' table. They look so cute and they're easy to hand around.
Make it boozy-free. Swap the sherry for orange juice and it's a dessert the whole family can enjoy.
Keep the cream until last. Adding the whipped cream just before serving keeps it fresh and fluffy, even on a hot day.

Set the table for dessert

Want the rest of your Christmas table to look just as merry? Check out our guide on how to set a merry Christmas table, featuring the playful Fa la la and classic White Christmas ranges from Maxwell & Williams.

Complete the look:

Merry Christmas from all of us at Matchbox!