A trifle is a great dessert to serve for holidays and events. For one thing you have a wide selection of what all you want to be in your trifle and you can make a hundred of them each one different! Basically a trifle includes cake/cookie layers, sometimes spirits, puddings/custard or whipped cream, jam or preserves, fruit and several other ingredients can be added. The bowl is usually a deep clear bowl so that the layers of ingredients can easily be seen. I've found some really nice individual sized trifle bowls at walmart recently that I intend to put to use soon. Just adorable and how cute will these be sitting at each place just waiting to be eaten? Here are some varieties of trifle you might like to try at your next event!

Before we get to the recipes here is a list of a variety of ingredients that can be added to trifles. Of course you have to decide what would go good with what but it's a cooking evolution! After the ingredient suggestions you can check out the great recipes and try your hand at making a great dessert!

Any fruits you like can be included in a trifle! I've even seen recipes including watermelon and passionfruit so your imagination is the limit when it comes to the fruit. Jam or preserves are often included.

Cakes/Cookies ... Sponge cakes, Angel Food cakes, Lady fingers, Amaretti cookies, cakes, sponge finger desserts, Pound cake, twinkies

Custards/Puddings Any pudding or custard is good for layering in a trifle.
Jam or preserves
Cream Cheese
Sour cream
Yogurt
Pie fillings
Whipped Cream
Double Cream
Extras
Shaved Chocolate
coconut flakes
Almond slivers
Nuts
toffee bits
crushed peanut brittle
vanilla wafers
Crushed butterfinger candy bars
Ice Cream Toppings make great layer ingredients!

Spirits can include sherry, white wine, amaretto, brandy, triple sec and any favorite but these are purely to taste and optional.

Butterfinger Fudge Trifle

1 9 inch double layer white cake baked as directed and cut into cubes
2 instant chocolate pudding mixes prepared as directed
1 large container cool whip
1 container fudge ice cream topping
4 butterfinger candy bars crushed
1 block chocolate shaved

Place 1 layer of cake cubes in bottom of trifle bowl. Add a layer of 1 pudding mix (prepared). Place a layer of the cool whip and then a layer of crushed butterfinger candy bars on top. Repeat layer or cake cubes, pudding mix then cool whip. Top with layer of fudge ice cream topping and remaining crushed candy bars on top. Add shaved chocolate on top of all and chill until serving.

Devilishly Delish Trifle

This delightful trifle includes classics such as devil's food cake, cherry pie filling and vanilly pudding for an easy to put together dessert!

Devil's food cake prepared and cut into cubes
1/2 cup rum (optional)
2 cans cherry pie filling
2 packages vanilla pudding prepared as directed
1 large container cool whip topping
1 bar of chocolate shaved

Layer cake (sprinkled with rum[Optional]), pudding, cherry pie filling and cool whip in that order twice. Top with shaved chocolate and chill until serving. Simple to put together and very tasty!

Christmas Cranberry Caramel Trifle

2 cups cranberry sauce
1/2 cup sugar
1 package instant cream cheese pudding prepared
1 jar/can Dulce de leche (instructions below)
1 pound cake, cubed
2 cup crushed ginger snaps

Heat the cranberry sauce and sugar in small saucepan until sugar is dissolved. Cool to room temperature.
Cut pound cake into cubes and arrange in bottom of trifle dish. Spoon the cranberry sauce over the cake. Spoon the pudding over cranberry sauce and pour Dulce de leche over the pudding. Sprinkle crushed cookies over all. Can garnish with a few fresh cranberries if you like and you can also make enough to do multiple layers for a large dish. Chill at least 3 hours before serving.

Dulce de leche

1 can sweetened condensed milk

Get a large pot with a metal rack
Place the can inside the pot on the metal rack
Add water to completely cover the can, plus about 3 inches over.
Simmer for 3-4 hours adding water as needed to keep covered.
The can must always be completely covered in water.
Caution: If the can becomes uncovered there could be an explosion

Let the can cool for 3-4 hours
Open the can and enjoy or use in recipe.