Amazingly, it's not the gelatinous wobble of the cold custard, or the mysterious crunch of the jellied tinned fruit that has sent me off in search of flavours and textures new.
It's just that, at a time when we have a world of inspiration at our sticky little fingertips, it seems a shame not to at least try something wild now and again. And the Christmas trifle should not be exempt from a little makeover.
If you like your trifle traditional, then by all means have at it. If you fancy a little luxury among those layers, here are three ways to do it:
Be warned though; you might never go back.
1. To make the caramel, add the sugar in an even layer to the bottom of a medium saucepan.
2. Heat sugar on medium-high and whisk until the sugar has melted, about 5 minutes. The sugar will lump together, but eventually melt.
3. Continue whisking until the temperature reaches 350 degrees or the sugar has turned an amber color. It will reach 350 degrees very quickly after all the sugar has melted. Watch it very closely. It goes from nice caramel to burned very quickly.
4. Remove caramel from heat and add butter. Whisk until melted and combined. Mixture might bubble a bit.
5. Add the heavy cream and whisk until incorporated.
6. Cool caramel to room temperature.
7. To make the apples, combine apples, lemon juice, nutmeg, cinnamon and brown sugar in a medium pan and toss to coat.
8. Add butter and cook apples for about 15-20 minutes, or until at preferred softness.
9. Allow to cool for 15-20 minutes.
10. To make cinnamon whipped cream, freeze a metal bowl and whisk attachment for 10-15 minutes.
11. Remove bowl from freezer, add heavy whipping cream, and whip on high speed until it begins to thicken.
12. Add powdered sugar and cinnamon and whip until it you get stiff peaks.
13. Once everything is made a ready, build the trifles.
14. Pipe an even layer of whipped cream into the bottom of the cup or jar you are using.
15. Add about 2 tbsp granola in an even layer.
16. Drizzle caramel over granola.
17. Spoon apples over caramel.
18. Repeat layers 14-17, then drizzle more caramel over the tops of each trifle.
19. Store in the fridge for 2-3 hours, or until ready to serve.
