Chocolate Caramel Trifle

I may not have a green thumb, but I have discovered a hidden talent that has amazed even me: my ability to cook!  Having a tendency to be brutally honest about myself, I've told many a friend that, while I'm happy to bring a salad or a bread to a dinner party, baking is not my calling at all.  However, higher powers (which are known by some as the "call of chocolate") have determined that I will, once in a while, be forced to bake anyways.  And last night, I made a dessert that I simply must brag about.  Yes, it is that awesome.

What you will need:

1.  Box of brownie mix

2.  Eggs, water, and oil called for on the brownie box

3.  8-oz. container of whipped topping, thawed

4.  1 box of instant chocolate pudding

5.  1 jar (4-6 oz.) of caramel topping

6.  2 rolls of Rolos candies

Make and bake the brownies as directed.  While the brownies are baking, whisk together the whipped topping and caramel (you will also add the pudding, but wait until you are ready to use it, as the pudding causes the substance to become very thick.) When the brownies are finished, allow them to cool for a minute (or longer, if you have more patience than I do.) 

To layer the trifle:

-- Use 1/2 of the baked brownies as your bottom layer.

-- Add several of the Rolos (I used 6) on top of the brownies {this is especially wonderful if you use the brownies when they are hot -- the candies melt!}

-- Pour the caramel/whipped topping/pudding layer on top

(Repeat)

To finish the recipe off, I added 5 Rolos on top as decoration.

My notes:

*  This is an extremely rich dessert.  Be sure to have milk handy.

*  My husband suggested that I use vanilla pudding instead of chocolate next time, which is a marvelous idea.

*  Next time, I may try cream cheese instead of whipped topping.

Doesn't it sound awesome??  (And just so you know, by reading this recipe, you have gained two pounds - sorry.)  :-)

 

As always, comments are encouraged, and please send me any recipes you think are worth trying!  I'm always looking for more!!

~ Sarah



*  This is NOT a picture of my trifle -- I found it
on the internet.  However, this looks very similar
to mine.  Unfortunately, my husband and I attacked
the poor dessert like beasts before I even had
a chance to snap a photo.  Next time, I promise.  ;-)



Green Thumb (NOT!)

Take a good look at my thumb -- yup!  It is black as can be.  Anything I try to plant dies (including those plants that are supposedly built to withstand an experience with someone like me!)  *sigh*

You would think it's in my blood, as my mother is an extraordinary gardener.  Growing up, we lived on, oh, I don't know, approximately 1 acre of land, but she fenced off a magnificent portion and planted...things.  She planted eight rows in her garden, and when I say 'rows', I mean 12-15 feet long by 4 feet wide.  She had raspberry bushes, corn, flowers, pumpkins, beans, asparagus, dill, rhubarb, and many other impressive things.  With her help, of course, my sister and I planted a half-row (which we shared) of vegetables and spices. 

And that row represents the only successful gardening I've ever done in my life.

I planted morning glories one year, and to my delight, little green things started popping up.  They never fully matured, however, as (this just in!) morning glories like sun, and I planted them in a charming spot around my deck that receives about 10 minutes of sun per day.  I planted a box of wildflower seeds one year on a barren portion of our yard, but, as it turns out, flowers aren't fond of rocks (who knew?) 

I did manage to successfully sow grass seed one year around the lamp post in my front yard.  This endeavor actually looked promising, until my dog decided it was perfect for something else, and the grass promptly withered.

My patient husband understands that gardening is to me what ironing is to him - I appreciate that there's a purpose to it, but can never have any hope of doing it myself.  He worked for a landscaping company for many years, and knows things about planting that just amaze me.  We have an understanding -- if we are looking at plants of any kind, he knows that, when I find one I fancy, it will be his job to keep the darn thing alive.  He just smiles.

Anyways, despite my black thumb, I have a deep appreciation for how the plants look.  I thought I'd share some pictures of what I see as I walk around my house, most of which I actually know the names of, if you can believe it.  That's all I have for you today.  Enjoy!!

  



Our back yard lilac bush - more like a tree.



Futia hanging baskets I bought over the weekend.  I haven't
had a chance to kill them yet -- give me a few more days.

 

Bleeding Heart in the front yard.





A lilac bush that "we" transplanted last year.

 

Some lovely little flowers in my yard.  I'm pretty
sure they're weeds, but who's to say? :-)
"A weed is just a flower out of place."
























~ Sarah