Don't Toss That Crumbly, Stuck-On Cake! Turn It Into This Simple Dessert Instead

There's nothing worse than pouring money and time into the perfect bake that just won't budge. We've all been there. But long gone are the days of throwing out your stuck-on cake — we've got a solution that can turn it into a new and exciting treat instead. It's simple, visually interesting, and it's actually a traditional dessert with origins across the pond. That's right, we're talking about a trifle. 

This spongy, creamy English dessert is easy to make and will turn your baking fail into something your guests will love. Many variations of this dessert incorporate jelly (or what Americans refer to as Jell-O) to cover the bottom layer of cake and fruit. Though if you aren't the biggest Jell-O fan, there are many recipes you can try that don't include this wobbly ingredient. The same goes for alcohol, which is often included in traditional British trifles, but this can also be left off depending on preference. Custard is another key ingredient, but if you're in a time crunch, try swapping custard for instant pudding instead.

In order to make the most of your crumbly cake, you'll want to layer up, starting with a bit of custard at the bottom of your serving dish or bowl (just make sure the dish is clear so your guests can see the different layers). Cake can follow this layer, interspersed with various fruits. You'll repeat this process until you've run out of ingredients and top with whipped cream. Considering the sheer number of recipes to try, there is no right or wrong way to prepare this dessert — so long as the ingredients are both visually and texturally balanced.

Trifles are proof that it's possible to craft a standout treat in the wake of disaster. But it might be that you don't want to wait for your next baking fail to try this dessert out. If that's the case, there are many recipes that are customizable to the occasion, and season. These desserts can lean boozy, sweet, chocolatey, or tart — you may even find you've discovered a new way to make use of lemon curd in your next trifle.

If you're working with vanilla or sponge cake, this simple base layer will seamlessly blend with nearly any other ingredient you throw at it. Try red fruits and dark berries, or incorporate the components of banana pudding into a trifle with yellow cake. If you want to go a bit more adventurous, you could attempt a tiramisu trifle. This would nicely combine the warming roast flavors of coffee with decadent cocoa powder. Or you could go simple with a three-ingredient raspberry lemonade British trifle.

You could also make this dessert for a themed occasion like the Fourth of July. Try incorporating blueberries, strawberries, and cream to create a red, white, and blue festive version. You could also aim this dessert toward autumnal flavors like maple pumpkin or incorporate the subtle bite of alcohol in a pumpkin, pear, and amaretto trifle. The direction you take your dessert is up to you — just make sure you taste test, layer up, and garnish with a topping like fruit, edible florals, or candied mint to finish it off.