Chia Pudding Trifle

Trifle is one of my favorite desserts on this earth. Probably because of the visual appeal of it. It's served in a glass, piled high, you get the gist of it. So, I created a healthy chia pudding 'trifle' for all my plant-based foodies out there who want to have trifle but who also don't want to harm their bodies or the planet. This dessert is extra special because it's also topped with banana bread, which is my current obsession. I'm constantly thinking of insane ways to eat a slice of banana bread, and if you think I'm kidding, I'm not. 

The idea to turn it into a trifle came to me during a yoga/dance I did yesterday, a little bopping I did in my living room. Just for those who are curious: yoga/dance is this thing you do where you put on a great playlist, turn it up really loud in your home, lay out your yoga mat, and freestyle flow. You can hold the poses for as long or as little as you want- and you can bop to the beat if it feels right, or just hold everything.  It's up to you. There are no rules. That is the only rule of yoga/dance, at least to me. 

This chia pudding trifle is made with wholesome, plant based ingredients so you can feel good all day long. I would recommend this as either a breakfast for two or as a dessert. It's filled with ingredients like bananas, chia seeds, coconut cream, and granola for some crunch. Topped with my friend Isaac's banana bread, this thing was crazzzzyyyyyyy goooooodd.

Chocolate Chia Trifle (with banana bread)

(Serves 2)

Chia Pudding Layer:

• 1/2 can coconut cream

• 1/4 cup chia seeds (I use Salba Chia)

• 1 cup coconut milk

Chocolate Layer:

• 2 frozen bananas

• 2 tbsp Cacao powder (I use Cacao Magic by Philosophie)

Other layers:

• 1/2 cup granola (I used Pumpkin Fig by Purely Elizabeth)

• 1 tbsp coconut shreds

• 1 fresh banana, sliced thick

• 1 tbsp walnuts

• 1 tbsp almond butter (I used Maple Almond Butter by Justins)

• Optional: 1 tsp black sesame seeds (for garnish)

Instructions:

1. Mix your chia seeds and coconut milk together in a large bowl. Whisk rapidly for 30 seconds. Let sit in fridge for 10 minutes to thicken, checking in to stir it occasionally every few minutes or so to make sure the chia seeds don't clump together.
   

2. Meanwhile, you can start to prepare the chocolate smoothie layer. Simply chop your frozen banana up into 2" pieces and place in a food processor or high speed blender with a splash of nut milk or water. Blend and add the cacao powder until well mixed. Adjust liquid/banana ratio as needed. You really don't need much smoothie here, it should only make about 8 oz of smoothie. If you have extras, you can drink the leftovers or save it for later!

3. By now your chia pudding should be thick enough. Start your parfait layering. Add 1" of granola to the bottom of a glass jar.

4. Then, add a 1" layer of chia pudding.

5. Follow with a 1" layer of chocolate smoothie.

6. Add your banana slices.

7. Continue layering until you run out of room.

8. Top with banana bread chunks, walnuts, maple almond butter, coconut shreds, a drizzle of coconut cream and some sesame seeds.

9. Share with friends because that's the best thing ever.