Festive Holiday Trifle

Serves 8 to 10

We've taken a few twists with the traditional trifle in this recipe. Pound cake and prepared pudding save time, while roasted apples and pears add lovely fruit flavor.

Ingredients

1/2 cup plus 3 tablespoons sugar
3 large Gala or Fuji apples, peeled, cored and sliced
3 large Asian pears, peeled, cored and sliced
2 tablespoons apple cider vinegar
1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
2 tablespoons unsalted butter, melted
1 (16-ounce) frozen pound cake, thawed
24 ounces prepared vanilla pudding
2 cups cold whipping cream

Method

Put 1/2 cup of the sugar and 1/4 cup water into a small saucepan. Bring to a boil over medium heat, stirring until sugar dissolves. Reduce heat to medium low and simmer for 1 minute. Transfer sugar syrup to a bowl, cover and chill.

Preheat oven to 375°F. Mix apples, pears, vinegar, cinnamon and butter together in a large bowl, then arrange on a large rimmed baking sheet. Bake, stirring occasionally, until fruit is golden and tender, about 45 minutes. Set aside to let cool.

Cut cake crosswise into 8 pieces. Cut each piece into 3 strips. Line bottom of a 3-quart trifle dish with 8 strips of cake, then drizzle with about 3 tablespoons of the sugar syrup. Spread half of the pudding over the top, then arrange about 3 cups of the fruit on top. Top with remaining cake, then repeat process with sugar syrup, pudding and fruit. Reserve extra apples and pears in a bowl, covered, in the refrigerator. Cover trifle and chill at least 6 hours.

Whisk cream and remaining 3 tablespoons sugar in a large bowl until soft peaks form. Spread whipped cream over the top of the trifle and fan remaining apples and pears over the cream. Serve immediately.

Nutrition

Per serving: 350 calories (150 from fat), 16g total fat, 10g saturated fat, 4g protein, 50g total carbohydrate (2g dietary fiber, 19g sugar), 110mg cholesterol, 230mg sodium

http://wholefoodsmarket.com/recipes/826