Gingerbread Chocolate Trifle with Swiss Meringue & Candied Cranberries
This Gingerbread Chocolate Trifle with Swiss Meringue & Candied Cranberries is a super festive holiday dessert that’s easy to prep in advance. I love Christmas trifle recipes because they taste just like a normal cake, but without all the extra stress and work!
Ingredients you’ll need:
- (Optional) Fresh Cranberries
- (Optional) 1 Orange
- Sugar
- Water
- All Purpose Flour
- Light Brown Sugar
- Dutch Processed Cocoa Powder
- Baking Soda
- 1 tsp. EACH: Ground Cinnamon & Ground Ginger
- 1/2 tsp. EACH: Ground Nutmeg & Fine Sea Salt
- Olive Oil
- Buttermilk
- Eggs
- Molasses
- Vanilla Extract
- Egg Whites
How to Make Swiss Meringue:
- In the bowl of a stand mixer, combine the egg whites and sugar.
- Place over a small saucepan filled with 1-2” of boiling water.
- Whisk the egg whites until the sugar has completely dissolved, about 3-4 minutes.
- Carefully transfer the bowl to the stand mixer fitted with the whisk attachment.
- Beat for 1-2 minutes on LOW speed, then 5-6 minutes on HIGH speed, until stiff peaks.
How to Make this Trifle in Advance?
I recommend making the gingerbread cake and candied fruit in advance. Once both have cooled completely, you’ll store in a container at room temperature up to a day before serving. Then, the day of serving, you’ll assemble with the freshly made Swiss meringue. Keep at room temperature until ready to serve.
Cook with me!
Gingerbread Chocolate Trifle with Swiss Meringue & Candied Cranberries
Ingredients
For the Candied Cranberries:
- BUBBL’R Cranberry Grapefruit Sparkl’r for serving
- 1 cup Fresh Cranberries
- 1 Orange thinly sliced
- 3/4 cup Sugar
- 1/4 cup Water
For the Gingerbread Chocolate Cake:
- 1 ½ cups All Purpose Flour
- 1 cup Granulated Cane Sugar
- ½ cup Light Brown Sugar
- ¾ cup Dutch Processed Cocoa Powder
- 1 ½ tsp. Baking Soda
- 1 tsp. EACH: Ground Cinnamon & Ground Ginger
- 1/2 tsp. EACH: Ground Nutmeg & Fine Sea Salt
- ¼ cup Olive Oil
- ¾ cup Buttermilk
- ¾ cup Hot Water
- 2 large Eggs
- 3 tbsp. Molasses
- 1 tsp. Vanilla Extract
For the Swiss Meringue:
- 6 large Egg Whites
- 1 cup Granulated Cane Sugar
- 1 tsp. Vanilla
- Pinch of Salt
Instructions
For the Candied Cranberries:
- In a large saucepan over medium high heat, add ¼ cup sugar and ¼ cup water. Bring to a boil for 2-3 minutes. Add the cranberries and thinly sliced oranges and stir for 1 minute.
- Use a slotted spoon to remove the cranberries and oranges to a bowl with the remaining sugar. Toss to coat then place on a parchment paper line plate to set for 1-2 hours.
For the Gingerbread Chocolate Cake:
- Preheat oven to 350F. Line a rimmed 9×13” baking pan with parchment paper.
- In a large bowl, combine the flour, granulated cane sugar, brown sugar, cocoa powder, baking soda, baking powder, cinnamon, ginger, nutmeg, and salt. Mix well.
- Make a well in the center to add the eggs. Lightly beat the eggs for 30 seconds.
- Add the oil, buttermilk, molasses, hot water, and vanilla. Mix all together just until combined.
- Transfer the batter to the prepared baking dish.
- Bake for 25-35 minutes, until a toothpick inserted into the center comes out clean.
- Let cool in the pan 10 minutes, then transfer to a wire rack to cool completely.
For the Swiss Meringue:
- In the bowl of a stand mixer, combine the egg whites and sugar. Place over a small saucepan filled with 1-2” of boiling water. Whisk the egg whites until the sugar has completely dissolved, about 3-4 minutes.
- Carefully transfer the bowl to the stand mixer fitted with the whisk attachment. Beat for 1-2 minutes on LOW speed, then 5-6 minutes on HIGH speed, until stiff peaks.
To Assemble the Trifle:
- Slice the gingerbread chocolate cake into bite-sized pieces, then add half to the bottom of the trifle followed by half of the swiss meringue frosting. If desired, add half of the candied cranberries. Repeat with one more layer of each, garnishing the top with the candied cranberries and oranges.
- Enjoy with BUBBL’R Cranberry Grapefruit Sparkl’r for a complementary drink!
I truly hope you all enjoy this treasured recipe that has nestled its way into our hearts here in the ABM kitchen! ’till next time… xxL
“For I know the plans I have for you,” declares the Lord, “plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future.” ~ Jeremiah 29:11 NIV
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I can’t wait to make this for Christmas Eve. Quick question about the meringue… do you add the vanilla in while you’re mixing it with the sugar over the stove and if I were to set it all up in the morning and serve at night would the meringue hold up?