Decadent chocolate cake, bourbon pecans, vanilla pudding, and whipped cream in a Southern-style layered dessert.
# Components:
→ Chocolate Cake
01 - 1 (9-inch) chocolate cake, homemade or store-bought, cut into cubes (approximately 6 cups)
→ Bourbon Pecan Layer
02 - 1 cup pecan halves
03 - 1/4 cup Southern Comfort bourbon liqueur
04 - 3 tablespoons brown sugar
05 - 2 tablespoons unsalted butter
→ Vanilla Pudding
06 - 3 cups whole milk
07 - 1/2 cup granulated sugar
08 - 1/4 cup cornstarch
09 - 1/4 teaspoon salt
10 - 4 large egg yolks
11 - 2 teaspoons vanilla extract
→ Whipped Cream
12 - 2 cups heavy cream
13 - 1/3 cup powdered sugar
14 - 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
→ Garnish
15 - Additional toasted pecans
16 - Chocolate shavings
# Directions:
01 - In a skillet over medium heat, melt the butter. Add pecan halves and brown sugar; cook, stirring constantly, until pecans are evenly coated and fragrant, about 3 minutes. Remove from heat and carefully incorporate the Southern Comfort bourbon liqueur. Allow mixture to cool completely.
02 - In a saucepan, whisk together the whole milk, granulated sugar, cornstarch, and salt. Cook over medium heat, stirring continuously, until the mixture thickens and starts to bubble. In a separate bowl, lightly beat the egg yolks. Gradually whisk in about 1 cup of the hot milk mixture to the yolks, then return this blend to the saucepan. Continue cooking and stirring for 2 to 3 minutes until fully thickened. Remove from heat, stir in vanilla extract, let cool to room temperature, and then refrigerate.
03 - In a chilled mixing bowl, beat the heavy cream, powdered sugar, and vanilla extract with an electric mixer until soft peaks form. Refrigerate until ready for assembly.
04 - In a large glass trifle bowl, arrange one-third of the chocolate cake cubes in an even layer. Distribute one-third of the bourbon-soaked pecans over the cake, followed by one-third of the vanilla pudding and one-third of the whipped cream. Repeat this layering process two more times, finishing with the remaining whipped cream as the top layer.
05 - Adorn the final whipped cream layer with extra toasted pecans and generous chocolate shavings. Refrigerate the assembled trifle for a minimum of 2 hours prior to serving to allow flavors to develop.
