Holiday Gingerbread Trifle

1. 1

   In a small saucepan, sprinkle gelatin over cold water; let stand for 1 minute. Heat over low heat, stirring until gelatin is completely dissolved. Remove from the heat. In a large bowl, combine the pumpkin, brown sugar, cinnamon, ginger, 1/2 teaspoon vanilla, nutmeg, salt and gelatin mixture.

2. 2

   In a large bowl, beat cream until it begins to thicken. Add confectioners' sugar and remaining vanilla; beat until soft peaks form. Fold 4 cups whipped cream into pumpkin mixture. Cover and refrigerate while preparing cake. Refrigerate remaining whipped cream.

3. 3

   For gingerbread, in a large bowl, cream butter and brown sugar until light and fluffy. Beat in egg, then molasses. Combine the flour, ginger, baking soda, cinnamon and salt; add to the creamed mixture alternately with buttermilk, beating well after each addition. Beat in hot water.

4. 4

   Transfer to a greased and floured

5. 5

   . Bake at 350u00b0 for 22-26 minutes or until a toothpick inserted in the center comes out clean. Cool on a wire rack. Cut into cubes.

6. 6

   In a 5-qt. trifle bowl or glass serving bowl, layer 4 cups gingerbread cubes, half of the pumpkin mixture and half of the whipped cream. Repeat with remaining gingerbread and pumpkin. Cover and refrigerate for at least 4 hours.

7. 7

   Just before serving, spread remaining whipped cream over pumpkin mixture. Carefully arrange remaining gingerbread around edge of bowl; sprinkle with crystallized ginger.

* Per serving · 4 servings · Values may vary.