Pumpkin Trifle

Prep: takes time and effort but worth it completely

Time: a few minutes here and there to prep, then a few to assemble

Taste: LIKE REAL FOOD

From: The Pampered Chef.... but, I veganized it... and made mine gluten free, but you don't have to :)

Note: the Trifle Bowl from Pampered Chef is amazing!!! I love it. When not holding trifles, it looks great holding fruit. Also, plan ahead to soak the raw cashews in water for at least 5 hours (overnight is good too). Trader Joe's has very reasonably priced raw cashew pieces!  They are great substitutes in many dishes!

Pumpkin Trifle

First, get your layers ready:

LAYER ONE: 

Two boxes of Schar Honeygram Gluten Free 5.6 ounce graham crackers (Wegmans carries them)

I like them in medium bite size pieces- not too crushed. 

LAYER TWO:

Combine in food processor and pulse until very, very smooth (it will take a few minutes):

Note: if you have a mini food processor (Mom), you should do this in probably 3 or 4 batches, and then mix together in a large bowl. The raw cashews will at least double in size, so I recommend one cup soaked cashews and a few spoons of pumpkin at a time in the mini processor. Pulse until smooth, stopping once in a while to push down mixture from the sides. Does this make sense? Call me if it does not make sense.

1.5 cups of raw cashew pieces, soaked in water at least 5 hours (then drained)

14.5 oz can pumpkin puree  

1 cup brown sugar    

2 teaspoons cinnamon (don't skimp)

Refrigerate until ready to put together. This can be made at least a day in advance for ease in putting trifle together later.

LAYER THREE:

So Delicious Cocowhip Original frozen dessert topping (available at Wegmans)

It's like Cool Whip.... but uses coconut milk instead, and remarkably does NOT taste like coconut at all! It tastes so creamy! The blue container is better (red is "light" but hey you're making a trifle, just go for the good stuff).

TOPPING:

1 to 2 cups walnuts, depending on how much you like walnuts

1/3 ish cup maple syrup, if you want to get fancy (if not, just add walnuts plain)

If you want to get fancy, heat the maple syrup in a frying pan and add walnuts, stirring constantly for 2-3 minutes. Remove from heat and spread out on parchment paper or a cutting board. WARNING: remove walnuts from heat BEFORE 3 minutes. I did not the first time, and they started burning immediately and my entire house filled with smoke. It was pretty intense, pretty fast. So remove the walnuts even if they are still gooey, and they will harden up while resting (spread them out!). 

OK, now- time to layer. Really, its up to you. This is what we did:

(top)

walnuts in center with cool whip around in a circle (see photo)

pumpkin

graham crackers

cool whip

pumpkin

graham crackers

(bottom)

Refrigerate. Spoon into bowls. Enjoy!