Trifles: The Slacker's Dessert

I've been slacking at the blog for a couple of weeks, so I thought I'd write a post for slackers. Whenever I need a last minute/no effort/slacker dessert for a party, I make a trifle. They're super easy and require little time or planning.


The key to a trifle is the trifle bowl. This is what makes the dish look uber-fancy and make people think that you spent hours crafting it. They key to a trifle bowl is that it be footed so that it stands up nice and tall and that it be glass so everyone can see the layers. It can be as expensive or as cheap as you want. I got mine at Target for $7 several years ago, but they no longer carry the exact one. Bed Bath & Beyond, Crate & Barrel, K-Mart and Macy's all carry nice trifle bowls ranging in price from $9.99 to $59.99.



The second key to a trifle is to keep it simple. There are all kinds of recipes that require the making of custards and other fillings. Remember - this is the slacker's dessert. I use all store-bought pre-made items.

The final key to making a trifle is color and layering. You're really going for the oohh! awww! effect. So pick things that look pretty together. So long as they are all sweet, it will taste fine.



So here are a few of my favorite trifle recipes. When layering, this is the order I use:

• Layer of cake/cookies broken into small pieces
  
• Layer of fruit/toppings
  
• Layer of something creamy
• Layer of cake/cookies broken into small pieces
  
• Layer of fruit/toppings
• Layer of something creamy
• Artfully arrange fruit/toppings

Halloween Trifle:

• Cake/cookie: Brownies
• Fruit/toppings: Crumbled oreos
• Something creamy: Cool Whip mixed with orange food coloring
• Top: Crumbled oreos and Ghost Marshmallow Peeps
  

Summer/Fourth of July Trifle:

• Cake/cookies: Angel food cake (low fat) or pound cake
  
• Fruit/toppings: Strawberries and blueberries
  
• Something creamy: Cool Whip
  
• Top: Arrange the strawberries and blueberries into a flag for July 4th or just in circles for other occasions

Christmas Trifle:

• Cake/cookies: Gingerbread
• Fruit/toppings: Crushed candy canes
• Something creamy: Cool Whip
• Top: A couple of gingerbread men cookies with sprinkled candy canes
  

Banana Pudding Trifle:
If I have the time, I will make Paula Deen's "Not Yo' Mamma's Banana Pudding" and put it in a trifle dish. I use the traditional vanilla wafers instead of Chessman cookies though. In a hurry, this will do:

• Cake/cookies: Vanilla Wafers
• Fruit/toppings: Sliced bananas - I put some flat on the cookies and also line some up on their side around the glass.
  
• Something creamy: Vanilla pudding (Kraft sells pre-made pudding or you can make Jello pudding from the box). I usually mix some diced bananas with the vanilla pudding for flavor.
• Top: Another layer of Vanilla wafers. I have tried putting bananas on top, but they brown very quickly.

Lemon Berry Trifle:
On this recipe, reverse the order slightly. Layer cake, then something creamy, then fruit and repeat.

• Cake/cookies: Pound cake
  
• Fruit/toppings: Blueberries (I've never tried it, but raspberries would also work.)
  
• Something creamy: Lemon pie filling (found in a can in baking aisle) or lemon curd (with the jellies and jams at the grocery store)
• Top: Arrange the blueberries. Add a sprig of mint if you have it.

Strawberry Shortcake Trifle:

• Cake/cookies: Biscuits. (I know. It requires baking, but only about 10 minutes and it will take you that long to wash and slice the strawberries.)
  
• Fruit/toppings: Strawberry glaze (available in the produce section in the summer) and sliced strawberries. Spoon the glaze on top of the biscuits and then place the sliced strawberries on top of the glaze. Remember to save 1 pretty strawberry with the top on for the top.
  
• Something creamy: Cool Whip. (What else?)
  
• Top: Arrange strawberry slices in circles on top of the last layer of Cool Whip. Make a strawberry fan from the unsliced strawberry or just put the whole strawberry in the middle.
  

A note about transporting a trifle - If you need to transport a trifle to a party or potluck, try to find a box that is a couple of inches taller and a couple of inches wider than your trifle bowl. Cover the top of the trifle bowl with plastic wrap and sit the bowl into the box. If you've got room on the sides for the bowl to move around, you can insert a couple of kitchen towels to cushion the bowl and fill the gap.

All of the above trifles should be refrigerated until just before serving. That way you can pull it from the refrigerator and walk out and gently place it on the table for dramatic effect. Make sure to wipe your brow after you're done so people will think you spent hours working on it!

Enjoy!