Grandma's English Trifle, A Christmas Treat

Every Christmas, when our writers' group meets for the last time of the year, our friend Marilyn graces the table with her Mom's famous English Trifle. It has become a tradition. Well, this year she got pretty busy with life, and our meeting place was sort of a last-minute thing, therefore, no trifle. But, she forked up the recipe for which I am forever grateful. So please, enjoy!

**********

pic by Dlublink

Ingredients:

Jello (large size - any flavor) Strawberry or black cherry are good
Lady Fingers or pound cake
Jam or Jelly (any flavor) I like raspberry
Wine (Non-alcoholic Ariel)
Frozen strawberries or Berry Medley
Fruit cocktail
banana
Peaches
(I like fresh orange or tangerine too)
Vanilla pudding (Bird pudding) or homemade
Cool Whip - large size
maraschino cherries (well drained)
nuts
Walnut bits
Mint leaves

Directions:

Split lady fingers and spread with jelly, drizzle with two tablespoons wine over this (to lighten).

Line a large glass bowl with lady fingers. Make jello according to recipe on box (using juice from fruit cocktail for part of liquid). Refrigerate until slightly thickened then pour over lady fingers. Let set until quite firm then add the fruit.

Over this pour the cooled pudding. Spread with Cool Whip and decorate with the maraschino cherries, nuts and mint leaves. Cover tightly with Saran Wrap and refrigerate until serving time. When serving use a long handled spoon that can reach to the bottom permitting each serving to have some of each ingredient.

My friend from England made this delicious dessert for us one Christmas. It has been a favorite in our family ever since. I sometimes make it for other special occasions and it never fails to receive raves.

*****

You can use lots of different kinds of fruit, I believe the term "trifle" came from English ladies using a trifle of this and a trifle of that. When I make it I usually put some jello, then some fruit, then more jello, etc. I use whipping cream instead of Cool Whip.