Pumpkin Gingerbread Trifle Recipe
An Alternative to Pumpkin Pie for Thanksgiving Dinner
Sep 28, 2009
Looking for an easy Thanksgiving dessert? Try this elegant recipe for Pumpkin Gingerbread Trifle. Not only does it look beautiful on the buffet table, this dessert feeds a crowd and can be prepared well-ahead of the Turkey Day rush.
Pumpkin is synonymous with Thanksgiving feasting. A traditional symbol of the harvest, it was probably served in some sweetened form at the first Thanksgiving dinner.
Gingerbread has a sweet history of its own. Ginger and other spices were originally symbols of wealth and prosperity in times past. Eating gingerbread is often associated with holiday time and has been a traditional treat for children.
A trifle is a layered dessert with a variety of flavors and textures combined to taste delicious and look beautiful in a clear glass trifle dish. Traditional English Trifle is typically made with layers of sponge cake, custard, jelly, fresh fruit and cream. Try this Easy English Trifle Recipe for a taste of jolly old England. Or make a Chocolate Trifle for variety.
This recipe combines old English tradition with distinctly American flavors. Try serving at a Halloween party or instead of pumpkin pie as a Thanksgiving dessert. Guests will be impressed with the elegant sophisticated flavor.
In the unlikely event of leftovers, simply chill until a late-night snack craving strikes. These flavors actually improve with age!
Pumpkin Gingerbread Trifle
- 2 boxes gingerbread cake mix
- 2 boxes vanilla instant pudding mix
- 2 1/2 cups pumpkin pie filling
- 1/2 cup brown sugar
- 1 tsp. cinnamon
- 3 cups heavy cream
- 1 tsp. vanilla
- 1/2 cup confectioner's sugar
- 1 cup gingersnap cookies, crushed
Directions:
- Prepare and bake gingerbread cake mixes according to package instructions. Cool and set aside.
- Prepare vanilla pudding according to package instructions.
- Combine pudding with pumpkin pie filling. Fold in brown sugar and cinnamon. Cover and chill.
- Whip heavy cream until soft peaks form. Sweeten with confectioner's sugar and add vanilla. Chill until ready to assemble trifle.
Assembling Trifle
- Crumble cooled gingerbread into bite-sized chunks. Layer half of these gingerbread pieces into the bottom of a clear glass trifle bowl.
- Spread half of the pumpkin-pudding mixture over gingerbread. Smooth with spatula.
- Cover pudding mixture with one-half of the sweetened, whipped cream. Smooth.
- Top with remaining gingerbread.
- Layer remaining pumpkin mixture.
- Spread the rest of the whipped cream over the pumpkin.
- Top with crushed gingersnap cookies.
- Cover carefully with plastic wrap and chill overnight.
Dish into ramekins or dessert bowls. Or, for individual desserts, layer each ingredient into parfait glasses. Garnish with a whole gingersnap cookie and a cinnamon stick.
This recipe serves 15-20 people. It is a deliciously cool finale at any holiday meal.
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