Vegan Raspberry, Almond, Sherry and Saffron Trifle

Method

1. Preheat the oven to 180°C (350 F) /gas mark 4. Line a 23cm (9-inch) round cake tin with baking parchment.
2. Place all the dry ingredients for the vegan sponge in a large bowl and mix together with a small balloon whisk. Measure out the wet ingredients into a jug and again mix together with the whisk. Pour the wet ingredients into the dry mixture and mix until well combined, then pour into the lined cake tin. Bake for 30 minutes until well risen and the sponge springs back to the touch.
3. Remove from the oven and leave to cool for a few minutes in the tin, then turn out on to a wire rack and leave to cool completely.
4. To make the custard, put all the ingredients, except the corn flour, in a pan and heat gently, stirring frequently, until warm.
5. Mix the corn flour with enough cold water to make a smooth paste. Add to the almond milk mixture and cook for a few minutes, stirring until thickened. Remove the pan from the heat. You can strain the custard through a sieve to remove any lumps. Leave to cool.
6. To make the raspberry compote, put half the berries with the remaining ingredients in a saucepan and bring up to a simmer. Cook gently for 10–15 minutes, stirring frequently, until the berries have totally broken down and the liquid is glossy.
7. Take the pan off the heat, leave the compote to cool a little then blend with a stick blender. Strain the mixture through a fine-mesh sieve to remove the seeds, then mix with the remaining berries.
8. To assemble, cut the sponge into slices 2.5cm (0, 9 inch) thick and use to line the base of a glass trifle dish, 20cm (7.8 inch) in diameter with a flat base, evenly. Pour the sherry evenly over the sponge, then spoon over an even layer of raspberry compote.
9. Leave in the refrigerator for 20 minutes or so to settle before carefully spooning over the custard. Cover and leave the custard to set in the refrigerator for a few hours.
10. When the custard is almost set, make the coconut whipped cream. Open the can of coconut milk and scoop off the thick cream from the top (usually around 200g (7 oz)) into the bowl of a stand mixer fitted with the whisk attachment. Do the same if using creamed coconut, although there will be less liquid.
11. Sift the icing sugar into the bowl and add the vanilla, if using. Whisk on a fairly high speed until the mixture comes together, being careful not to over whip.
12. Pipe the freshly whipped coconut cream on top of the trifle. Alternatively, add in small spoonful’s and spread out evenly across the top, then heat the spoon in hot water and use it to smooth the surface of the cream. Finally, scatter with the toasted almonds and decorate with the raspberries if you like.