waffle-and-strawberry trifle

the goods:

1/3 cup plus 3/4 cup sugar

3 tablespoons cornstarch

1/8 teaspoon fine salt

1 and 1/2 cups whole milk

2 cups heavy cream

2 large egg yolks

2 tablespoons unsalted butter

1 teaspoon pure vanilla extract

2 pounds strawberries, hulled and cut into 1/4-inch slices

8 ounces frozen Belgian waffles, toasted and cut into 1 and 1/2-inch pieces

Place a fine-mesh sieve over a medium heatproof bowl. In a medium saucepan, whisk together 1/3 cup sugar, cornstarch, salt, milk, 1/2 cup cream, and egg yolks. Cook over medium-high, whisking constantly, until thickened and bubbling, 6 minutes. Reduce heat to medium-low and cook, whisking, 1 minute. Pour through sieve into bowl. Stir in butter and vanilla until combined. Place plastic wrap against surface of pudding to prevent a skin from forming and refrigerate 3 hours (or up to 3 days).

Toss strawberries with 1/2 cup sugar; let sit until fruit has released some juice, 20 minutes.

Using an electric mixer, beat 1 and 1/2 cups cream and 1/4 cup sugar on medium-high until stiff peaks form, about 2 minutes.

In a large bowl or trifle dish, layer 1/2 the waffles, strawberries, pudding, and whipped cream.

Repeat.

Cover trifle with plastic wrap and refrigerate at least 2 hours (or up to 1 day).