Old English Trifle

I love strawberries and I love that they are on sale right now. This is a really beautiful and tasty dessert. If you want to impress someone without making a huge effort, you should give this one a try.

1 yellow cake mix
1 large (6 oz) package strawberry Jell-O
2 cups boiling water
1 (16 oz) package frozen strawberries, semi-thawed
2 cups fresh strawberries, sliced
1 large (6 oz.) package vanilla instant pudding
2 cups milk
1 cup whipping cream
2 Tbs. sugar

First Layer: Prepare cake mix as directed on package. Bake in 2 well-greased round baking pans. After cake is cooled, break one round of cake into 2 to 3 inch pieces. (Reserve other cake round for another purpose or a second trifle.) Place cake pieces in the bottom of a large glass compote or bowl. In a saucepan, dissolve strawberry Jell-O in 2 cups boiling water. Cool. Refrigerate until thick and syrupy. Stir in semi-thawed strawberries. Pour over cake pieces. Refrigerate for about 1 hour or until firm. Cover with fresh strawberry slices.

Second Layer: Prepare vanilla pudding according to package directions, but using only 2 cups of milk. Pour over strawberry Jell-O and sliced strawberries. Refrigerate for 30 minutes or until firm.

Third Layer: Whip cream until stiff. Stir in sugar. Spread over top of first two layers. Makes 8 to 10 servings.