My emergency Christmas dessert.

 Have you been asked to provide dessert at the last minute or simply having people over unexpectedly?  Well do not panic!  Here is the easiest dessert I know that can be whipped up in minutes (plus a trip to the store).  I guarantee it will impress your guests.

Step 1 - Shop

From the store buy an unfilled sponge (don't worry a filled one will still work), a jar of lemon curd, a lemon, and about 600 mls of whipping cream.  I assume you have a couple of eggs at home.

Step 2 - Assemble

Cut up the sponge into large (about 2inch) pieces and put at the bottom of a trifle dish.  Sprinkle (ie. pour on) some limoncello (or grand Marnier, or rum, or whatever booze you like), that has been mixed with a little sugar and water.  Taste to see if you need to add some lemon juice as well.

Whip the cream and add some sugar and the zest of 1-2 lemons to taste.

Put 1/2 on top of the sponge.

Spread the lemon curd on top, then the rest of the cream. 

Put into the fridge.   Serve when you need to.

Options :

1. If you had time you could put a layer of raspberry jelly on the bottom, that would take about an hour to set before you can put the sponge on.  Looks like you spent hours though.
2. Put some raspberries (could use frozen) on top of the lemon curd.
3. If you have frozen raspberries, you could make a coulis and pour that onto the sponge too.
4. You could top with raspberries or grated chocolate, or strawberries.
5. Make Lemon Meringue trifle - If you are feeling fancy you could whip up 2 egg whites with some sugar to form a meringue and then pile on top.  Torch with a blow torch to brown the edges.  This is what I did and it is very impressive.

If you just don't have time for any of this cut up some fruit and cheese, add a slice of fruit cake and away you go!  Merry Christmas.