Oh, that first bite of a perfectly ripe, juicy melon on a sweltering summer day. It’s like a little burst of sunshine and refreshment. This melon trifle recipe takes that glorious melon flavour and turns it into a showstopping dessert. Layers of cubed muskmelon and watermelon are interspersed with a luscious cream-melon puree, then topped with a crispy, warmly spiced almond crumble. It’s a feast for the senses.
About the Recipe
If you love melons and want to showcase their natural sweetness in a fun and creative way, this Melon Trifle is a must-try. The musk and watermelons are the stars here, paired with a light cream mixture and a buttery, cinnamon-spiced crumble topping. Yum.
Why you’ll love this recipe
Apart from being a real crowd-pleaser, this Melon Trifle boasts wonderful textures and flavors. The soft melon chunks provide juicy bursts of sweetness, while the cream adds a luscious richness. And that crunchy topping? Pure bliss. It’s also super easy to assemble.
Melon Trifle
Cooking Tips
For best results, choose melons at peak ripeness for maximum flavor. Chill all components before assembling to make sure a refreshing dessert. And don’t skip the lemon juice – it brightens up the melon puree beautifully.
Serving & Storing: This recipe yields 4-6 servings, making it great for small gatherings. Allow some time for chilling before serving. Enjoy the trifles within 2 days for best freshness.
Serving and Storing Suggestions
This trifle serves 4-6 people and takes around 30 minutes to prep, plus chilling time. Enjoy it straight away for the ultimate freshness, or chill it up to 4 hours before serving. Leftovers keep well in the fridge for 1-2 days, but those crunchy almond bits may soften slightly.
Similar Recipes
- Strawberry Trifle
- Tropical Fruit Trifle
- Peach Melba Trifle
- Mixed Berry Trifle
Nutrient Benefits
Melons are nutritional superstars. They’re over 90% water to help you stay hydrated, and provide vitamins A, C, and potassium. The almonds add healthy fats, fiber and protein too. So while it’s an indulgent treat, this trifle packs a surprising nutritional punch.
Melon Trifle
Ingredients
- 2 Musk Melon (small + 1/2, small)
- 1/2 Watermelon
- 2 tsp Sugar (+ 2 tsp)
- 1 tsp Lemon Juice
- 150 ml Cream
- 2 tbsp Almonds (chopped)
- 2 tbsp Cornmeal
- 2 tbsp Sugar
- 1/4 tsp Cinnamon Powder
- 3 tbsp Butter
Instructions
- Chop the 2 musk melons and watermelon into small cubes and reserve the juice.
- Add 2 tsp of sugar and keep them in a bowl.
- Grind the 1/2 musk melon to a puree adding the reserved juice.
- Add 1 tsp lemon juice and 2 tsp sugar to the puree. Mix well.
- Whisk the cream well and add the pureed melon.
- Keep aside.
- Blend the almonds, cornmeal, sugar, cinnamon and butter to a coarse mixture. Bake this mixture for 10 minutes at 180C. Keep aside.
- To make the trifle, spoon a layer of the chopped fruits at the bottom of a small serving glass.
- Add a layer of the cream mixture followed by a layer of the fruits.
- Keep the glasses in the fridge until set.
- Sprinkle some of the baked mixture on top and serve at once.
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Frequently Asked Questions
Can I make this trifle ahead of time?
Surely. You can assemble the trifles a day in advance and store them covered in the fridge until ready to serve. The flavors will meld beautifully. Just wait to add the crumble topping until right before serving for maximum crunch.
My melons aren’t very sweet. What can I do?
If your melons lack sweetness, you can add a touch of honey or agave syrup to the chopped fruit before layering. Start with 1-2 teaspoons and adjust to taste. This will enhance the natural sweetness.
Can I use frozen melons?
While fresh melons are ideal for the best flavor and texture, you can use thawed frozen melon chunks in a pinch. Just be sure to drain off any excess liquid before layering them into the trifles.
What type of cream works best?
For a richer dessert, use heavy whipping cream. For a lighter option, you can substitute with half and half or even Greek yogurt. The texture will be different but still delicious.
How can I make this vegan/dairy-free?
Merely swap the cream for your favorite dairy-free alternative like coconut cream or cashew cream. For the topping, use vegan butter or coconut oil in place of regular butter.
Note: image is for illustration purposes only and not that of the actual recipe.
