Banana Nutter-Butter Trifle

I love trifle.  I find it to be one of those desserts that can be super simple, but at the same time creative and delicious.  In the past, I've only ever made one other kind of trifle (Death by Chocolate).  My sister-in-law makes it all the time, and it's a combination of chocolate cake, chocolate pudding, cool whip, and toffee bits.  I have to admit that when I've made this, I've always used whipped cream, which I like better than cool whip, but to each her own, right?

Well, I have done research in the past for other trifle recipes, but I never branched out and tried something new.  Well shame on me.  This past weekend, we celebrated the 4th of July on the 5th of July (mainly because the entire East Coast was plagued by tropical storms and we were rained out on the 4th).  We had two different parties to go to, and at the first, I tried a dessert that was absolutely DE-licious!!!

Now the dessert that was at the party was not a trifle, it was just all mixed together.  But being me, I decided that I would make it in trifle form, and no one was disappointed!!  We went to my mom's for dinner on Sunday and I brought this along, and it was an instant hit.  Combine that with the easiness factor, and I think it will become a regular summertime dessert!

Banana Nutter-Butter Trifle

Banana Nutter-Butter Trifle

Ingredients
3 pkgs Instant Banana Pudding
1 1/2 tubs cool whip
6 bananas
1 pkg Nutter Butter Cookies

The Method
Make the pudding according to package directions and refrigerate for the allotted amount of time.  Once completely set, add in the defrosted cool whip.  Mix well and set aside.

Crumble the Nutter Butter Cookies by putting them all in a large zip-lock bag and giving them a good whack.  I use my rolling pin and it's great for getting out any frustrations.  If you don't want to do it using this method, just crush the cookies with your hands.

Slice the bananas about 1/4" thick.

Assemble the trifle by alternating the layers of ingredients:  Pudding, Bananas, Nutter Butters, Pudding, etc.  Make sure to end the top with bananas and Nutter Butters so that everyone can see what is inside!  If so inclined, top the top with a dollop of cool whip.

And done.

Refrigerate before serving, and enjoy!!
(Note:  The recipe I am sharing is for a large trifle bowl.  If you want to make less, just cut the recipe accordingly)

Enjoy!

Pumpkin Pie Pudding

Pumpkin pie is one of my favorite Thanksgiving deserts.  And I only ever have it around Thanksgiving, which makes it that much more delicious.  Being that it's finally November and Thanksgiving Season, I'm so excited to see the Halloween decorations move out of the stores, completely ignore all of the Christmas decorations and focus on those delicious Thanksgiving foods.  


My cousin Debbie sent me a message the other day telling me about this Pumpkin Pie Pudding recipe that she wanted to share - and I can only say, THANK YOU!!!!  Can we say delicious, easy, and even (GASP!!!) low fat?!?  I think so!!!


The Recipe:

• 1 package fat free sugar free instant vanilla pudding
• 1 12-oz can fat free evaporated milk
• 1 15-oz can pumpkin puree
• Cinnamon (dash) - I'm sure you can add some more "Pumpkin Pie Spices" here too, ie Nutmeg, Ginger, Allspice, Cloves - but that's all up to you!
• UPDATE:  November 16, 2011:  I've recently updated this recipe.  I've changed from fat free evaporated milk to 2% (I think it has a better taste) and I've updated the spices to be 1/4 tsp of cinnamon and 1/8 tsp of Allspice.  Points update: Total is 14, so four servings is 4 points plus.

The Method:

• Mix together the vanilla pudding and the evaporated milk (Like you would for regular pudding)
• Let the pudding mixture set in the refrigerator for at least 5 minutes
• Add the pumpkin and cinnamon and mix well.

Yup.  That's it.  Easy as Pie!!!  Actually, I'd say it's just a little bit easier.


The entire mixture is 13 Points Plus.  Divide it into as many servings, and viola!!  (4 servings would be 3 points, 6 servings would be 2 points, you get the picture)  .


Yummy! - Add a dollop of cool whip, and you're really cooking!

Enjoy!