Trifle with Sponge Cake, Custard & Alchermes Liqueur

Zuppa Inglese, or “English soup,” probably originated as an attempt to replicate a British trifle. The dessert can be thought of as a fruitier tiramisù, although zuppa Inglese predates the latter. Contrary to the implications of the name, the key to making a great zuppa Inglese is to avoid it becoming too soupy, which is easily done by drizzling the sponge cake with a minimal amount of liqueur instead of dipping it—a common mistake. For the real deal, you’ll need to find Alchermes (a