Banana Cream Trifle

Next to Christmas, New Year's Day is the second most celebrated holiday in the Philippines. We, Filipinos make lots of preparations for it, and there are some traditions that we follow in the belief of ushering in a prosperous New Year. We literally celebrate this day with a BIG bang! At the strike of 12:00 midnight, you can hear church bells ringing, firecrackers banging and booming everywhere, children making sounds with their torotot (horns), car horns tooting and empty cans dragged all around. These things are done to make lots of noise which is believed to scare away evil spirits. After all the noise making, a midnight meal called Media Noche is shared with family members. This feast symbolizes family union and celebration. It is believe that when we put lots of food on the table, we will have food all year round. I grew up practicing these things, and I have always loved the sight of fireworks display and abundant food as we welcome the new year. 

Now that we are in Texas and firecrackers aren't allowed here in our area, we just content ourselves in watching fireworks display on TV. But we still blow our colorful horns as the clocks strikes 12 and we fill our dinner table with lots of food. But let me tell you a secret --- for some reasons, I don't enjoy spending too much time in the kitchen on this day. I guess I don't want to be spending the whole year in the kitchen so I'm thinking that I'd better be out of there when the clock strikes midnight. LOL. So it's either I serve food that can be prepared ahead of time, or I make easy to prepare ones. This dessert that I am sharing with you today falls on both categories...it can be made the day before and it is also so easy to prepare. :)

I want to end 2011 with this Banana Cream Trifle - a very simple yet beautiful and truly delicious dessert that my family and I love so much. There's no cooking involved and can be easily whipped up in minutes, so this is perfect for any occasion!

Ingredients:

• 2 cups graham cracker crumbs
• 5 Tbsp sugar
• 1/2 cup butter, melted 
• 1 package banana cream pudding mix (5.1oz)
• 3 cups milk (for banana cream pudding)
• 5 medium bananas, sliced
• about 40 pcs. Nilla wafers
• Cool Whip
• Nutella

Procedure:

1. Prepare the pudding mix as directed on the package using 3 cups milk. Set aside.

2. In a bowl, mix graham cracker crumbs, sugar and butter until well combined. 

3. Press half of the mixture firmly into the bottom of the trifle bowl. Layer the bananas, Nilla Wafers and banana cream pudding as you wish. I did the layering as follows: 1/4 of the sliced bananas then 1/4 of pudding then 1/2 of Nilla wafers then another 1/4 of bananas then another 1/4 of pudding. Add the other half of graham crumbs mixture. Repeat layers then top with cool whip, and decorate with nutella.

4. Refrigerate for at least 1 hour before serving.

 

As 2011 comes to an end, I want to take this opportunity to thank all of you, my dear readers and blog friends for all the support you've given Pinay In Texas Cooking Corner! At the same time, I want to wish you all

A Happy and Prosperous New Year!

May God bless you and show you the way to make 2012 the best year ever for you and your family...