A holiday dinner wouldn’t really be complete without a classic traditional English trifle. The earliest evidence of trifle dates back to 1585 in an English cookbook, and the trifle has since then been evolved into countless different flavours and variations, from chocolate, to raspberry, to even gingerbread. Its most treasured elements remain, however, with layers of sponge cake–or some sort of cake–sometimes soaked in a preferred alcohol, and in between them fresh fruits/jam, cream, or custard.

If you’re thinking of making this favourite dessert this season—and you should—make sure this is the dish you pay extra attention to. Trifle is not only the dish that people look forward to, but it’s also the ornamental centrepiece that pulls all your decorative efforts together.

Not sure which kind of trifle to make? Try these recipes for inspiration.

1. Triple Chocolate Trifle

You just can’t impress anyone with anything double chocolate any more. It’s time to go big or go home. Try this triple-chocolate recipe this season. If you make just one trifle, this is the one.

2. Caramel Apple Cinnamon Cheesecake Trifle

The three words that just seem to roll off the tongue: caramel apple cinnamon. Now make that a cheesecake trifle. Heaven in one bite.

3. Red Velvet Mascarpone Trifle

I mean, the trifle is meant to be a showstopper, right? Give your favourite red velvet an upgrade and indulge in some additional mascarpone whip.

4. Gingerbread Cognac Trifle with Pears

Gingerbread is a guaranteed holiday favourite. With cognac-infused custard and winter-spiced pears, this might just the trifle to beat.

5. Lemon Lover’s Trifle

Sometimes less is more, and simplicity is best. A lemon trifle is the perfect way to cut the heavy and greasy flavours of a holiday feast.

And of course, how can we forget Rachel Green’s disastrous trifle fiasco when she accidentally made a dessert that is half shepherd’s pie and half English trifle. Well, if you want to recreate this, it turns out the internet is totally on top of it. Check out this Rachel Green’s English Trifle recipe if you’re interested. Please send us pictures if you do make it.

Will you be making a trifle this holiday season? Share with us your favourite recipes and tag us in pictures with #Spuddelivers!