Chocolate Raspberry Trifle

This is a SUPER easy but delicious and beautiful dessert that looks like it took all day.

Using fresh raspberries while they are in season is the best but frozen work too.

1 pan of brownies already made, thick or thin
fresh raspberries (about 3 pints) or 1 bag frozen (thawed and drained)

Pudding layer:
1 - 3 oz. instant jello pudding any choc or white flavor you like
(cheesecake, white choc, vanilla... all work great)
1 c milk
1 - 12 oz cool whip thawed minus 1/2 c for the ganache
Mix together the milk and pudding and then fold in the cool whip until blended saving 1/2 c cool whip for ganache

Ganache layer:
1 c chocolate chips (semi sweet or milk chocolate)
1/4 c seedless raspberry jam (or whatever kind of berry jam you have)
1/2 c cool whip, thawed

Mix all together in microwave proof bowl. Melt for 40-50 seconds on high, stirring after each 20 second interval until melted and smooth.

In a trifle dish or clear glass bowl layer 1/3 of the brownies first. Then cover with 1/3 of the berries. Then put 1/3 of the pudding layer. Carefully cover with 1/3 c. of pudding layer. Then top of with 1/3 of ganache spreading carefully to cover. Continue layers ending with ganache. Use a couple berries for garnish if desired. Cover and refrigerate a couple hours. YUM!

Oreo Cookie Dessert

24 Oreo cookies, crushed
1/3 cup soft margarine (or softened butter)

Mix the crushed Oreos and the soft margarine together and press into bottom of 9x13 pan. (Recipe can be halved as seen pictured above to go into an 8x8 pan)

Spread 1/2 gallon softened vanilla ice cream carefully over the crushed Oreo base.

Freeze hard.

Boil 4 ounces German Sweet Chocolate (Baker's chocolate)
1/4 cup sugar
1/3 cup evaporated milk
and 2 Tbsp butter
for 2 or 3 minutes, no longer!

Wait just a minute to let it cool slightly and pour it over the frozen ice cream. Spread carefully.
If desired, sprinkle with chopped pecans.

Freeze again.

This is yummy with fresh strawberries :) It's a rich dessert, a little bit goes a long way but you'll definitely want more! Beware! :)