Pistachio Trifle!

At least that's what I will call for lack of a better name!

So this recipe was last minute, and I was just fortunate to have everything on hand already! I admit to sometimes being prepared and maybe grabbing something at the store, just in case!

Pistachio Trifle

INGREDIENTS

You favorite Chocolate cake recipe ( you will only use the dry ingredients) or box mix

I used this one! 

1 can of pureed pumpkin

2 package of Instant pistachio pudding mix

4 cups COLD milk ( to mix into the pudding for the quick 5 min. version) 

*This has to be cow's milk. I have NOT had success mixing other types of milk in instant pudding mix*

1/4- 1/2 cup of oil (optional, I used coconut, and do in all my baking) 

DIRECTIONS

1.) Preheat oven to 350 degrees

2.) Dump the 2 packages of instant pudding into a medium size bowl.  Add the 4 cups of COLD milk (2 cups per pack of pudding mix) to them and whisk (or use an electric mixer) until thickened, 

about 3 -4 minutes. Set aside!

3.) Assemble your dry cake mix ingredients together in a big bowl according to the directions. ( If using a box mix, just dump it! :) )

4.) Add the entire can of pureed pumpkin to the dry cake mix, and mix until well incorporated. This will be dryer than you are used to. It will be fine to bake just as is, but I usually add the coconut oil to thin it out a bit so I can scoop it. 

5.) Line 18 muffin cups and fill the liners 2/3 full of cake. I use cupcakes b/c I can better control how much I crumble in each layer. You can certainly bake this as a sheet cake!

6.) Bake at 350 for about 20 mins for cupcakes...they will rise beautifully! Allow the cupcakes to cool a bit before handling!

7.)   In your favorite dish, layer the cake and pudding until its all used. Finish off with a layer of whipped cream ( I always make my own, homemade). Save one cupcake to crumble on the top to decorate!

8.) EAT IT AND ENJOY!!!!

I love this idea b/c it can be altered and changed so easily depending on what you have one hand. I also love that I can squeak in some healthier stuff, like pumpkin, without my kids knowing it! Adding the can of pumpkin to dry mix or homemade ingredients came form a lady at the Curves my mom  used to go to. I LOVE IT! It does also work in white cake or yellow cake recipes, but be ready to answer why the color is "different"! I am lucky that my kids love pumpkin muffins as it is! This recipe also changes easily from season to season... Summer using white cake and berries and vanilla pudding. Fall using spice cake and raisins and nuts!

THANKS FOR READING!!!