Rolo Brownie Trifles

Today I walked in to my preschoolers room and he had miniature dinosaurs, shells, and rocks all lined up against his window frame.  I tried to move a couple of them to clean the window and he got all upset:

 "Mooom! They're lined up according to the period they lived in.  That one belongs in Cretaceous not Triassic."


Excuse me?


Do you know what I was doing at age 4?

Probably picking my nose or trying to figure out how to put my shoes on the right feet.  (Seriously... I struggled with that one.)

I love this child and I love that he uses his brain but suddenly I'm left wondering where his childhood has gone.  He is starting soccer this week and I'm biting my nails wondering how he is going to fit in with his team and whether he's going to freak out if they don't win, or pants somebody else's kid, or spend the whole game explaining the anatomy of the human body to the referee. 

It seems like life suddenly got so much more complicated.  Not only do I have to worry about him being kidnapped, run over, or maimed, now I have to worry about kids refusing to play with him, calling him a nerd, or informing him that he's NOT actually as good at soccer as he thinks he is (He has REALLY high self-esteem which doesn't seem to be based on any kind of external feedback).

When you're pregnant you think, "Gosh, I'm going to be so tired all the time and constantly feeding a baby and now we'll need to get a babysitter when we want to go to the movies." 

You don't think about that baby growing up and getting his feelings hurt or failing at something they love or being excluded or unhappy and being entirely unable to control any of it.


As a control freak, I think I just discovered a whole new level of anxiety.


Whydotheyhavetogrowupsofasssst?
     

Sometimes when I'm anxious I eat stuff from my Pinterest boards.  Like these trifles. I like them best assembled right before eating.  You can make all the parts in advance and store in the fridge, I just don't like the rolos after being in the fridge.. 

Pretty sure the chocolate bible says chocolate should always melt in your mouth.

Rolo Brownie Trifle

Recipe adapted from Bakingdom

Note: If you buy one standard bag of individually wrapped rolos it will be enough for all parts of the trifle.  The brownies and caramel sauce can be made up to a few days in advance but the mousse should be made day-of.

Rolo Brownies
-1 box Betty Crocker Fudge brownies (red box) and ingredients to make it
-25 Rolos, quartered

Make brownie mix according to package directions and pour into a greased 9x13 pan.  Sprinkle cut rolos over the top and bake according to package instructions.  (It may actually take a bit longer, so use the toothpick test.)  Allow to cool completely.

Caramel Sauce
-1 cup sugar
-1/4 cup water
-1/2 cup heavy cream, warmed
-1 Tablespoon corn syrup
-2 Tablespoons butter
-1/4 tsp salt

Place sugar, water, and corn syrup in a small saucepan and stir until well combined. STOP stirring and bring the mixture to a boil over high heat, swirling the pan occasionally instead of stirring. Continue boiling until the mixture begins to turn an amber color. 

Quickly remove from heat (it burns quickly after turning amber), and very carefully add cream in a slow stream, while stirring constantly.  (It will bubble up and spit and sputter, so wear an oven mit!)

Once well combined, add the salt and butter and stir until sauce is smooth and completely combined. Store in an airtight container (mason jar works well) until ready to use.

Chocolate Whipped Cream
 -2 cups heavy cream
-1 heaping Tablespoon cocoa powder
-4 Tablespoons sugar
-1 teaspoon vanilla

In a chilled metal bowl, whip the heavy cream and cocoa powder on high speed with a handheld mixer until it starts to thicken.

Sprinkle in the sugar and vanilla and mix on low until combined. Turn mixer to high and continue whipping until stiff peaks form. Cover and refrigerate until ready to use.  (Several hours is fine but overnight is pushing it.)

To Assemble Trifles
-leftover rolos from bag, chopped into thirds.  Several whole Rolos reserved for garnish, if desired.

Cut brownies into bite sized pieces.

Warm up caramel in the microwave for 30 seconds to 1 minute or until easy to pour, but not too hot.

Layer each bowl or glass with layers of whipped cream followed by brownie pieces and chopped rolos, followed by a drizzle of caramel.  Repeat until you reach the top of your glass. Garnish top with Rolos and caramel.