Monday, November 28, 2016

Pumpkin Banana Trifle




We like to eat bananas every day. But sometimes we forget. Recently, my mom handed me six beautiful bananas that she was ready to throw out. Okay, they weren't so beautiful. They had been in the fridge for a full week, so the peels were miserably discolored. But I did my very own test a few years ago to find out where to store bananas. The fridge won hands down. The peels look ucky, but the bananas inside lasted far longer than the ones stored at room temperature. 

I was not going to throw out those bananas! But how could I use them up? Now, if there's one thing my mother loves (our dear Lucy, too), it's whipped cream. So I combined some favorites and made sort of a cross between banana pudding and trifle.

I wanted to bring in flavors of the season and had pumpkin cake in mind, so I used Peg Cochran's recipe for a pumpkin roll. The cake part was exactly what I needed. The only thing I did differently was use granulated sugar instead of powdered sugar on the towel when I turned it out of the pan. I made our favorite chocolate pudding, but you could easily use vanilla, or butterscotch if you prefer. Then all I needed was whipped cream and the bananas.

I'll admit I was working fast and didn't take quite as much time as I should have to make this pretty. Honestly, I didn't anticipate posting it here. But we all liked it so much that I decided to share it!

Pumpkin Cake
by Peg Cochran

3 egg yolks

1 cup sugar

2/3 cup pumpkin puree (not pie filling)

3/4 cup flour

1 teaspoon baking soda

1/2 teaspoon cinnamon

1/3 teaspoon salt

Pinch of nutmeg (optional)

Powdered sugar (I used granulated sugar)


Beat egg yolks for five minutes, gradually incorporating pumpkin and sugar.  Sift together dry ingredients and add to pumpkin mixture.

Line a jelly roll pan (10 x 15) with parchment paper.  I find it "sticks" better if you spray the pan with PAM even though that means you'll have to wash it.  I also spray the parchment paper with PAM which I guess makes me a "belt AND suspenders" type of person.

Spread the batter in the prepared pan.  It will be thin compared to a cake. That's how it's supposed to be.  Bake in a 375 degree oven for 15 minutes but check after about 12 minutes.  You don't want it to be too dry or it won't roll.  It should be "spongy."  

Sift powdered sugar all over a clean linen dish towel.  The sugar will prevent the cake from sticking.  Invert the cake onto the prepared dish towel (sometimes it helps to have a second pair of hands for this.) Peel off parchment paper. Let cool.



Chocolate Pudding

3 cups 2% milk
scant 3/4 cup sugar

1/3 cup powdered chocolate
1/3 cup cornstarch
pinch of salt
1 egg
2 teaspoons vanilla
2 - 3 tablespoons butter

1. Pour the milk into the Pyrex measuring cup.

2. Combine the sugar, cocoa, cornstarch, and salt in the pot. Whisk together and get rid of any lumps. Use the whisk like spoon, it’s just more efficient in breaking up the lumps.

3. Pour the cold milk into the pot and whisk until blended. (Note that you still haven't turned on the stove!)


4. Turn the burner to medium high and bring to a gentle boil, using the whisk as a spoon and stirring. You may need to turn down the heat when it begins to bubble. Cook so it gently bubbles, stirring with the whisk for one minute. It will thicken.

5. Remove from heat temporarily.

6. Break the egg into the same Pyrex cup and whisk with the small whisk (or a fork).

Drop a tiny amount of the hot milk mixture into the egg and whisk immediately to temper it. Add a little bit more and whisk. (This is so the egg won’t seize up and cook when it’s added to the warm liquid.)

7. Add the egg to the milk mixture and whisk in.

8. Bring to a gentle boil again and let cook for one minute, stirring the whole time.

9. Remove from heat and stir in the vanilla and the butter.


10. Cover with waxed paper while it cools so it won't form a skin.

11. Cool, but use in the trifle before fully set.


Whipped Cream

1 1/2 cups heavy cream
scant 1/2 cup powdered sugar
1 teaspoon vanilla

Beat the cream until it just begins to take shape. Add the powdered sugar and beat in. Add the vanilla and beat until it barely holds a shape and will still spread easily.

Assembly

5 - 6 bananas, sliced

Start with a layer of cake on the bottom. It doesn't have to be perfect. Top with a little pudding and lay banana slices on top. Add a layer of whipped cream. Repeat. It doesn't really matter what order they are in, but I ended with a layer of whipped cream, which I spread to the edges.

Like banana pudding, the banana slices won't be quite as bright white the next day or two, but it's still yummy!




Who hasn't read The Diva Wraps It Up?

To enter the giveaway, leave a comment here and on Wednesday, I'll pick a winner!

64 comments:

  1. This trifle is a wonderful recipe/way to use up the bananas! And I definitely want to read The Diva Wraps It Up. EMS591@aol.com

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  2. This looks very yummy! And I haven't read The Diva Wraps It Up. Thanks for the chance.
    karen(dot)kenyon(at)rogers(dot)com

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  3. that looks fabulous--thanks for making my whipped cream:). wouldn't it be good with gingerbread cake too??

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  4. A delectable recipe. I love trifle but haven't tasted one in ages. The Diva Wraps it up would be great. Thanks. elliotbencan(at)hotmail(dot)com

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  5. Such mouth watering recipes. I could eat through lots of books. Thanks.
    judytucker1947@gmail.com

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  6. Looks really good, an upgrade from the vanilla wafer banana dish. Love bananas. Thanks for the giveaway.
    sallycootie@gmail.com

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  7. What fun!
    I like how you took your available ingredients and creativity and produced a lovely creation.

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  8. Of course, I've read it, but I let someone borrow my copy and never saw it again. Thanks for the chance to win. Dmskrug3 at hotmail dot com

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  9. So enticing. The Diva Wraps it Up looks wonderful. many thanks. saubleb(at)gmail(dot)com

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  10. This looks good! And I haven't read The Diva Wraps It Up. Thanks for the chance.
    kckendler at@gmail dot com

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  11. That looks yummy! I'D love to read The Diva Wraps It Up. Thanks for the contest.
    suefarrell.farrell@gmail.com

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  12. The trifle looks wonderful but, I would leave the bananas out. When I get a banana split blizzard I order it with out the bananas, I get strange looks. I love the Diva!
    MarshaMysteryreader at yahoo dot com

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  13. I haven't read The Diva Wraps It Up but would like to! The recipe sounds delicious.
    rebarger(at)bellsouth(dot)net

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  14. This recipe looks yummy! I haven't read The Diva Wraps It Up but really would love to!!
    a.connolley@gmail.com

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  15. I love trifles. :)
    penmettert@gmail.com

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  16. This dessert looks so yummy! I really can't wait to get into the Diva series. I have one but I haven't found the first yet so I'm holding out hope for my Christmas wish list. :)
    awilcox1182@gmail.com

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  17. The recipe looks like something I would try - no chocolate though. grammyd01@comcast.net

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  18. ilove this series. recipe sounds great. thanks for chance. janngrogan@yahoo.com

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  19. This recipe looks so delicious! Thank you for the chance to win a copy of your book. crossxjo @hotmail. com

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  20. Thanks for the new idea with bananas and for a chance at the book!
    tiggercat24alisha@yahoo.com

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  21. Awesome, love your books. Thank you for the chance to win.

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  22. I didn't know you could put them in the refrigerator. I just remember the jingle - I'm a Chiquita banana and I'm here to say, You should never put me in the refrigeray.
    jenne.turner@unt.edu

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  23. I so enjoy the recipes!! Love your books!! Thank you so much for the chance to win!!!! magoss51@aol.com

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  24. Gee, I love this blog, all the recipes are great. The books are wonderful, and I love hearing from the authors. Thank you. I have not read your book, yet. catwoman-1@comcast.net

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  25. This looks so yummy. I am having some people over for dinner next week, that would be a good dessert.
    jjrrdavid@live.com

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  26. Yummy!! Haven't read this book yet!!
    nschwenkner(at)gmail (dot) com

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  27. Yummy!! Haven't read this book yet!!
    nschwenkner(at)gmail (dot) com

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  28. I love trifles, and this one looks so good -- pumpkin, bananas and chocolate - YUM! I wish I had a trifle bowl...

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  29. I thoroughly enjoyed The Diva Runs Out Thyme and would love to win a copy of The Diva Wraps It Up. Thanks for the opportunity! bskts4unme(at)hotmail(dot)com

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  30. I haven't read this one yet! Would love a chance to win. Thanks for hosting!

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  31. Love the book cover! The banana tips were good reminders, thanks. I think my family would love the trifle recipe. Thanks!

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  32. I never knew about keeping bananas in the refrigerator. I will have to try it.
    marlene(dot)ezell(at)gmail(dot)com

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  33. Yummy recipe! I haven't read this 92nd yet. I sure am ready to, I great way to have some relaxing time during this busy time of year. Thank you for this opportunity.
    mommomsworld(at)yahoo(dot)com

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  34. Yummy! Banana tips were neat. The cover is cool! Donamaekutska7@gmail.com

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  35. Yum...well there went the diet...ha..I will try this after two weeks..looks delicious..thank for for the contest.
    Marilyn ewatvess@yahoo.com

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  36. I love bananas! Thanks for this giveaway chance! lindaherold999@gmail.com

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  37. I would not have thought to combine pumpkin & banana, but this sounds yummy. Thanks for the chance. turtle6422(at)gmail(dot)com

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  38. Would adore one. Thank you for chance toni70027@gmail.com

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  39. Love the recipe! Has all our favorite flavors, so will definitely have to do this. Only thing not on hand is the pumpkin puree. Used it all up last week. Haven't shopped yet. And I would love to read that book. So thank you for a chance to get it sooner. Rather than later. Della at deepotter (at) peoplepc ((dot) com

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  40. I love this series, and I love all the recipes that you have shared with us. This is one book that I haven't read yet. I have most of the series on my kindle as well as the Murder Most Howl series, ( I know that's not the actual name of the series, but that was my favorite in this series) Thank you for the chance to win. jillybeans41@gmail.com

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  41. Your trifle sounds interesting as does your book. I'd love to in a copy of your book to read.
    lkish77123 at gmail dot com

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  42. That dessert looks very yummy! Thanks for the chance to win!

    ElaineE246 at msn dot com

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  43. I love bananas and this recipe looks like a delicious way to use them instead of throwing them away. I never thought of combining these ingredients! I am a newbie to this website. I have not read any of your books. I would love to start with The Diva Wraps It Up. Thanks for this great giveaway. lynnehouck@comcast.net

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  44. Sounds great! Count me in. elainehroberson at gmail dot com

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  45. I haven't read this book yet gut would love to. And anything with chocolate makes my mouth water. Happy Holidays!

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  46. read your other books and love them..would love to read this one
    greeneyes2755@yahoo.com

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  47. Happy Holidays!! This book looks amazing to read!! Thank you for the giveaway!! Slpathkp19@gmail.com

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  48. Dying to read this book. Wendymleslie@yahoo.com

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  49. I am trying to be good about desserts until Christmas but this one is doing me in! Thanks for sharing it & for the wonderful giveaway! doward1952(at)yahoo(dot)com

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  50. Really enjoyed the Ghost & Mrs. Mewer. This one sounds delicious, thanks. Chris a busy nurse togirn@comcast.net

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  51. love your books and this recipe! cant wait for Mission Impawsible
    kayt18 (at) comcast (dot)

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  52. I haven't read "The Diva Wraps it Up", and it looks like a great read for the Holiday season. Recipe looks amazing. Thanks for the great giveaway.
    diannekc8(at)gmail(dot)com

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  53. Love the recipe. Looks like a great cozy mystery.

    xzjh04(at)gmail (dot)com

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  54. I bet that tastes amazing! I know you said you were working quickly, but to me that looks beautiful! I haven't read The Diva Wraps It Up, but I have read the first four books. And I have the fifth on in my tbr pile waiting to be read. Thanks so much for the chance to win!!!
    magicgirl2357@yahoo.com

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  55. That dessert looks so scrumptious! Thank you for the recipe & for a chance to win The Diva Wraps It Up. sxygrndma48{at}yahoo{dot}com

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  56. Krista, I love your books!!! They are wonderful.

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  57. I love this series...Thank you for two treats. The recipe for a marvelous dessert and a book giveaway.
    kat8762@aol.com

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  58. i LOVE YOUR MYSTERIES, THANKS FOR THIS GENEROUS CHANCE. Linda May lindamay4852@yahoo.com

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  59. Love the cover on the book. Thanks for the
    recipes.
    Carol Smith
    penelope223(at)yahoo(dot)com

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  60. I love the picture of the cat on the cover!!! I'd love to read this!
    Digicats {at} Sbcglobal {dot} Net

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