Eggnog and Cherry Trifle

 So you've been invited to a holiday party, and you want to bring a dessert. Surely there will be other desserts, such a cookie trays, etc, but you're hoping to bring something with a bit of a WOW factor, right? THIS, my friends, is definitely the recipe you should make. It screams holiday party, it's simple to make, it's absolutely decadent, and you'll be showered with OOOs and AAAHHHHs as soon as you enter the room! I made this for my family pollyanna Christmas party and everyone loved it! I think your family and friends will love it too!


3/4 cup cold milk 
1 package (3.4 ounces) instant vanilla pudding mix 
2 cups eggnog 
1/2 teaspoon almond or brandy or rum extract
1 cup heavy whipping cream, whipped
1 loaf butter pound cake such as Etenmann's or your own (can also use angel food cake)
1 cup cherry preserves, thinned with 2 tbs water
fresh cherries, pitted and cut in half


  In a bowl, whisk milk and pudding mix until blended. Gradually add eggnog; mix well. Fold in extract and whipped cream; set aside.
 Cut cake into 1/2-in. slices; place about a 1/3 of the cake in a trifle bowl or a high sided glass serving bowl. Top with 1/3 of the jam and a handful of cherries. Spoon 1 cup of eggnog mixture over all. Repeat twice. Cover and chill for at least 2 hours. Garnish with whole cherries and sweetened whipped cream. Chill until ready to serve.

Tips:
Before you make this dish or any other dish using fresh cherries, you MUST do yourself a favor a purchase a cherry pitter. It's a simple little gadget that kind of reminds you of an ear piercer, and it's absolutely essential! It makes life SO much easier and they're not expensive at all.
Not a fan of cherries? Try raspberries or strawberries instead! It'll still look beautifully festive!
Whenever I make a trifle, it's all about the presentation. You really want to see perfectly perfect layers. The best way to achieve this is to do each layer from the outside in. As you layer each ingredient, go around the perimeter first, and then fill in the center. It's so much prettier to be able to see each layer of cake, preserves, fruit,  and cream.