Gingerbread pear trifle

16 servings

Ingredients

QuantityIngredient
cupWhole wheat pastry flour
1teaspoonBaking soda
1teaspoonBaking powder
½teaspoonGround cloves
½teaspoonGround cinnamon
½teaspoonSalt
½cupPacked brown sugar
½cupPrune puree
2teaspoonsMinced ginger root
2tablespoonsVegetable oil
1cupDark molasses
2teaspoonsVanilla extract
¾cupBoiling water
Cooking spray or oil
6Pears; peeled & sliced
1cupSugar
¾cupWater
¼teaspoonNutmeg
¼cupLemon juice
2tablespoonsBrandy or cognac
12ouncesLite silken tofu
1cupSugar
1teaspoonVanilla extract
½teaspoonCinnamon
¾cupSoy milk
Whipped topping; (optional)

Directions

GINGERBREAD

PEAR SAUCE

CINNAMON CREAM

To make gingerbread: Preheat oven to 375 F. Lightly spray or oil an 8 or 9-inch square baking pan. In a medium bowl, sift together flour, baking soda, baking powder, cloves, cinnamon, and salt & set aside. In a large bowl, cream together brown sugar, prune puree, ginger, and oil. Add molasses and vanilla and beat until smooth. Stir in bowling water, mixing well. Add dry ingredients and stir until well incorporated. Pour batter into prepared pan and bake about 35 minutes or until a toothpick inserted in the center comes out clean. Remove and set aside 5 minutes. Tip out onto a rack to cool. To make the pear sauce: In a large saucepan, combine pears, sugar, water, nutmeg, and lemon juice. Bring to a boil, stirring often.

Reduce heat slightly and continue boiling, uncovered, about 10 minutes.

Stir in brandy and set aside. To make the cream: In a food processor or blender, puree tofu, sugar, vanilla, and cinnamon until smooth. Add soy milk and process until smooth and light. To assemble the trifle: Cut cooled cake into 1-inch cubes. In a trifle dish or large bowl, spread ⅓ of the cream into bottom. Next, arrange half of the gingerbread over top. Spoon half the pears over cake, and top with half of the remaining cream. Repeat with remaining gingerbread, pears, and remaining cream. Cover tightly with plastic wrap and refrigerate several hours or overnight, for flavors to blend. Just before serving, swirl whipped topping over top, if desired.

By "Karen C. Greenlee" <greenlee@...> on Mar 14, 1999.

Recipe by: Veggie Life, January, 1999 Converted by MM_Buster v2.0l.