In my view a trifle should have fruit, sponge, booze, custard and cream.

My partner says you have to have jelly to make a proper trifle.

whats the thoughts on here.

I had this conversation with my mother only last week. She says no to jelly.

I say no to trifle so I'm not much help!

I'm in the no camp also.

Isn't that where one of the big Spanish football clubs play?

Fruit, jelly, sponge, custard, cream and a topping such as jelly diamonds, nuts or hundreds and thousands are the essential things for a trifle if I'm eating it. I like a sherry trifle too but the booze isn't essential.

Some people from the wider family (by marriage) don't like fruit in trifle but as a family, we always had fruit in trifle so it's tough!

Absolutely no jelly in a proper trifle. It is simply sponge soaked in sherry, mixed fruit, custard and loads of soft whipped cream. I think jelly has appeared in shop bought trifles as it's a cheap filler.

I was surprised the first time I was served a trifle with jelly in it.

My favourite is banana and rum trifle, I'll have to make myself one sometime soon. Though the bananas have to be ripened until they are almost fermenting for it to be 'right'.

Trifle must have jelly in it, otherwise its a glorified fruit salad.

Sponge, jelly, fruit, custard and a topping of some description (or cream for topping but I don't like cream).

I vastly prefer it with jelly. Though I will never turn it down, jelly or no.

My name is Espresso and I am a trifophile

With Jelly. And lots of sherry.

looking forward to making mine as above

Jelly but not too much of it.

It is difficult to get the right ratio of sponge, jelly, fruit, custard and cream.

But definitely NO flaked almonds.

Oh and by the way.

The sponge should be soaked in Sherry, and the cream in brandy.

oooh, good idea.

I'd say only a thin layer of jelly.

and definitely no booze, as it ruins it imo.

With jelly. Without jelly. I'll happily eat both

Just don't put chocolate sprinkles/buttons/flake on the top!

Same here, will be making mine that way tomorrow.

With Jelly, definitely. I find Jelly makes it less dry and stodgy.

Must have lots and lots of cream on top as well.

And no sprinkle of any sort.

Toppings should definitely be optional.

I can't stand flaked almonds, they ruin trifles for me, but I do like sprinkles, especially when the multi coloured ones melt into the cream.

My nan always made the best trifles when I was a kid and she always used two types of different flavoured/coloured jelly.
One thing I remember about it that I've never been able to do the same is when you take out a portion it stayed firm and didn't leave a sloppy mess.

How about if its vodka jelly

That'll take away from the sherry soaked sponge and the brandy cream.

No jelly.

No jelly in a grown up trifle made with sherry and proper custard. Jelly is for children's only.

You make it how you like it. I don't make it 'cos I don't like it.

After being in M & S today, my trifle changed from normal trifle, but with Swiss rolls to cheat, to an inside out trifle (google m&s one it looks awesome, but was £10 and I already had stuff in to make trifle) so now I have swiss rolls lining the dish, I part set jelly with raspberries in it, piled that on top, then topped with custard. Now just need to put cream on tomorrow and hope it tips out as one inside out trifle.