Smoldering Peat Trifle
Based on:
TypeDessert
Serves4 people
DateAugust 25, 2026
A comforting trifle with a burning farm machine of cake and a trail of cream smoke.
A warm, comforting trifle in a large bowl, topped with a 'burning' agricultural machine made from cake and chocolate. The machine sits at an angle on a dark 'peat' base of chocolate cake and compote, with a streak of whipped cream as smoke. The dessert refers to the cause of the disaster in the Hoge Venen.
Ingredients
- 1 chocolate cake (500 g, store-bought or homemade)
- 250 ml whipping cream
- 2 tbsp powdered sugar
- 300 g cherry compote
- 4 ladyfingers
- 100 g dark chocolate
- 1 tbsp cocoa powder
- 50 g milk chocolate
- 1 tbsp butter
Method
- Cut the chocolate cake into thick slices and cover the bottom of a large bowl. Lightly dust with cocoa powder for a 'peat' effect.
- Spread the cherry compote over the cake.
- Whip the cream with the powdered sugar until stiff.
- Melt the dark chocolate in a bain-marie. Dip the ladyfingers halfway into the chocolate and let them set.
- Melt the milk chocolate with the butter. Use this 'mud' to stick the ladyfingers together into a simple 'agricultural machine': two fingers as 'wheels', two placed diagonally on top as the 'machine'.
- Place the machine at an angle on top of the trifle. Use a spoon to draw a trail of whipped cream from the machine backwards as 'smoke'.
- Serve immediately so the cream stays nice.
Serving notes
- Dust extra cocoa powder around the 'machine' for the effect of burnt earth.
- Serve from the bowl so everyone gets a piece of the 'machine'.