My Top Picks

Black Forest Trifle

Ingredients

  • 1 pkg. cake brownie mix for 9 x 13 pan (I used dark choc.)
  • 2 chocolate candy bars (Hershey’s dark choc.), divided
  • 3 c. cherry pie filling
  • 1 t. almond extract
  • 1/2 c. cranberry-cherry juice
  • 2 pkgs. (3.3 oz.) instant white chocolate pudding
  • 2 c. cold milk
  • 8 oz. contained frozen whipped topping, thawed

Instructions

Prepare brownie mix according to directions for cake-like brownies. Pour batter into a greased and floured 9 x 13-inch baking pan. Bake according to directions on box. Cool completely. Then cut brownie into 1-inch cubes set aside.

Chop 1-1/2 of the candy bars; reserve remaining chocolate for garnish.

Combine pie filling and extract. Stir in cranberry-cherry juice.

Mix milk and pudding mix, and whisk until mixture begins to thicken. Fold in whipped topping.

TO ASSEMBLE: Place half of the brownie cubes into bottom of Trifle bowl. Layer with half of the pie filing mixture. Sprinkle with half of the chopped chocolate; top with half of the pudding mixture. Repeat layer one more time.

Make chocolate curls with reserved chocolate using a vegetable peeler or micro-planer. Garnish top of trifle with chocolate curls. Refrigerate at least 30 minutes before serving.

NOTE: This can be assembled several hours before serving, or even the night before. Serves 12.