Late Summer Trifle

Directions

1. 1
   Preheat oven to 325 and grease and flour a 9x5x3 loaf pan
2. 2
   Sift the dry ingredients together into a large bowl. Press gently on the almond meal to help it through the sifter if necessary.
3. 3
   In the bowl of a stand mixer, beat the butter until smooth, then slowly stream in the sugar with the mixer on medium speed. Cream the butter and sugar together until light, fluffy, and smooth, about 3 minutes.
4. 4
   Add in the eggs one at a time, beat for 30 seconds, and scrape the sides of the bowl after each addition. Add in the extracts.
5. 5
   Reduce the speed to low and alternately add the milk and flour mixture. Mix until just combined, being careful not to overmix. Pour the batter into the pan and bake until the cake is golden brown and a toothpick inserted into the center comes out clean. 35 to 45 minutes. Cool for 30 minutes, then remove the cake to a rack to cool completely.
6. 6
   FOR THE CREAM
7. 7
   Bring the milk and the vanilla bean pod to a simmer in a large pot. Turn off heat and set aside to steep for at least one hour.
8. 8
   In a large bowl whisk the eggs, sugar, cornstarch, salt, and vanilla bean seeds together until smooth. Remove the vanilla bean pod from the cooled, steeped milk (save it for later) and whisk it into the egg mixture. Return the mixture back to the pot.
9. 9
   Cook over medium heat, whisking constantly until the mixture thickens and begins to bubble. It will be very thick. Once the mixture starts to boil, cook it (still whisking constantly) for one minute to ensure the starch is fully cooked.
10. 10
    Pour the cream into a clean bowl and press a layer of plastic wrap onto the surface. Chill until completely cold.
11. 11
    Whip the heavy cream to medium peaks. In a separate bowl whip the chilled pastry cream until smooth, add in the creme fraiche, and fold in the whipped cream.
12. 12
    FOR THE ROASTED FRUIT
13. 13
    Preheat oven to 375° F.
14. 14
    Slice the fruit into evenly sized pieces and discard the pits if necessary. Toss with sugar, lemon juice, zest, and vanilla bean pod. Arrange in a single layer on a sheet pan and roast in the oven until the fruit is soft and juicy, about 15 minutes. Remove the fruit to a clean bowl and let cool completely before assembling the trifle.
15. 15
    TO ASSEMBLE
16. 16
    Cut the cake into 1/2-inch cubes. Put a thin layer of vanilla cream on the bottom of the trifle dish (or dishes). Add a layer of cake cubes and brush on a bit of liqueur, followed by spoonfuls of roasted fruit and vanilla cream. Repeat the layers until all of the ingredients are used. Refrigerate for at least 4 hours and up to overnight before serving. Top with additional unsweetened whipped cream and a slice of fresh fruit if desired. This recipe will make one large trifle or 10 to 12 individual ones, depending on the size of the glasses.