Strawberry and Banana Trifle

Mr. FeistyEats had a birthday in February and when it is your birthday, you take treats for everyone at work. Even though February feels like the DEEP, deep winter, I wanted to make something light and fresh for him. Umm, but also easy because this particular week was really busy. Enter the trifle. It is a show stopper but can be very easily put together using a few shortcuts. Don’t tell. And make it for Easter!

• Buy an already made angel food cake
• Use light whipped topping from the tub
• Use some sugar free instant pudding
• Chop up the (in-season!) strawberries in advance

I received this trifle bowl for a wedding gift. I never registered for it but I have used it several times for a trifle or even to serve punch. You can flip it upside down and put a platter on it for a cake or other food dish. Place citrus in it and it becomes a nice centerpiece. I’m so glad I got this bowl! Here is how easy this came together. Feel free to mix it up with the fruit and pudding flavors of your choice.

Ingredients:

• 1 angel food cake, cut into 1-inch cubes (I think mine was 18 oz in size but 10-18oz sizes would be fine – this is a forgiving recipe)
• 2 pints strawberries, sliced
• 2-3 bananas, sliced

For the cream filling:

• 6 tbsp fat-free sweetened condensed milk
• 1 1/2 cups cold water
• 1 (1 oz) package white chocolate sugar free instant pudding mix
• 12 oz frozen whipped topping, I used the light topping

Directions:

Whisk the condensed milk and water in a bowl. Whisk in the pudding mix for 2 minutes. Let stand for 2 minutes or until soft-set; fold in the whipped topping.

Arrange half of the cake in the bottom of a trifle dish. Top evenly with half the sliced bananas. Spread half of the cream mixture over the bananas evenly and top with half the strawberries. Layer the remaining cake cubes on top of the strawberries, then add the remaining bananas. Top with the remaining cream mixture. Finish with the remaining strawberries arranging them neatly and evenly. Cover and refrigerate at least one 1 hour. (Don’t top with bananas as they will turn brown when exposed to the air.)

If you don’t have a trifle dish, you can certainly layer this in a bundt cake pan or even a bowl. The clear bowl makes for pretty presentation but the taste will still be spot on. Enjoy this fresh, light dessert! Have a wonderful Easter weekend!