Banana-Caramel Mini Trifles
 
Makes 6
Ingredients
  • Crust:
  • ¾ cup finely ground pretzels
  • ½ cup finely ground toasted pecans
  • 2 tablespoons granulated sugar
  • 2 tablespoons unsalted butter, melted
  • Filling:
  • 1 (8-ounce) package cream cheese, softened
  • ½ (1.7-ounce) package vanilla instant pudding mix
  • 1 small ripe banana, mashed
  • ½ cup confectioners’ sugar, divided
  • ½ cup heavy whipping cream
  • 1½ teaspoons vanilla extract, divided
  • ¾ cup dulce de leche
  • 3 medium ripe bananas, cut into ½-inch slices
  • 1 cup cold heavy whipping cream
  • Garnish: shaved chocolate, banana slices
Instructions
  1. For crust: In a medium bowl, stir together pretzels, pecans, granulated sugar, and melted butter until well combined. Spoon and press mixture into bottom of 6 small serving glasses. Refrigerate until ready to use.
  2. For filling: In the bowl of a stand mixer fitted with the whisk attachment, beat cream cheese at medium speed until creamy, about 1 minute. Add pudding mix, and beat until smooth and creamy, 1 to 2 minutes. Add mashed banana and ¼ cup confectioners’ sugar, and beat at low speed until just combined. Add cream and ½ teaspoon vanilla, and beat at medium speed until combined. Increase mixer speed to high, and beat until thick, 1 to 2 minutes. Top each prepared crust with 2 tablespoons dulce de leche and banana slices. Top with cream cheese mixture. Cover glasses with plastic wrap, and refrigerate for 4 hours.
  3. In clean bowl of a stand mixer fitted with the whisk attachment, beat cold cream, remaining ¼ cup confectioners’ sugar, and remaining 1 teaspoon vanilla at low speed until sugar is incorporated; increase mixer speed to high, and beat until stiff peaks form. Top each trifle with whipped cream mixture. Garnish with chocolate and banana slices, if desired. Serve immediately.
Recipe by Taste of the South at https://tasteofthesouthmagazine.com/banana-caramel-mini-trifles/