This past weekend was packed with the beginnings of Christmas events which is one of the reasons I love December. Not only is it a reminder of Christ’s birth but it is a time to share that truth with others around our lives.
This past Saturday I was able to attend a Christmas tea gathering with women from my church. While we were encouraged to invite other women who did not attend our church it was also a time to come together and get to know each other a little more. Last year I was not able to attend because we had hardly been in Philly for a few months and I did not have babysitters. Ryan also was busy conducting his school concerts. Did I mention that December was a busy month? 😉
This year I volunteered to help with the tea even though it was my first time to attend. I helped by choosing the carols and by leading the women in singing them along with a friend playing at the piano. The tea was held at a BEAUTIFUL historical site in the Villanova area and it was decorated so beautifully by some of the women at our church. So beautiful to see womens’ God-given talents in fruition. LOVE it.
While all the women attending were expected to bring goodies from tea sandwiches to cookies, the fellowship and sharing from fellow women was the highlight. If we are to think upon three things during this holiday season it is JOY.
J – Jesus O – Others Y – You
Something else I experienced was giving a food demo to the church ladies. I had done once before at home with friends but I guess that was practice because this was in front of 40+ women. Oy! I had a few knots in my tummy almost like performance jitters especially since this was the first time sometime something like this was done at the tea. It went well!
I made a Chocolate-Peppermint Mousse Trifle and I assembled it in front of all the ladies explaining how easy it would be to prepare and to take to a party. It was a hit and I felt really great after sharing the recipe. I will be sharing the recipe so that YOU can take it to a holiday party soon. I might be making it again for a future party too.
What are your favorite holiday recipes or events to go to this season?
Chocolate-Peppermint Mousse Trifle
by Noelle Kelly
Prep Time: 25 minutes
Cook Time: 45min
Ingredients (8 servings)
- 1 recipe using your favorite chocolate boxed cake
- 2 recipes for boxed chocolate pudding
- 3 cups heavy whipping cream
- 1 cup crushed peppermint candies
- chocolate chips
- mint sprigs
- 2 ounces chocolate liqueur (optional)
Instructions
Cake
Prepare chocolate boxed cake as specified in a 13×9 glass pan. Once it has baked, cool for an hour and cut into cubes. Place in a covered plastic container until the rest of the ingredients are ready.
Pudding
Prepare the two packages of chocolate pudding as instructed on box and chill for 30 minutes or until set.
White Chocolate Mousse
Bring 1 cup whipping cream to a boil then add 10-12 ounces of white chocolate chips and decrease heat to medium and mix well until all melted. Cool white chocolate mixture in an ice bath for 20-30 min.
Whip 2 cups of whipping cream and 2 Tablespoons of powdered sugar until they reach stiff peaks. Fold the white chocolate mixture into the whipped cream until well combined. Add 1 cup crushed peppermint candies and mix well.
Assemble the trifle
Add half of the chocolate cake cubes to the bottom of trifle
Place a third of the white chocolate mousse on top of the cake
Add half of the chocolate pudding on top of the mousse
Repeat again with the same order ending with the rest of the white chocolate mousse.
Sprinkle some chocolate chips on top
Crushed peppermint candies
Mint Sprigs
Cool in the fridge overnight and serve the next day
OPTIONAL
At the cake layers, add 1 ounce of coffee liqueur to the cake
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