Lemon Berry Meringue Trifle

To Make the Pound Cake:

1. Preheat oven to 300 degrees F. Grease an 8x4-inch loaf pan with cooking spray. I also like to line the bottom with parchment, leaving some strips up the sides for easy removal. Set aside. In a medium bowl, mix together the all-purpose flour, salt and baking powder. Set aside.  
2. To the bowl of a stand-up mixer with the paddle attachment (you can also do this in a medium bowl with an electric hand mixer), add the softened butter, sugar and vanilla extract; beat for about 3 minutes, until pale in color. Mix in the eggs one at a time, being sure each egg is incorporated before adding another. Turn mixer to high and beat for about 1 minute, until light and fluffy.  
3. Fold flour mixture into butter mixture, alternating with the milk, beginning and ending with the flour. Pour the pound cake batter into the prepared loaf pan and transfer to the oven to bake for 45 to 50 minutes, until a skewer inserted into the center comes out clean. Allow the cake to cool for 5 minutes in the pan and then invert onto a cooling rack.  

To Make the Curd: 

1. In the stainless steel bowl (note: you’ll use this bowl as a makeshift double boiler later) of your stand up mixer, add the softened butter, sugar and vanilla extract and beat until light and fluffy, about 2 minutes. 
2. Add the egg yolks, beat the mixture together, and then add the eggs, beating again until they’re well incorporated. Stir in the salt, and then in a few batches, add the lemon juice. The mixture will look curdled and you might scratch your head and wonder if it’s right, it will be! 
3. Fill a medium size saucepan with a few inches of water. Bring the water to a simmer and place your stainless steel bowl of curd mixture on top. Stir constantly, and heat the curd slowly enough that the sugar has time to dissolve and the whole mess becomes cohesive; this step usually takes about 10 minutes. Pull the curd from the head when it is just thick enough to coat your spoon and until a thermometer reads 166 F. The curd will thicken as it cools.
4. I ran the curd through a sieve into a chilled bowl just to ensure it was silky smooth. I highly recommend this step! Transfer the curd to a container a keep in the fridge, in an airtight container, for up to a week. 
5. When you’re ready to use the curd, add the heavy cream to a bowl. Whisk aggressively until medium peaks form, about 5 minutes. You can also use an electric hand mixer or stand-up mixer. Gently fold the whipped cream into the lemon curd until completely cohesive. Set aside. 

To Make the Meringue:

1. This topping is absolutely optional and the entire trifle will taste delicious without it, but if you want extra credit, make it! Add the egg whites to the bowl of a stand-up mixer with the whisk attachment. Beat on high until foamy, about 2 minutes. While the mixer is running, pour in the sugar and beat for an additional 3 minutes, until stiff peaks form. 

To Assemble the Trifle:

1. Cube up the pound cake into 2x2-inch square pieces. Obviously this size can vary and you can totally eyeball it. I think this size for easy eating. 
2. Add a few handfuls of the pound cake cubes to the bottom of your Pyrex 8”x 8”x 2.7" Deep Baking Dish. Add a few handfuls of sliced strawberries and raspberries. I also placed some very large sliced strawberries up against the sides of the dish for visual purposes only.  
3. Add the curd on top of the fruit and pound cake, smoothing it into an even layer. Repeat the layering process once more, adding pound cake and fresh fruit. Add the whipped meringue to the top, smooth it out, creating swirls for effect. And then torch the top, making a nice toasted meringue. Serve to a crowd.