Fresh & Fabulous: Ina Garten’s Banana Rum Trifle Recipe

Decadent desserts often spark joy, and this banana rum trifle by Ina Garten weaves pure magic on the plate.

Layers of rich, velvety goodness promise an indulgent experience that tantalizes every sense.

Soft bananas mingle with rum-soaked cake, creating a symphony of flavors that dance across your palate.

Creamy custard and whipped cream add luxurious depth to each delightful spoonful.

The recipe balances sweetness and complexity with remarkable finesse, making it a showstopper at any gathering.

Elegant yet approachable, this trifle delivers a sophisticated dessert that will leave guests asking for seconds.

Grab your ingredients and get ready to create a stunning finale to your meal that celebrates pure culinary delight.

How to Build a Banana Trifle

Banana Rum Trifle Sensation

• Pudding Base Preparation

Warm milk with cornstarch and sugar in a saucepan, stirring until thick and creamy. Blend in sweetened condensed milk, then chill in refrigerator for a minimum of one hour.

• Cream Magic

Whip cold heavy cream until soft, fluffy peaks emerge. Introduce chilled milk mixture, vanilla essence, and rum. Continue whisking until luxurious and silky smooth.

• Layering Adventure

Select a clear glass bowl and create delightful layers. Start with crispy cookies, followed by fresh banana slices and dreamy cream. Repeat the process, ensuring each layer connects beautifully. Finish with an elegant cream topping.

• Flavor Infusion

Allow trifle to rest overnight in refrigerator. This resting period helps cookies absorb delicious rum and banana flavors, creating a mouthwatering dessert experience.

• Final Flourish

Just before serving, crown the trifle with additional whipped cream and crumbled ginger cookies. Serve chilled and watch guests swoon with delight.

Tips to Tweak Ina Garten’s Rum Trifle

• Swap standard ginger snaps with shortbread or vanilla wafers for a different flavor profile that absorbs rum beautifully.
• Replace rum with banana extract or additional vanilla for a kid-friendly version that maintains the dessert's rich, creamy essence.
• Caramelize banana slices in brown sugar and butter before layering to intensify their natural sweetness and add depth to the trifle's overall taste.
• Sprinkle toasted coconut flakes or chopped nuts between layers for an unexpected crunch that complements the soft, creamy pudding and tender biscuits.
• Prepare this trifle up to 36 hours in advance, allowing flavors to meld and biscuits to perfectly absorb the rum-infused cream for maximum deliciousness.

Creative Serving of Ina Garten’s Dessert Delight

• Elevate Your Dessert Experience: Serve this banana rum trifle as a stunning centerpiece at dinner parties or family gatherings. The layers will create a visual masterpiece that guests can't resist.
• Pairing Perfection: Complement the trifle with a small glass of rum or a light dessert wine. The sweet and boozy notes will enhance the overall flavor profile and create a delightful after-dinner treat.
• Garnish with Flair: Sprinkle extra crushed ginger snaps or add fresh banana slices on top for a crunchy texture and pop of color. These final touches will make the dessert look professionally prepared and irresistibly appetizing.
• Chilled Indulgence: Serve directly from the refrigerator to maintain the creamy consistency and keep the layers perfectly set. Cold temperature helps intensify the rum and vanilla flavors, making each spoonful a refreshing delight.

Keeping Ina Garten’s Trifle Fresh & Delicious

• Refrigerate Wisely: Store the banana rum trifle in the original glass bowl, tightly covered with plastic wrap, keeping it fresh in the refrigerator for up to 3 days without compromising taste or texture.
• Prevent Banana Browning: Toss fresh banana slices with a splash of lemon juice before layering to slow down oxidation and maintain their bright, appetizing appearance.
• Freeze with Caution: While not ideal, you can freeze individual portions in sealed containers for up to 2 weeks, understanding that the texture might slightly change upon thawing.
• Serve Chilled Strategy: Remove the trifle from the refrigerator 10-15 minutes before serving to allow slight softening, which enhances the creamy, luxurious mouthfeel of the dessert.

Quick Recipe Overview

Prep Time: 25 minutes

Cook Time: 5 minutes

Total Time: 30 minutes

Calories: 400 kcal

Servings: 8

Everything You Need for Ina Garten’s Banana Rum Trifle

• Ginger Snaps: Crispy cookies that provide a spicy, crunchy foundation with warm ginger notes, choose fresh and crunchy biscuits for optimal texture.
• Vanilla Wafers: Soft, sweet cookies that complement the banana flavor, select sturdy cookies that will hold up when layered with cream.

• Milk: Provides smooth, rich base for pudding, use whole milk for maximum creaminess.
• Cornstarch: Thickens pudding mixture, ensuring perfect consistency, select fresh, clump-free cornstarch.
• Sugar: Adds sweetness and balances flavors, choose fine granulated sugar for smooth blending.
• Sweetened Condensed Milk: Creates luxurious, silky texture, pick high-quality brand for best results.
• Heavy Cream: Delivers rich, airy whipped texture, select cold cream with high fat content.
• Vanilla Extract: Enhances overall flavor profile, opt for pure vanilla for deeper taste.
• Rum: Adds sophisticated adult twist, choose dark rum for deeper flavor complexity.

• Bananas: Brings natural sweetness and creamy texture, select ripe but firm bananas without bruises.
• Vanilla Seeds: Provides intense, authentic vanilla flavor, scrape fresh vanilla pod for maximum aroma.

Utensils for Layering Ina Garten’s Rum-Infused Trifle

• Small saucepan: Perfect for cooking pudding mixture evenly.
• Mixing bowl: Essential for whipping cream and combining ingredients.
• Electric mixer with whisk attachment: Key for creating smooth, fluffy cream.
• Glass bowl (3½-quart): Large, clear bowl for beautiful layered presentation.
• Whisk: Helps blend pudding and cream smoothly.
• Plastic wrap: Covers and protects dessert while chilling.
• Measuring cups and spoons: Ensures precise ingredient amounts.
• Sharp knife: For slicing bananas neatly.

Luscious Ina Garten Banana Rum Trifle Recipe

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4.6 from 35 reviews

• Total Time: 30 minutes
• Yield: 8 1x

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Description

Ina Garten’s banana rum trifle brings together rich layers of tropical flavors and creamy textures. Elegant dessert lovers will appreciate this classic English-style pudding that balances sweet bananas, rum-soaked cake, and silky custard for a crowd-pleasing finale.

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Ingredients

Scale 1x2x3x

• 6 large bananas, sliced ½ inch thick (standard and American)
• 1 (1-pound / 454 grams) box Nabisco Ginger Snaps
• 3 cups (710 mL) cold heavy cream
• 1 (14-oz / 397 grams) can sweetened condensed milk
• 1.5 cups (355 mL) whole milk
• 3 tbsps cornstarch
• ¼ cup (50 grams) sugar
• 1 tsp pure vanilla extract
• Seeds from 1 split vanilla bean
• 3 tbsps dark rum, such as Mount Gay
• Sweetened Whipped Cream, for decorating

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Instructions

1. Pudding Preparation: Craft a velvety pudding foundation by whisking milk, cornstarch, and sugar in a saucepan over medium heat. Stir continuously until the mixture transforms into a smooth, thick consistency. Introduce sweetened condensed milk, cook for an additional minute, then transfer to a bowl. Seal with plastic wrap and refrigerate for 1-24 hours to allow flavors to meld and cool completely.
2. Cream Fusion: Whip cold heavy cream using an electric mixer, starting at low speed and progressing to high until soft peaks emerge. Gently incorporate the chilled milk mixture, vanilla extract, vanilla seeds, and rum. Continue whisking on medium speed for roughly 3 minutes until achieving a luxurious, silky texture.
3. Trifle Assembly: In a glass serving bowl, create strategic layers starting with a precise cookie foundation, breaking cookies to ensure complete coverage along the bowl’s sides. Alternate with banana slices and cream mixture, building four distinct layers. Ensure the final layer showcases a smooth, elegant cream topping.
4. Flavor Melding: Refrigerate the assembled trifle overnight, allowing cookies to absorb liquid and develop a harmonious texture. This resting period intensifies the dessert’s complex flavor profile and ensures optimal consistency.
5. Finishing Touch: Moments before serving, crown the trifle with a generous layer of sweetened whipped cream. Artfully garnish with remaining ginger snaps for visual drama and textural contrast. Serve thoroughly chilled to highlight the intricate layered experience.

Notes

• Chill for Perfect Texture: Refrigerate the trifle overnight to allow cookies to absorb liquid and soften, creating a harmonious, melt-in-your-mouth consistency.
• Master the Cream Technique: Whip heavy cream gradually, starting on low speed and increasing to high, ensuring soft peaks form before incorporating other ingredients.
• Layer with Precision: Break cookies to fit bowl sides completely, creating uniform layers that showcase each component’s distinct flavor and texture.
• Timing is Key: Prepare pudding base at least 1 hour in advance, allowing flavors to develop and mixture to cool completely for optimal taste and smoothness.

• Prep Time: 25 minutes
• Cook Time: 5 minutes
• Category: Desserts, Snacks
• Method: Blending
• Cuisine: American

Nutrition

• Serving Size: 8
• Calories: 400
• Sugar: 30 g
• Sodium: 150 mg
• Fat: 28 g
• Saturated Fat: 17 g
• Unsaturated Fat: 8 g
• Trans Fat: 0 g
• Carbohydrates: 40 g
• Fiber: 2 g
• Protein: 4 g
• Cholesterol: 70 mg