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tropical trifle

(3 ratings)
MADmom007 avatar
Blue Ribbon Recipe by
Mary Ann Davis
@MADmom007
Seffner, FL

Trifles have become one of my favorite desserts because there can be such a variety of ingredients. I came up with this to serve during the hot dog days of summer here in Florida. It's light, cool, and refreshing. My family loves it.

Blue Ribbon Recipe

Fresh and fruity, this tropical trifle is perfect for summer. There are so many lovely layers of fruity flavor. The orange cake isn't too sweet and pairs well with the pudding and fruit mixture. Sprinkling coconut over each layer adds to the tropical flavor. We loved the bursts of flavor from the fresh mandarin oranges added to the trifle. This cool, wonderful summer trifle will look beautiful on any dessert table.

— The Test Kitchen @kitchencrew
(3 ratings)
yield 8 -10
prep time 20 Min
cook time 30 Min
method Bake

Ingredients For tropical trifle

  • 1 box
    orange cake mix
  • 1 can
    crushed pineapple, large (20 oz)
  • 1 can
    mandarin orange slices, drained (29 oz)
  • 3 lg
    eggs
  • 1/3 c
    vegetable oil
  • 1 pkg
    Cool Whip, thawed (8 oz)
  • 1
    orange, zested
  • 1 box
    instant vanilla pudding mix (3.4 oz)
  • 2 c
    milk
  • 7-8 oz
    coconut flakes, toasted or not

How To Make tropical trifle

  • Draining crushed pineapple.
    1
    Thoroughly drain pineapple. Leave the juice in a large mixing bowl; reserve pineapple.
  • Baking cake in the oven.
    2
    To juice, add cake mix, eggs, and oil. Mix thoroughly for 2 minutes. Pour into a 9" x 13" pan; bake at 350 degrees for 32 minutes. Cool thoroughly.
  • Pudding, pineapple, and Cool Whip combined.
    3
    Add pudding mix, milk, and orange zest to reserved pineapple. Mix for 2 minutes. Fold in Cool Whip.
  • Cutting cake into cubes.
    4
    Cut cake into 1/2 - 3/4 inch cubes.
  • Adding cake to a trifle dish.
    5
    To assemble the trifle, in a trifle bowl or clear glass bowl scatter 1/3 of the cake pieces.
  • Pudding mixture on top of the cake.
    6
    Then 1/3 of the pudding mixture.
  • Orange and coconut on top of the pudding.
    7
    Then add 1/3 of oranges and 1/3 of coconut. Repeat for a total of three layers.
  • Fully assembled Tropical Trifle decorated.
    8
    Chill well before serving (preferably overnight). May add an extra dollop of Cool Whip for presentation when serving.
  • Last Step: Don't forget to share! Make all your friends drool by posting a picture of your finished recipe on your favorite social network. And don't forget to tag Just A Pinch and include #justapinchrecipes so we can see it too!
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