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Devonshire Cream Trifle

Invest in a show-stopper of a glass bowl so that you can show this dessert off to best advantage. It's not difficult, but your guests will think that you slaved over it for hours, and that your next little trick just might be taking a little stroll across the surface of your swimming pool!

1 tsp. unflavored gelatin
1 cup whipping cream
1/4 cup sugar
2 tsp. vanilla extract
1 (8 oz.) carton dairy sour cream
4 cups assorted fresh fruit such as raspberries, sliced strawberries,
chopped peeled nectarines or peaches and cut-up peeled kiwi fruit
2 Tbsp. sugar
1 recipe Hot Milk Sponge Cake or 1 (10-3/4 oz.) frozen loaf pound cake, thawed
1/4 cup peach brandy, amaretto, orange liqueur or orange juice
grated chocolate (optional)


For Devonshire Cream:

In a small saucepan combine gelatin and 1/2 cup cold water; let stand 5 minutes to soften. Heat and stir over medium heat until gelatin dissolves; cool.
In a chilled medium mixing bowl beat whipping cream, the 1/4 cup sugar and vanilla with an electric mixer on medium-low speed until soft peaks form (tips curl). Do not overbeat.
Combine cooled gelatin mixture and sour cream; mix well. Fold sour cream mixture into whipped cream. Chill for 30 to 45 minutes or until mixture thickens and will mound on a spoon.
Meanwhile, for fruit filling, in a large mixing bowl combine the fresh fruit and the 2 tablespoons sugar. Let stand for 10 minutes.
Cut the Hot Milk Sponge Cake or pound cake into 2 x 1/2 inch strips. In a 2-1/2 or 3 quart clear glass serving bowl or a soufflé dish, arrange half of the cake strips on the bottom. Arrange half of the fruit atop the cake strips. Sprinkle with 2 tablespoons of the brandy, liqueur or juice. Spoon half of the Devonshire cream on top. Repeat layers, piping or spooning remaining Devonshire cream on top.
Cover and chill for 2 to 24 hours. If desired, sprinkle with chocolate.

Note: If using peaches or nectarines, dip slices in a mixture of 1 cup water and 1 tablespoon lemon juice to prevent them from discoloring.

Serves 12