Description

This trifle makes a beautiful dessert any time of year. It's great for the holidays, family gatherings or summertime parties.

Ingredients

• 1 box yellow cake mix or angel food cake mix or chocolate cake mix, including ingredients listed on box (can use store bought angel food cake)
• 1 large box instant vanilla pudding, (NOT banana flavored), including ingredients listed on box
• 3 large bananas, sliced
• 1 1/2 c. sliced fresh strawberries
• 1 1/2 - 2 c. chopped fresh pineapple (or 6 oz. can crushed pineapple, drained)
• 1 container Cool Whip, thawed
• 1 jar maraschino cherries, drained and diced
• 1/2 c. chopped pecans, optional
• 1/4 c. chocolate syrup

Steps

1. Prepare cake according to box directions, baking about 25-30 minutes. Allow to cool before assembling the dessert. Cut cake into bite-sized pieces.
2. Prepare pudding mix. Don't allow pudding to set completely before assembling so that it can work its way between the cake pieces.
3. In a trifle dish or a large, clear bowl, add half of the cake pieces for the bottom layer. Top with half of the pudding, half of the bananas, half of the strawberries, half of the pineapple, half of the Cool Whip, half of the cherries, half of the chocolate syrup and half of the pecans. Repeat steps with the remaining ingredients in the same order.