This Peppermint Crisp and Cherry Trifle is a festive and delicious dessert that combines layers of creamy, crunchy, and fruity goodness. It’s perfect for a holiday gathering or any occasion where you want to impress with a beautiful and tasty treat!
Ingredients:
For the Trifle Layers:
- 1 box (about 15 oz) vanilla sponge cake (or use store-bought pound cake or ladyfingers)
- 1 can (14 oz) sweetened condensed milk
- 1 cup heavy cream (for whipping)
- 1 package (about 8 oz) cream cheese, softened
- 1/4 cup powdered sugar
- 1 tsp vanilla extract
- 1 cup peppermint crisp chocolate (or peppermint chocolate pieces), roughly chopped
- 1 jar (about 12 oz) maraschino cherries, drained (save a few for garnish)
For Garnish:
- Crushed peppermint crisps (or regular peppermint candy)
- Cherries (whole or halved)
- Fresh mint (optional)
Instructions:
1. Prepare the Cream Filling:
- In a mixing bowl, beat the cream cheese and powdered sugar until smooth.
- In a separate bowl, whip the heavy cream and vanilla extract until stiff peaks form.
- Gently fold the whipped cream into the cream cheese mixture until well combined.
- Add the sweetened condensed milk to the mixture and fold it in until smooth. The result should be a rich and creamy filling.
2. Prepare the Cake:
- Slice the vanilla sponge cake (or pound cake) into small cubes, or if you’re using ladyfingers, break them into smaller pieces.
- You can also soak the cake pieces in a bit of the cherry juice or a small splash of water for extra flavor and moisture.
3. Assemble the Trifle:
- In a large trifle dish or glass bowl, start by layering half of the cake pieces on the bottom.
- Spoon half of the creamy filling over the cake layer, spreading it evenly.
- Sprinkle half of the chopped peppermint crisp chocolate over the filling.
- Add half of the maraschino cherries, distributing them evenly.
- Repeat the layers: cake, cream filling, peppermint crisp, and cherries, until you’ve used all the ingredients. Be sure to save a little bit of crushed peppermint and cherries for garnish.
4. Garnish:
- Finish the trifle with a layer of the remaining peppermint crisp, a few whole or halved maraschino cherries, and some fresh mint leaves if desired.
- For extra flavor and texture, you can also sprinkle some crushed peppermint candy on top.
5. Chill:
- Cover the trifle with plastic wrap and refrigerate for at least 3-4 hours, or overnight. This helps the flavors meld together and allows the layers to set perfectly.
6. Serve:
- Serve chilled and enjoy the refreshing, creamy, and indulgent layers of peppermint and cherry goodness.
This trifle is a crowd-pleaser and makes for a stunning dessert at any celebration. The combination of peppermint, cherry, and creamy layers is both festive and decadent!