Apples N' Spice Cake Trifle

This is a perfect fall holiday dessert that looks wonderful in the trifle bowl. Don't let the ingredients/steps scare you! All ingredients are canned, boxed, cartoned; you just need to buy it and combine it! One hour to prepare and the results are gratifying! This is so easy; I made this for my in-laws Thanksgiving dinner when I was dating my husband; during that time period I had no kitchen skills whatsoever. Very easy! Prep time does not include cooling/chilling times. This recipe is from Taste of Home Magazine, the October/November 1999 edition.

• Ready In: 1 hr
• Serves: 20-24

Ingredients

• 1 (18 1/4ounce) box  spice cake mix
• 1 1⁄4 cups  cinnamon applesauce
• 3  eggs
• 1⁄3 cup  vegetable oil
• 1 (21 ounce) can  apple pie filling
• 1  tablespoon butter or 1  tablespoon margarine
• 7  teaspoons ground cinnamon, divided
• 3  cups milk, cold
• 1 (6 ounce) box vanilla pudding mix
• 1 1⁄4 ounces  whipped dessert topping mix
• 1 (12 ounce) carton  whipped topping, thawed
• 1⁄2 cup walnuts, chopped
• 1⁄4 cup  toffee pieces, almond brickle chips or 2  Heath candy bars, chopped

Directions

1. Preheat oven to 350 degrees.
2. In a mixing bowl, combine dry cake mix, applesauce, eggs and oil; beat on medium for 2 minutes.
3. Pour into a greased 13x9 baking dish and bake for 30-40 minutes or until inserted toothpick comes out clean.
4. Cool.
5. While that is baking, in a saucpan combine apple pie filling, butter and 1 tsp of cinnamon until butter is melted and stir until well blended.
6. Cool.
7. In a mixing bowl, combine milk, pudding mix, whipped topping mix and remaining cinnamon.
8. Beat on high until thick; about 5 minutes then let it stand for 5 more minutes.
9. Spread 1/3 of the apple mix (step#5) in a trifle bowl.
10. Now, cut the cake into cubes and place half over the apple mixture in trifle.
11. Top that with half of the whipped topping/pudding and sprinkle 1/4 cup walnuts.
12. Repeat the layers, ending with the remaining topping mixture and sprinkle with bits, chips or chopped candy bar and 1/4 cup walnuts.
13. Cover and chill for at least 2 hours.