Sometimes detours are delicious! Like many trifles I've seen, this too was born out of a flavorful well meaning mishap. Fortunately, my idea for an apple pie oatmeal cookie that resembled a crumble on top wasn't unedible. It just was not the puffy apple-filled oatmeal cookie I'd envisioned.
It exited the oven as a beautiful 9 inch golden square of chewy oatmeal with red flecks of apple peeking through. I let it cool, as I anticipated lifting that first piece out and spooning on a dollop of homemade whipped cream. But my new oatmeal cookie/apple pie aspirations were not meant to be. It was soft, moist, and tasted of cinnamon, brown sugar, vanilla, and tangy fruit. It just didn't quite hold together like I wanted.
So I created a luscious bowl layered with leftovers; oatmeal cookie, white chocolate pudding from a pumpkin mousse I had made, and toasted pecans. I did saute fresh apple slices, and then assembled it all together.
Because it wasn't planned, some of the quantities are approximate. But I'm posting the recipe anyway as this is a heavy baking season and there may be other chefs out there that need an idea to turn those less than perfect batches of cookies into a tasty alternative rather than tumbling them into the trash.
Apple Pie Oatmeal Cookie Crumble Trifle
Ingredients
1 apple (Winesap, Fuji, Granny Smith, or one of your choice) sliced, with peeling on
1/2 tablespoon butter
1/2 tablespoon brown sugar
1/2 ounce cinnamon schnapps
1/2 ounce whipped cream flavored vodka
cookie crumbles
toasted pecans (walnuts, hazlenuts, or almonds are fine too)
white chocolate pudding (use the flavor that blends best with your leftover cookies)
whipped topping (I used my recipe for Maple Cognac Whipped Cream)
Directions
Melt butter in a medium skillet over medium heat. Dissolve brown sugar. Then add apples and stir to coat. Cook until the apples soften slightly, About 4 to 5 minutes. Pour the schnapps and vodka in. Allow to evaporate for 2 or 3 minutes. Remove and place on paper towels. You don't want any extra liquid in your trifle. Allow to cool completely.
For added flavor, toss some of your cookie crumbles into the pan and stir so they can soak up some of the remaining sauce. Set aside.
Prepare pudding according to package directions.
Place cookie crumbles on the bottom of a bowl. Spoon part of the pudding over. Then sprinkle on some pecans. Arrange apple slices along the top of the pecans. Smooth on a layer of whipped cream. Repeat until you reach the brim of your dish or the end of your ingredients, ending with whipped cream and a garnish of cookies and pecans.
The possibilities are endless with the combinations you can compile. Adjust the liqueurs, puddings, and nuts to your tastes. Hope this helps you transform your cookie catastrophes into delicious detours too!
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