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.
Ingredients
Scale
- 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
Instructions
- 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.
- 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.
- 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.
- 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.
- 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