Berry Trifle

This is such an easy and beautiful dessert. It takes longer to wash and dry the berries and get them ready than anything else. It's elegant and looks like it took a great deal of time. Try it, you'll like it. Use whatever fruit you have. Try to have a variety of colors for a better presentation.

This is a small 2 person trifle

Ingredients:
4 cups cold fat-free milk
2 packages sugar-free, fat-free instant vanilla pudding mix (or cheesecake or white chocolate pudding mix)
1 carton (12 ounces) frozen reduced-fat whipped topping, thawed, divided (or sugar free)
1 prepared angel food cake, cut into 1-inch cubes (When I’m near Walmart I buy one of the sugar free angel food cakes.)
1 pint blackberries
1 pint raspberries
1 quart strawberries, sliced or quartered
Other fruit as desired (I like mango, kiwi, and bananas)
Directions:
In a medium bowl, whisk the milk and pudding mix for 2 minutes. Let stand for 5 minutes or until soft-set. Mix in 2 cups of the thawed whipped topping. Set aside.
Place a third of the cake cubes in a trifle bowl. Top with a third of the pudding mixture and a third of the berries. Repeat layers twice. Top with remaining whipped topping. Garnish with quartered strawberries, if desired.
Serve immediately or refrigerate for up to 24 hours.
Yield: 12 servings.

Here's a picture of a full sized trifle.

I’ve used canned mandarin oranges, peaches, pears, or whatever I have.
I put raspberries on one layer, blackberries on a separate layer, and strawberries on another layer. But layer however you wish.
One twelfth of this is 4 Weight Watchers points, less if you use sugar free angel food cake.

Alien Spaceship Cupcakes

These are cute little bite sized desserts and are colorful and fun. Easy to make, too. Your kids will love them.
The original recipe came from Betty Crocker. She calls them cupcake poppers. I've made a few small changes.

Ingredients:

1 box white cake mix
Water, vegetable oil and egg whites called for on cake mix box
Food colors (Choose bright or neon colors)
Frosting (You can use any frosting. The Betty Crocker website calls for canned frosting. I prefer this Marshmallow Frosting. It is just the right stickiness and is oh so creamy.)

Directions:
1. Heat oven to 350°F. Spray 60 mini muffin cups. Make cake batter as directed on box. Be sure to use the egg white recipe, not the whole egg recipe or your colors will not be as bright. Divide batter into small bowls. Make 2 to 5 different colors of batter by adding food color to each bowl; blend well. If you make 5 colors, use about 3/4 cup batter in each bowl.

2. Fill each muffin cup with 1 level measuring tablespoon batter. If you use 5 colors, you'll have 12 of each color.

3. Bake 10 to 12 minutes or until toothpick inserted in center comes out clean. Cool 5 minutes; remove from pan onto wire racks. Cool completely, about 10 minutes.

4. Assemble each popper using 2 mini cupcakes. Cut tops off each cupcake horizontally (save bottoms for another use). Spread about 1 tablespoon frosting on cut side of 1 cupcake top. Form a sandwich by placing cut side of second cupcake top on frosting; press lightly. Repeat with remaining cupcake tops.
Store loosely covered.
Makes 30 Alien Spaceships.

Marshmallow Frosting

This is a very creamy frosting and is great for cupcakes. It's easy to make and tastes great.

Ingredients:
1 1/2 cups Marshmallow Crème
3/4 cup Butter, softened
1 1/4 cups Powdered Sugar
Food colors (If you're making Alien Spaceships, use bright or neon colors.)

Directions:
In large bowl, beat marshmallow crème and butter with electric mixer on medium speed until blended. Beat in powdered sugar until nice and fluffy. Frost your cake as desired. (If you are making Alien Spaceships divide frosting into small bowls. If you are making 5 colors of Alien Spaceships use about 1/3 cup in each bowl. Using the same 5 food colors, lightly tint frosting in each bowl to match the cupcake colors.)