Wednesday, February 2, 2011

Brownie Cheesecake Trifle for a Virtual Baby Shower

When I hear trifle, I automatically think "...a layer of ladyfingers, then a layer of jam, then custard... then raspberries, more ladyfingers, then beef sauteed with peas and onions..."

Anyone freakishly able to make references to Friends from the most random words or ideas?

Or maybe it's just me.

Anyway.  Speaking of friends, I am delighted to present not only a delicious dessert but also an exciting event.  Annie's Eats is a popular and highly regarded food blog, and I was thrilled to be asked to take part in a special blogging celebration: a virtual baby shower for Annie's next most special little treat!  Her sweet baby girl is on her way to join big brother Andrew, and what better way for bloggers to honor her upcoming arrival than to throw her a little virtual party!

Courtney from Cook Like a Champion arranged everything - please be sure to visit Cook Like a Champion and Annie's Eats to see the delicious spread!  I must admit that I feel a little star-struck surrounded by such big names in the food blog world. :)

My contribution was a Brownie Cheesecake Trifle, and this decadent treat is sure to be a big hit at any soiree.  Who can resist rich chocolatey brownies smothered with a creamy cheesecake spread?  Throw in some sliced strawberries and cool whip and sprinkle with broken Oreos and you've got yourself quite the dessert table headliner!

This is a simple dessert to prepare and is one of those dishes that you can completely customize - use blueberries instead of strawberries, or omit the Oreos, or use chocolate chip cookies instead, or add some pumpkin to the cheesecake mixture...

(Note: This feeds an army, so either scale back the amounts or invite over all your friends!)


Brownie Cheesecake Trifle
from Lauren's Kitchen
  • a batch of your favorite brownies (from a box or home-made), cooled
  • 3 8oz packages of cream cheese, softened
  • 2 tsp vanilla extract
  • 1 cup sugar
  • 2 tubs of Cool Whip (you probably won't use all of it), thawed
  • 1 package of Oreos, broken but not crushed
  • 16oz strawberries, sliced
To make the cheesecake mixture, combine cream cheese, vanilla, sugar, and about 1 1/2 cup of cool whip and beat until fluffy and well-incorporated.  Taste it and adjust as needed.

And now... just start stacking it all!  I started with a layer of brownies, followed by cheesecake, strawberries, Oreos, and Cool Whip.  Repeat until you run out of room or ingredients.

13 comments:

  1. See Lauren, this is why we're friends. I too, make those exact same Friends references. That is the exact same thing I think when I hear "trifle" - every.time. Thanks for being part of the virtual shower! I already told you, but this dessert looks insanely good. I have got to find an excuse to make it - or maybe just a craving :)

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  2. Lauren-

    I haven't ever made a trifle, but this might be my first! Who doesn't love cheesecake and brownie?

    It's so nice to meet you through this virtual shower. I feel the same way about all the big-name bloggers! This has been so much fun!

    Shanon :)

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  3. Haha, I think of that episode when I hear "trifle" too. Too funny! This looks delicious. Well, pretty much anything that has chunks of brownies in it is delicious to me. :)

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  4. i totally think of that friends episode too when i hear trifle! looks delicious!

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  5. This looks so decadent and delicious! I love the combination of flavors in this trifle, and I bet it would make a sweet Valentine's dessert. :) I'm so happy we got to "meet" during this! Thanks again for participating in the virtual shower!

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  6. heehee! Love the Friends reference! I'd love to have a scoop of this. It looks simply delish!

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  7. Lauren, this looks so delicious! What a sweet thing to do for Annie. You have a beautiful blog, and I’m so glad to have found it. Keep up the delicious cooking and baking! :) – Georgia

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  8. What a perfect looking dessert! I bet Annie would love this! I've had such a fun time participating in this shower with you and hope you've enjoyed it too! :)

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  9. I saw your trifle on Annie's blog and had to tell you, it looks delicious! I am a huge fan of trifles but haven't made one with cheesecake involved...

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  10. My husband and I quote that episode so much it's kind of pathetic - one of the best of all time, for sure!
    Brownies, good. strawberries, good. cheesecake, goooood!

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  11. holy amazingness. making as soon as i can find good strawberries! :)

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  12. Just made this for my birthday "cake"...TOTALLY AWESOME!!! Absolutely delicious!! And while my BFFs were helping me make it before the party, we also kept quoting that episode of Friends: "Beef sauteed with peas and onions..."

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  13. What is cool whip? i'm from the uk so not sure if it's an american thing or if I just havent heard of it?

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