The Best Way To Make Light Of A Total Cake Fail

Breaking a cake layer can be a frustrating experience, but it doesn't have to mean the baking effort is a total fail. With a little creativity, you can turn those broken cake layers into a delicious and impressive dessert — though it won't be the frosted layered cake you might have imagined. Cake pops are one alternative option to use up broken cake, but they can be time-consuming and messy to make. Fortunately, there is another dessert that is incredibly easy and fast to make: trifle.

Trifle is a layered dessert that typically includes cake, pudding, whipped cream, and fruit. You can, however, customize it to make all kinds of different flavors. Depending on what ingredients or dessert toppings you have stored at home, you can quickly pivot to a different flavor profile if necessary. Simply reach for items like chocolate chips, chopped nuts, syrups, or anything else that can enhance the dessert layered in a glass. 

Start by crumbling the cake into small pieces. Next, layer the cake in the bottom of a large glass bowl or individual dessert cups. You can mix and match different cake flavors, such as chocolate and vanilla, to create a more complex dessert.

Next, add a layer of your favorite pudding or custard on top of the cake. You can use store-bought pudding or make your own using a mix or from scratch. After the pudding layer, add a layer of whipped cream or whipped topping. This will add a light and fluffy texture to the trifle and help to balance out the sweetness of the cake and pudding.

Finally, add a layer of fruit on top of the whipped cream. You can use fresh or frozen fruit, or even canned fruit if that's what you have on hand. Berries, peaches, and tropical fruits all work well in a trifle. 

Repeat the layers until the bowl or cups are full, ending with a layer of whipped cream and fruit on top. Chill the trifle in the refrigerator for at least 2 hours, or overnight, to allow the flavors to meld together.

With this easy technique in mind, you can try some of Tasting Table's flavor combinations such as Cherry-Pistachio, Chocolate, and Black Forest.