Ingredients
Scale
- 2 (10.75-ounce) frozen classic pound cakes (Sara Lee brand works well)
- 4 cups cold whole milk
- 2 boxes (3.4-ounce) instant vanilla pudding mix
- 2 cans (21-ounce) apple pie filling
- 1 container (8-ounce) thawed whipped topping
- 1 jar (12.25-ounce) caramel sundae topping
- 1 cup chopped pecans (divided in half)
Instructions
- Prepare the Pound Cake: Start by slicing both of the frozen pound cakes into bite-sized cubes. Depending on the size of your trifle bowl, you may have some extra cubes. You can snack on them or save them for later use. If you have a larger trifle bowl, you may need to use all the cake cubes. The cubes should be about 1-inch in size for easy layering.
- Make the Pudding Mixture: In a medium-sized mixing bowl, pour in the cold milk. Sprinkle both packages of instant vanilla pudding mix over the milk. Using a handheld mixer on medium-low speed (or a whisk if you prefer), mix the milk and pudding powder together. Keep mixing until the pudding starts to thicken. This should only take a few minutes, so be patient. If you notice that the pudding is too thick, you can add a little extra milk to loosen it up to your desired consistency.
- Layer the Pound Cake: Once the pudding mixture is ready, it’s time to assemble your trifle. Start by lining the bottom of your trifle bowl with a layer of the cubed pound cake. Use the back of a spoon to gently press the cubes down so that they stay in place.
- Add the Pudding Layer: Now, take half of the prepared pudding mixture and spread it evenly over the pound cake. Use a spatula to smooth it out, making sure that all the cake cubes are covered in a thick layer of creamy pudding. This will be the second layer of your trifle.
- Spoon the Apple Pie Filling: Open the two cans of apple pie filling and spoon one can’s worth over the pudding layer. Spread it out evenly to cover the entire surface. The apples will provide a nice balance of sweetness and tartness, making this dessert even more irresistible. If you like a bit more apple in your trifle, feel free to add more filling.
- Drizzle with Caramel Sauce: Now, take the caramel sundae topping and drizzle half of it over the apple pie filling. You want to make sure the caramel sauce coats the apples, as this adds richness and extra flavor to the trifle. Use the back of a spoon to spread the sauce out evenly.
- Add the Pecans: Sprinkle half of the chopped pecans over the caramel layer. The pecans add a crunchy contrast to the creamy layers, creating a beautiful texture in every bite. If you’re skipping the pecans, you could substitute with crushed graham crackers, toffee bits, or even granola for added crunch.
- Repeat the Layers: Repeat the process with the remaining pound cake, pudding mixture, apple pie filling, and caramel sauce. Make sure that you don’t add the remaining whipped topping or pecans just yet. Once you’ve completed the second layer, cover the trifle bowl with plastic wrap and place it in the refrigerator to chill for at least 3 hours. Chilling the trifle helps the flavors to meld together and makes it easier to serve.
- Top with Whipped Topping: Once the trifle has chilled, take it out of the fridge. Spoon the entire container of thawed whipped topping on top of the dessert, smoothing it out with a spatula. The whipped topping creates a light and fluffy final layer that contrasts beautifully with the rich pudding and caramel.
- Add the Final Touches: Drizzle the remaining caramel sauce over the whipped topping and sprinkle the remaining chopped pecans on top. These final touches will make your trifle look even more inviting, and the extra caramel and pecans will add more flavor and crunch.
Notes
- Layering: Be patient while layering the ingredients. Evenly spreading the layers ensures that every bite has a balanced combination of cake, pudding, apples, caramel, and nuts.
- Mixing the Pudding: Mix the pudding slowly at first to avoid lumps. Once it starts thickening, you can speed up the mixing to ensure it’s fully combined.
- Make-Ahead Option: This dessert can be made a day ahead and stored in the fridge overnight. The flavors will continue to meld together, and the trifle will taste even better the next day.
- Alternative Fruit Fillings: If apple pie filling isn’t your thing, feel free to swap it out for other fruit fillings such as cherry, peach, or blueberry.
- Use a Good Trifle Bowl: A trifle bowl makes the dessert look stunning, but if you don’t have one, a large glass bowl will work just as well. The key is to be able to see the layers of the dessert.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 0 minutes
- Category: Dessert
- Method: No-bake
- Cuisine: American
- Diet: Vegetarian