cheeky recipe: gram's chocolate trifle

my grandma has been making chocolate trifle since i was a little girl. i loved it as a kid and it is still one of my most favorite desserts, especially at christmas. though i've never received complaints when i've served it on other occasions.

gram's chocolate trifle 

• 1 package chocolate cake mix 
• 2-3 eggs
• 1/3-1/2 cup of oil
• 4 small boxes chocolate instant pudding 
• 6 cups of milk
• 2 cups heavy whipping cream
• 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
• 4 teaspoons confectioners' sugar
• 5-6 english toffee bars, roughly chopped

for the cake: combine dry cake mix and one box dry pudding mix and stir together (this is my secret for cake and cupcakes that are extra moist), continue per box instructions. once the cake cools, cut into squares.

for the pudding: follow directions on the box then let pudding chill while cake is baking/cooling. you can add 1/4 of the crushed english toffee bars to the pudding if you are so inclined (i usually am).

for the whipped cream: using an electric mixer with a whisk attachment, beat the heavy cream until soft peaks form. add the vanilla extract and confectioners' sugar and continue to beat until stiff peaks.

in a trifle or punch bowl, line the bottom with cake, layer with the pudding, whipped cream, then toffee bars, and repeat. the top layer should be a layer of whipped cream & toffee bars. cover and keep in the fridge until ready to serve. this can be made a day or two in advance. 

dig in!