Pumpkin-Gingerbread Trifle

Let’s talk trifles.

Trifles are pretty fabulous creations, aren’t they? Layers of cake, creamy filling and whipped cream in a pretty glass bowl. It makes a stunning presentation, plus it’s incredibly easy to put together, not to mention delicious. During the summer, I love the ol’ red, white and blue trifle, but when the cool weather hits, give me this ginger and pumpkin version all day, everyday. Cubes of spiced gingerbread, a pumpkin cream filling and fresh whipped cream? Yes, PLEASE!

Our family usually goes the traditional route at Thanksgiving with pumpkin pie, but oh boy, this is one killer substitution if you are looking for something different.

I originally made a version of this recipe nearly ten years ago, but it was pretty much boxed everything; this time around I wanted to get as close to 100% homemade as possible. The only packaged ingredient I used here is instant vanilla pudding mix, which you could certainly substitute with a homemade vanilla pastry cream for an extra-special dessert. The combination of homemade gingerbread and freshly whipped (and sweetened) whipped cream make a huge difference.

It would have been exceedingly easy for me to sit down with a spoon and eat this until I was past the point of no return. The flavors, especially once the trifle has chilled, meld together beautifully. I didn’t trust myself with the whole thing, so I kept a little bit for myself and my Chief Culinary Consultant, and gave the rest to my mom to take to work. She said people were huddled over the dish with spoons scooping serving after serving… This is a crowd pleaser, if there ever was one.

I have a feeling that this trifle might become a traditional of its own, if I have anything to say about it ;-)  Move over pumpkin pie!

One year ago: Mrs. Waterman’s Stuffed Mushrooms
Two years ago: Cranberry Sauce
Three years ago: Pumpkin Pie
Four years ago: Lebkuchen Cookies

Pumpkin-Gingerbread Trifle

Yield: 16 servings

Prep Time: 45 minutes mins

Cook Time: 30 minutes mins

Total Time: 1 hour hr 15 minutes mins

An almost completely from-scratch version of the popular Pumpkin-Gingerbread Trifle recipe.

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Ingredients

For the Gingerbread:

• 2⅓ cups (291.67 g) all-purpose flour
• 1 teaspoon baking soda
• 1 teaspoon ground ginger
• 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
• ¾ teaspoon (0.75 teaspoon) salt
• ½ cup (102.5 g) vegetable shortening
• ⅓ cup (66.67 g) granulated sugar
• 1 cup (337 ml) molasses
• 1 egg
• ¾ cup (187.5 ml) hot water

For the Pumpkin Filling:

• 2 cups (488 ml) cold milk
• 3.4 ounce (96.39 g) package instant vanilla pudding mix
• 15 ounce (425.24 g) canned pumpkin
• ½ cup (110 g) light brown sugar
• 1 teaspoon vanilla extract

For the Whipped Cream:

• 2 cups (476 ml) heavy cream
• ⅓ cup (66.67 g) granulated sugar
• 1 teaspoon vanilla extract

Instructions 

• Make the Gingerbread: Preheat oven to 350 degrees F. Lightly grease a 9x13-inch baking pan; set aside.
• In a medium bowl, whisk together the flour, baking soda, ginger, cinnamon and salt; set aside.
• In a large bowl, cream together the vegetable shortening and sugar on medium speed until light and fluffy, about 2 to 3 minutes. Add the molasses and egg and beat to combine, an additional 1 to 2 minutes. Reduce the mixer speed to low and add the flour mixture to the creamed mixture in three additions, alternating with two additions of the hot water, beating well after each addition.
• Pour the batter into the prepared pan and bake for 25 to 30 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted near the center comes out clean. Place the pan on a wire rack and cool completely.
• Cut the gingerbread into &frac12-inch to 1-inch cubes; set aside.
• Make the Pumpkin Filling: In a large bowl, whisk the milk and instant vanilla pudding mix for 2 minutes. Let stand for an additional 2 minutes.
• In a medium bowl, whisk together the pumpkin, brown sugar and vanilla extract. Gently stir the pumpkin mixture into the pudding; set aside.
• Make the Whipped Cream: In a large bowl, beat the cream on medium speed until it begins to thicken, then add the sugar and vanilla extract. Increase the speed to medium-high and beat until stiff peaks form.
• Assemble the Trifle: Set aside ¼ cup of the gingerbread cubes. In a large trifle bowl or glass serving bowl, layer a third of the remaining gingerbread cubes, then top with a third of the pumpkin filling and a third of the whipped cream. Repeat the layers twice more. Crumble the reserved gingerbread and sprinkle over the top of the trifle. Cover and refrigerate for at least 1 hour before serving. The trifle can be stored, covered, in the refrigerator, for 3 days.

Notes

Nutritional values are based on one serving

Calories: 401kcal, Carbohydrates: 55g, Protein: 4g, Fat: 18g, Saturated Fat: 9g, Cholesterol: 54mg, Sodium: 256mg, Potassium: 458mg, Fiber: 1g, Sugar: 38g, Vitamin A: 4640IU, Vitamin C: 1.3mg, Calcium: 115mg, Iron: 2.3mg

Did you make this recipe?

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Author: Michelle

Course: Dessert

Cuisine: American