Stellar Strawberry Trifle

Cream Cheese Layer
16 ounces cream cheese
3/4 cup sugar
2 cups whipped cream
2 teaspoons vanilla

Strawberry Layer
5 cups quartered strawberries
4 tablespoons sugar
1/4 cup balsamic vinegar

1 cup whipped cream

Graham crackers ( 1 pkg)

Have you ever eaten anything that was velvety and tangy and refreshing, and completely divine all at the same time? Yes? No? Well, hold onto your shorts people, because you’re in for a marvelous treat. This trifle is so easy to make that it’s like throwing paint on a canvas with reckless abandon and still producing a masterpiece for all to enjoy. So, get out your mixing bowls and spoons, because you’re about to create your own masterpiece of edible art.

First, get that mixing bowl in the freezer so it’s all good and chilled when we want to whip the fresh cream. You will need about a cup and a half of whipping cream to produce the near three cups of whipped cream necessary to fluff up this trifle.

Now, we like to start by mixing the ruby red strawberries with the sugar and balsamic vinegar, because these three flavors need time to mix and mingle if they’re going to create that strawberry zing that makes this trifle the kind of art you want to eat…..everyday. In our experience, the very best zing is created when you introduce the three flavors the night before and let them “mingle” allllll night long, but it's certainly not necessary. A simple hour or two will do.

Then, pull the chilly mixing bowl from the freezer, pour the cup of whipping cream in, and whip that cream until it’s nice and whipped. Add some vanilla and sugar to taste – you know how good whipped cream should taste – you be the judge - we trust you ( maybe 1/4 cup ). Set this aside for just a moment as we move on to one of the best food combos ever!

You’re going to beat the cream cheese with the sugar and the vanilla. Now, use your finger and swipe a taste of that simple perfection. We know what you’re thinking, “How could it get better than this?“ Read on and we'll tell you. Just fold in 2 cups of the whipped cream until you longer see whipped cream and simple perfection, but a brand new flavor of deliciousness. Again, take a swipe of the fluffy goodness and notice how happy you feel inside.

Now, for the artistic part of the program, set the majestic looking trifle dish before you. Start laying pieces of graham crackers on the bottom of the bowl – no order or neatness required. Then with a large spoon, drop a third of the cream cheese mixture over the crackers and smooth it all out. Follow this with a third of the strawberries, allowing the juices to run off the filling and onto the crackers. Lay two more layers of each in the same order. Finish with a dollop of whipped cream and a few more strawberries.

We highly recommend letting this sit in the fridge for at least 2 hours before serving. When you do serve this masterpiece, prepare yourself for the oohs and ahhs.....they're inevitable!

We must thank our dearest Canadian friend, Sarah for introducing this fabulous recipe to us! "We love you for it!"

Any graham cracker will do with this recipe - whether from the regular grocery store or a health food store.

For those of you who prefer using Cool Whip or Dream Whip to whipping your own cream, we say, "May the force be with you", but we cannot guarantee the flavor or fluff will be as outstanding as we can promise you with the fresh whipped cream.

If you do not own a trifle dish and do not wish to purchase one, a pretty glass dish will work just fine.

If it's the whole neighborhood you're feeding and you want everyone to share in the fun, just increase all the ingredients and really stack the layers. There are no rules here, because it's really hard to go wrong if you're tasting everything along the way. We assume you ARE tasting everything along the way.....

If the party's just for two this Valentine's Day – *kiss*kiss* - you can just make up single serving dishes as pictured below with crumpled graham crackers, one dollop of filling, and a generous layer of strawberries.


Happy Valentine's Day!



Stellar Strawberry Trifle

Cream Cheese Layer
16 Ounce Cream Cheese
3/4 Cup Sugar
2 Cups Whipped Cream

2 Teaspoons Vanilla

Strawberry Layer
5 Cups Strawberries
1/4 Cup Balsamic Vinegar
4 Teaspoons Sugar

One Cup Whipped Cream

Graham Crackers ( 1 pkg )

Mix strawberries, sugar, and balsamic vinegar and let sit until flavors intertwine. In separate bowl, beat cream cheese with sugar and vanilla. Fold in Whipped cream.

Assembly
In trifle bowl, place a layer of graham crackers. Then layer 1/3 of the cream cheese mixture. Then 1/3 of the strawberry mixture. Make three layers. Top with whipped cream and then a few strawberries. Let sit at least two hours for the juices to soften the crackers. Then...dig in!