Banana White Chocolate Chip Pudding Trifle

Adapted from Smart Cooking Cookbook

Oh my goodness-- I was loving every single bite of this.  I gulped it down so fast and then regretted not savoring it more slowly because going back for seconds was just not allowed in my diet.  This mini trifle was very reminiscent of a banana cream pie--with a twist.  The addition of the cinnamon and nutmeg added just an extra something special to the recipe and the white chocolate chips added some richness in flavor.  Mmmm...

Ingredients:

• 1 4.6 oz package of instant vanilla pudding
• 2 cups milk
• dash of nutmeg
• dash of cinnamon
• 1/2 cup shortening
• 1/2 cup sugar
• 1/4 cup brown sugar
• 1 egg
• 1/2 tsp. baking soda
• 1/2 tsp. salt
• 1 tsp. vanilla extract
• 1 1/4 cup flour
• 3 oz. white chocolate chips
• 2-3 large bananas
• whipped cream, for garnish

Directions:

1. Mix the pudding and milk according to package directions. Add the nutmeg and cinnamon.   Let set in refrigerator.
2. Preheat the oven to 375 degrees.  Combine the ingredients for the white chocolate chip cookies.  (Combine the shortening through the white chocolate chips.)  Mix well.  Grease a 9x13 inch pan and press cookie dough into the bottom of pan.  Cook for approximately 15 minutes.  Let cool completely.
3. When cookies are cool, assemble trifle in individual glasses.  Layer crumbled cookes, pudding, and bananas until reach the top of the glass.  Garnish each serving with a dollop of whip cream and another piece of white chocolate chip cookie.   

Notes:  I'm not sure I would change anything, except that making the cookies quite a bit ahead of time made it easier to wait for the trifle.  I also pondered what other types of cookies, pudding and fruit combos would be as fantastic as this one was.  Any suggestions?