Disclosure: Thank you to Cost Plus World Market for sponsoring this post. Product and/or
compensation was provided to me to share my ideas and tips, however, all
opinions are fully my own. #sponsored #worldmarkettribe
#discoverworldmarket #HolidayGetaway
It's
a known fact within my family that I have a reputation for making THE WORST
apple pies or any pie for that matter. Ironically, I love to bake.
I can bake a cake, a batch of cookies....I'm even known in some secret
circles that shall go unnamed as The Cupcake Queen....but do NOT ask me to make
a pie.....trust me.
Considering our house is the
'family gathering' home during the holiday season, I'm always on task to come
up with delicious creations. I love to make my house look as festive as
possible, as well. Since we are at the
time of year where we will be hosting and attending more holiday season gatherings
and since it's well established that I can't make pie....I turn to a tried and
true, easy go to.....DESSERT TRIFLE. It's like pie, that fell apart, and
someone threw it in a bowl and made it look pretty and taste amazing.....am I
right??? I'm right.
Preparing to make this recipe, I knew I could count on one of my fave shops, Cost Plus WorldMarket (Pentagon Row – Arlington, VA) to find ingredients to make my trifle along with, the festive decor I was
looking for to zshuzsh up my dining room buffet!
It's clearly pumpkin season right now and trust me when I tell you that Cost Plus World Market is rocking ALL the Pumpkin Food right now So, I might be in the minority, but I feel like fall is the time to apple all the things. I love apples! That being said, I definitely wanted to use apples
in the trifle, and knew they would need to be flavored properly.
So, I headed to the BakingProducts section of the store and grabbed the ingredients I needed. All ingredients in hand, I was ready to make
my dessert! Cost Plus World Market always has a great variety of Cookies and Cakes on their shelves. For this particular recipe, I chose a pack of Bahlsen Leibniz Shortbread cookies for my trifle.
With a few short steps to follow, this recipe is super simple to make. First step is to peel, core and chop about 6-8 apples. I know there are different apples that can be used for baking, but I just say use your favorite. For my recipe, I chose Braeburn….because that’s what was on sale! LOL.
Next, combine your apples with brown sugar, spices and vanilla flavoring.
The next step is to add a few tablespoons of butter to a pot, melt it, and add your
apples, allowing them to cook covered, until softened, between 10-15 minutes.
You will know your apples are ready when you can insert a fork into them…..feel free to taste the apple, they should be tender but not cooked (you want cooked, not mushy – we aren’t shooting for apple sauce).
Once you have cooked your apples through, remove from heat, add your dried fruit, cover and let it sit for about 5-10 minutes. This will allow the fruit to reconstitute and plump up.
Next, set the fruit mixture aside or allow to cool in the refrigerator.Trifle desserts are simply layers of deliciousness in a fancy footed bowl. So, not complicated…….just like the Dr. Oetker's Vanilla pudding mixture I whipped up! It’s super easy, you just add sugar and cold milk, whisk constantly over medium heat until thickened.
Here’s a little tip I learned, it’s important to keep whisking while the pudding is heated. The directions on the back tell you what to do, but I kind of feel like I somehow missed the memo that it was serious, because I stepped away from the pot for like 2 minutes to find my pudding started to stick to the bottom of the pan! Luckily, I was able to save it, but had to run the pudding through a mesh strainer to get out a few clumps.
You can’t really see the lumps here but you should end up with a smooth texture. Once the pudding is finish, you can set it aside for a few minutes and cool before starting to build your trifle.
As the fruit and pudding are cooling, you can make a flavored whipped cream easy. It’s important to use a cool bowl and cold heavy cream. I like to place a glass bowl in the fridge for at least 10 minutes before I start making my cream.
To make, add Heavy Whipping Cream and Torani Vanilla Syrup and beat on high with an electric mixer. Be sure not to over mix or you’ll end up with butter.
This is also a good time, to chop your pecans for your topping….unless you’re allergic to nuts…..then, you of course want to leave them out.
Next you can start building the layers to your trifle, starting with the shortbread cookies.
Next, add a layer of pudding , then whipped cream followed by the fruit.
Continue adding your layers in that order….shortbread, pudding, cream, fruit
until you get to the top of your bowl.
You can finish the top with whatever layer makes you happy, I finish with a bit of whipped cream and chopped pecans and topped it with a Bahlsen Leibnitz shortbread cookie!
YUM!
While I was shopping, I also found great fall décor. I picked up a few additonal items to
decorate the buffet in our dining room where we always display desserts and hors d'oeuvres for our
family gatherings. Every year, I make it
a special focal point of the room by brightening it up with new décor each
season and holiday.
I am SO READY for fall....and this Be Thankful banner will remind us all to always be grateful for the things
we are able to have in our life.
Don't you just love apple cider in the fall? I do - and I serve it warm in
these glass footed mugs....a little cinnamon stick is great for a
bit of added spice. Just swirl it around in your mug for some added
flava'!...and I love how the metallic leaves garland set an autumnal tone.
I could NOT pass up these twig branch spoons....they look rustic yet chic....and have a bit of a
rose gold hue to them that makes them a winner in my book! They're
perfect alongside the Be Thankful napkins.
You can serve your desserts in these small Weck
canning jars and place them on a wire stand for guests to gnosh on
their dessert. They're a staple in my home for easy and mobile desserts
and snacks.
Here's the recipe for you to download and print!
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Cost Plus World Market
is making holidays super fabulous this season and is also offering a Giveaway
trip to The Christmas Market in Germany. Enter here for more details and for a chance to win: www.worldmarketsweepstakes.com
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Links to Cost Plus World Market items featured in this post:
Links to Cost Plus World Market items featured in this post:
